Year 11 Student Wins Community Award!
Bognor Regis Town Council ran their Community Awards evening for 2025 on Thursday 27th March at the Civic Centre, Bognor.
At the award ceremony, year 11 student from Felpham Community College – Tali Swain – was presented with the Citizen’s Award for Young People 2025.
The award was presented by Ms Claire Needs, Mayor of Bognor. She presented the award with the following speech:
“The final award I will be presenting tonight is the ‘Citizens Award for Young People’. The recipient of this year’s award is an outstanding individual, who spends much of her time volunteering in the local community and at charity events, despite currently studying for her GCSE’s. As the Vice-Chair of the Arun Youth Council this person gives up much of her time attending meetings and organising local events and projects, that benefit local people. One of these was the regeneration of the garden at the Phoenix Centre, where she played an integral part of the youth team who brought this project to fruition, even giving a speech at the opening event, which I took pleasure in attending.
Described as a kind, caring and respectful person, with great empathy who always brings out the best in everyone, the recipient volunteered as Company Stage Manager for ‘Chichester and Arun Down Syndrome Group Dance Crew’ and ‘Raise The Roof’ for their rehearsals and performances at FestivALL at the Minerva theatre at the beginning of March. FestivALL is an inclusive dance, drama and music festival for Neurodiverse performers and performers with disabilities.
Through her many voluntary roles, including at the Chichester Festival Theatre, this young person is learning valuable team and leadership skills, and is poised to become an excellent project manager, who will no doubt continue to make valuable contributions to her local community.
Without further ado, I’m delighted to present this year’s ‘Citizens Award for Young People’ to Tali Swain”.
Mr Summers, Assistant Headteacher at FCC, commented:
“Tali does so much for the FCC community and the local community. This award is thoroughly deserved and we are really proud of her. Well done Tali!”
