Leading Macclesfield charity Just Drop-In has become of only four Cheshire East charities this year to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, at a ceremony attended by local MP David Rutley, who is Just Drop-In’s Patron.
The honour – known as the MBE for volunteer groups – was awarded at Macclesfield Town Hall by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs, in recognition of Just Drop-In’s consistent and dedicated work to provide information, support, counselling services and training in life-skills to children and young people aged between 12-25 years.
David has been a longstanding supporter of the charity and its work, having met regularly with the leadership team, including Team Manager Ann Wright, and its volunteers. Founded in 2001 as a millennium project of Macclesfield Churches Together, now known as HOPE in North East Cheshire, Just Drop-In is open six days a week at its premises on Duke Street. Its regular core of over 65 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds is key to the charity’s outreach potential. Working with a small staff team, volunteers dedicated 4,600 hours last year helping young people, many of whom are feeling isolated or under pressure, to ‘find their feet’.
At the ceremony, the Lord-Lieutenant also told the audience about the continued growth of Just Drop-In’s services in recent years. In 2016, almost 500 young people were assisted a total of 3,366 times, one in five of them for counselling, helping to make a real impact on their well-being and life chances.
Speaking after this event, David said, “This well-deserved reward is a fitting recognition of the commitment and hard work made by Just Drop-In’s volunteers and staff to support younger people in Macclesfield with counselling and life-training skills. I extend my warmest congratulations to all involved with Just Drop-In, and my thanks for the services that they provide for local young people. I wish Just Drop-In every success for the future, and will continue to support their vital services going forward.”