A YOUNG carer who is determined to give something back to his community has been given an award to help him achieve his ambitions.

Nineteen-year-old Carl Tincknell, from Northfields in Leicester, is one of the latest young people to benefit from an Inspire Award.

Inspire Awards are given out by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT), a local charity that works to increase awareness of – and reduce the instances of – sudden heart death.

The Trust was set up after the tragic death of Rothley teenager Joe Humphries,14, from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS).

Inspire Awards are small grants of up to £500, aimed at helping young people to fulfil their ambitions in memory of Joe, who never got the chance to fulfil his.

Carl, who has taken on a caring role for his mum, has been affected by depression and found school difficult.

"I was diagnosed with dyslexia, which really held me back in education and seriously affected my confidence," he said.

"I have also struggled with depression at various points in my life. However, this doesn't mean I don't have ambitions for the future or talents that I know I can develop.

"I have been involved in local arts organisation Soft Touch Arts since I was 12 and they have really helped me to realise that I have a creative side. Through Soft Touch, I started studying for a silver Arts Award.

"This was a major achievement for me and boosted my confidence. It's something positive to put on my CV, which will help with applying for courses or jobs. And now I've moved on to the gold award!"

Carl was awarded a grant for £300 so that he could buy a laptop and complete his learning with Soft Touch. He also used the laptop to organise a recent community event in New Parks, where he ran a Christmas crafts project, making snow globes with children and families.

Carl said: "I did a summer project in 2013 and I wanted to repeat the experience as it went down really well in the community – and I got a lot out of it too.

"Without a computer at home, I would have struggled to do all the preparation work necessary. That's where the Inspire Award has made a big difference."

Simon Taylor, Inspire lead for the JHMT, said: "A big part of the Trust's Inspire Awards scheme is to provide support and encouragement to people who want to make a difference to their communities. Carl's passion for community events is just the sort of vision we want to support, so we wish him every success and look forward to hearing about his work in the future."

Inspire has also recently awarded grants to two other young people.

Sixteen-year-old Kristiana Groza, from Syston, has overcome many personal challenges in her life to succeed in education. She will use her £300 Inspire Award to buy equipment and resources for an arts venture.

Kristiana works with the Sir John Moore Foundation, which helps young people who don't thrive in mainstream school. As part of this, she has started a 'junk store' at the foundation and makes pieces of art out of recycled materials.

Kristiana said: "The Junk Store is a space where I am happy and creative, and am surrounded by people that can support me. I can improve my skills, make art and develop my own community and school workshops. By making art out of other people's rubbish I am also being environmentally friendly."

A further Inspire Award of £156 was granted to 19-year-old Alex Gibson, of Loughborough, to help him get practical sports coaching experience that will support his application for university.

Alex said: "I love sports and play a wide range of sports recreationally. I want to pursue a career in the sports coaching and development industry, and encourage others to participate in sport.

"I want to get some experience to support my university application, and the JHMT's Inspire Award means I can now sit my Level 1 coaching badge in football, run by the Leicestershire Football Association.

"I volunteer at lots of schools and clubs so what I learn as a coach will benefit not only me but the children that I will teach."

Steve Humphries, chair of the JHMT, said: "I'm delighted that we have been able to make these awards to three more very deserving young people. I'd also like to thank the incredibly hard-working volunteers on our Inspire Awards team, who judge and administer the grants scheme.

'We'd like to extend our gratitude too to every single person who supports the work of the JHMT and helps us to help young people reach their goals."