For the last four years, Danielle Santry has been helping people and families in need across the Highlands, which has been recognised with a state award. The family and community support worker from Home-Start family services has been given a NSW Community Service Award for her dedication in the region. The award recognises the work people do to improve the qualities of life of others in their local areas. She works with other support services and charities to provide accommodation, furniture, food and essential supplies, organises Christmas hampers and helps people access funding and support. One key charity she works with is The 4K, which helps children with additional needs by giving them access to different opportunities and support. And those things only scratch the surface of what she helps provide others with. MP Wendy Tuckerman came to present the award on December 6, which is signed by her and NSW Premier Chris Minns. "I'm very honoured and shocked," the support worker said. "I love my work and what I do." "One of the things that is important to recognise is that you go above and beyond in the work you do," Ms Tuckerman said. Prior to being at Home-Start and The 4K, she was a Centrelink manager in Sydney's inner city and Northern Beaches, at Willoughby City Council where she helped bring Headspace to the area, and worked with Barnados Australia family support services. "She's a force of nature, she's extraordinary," Home-Start CEO Michelle McDonell said. Ms Tuckerman also mentioned Ms Santry in a Community Recognition Statement in parliament for her work supporting vulnerable children, parents and families. Along with the award, she was also given a trophy. Ms Santry said the need for support services in the Highlands has increased with more people reaching out for help with financial hardships, those sleeping rough or homeless, or needing support due to family and domestic violence. It has also been difficult to help children with different disabilities get access to specialists and early intervention due to the strain in resources, she said. She said it was a privilege to be able to work with people and help them directly. The award follows her being named as this year's Illawarra Volunteer of the Year.