MEGAN Allen first went to TADS in Barnsley in 2016 as a young person in desperate need of help with anxiety and depression.
TADS (therapy for anxiety, depression and stress) is a wellbeing centre for young people, and offers emotional support for 11 to 18-year-olds struggling with mental health issues.
Two years on, Megan is now a volunteer at the centre, giving every spare hour she has to the place that helped her overcome her mental health issues. This is why Megan has been nominated for Young Superstar in the Proud of Barnsley Awards 2018.
Megan had to leave school in her final year, but managed to complete her exams which secured her a place at Barnsley College to study a Health and Social Care course.
Megan, 17, of Blackburn Lane, Barnsley, said: “TADS helped me a lot as a young person and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
“They have given me much more confidence and I’m now at college full-time because of them.
“I attend TADS in a voluntary capacity for more than 25 hours per week, as I want to use my experience to help others.
“Because of my dedication to TADS, I have recently been offered to work on developing a support for children with cancer in the family support group after TADS received funding from the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
“I plan to go to university next year and hope to become a child social worker following the experience I have gained at TADS.”
Karen Mitchell, TADS CEO, said: “Megan is volunteering every spare hour she has when not at college. She has changed some of our systems and streamlined how we gather data.
“Megan has undertaken some training with us and now offers one-to-one sessions for young people struggling to cope with mental health issues. Young people love to meet Megan as they can see that there is an end to the difficult circumstances they find themselves in.
“She truly is a superstar.”
