Teen artist who runs crafts sessions for children crowned Volunteer Champion

Lili Travers of Littlemoor, Weymouth has been named the Echo Volunteer Community Champion for her long-running volunteer work leading crafting and art sessions for children; she says she will use her prize voucher to help start a low-cost family photography project.

Lili Travers of Littlemoor in Weymouth has been named the Echo Volunteer Community Champion for her work with local groups. She has volunteered since about the age of 14. Her roles include running crafting and one-to-one art sessions at Houseworks Dorset and helping at the Top Club, the Top Club Hub, and the Nest community social supermarkets and café. She set up a "crafty cupboard" at the Nest so children can help themselves to free art supplies. Key details: - Lili has volunteered with community organisations since she was around 14 and works part-time at the Littlemoor Hub while volunteering additional hours. - She runs one-to-one art sessions and crafting activities at Houseworks Dorset and volunteers at the Top Club and the Nest. - The crafty cupboard at the Nest provides free supplies such as glue sticks, scissors and other art materials; the idea is reported as coming from Lili. - She was named the Echo Volunteer Community Champion; each category winner receives a £50 voucher and the overall Community Champion of the Year 2026 will also secure a £250 donation from Weymouth Rotary for a local charity of their choice. - Lili says she plans to use her prize to help start a low-cost or free family photography project so local families can access photos at little or no cost. Summary: The award recognises sustained volunteer work in arts and community support in Weymouth, including efforts to make creative materials and photography more accessible to families. Lili says she will invest her prize toward launching a family photography project. The timing and wider details of that project are undetermined at this time.