An "inspiring" woman who volunteered for a mental health trust during lockdown has been recognised with an award.

Loren Townsend Elliott, 21, from Waltham Forest spent her time at home calling vulnerable clients weekly and helping them with their shopping.

Loren also volunteered for the humanitarian charity British Red Cross by calling up to five people per week to offer support over the phone and to assess any welfare of safeguarding concerns.

She has now been recognised with a Community Award launched by the Jack Petchey Foundation to acknowledge the work by young people from Essex and London during the coronavirus pandemic.

Loren said: "I'm honoured to receive recognition of my work helping my community during Covid-19.

"But more than that, I want young people to know we have the power to make changes both in our lives and that of people around us.

"It's never too late to start marking a difference."

The foundation which was set up to inspire young people asked people to submit nominations on their website.

Lillian Gerber who nominated Loren said: "Loren really is an exceptionally inspiring, intelligent, compassionate and courageous young person,

"Loren isn't the sort of person who does all these voluntary roles for the accolades, Loren does this as she cares about the world, reducing the suffering of others and helping provide pockets of light and opportunity and I couldn't think of a more worthy person to nominate for this award."

A young person can be nominated for any actions they're doing during the coronavirus crisis as long as it abides by social distancing guidelines. This could include contacting isolated people in the community on the phone or supporting a keyworker.

The foundation's CEO Trudy Kilcullen MBE said: "At the Jack Petchey Foundation, young people inspire us all the time with the incredible work they do and that has not stopped in the current situation.

"We want to recognise more young people across London and Essex doing inspirational things to help their community and hope these Community Awards will motivate others and truly showcase the positive things young people do every day."