Much-valued local charity, Just Drop-In, which works to support local young people through advice and counselling, celebrated another successful year at its recent Annual General Meeting, and was joined for the occasion by local MP, David Rutley, as well as other civic guests.
As Patron of the charity, David gave the opening remarks at the AGM, and used the opportunity to praise the charity's fantastic staff and volunteers for all their hard work and commitment over the past year in helping the young people they support to 'find their feet'. Throughout 2019, Just Drop-In's over 60-strong volunteer and staff team has provided 969 young people with face-to-face counselling and support services, over 4,000 individual sessions – a 35 per cent increase on the previous year.
These face-to-face counselling sessions, as well as the practical life-skills that the charity provides, which include My Pad computer skills and cookery classes, all help to build the confidence and emotional wellbeing of the young people that Just Drop-In supports. The charity also continues to take forward group projects designed to improve emotional wellbeing, covering singing, creative arts, dance and running.
At the AGM, David took the opportunity to catch up with the excellent leadership team at Just Drop-In, including the Chair of Trustees, John Stephens, Chief Officer Ann Wright, and Well-Being Services Manager, Faye Nield, to congratulate them on a successful year and to review the charity's ongoing plans to further help improve young people’s emotional and mental health and to assist young teenagers in the future. This includes closer cooperation with parents, as well as the leading role Just Drop-In is playing in delivering the Emotionally Healthy Schools Programme in Cheshire East.
JDI was first set up in 2001 as an initiative of Macclesfield Churches Together, (now Hope In North East Cheshire) and has gone from strength to strength since then.
Speaking after the AGM, David said, "Volunteers and staff at Just Drop-In can look back with great pride at all that their hard work has achieved in 2019. The counselling services and practical skills that Just Drop-In provides for local young people makes a huge difference in the lives of so many people across our local communities, helping to build skills and confidence and better prepare them for the years ahead. I look forward to continuing to actively support this great local charity going forward."