The 17-year-old was up for the award because of her hard work helping Honiton Youth Club re-open.

A teenager who has given ‘exceptional support’ to Honiton Youth Club has seen her hard work recognised after she was shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Jade Short, an East Devon Homes tenant, was shortlisted for the recently-held Tenant of the Year awards, which is run by the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS).

East Devon Homes nominated Jade for the awards because of the exceptional support she gave to the Honiton’s new youth club to ensure its re-opening in September 2015 after the old one closed in September 2014.

Despite being extremely shy, this young student bravely spoke out at public meetings to remind the local community of the club’s value and, as a direct result of her passionate eloquence, persuaded them to support its reopening.

Jade’s commitment to the club combined with her understanding of young people’s needs and her involvement on the club’s committee, directly resulted in helping get the club off the ground, which was an enormous undertaking.

Despite a busy college schedule and weekend working commitments, she still continues to volunteer at the club on a regular basis.

East Devon Homes’ community development workers, Mark Gerry and Alex Gibson, took Jade and a friend up to London to attend the awards ceremony, which was held at the Hilton hotel in Wembley.

Alex said: “We are grateful to Jade and her pro-active approach, which resulted in her rescuing a service, which is extremely popular with Honiton tenants.

“We are all impressed that a young person now has first-hand experience of how committed local people can make an important difference to the lives of others.

“We are delighted that Jade was shortlisted for the Tenant of the Year awards, as it was good to see public recognition of her hard work.

“TPAS celebrates the active participation of tenants in the work of Housing Providers and they received hundreds of entries for the awards, so East Devon Homes is very proud that Jade made the shortlist.”

Councillor Jill Elson, East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for sustainable homes and communities, added: “Jade’s energy and commitment to the youth club has helped ensure that a much valued and popular local amenity is now open once more for business.

“Her dedication and passion for the club means that young people like herself now have a centre to turn to for leisure activities, as well as for their own personal development and well being.”