Youth volunteers get royal seal of approval
VOLUNTEERS from a charity for young people are celebrating after getting the royal seal of approval from the Queen.
Just Drop-in, based on Duke Street, provides vital support for young people in the town, many of whom are disadvantaged.
Last year almost 500 youngsters aged between 12 and 25 were supported by the charity’s 65 volunteers, one in five of them asking for counselling.
And now the team has been given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary ser- vice, which is given in recognition of the vital service the charity provides.
Ann Wright, chief officer of Just Drop-In said she was delighted with the honour, which endorses the charity’s fantastic standards.
She said: “We are so honoured to receive this award on behalf of the many inspiring volunteers, past and present, who have made such a difference to so many young lives. With this bedrock of community support, we look forward to offering that help for many years to come”.
Ann added that there has been a significant increase in the numbers using Just Drop-In’s services, with volunteers pro- viding 4,600 hours of assistance last year alone.
Anna Wainwright, a volunteer youth worker and counsellor for nine years, and volunteer and services coordinator Faye Ronan, represented the volunteers at a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace as part of their award.
Anna said: “I feel fortunate and proud to have been involved with Just Drop-In.
“Time and time again I have seen the difference this small, friendly, fabulous organisation with its lovely people, makes to young people’s lives.
“Many of us are lucky enough to be born into loving and safe homes with, food on the table. But life isn’t like that for many young people we see and if we can address that inequality then to me that feels the right thing to do”.
Just Drop-In was set up as a millennium project of Macclesfield Churches Together and first opened its doors in 2001.
The charity, which is open six days a week, is supported by Cheshire East Council, Cheadle Royal Hospital Trust, Macclesfield Town Council, Cheshire Community Foundation and NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group.
The formal presentation of the Queen’s Award will take place in September. For information or to find out about volunteering go to justdropin.co.uk.