A GROUP of nine unemployed young people from Bridgwater have narrowly missed out on a prestigious award.

The group, Team 42, were named as runners up for the Dell EMC Community Impact Award at the Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx Celebrate Success Awards, held at the Palladium in London last Wednesday. 

Prince Charles attended the red carpet ceremony and the awards were presented by Ant and Dec.

The awards, now in their 13th year, recognise disadvantaged young people who have overcome issues such as abuse, drug addiction, homelessness, depression and unemployment.

Thierry Henry, Claudia Winkleman, Emilia Fox, Gemma Arterton, Phillip Schofield and Nick Grimshaw were among the celebrities who attended. 

A wish to bring positive change to the community saw nine unemployed young people from Bridgwater unite and give a sensory makeover to a rundown garden at the West Huntspill Day Centre for adults with learning disabilities.

The group had come together on Team 42 - a 12 week programme which builds confidence and employability prospects of unemployed young people.

Zoe Mills, Bridgwater Team 42 member, said: “Most of us hadn’t been around people with learning disabilities before, so we didn’t know what to expect. But they were so nice and friendly, we knew we wanted to do something special for them.”

After choosing to support the Day Centre, the group came across their first hurdle - fundraising.

More than half the Team battled with anxiety and communication issues. This meant the prospect of talking to the public during a fundraising bag pack they had organised at ASDA terrified them, but they managed to raise £224.24 in just four hours.

They also secured donations of paint and tyres and forged strong relationships with Dulux and Somerset Auto & Tyres.

Carefully managing their budget, and taking the time and thought to put themselves in the place of the service users, the Team worked consistently hard to make the sensory garden come to life.

The end result was a work of art - the garden is now one of the most popular spaces at the centre.

Ricky Dean, Bridgwater Team 42 member, added: “Meeting the service users at the centre was great - it helped me and the others put our own problems into perspective.”