Teamwork Trust apprentice Kizzy Minter has been crowned Northamptonshire’s Young Person of the Year.

Kizzy, 17, who has worked at Northamptonshire charity Teamwork Trust for one year, picked up the award at this year’s prestigious Northamptonshire Logistics Awards, held in Franklin’s Gardens, home to the Saints rugby team. 

She won the award in recognition for her commitment to the charity and the work she does to support its members - adults with learning and physical disabilities and mental health issues.

John Akers, Transition Officer at Teamwork Trust, was also praised for his work and unveiled as a runner up in the Inspirer in Schools & the Community category. John, whose post is funded via BBC Children in Need, visits special schools in Northamptonshire to promote Teamwork Trust and its logistics-based work experience opportunities to special needs pupils as they prepare to leave school.

Picking up her award Kizzy said: “If I can make a member smile or make a difference to their day in a positive way then I have achieved something great. The best thing about being an apprentice is learning on the job and being able to put theory you learn into practice on a daily basis. Thank you for this award.”

John added: “For youngsters with special needs, leaving school can be an especially daunting time. Schools are structured, often set up to support the whole family and suddenly that changes. Young people find themselves out in the big, wide world and it can be a scary time for everyone involved, but it doesn’t need to be – and that’s where I step in.”

Graham Marshall, Operations Director at Teamwork Trust: “A huge congratulations to both Kizzy and John. We are rightly proud of our organisation and the way in which we engage with the wider business community. As the only charity in a room full of logistics businesses we are proud to have been recognised and for, in particular, our apprentice Kizzy to have scooped a top award.”

Organised by the Northamptonshire Logistics Forum - a forum facilitated by Northamptonshire Growth Hub and made up of over 115 logistics companies county-wide - this year’s Northamptonshire Logistics Awards saw a record number of entries, with nine categories up for grabs and a new bursary scheme unveiled.