Hannah Lavell from Hannahwood, the Hannahs young adult provision in Ivybridge, has just been appointed as youth ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation.

This is a new initiative launched last year and this fantastic role will mean she will be involved with literacy projects supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the community for the next seven months.

Last summer, Hannah was asked to join the steering group for the Funky Llama Festival, a totally inclusive festival held in Plymouth every summer. She was subsequently elected official Funky Llama volunteer for 2017 which is a great honour.

Hannah Lavell is 26 years old and in February 2016 her life was transformed when she moved into a bungalow at Hannahs, Ivybridge, where she now lives 52 weeks a year. Previously she had spent six years in a nursing home.

She has made so many new friends at Hannahs and she loves taking part in as many activities as possible at both Ivybridge and Seale-Hayne. Hannah is a regular presenter on Hannahwood Radio, enjoys all sports whether it is sailing or power-chair football, and is always keen to go on outings around south Devon.

Hannahs’ activities co-ordinator said: “Thanks to Hannah’s positive attitude to life and ability to motivate and inspire others, opportunities like this are coming her way thick and fast. She is already the official volunteer for Funky Llama as well as being a fantastic role model and ambassador for her peers here at Hannahs!”

Hannah is a great ambassador for Hannahs as being given these opportunities means she is not only able to represent her peers from Hannahwood but also her community and beyond.

Hannahs has been enriching the lives of children and young people for nearly 250 years. One of the UK’s oldest charities, Hannahs is dedicated to empowering children, young people and adults with a range of disabilities. They are committed to challenging societal beliefs surrounding disabled people with the aim of making disability incidental.