A DEDICATED teenager who lived in a slum for five days to understand what it was like for people living in poverty has been recognised for her ability to inspire and change the lives of others.

Rachel Tiffany, 17, of Kipling Walk, Kidderminster, set up a slum in a field in Somerset, last year, as part of a slum survivor challenge, organised by Christian festival, Soul Survivor.

Since her return, the King Charles I School pupil has been visiting Worcestershire schools to raise awareness of poverty and describe her experiences.

The youngster, who attends Bewdley Baptist Church, was given a Princess Diana Award for her efforts in trying to change lives.

She said: "Living in the slum was shocking. You get stuck in it and feel quite hopeless. You have to stay focused and get by every day.

"We had to earn our food by doing various challenges, which left me feeling hungry and quite hopeless. I wanted to do something about the hunger but I couldn't.

"When I came back I tried to explain what it was like to my friends but they didn't understand.

"I felt I had to do a bit more to raise awareness of poverty, so I built a slum at my school.

"It went down well so I expanded it to schools across Worcestershire which has been really successful. I would love it to go national.

"The students are finding it really shocking because we're showing them lots of things associated with poverty, such as collecting water."

"My school has been really supportive. I had no idea I was getting the award. I was completely shocked and extremely surprised.

"For people to recognise what I have done is amazing."

She added: "My dream is that every young person in the country understands how they can help people suffering from poverty, not only abroad but in their own communities."