A GROUP of young people, who give a voice to looked after children in Sandwell, is celebrating after winning a prestigious Diana Award.

The Looked After Young People’s Board, largely made up of young people, has won the award for its commitment and work over the past year.

The Diana Champion Volunteer Award is presented to inspirational young people who have made a positive difference to their communities.

The board’s achievements in 2014 include representing the views of children in care, consulting on local and national documents, helping to train doctors, nurses and foster carers and developing the first edition of the Looked After Children’s magazine for children in care.

Its members have also helped to interview new social workers and senior council officers, organised events and drawn up a consultation survey for children in care. Chelsea Thompson, chairman of the board, said: “We are all delighted to receive a Diana Champion Volunteers Award.

“We will continue to work hard to ensure that children in care get the best outcomes and results in life.”

The Diana Awards were set up in memory of Princess Diana’s belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better.

Councillor Hackett, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children services, said: “We at Sandwell Council are extremely proud of the Looked After Young People’s Board.

“The Diana Award will encourage the group to continue their work and will hopefully inspire others to volunteer in their schools and communities.”