A Baldock man who bounced back from redundancy to become a social worker has won an award for his outstanding efforts to help others.

Tony Mitchell, who lost his retail job during the recession in 2008, has been saluted in areas including relationship breakdown, drug abuse, attempted suicide and issues related to mental health.

Tony received his award from Herts County Council’s health and community services chief Iain MacBeath at County Hall.

The 49-year-old’s change in direction also took him to university for the first time.

The former Heathcote School student began studying at the University of Hertfordshire in 2012.

“Social work provides a platform to enable others and it’s a privilege to do so,” said Tony.

“The key thing for me was staying in Herts and giving something back to the community in which I grew up.

“It’s changed my life in terms of profession and who I have become. It’s been an amazing journey.”