A charity encouraging community change has been given an award by the Prime Minister.

David Cameron gave the LifeLine Community Projects the Big Society Award for its work with young people.

One of the projects operating in Redbridge is the SW!TCH initiative, which tries to change negative stereotypes of young people by helping them run community projects.

Eloge, 16 of Woodford Green, said: “SW!TCH has changed my life because there was stuff I didn’t do before that I can do now. I like helping people – that’s what I learnt from SW!TCH – to give away my time when I’m not doing anything.”

Lifeline, which is based in Romford but covers Redbridge, is a social enterprise which helps people get into work, complete their education or improve their confidence.

David Cameron said: ““Engaging young people in their local communities is vital in ensuring they are empowered to be active members of that community. LifeLine projects have given hundreds of young people the chance to get involved and give something back.”

Initiatives sparked by the project include park and street clean-ups as well as school workshops and community fun days.