A YOUNG volunteer has cause for celebration after she was recognised for the work she does for people with mental health conditions.

Heidi Forster, from Blackburn, received the Dignity and Respect award at the Making Space Volunteer and Service User Awards, held to mark the national health and social care charity’s 35th anniversary.

Ms Forster, a 23-year-old support worker who has an art degree, set up an art group in July 2016 for tenants at a Blackpool supported housing development, which is run by Making Space.

Every week, she travels almost 30 miles to the resort’s Queenstown area to deliver a class to a mixed group of adults with mental health issues.

Volunteers were given their awards at a ceremony hosted by Coronation Street’s Liz McDonald, Beverley Callard, but Heidi could not attend because of work commitments

Ms Forster said: “It was a shame I couldn’t go to the ceremony, but it’s very nice to be given an award.”

Making Space was founded in 1982 to help improve the lives of those living with mental health conditions and their carers.