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Emma's passion scoops award
A "passionate" young person has received an award for her work with children of addicted parents.
Emma Spiegler, 25, of Ovaltine Drive, Kings Langley, won £1,000 at the awards ceremony for the SkillsTrain Young People of the Year in Dacorum and St Albans, at Haven House in Hemel Hempstead this month.
Emma grew up with an alcoholic mother and took cannabis herself, but has turned away from drugs and set up a website for young people living with addicted parents.
Her website, coap.co.uk, offers advice to young people growing up with the same problems and gives them a forum to discuss their experiences.
She has watched the website grow, and is said to be pleased with the 41 new users since the site was featured recently on ITV.
During the awards ceremony, the judges said Emma had "passion and determination" and were amazed at her ability to "take her negative situation and channel it in a positive way for others".
Emma, who is also author of Missing Mummy', said: "I was really surprised and so glad to have won.
"I am planning on putting £500 towards getting councillors involved in the website and £500 will go towards the Family Carers' Service at Jewish Care, where I work.
"If the whole thing collapsed tomorrow, I would still be pleased, because I know the website has helped lots of young adults to talk about their experiences and for them to not feel so alone by talking to eachother.
"My vision is to get hundreds of people talking."
Emma explained that she is looking forward to the grand final, and meeting the other finalists in May.
Founder of Young People of the Year (YOPEY), Tony Gearing, a Hertfordshire resident and former national newspaper journalist, said he founded YOPEY because he was fed up with unfair bad press young people receive.
He said: "All the finalists are winners for helping to improve the image of young people today."
For more information log on to www.yopey.org.
9:22am Thursday 27th March 2008
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