Macclesfield youth charity Just Drop-In is now one of 142 BACP-accredited counselling services in the UK, after 18 months. Its counselling is free.
Just Drop-In, the Macclesfield charity that gives free counselling to young people, has had its counselling service accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), at the end of an 18-month process.
The charity says that puts it among only 142 accredited counselling services in the United Kingdom, and that to the best of its knowledge it is now the only BACP-accredited counselling service based in Cheshire East.
Tim Roca MP has congratulated the charity, and was photographed with the team holding the accreditation certificate.
“I could not be more proud”
Ann Wright, Chief Officer at Just Drop-In, who has led the charity for more than 11 years, said:
“I could not be more proud. It’s taken 18 months to achieve, but has been much longer in the making, with many people contributing in many different ways.”
The charity says the accreditation recognises the quality of its counselling and its commitment to keeping to professional standards, and calls it “an important milestone for Just Drop-In and the young people who rely on their support”.
How rare it is
By the charity’s count, of the 142 accredited services in the UK about 114 are in England, and only 30 of those are in the North of England.
Who Just Drop-In helps
Just Drop-In is a registered charity (number 1081416) supporting young people aged 11 to 25 who live in the north of Cheshire East: Macclesfield, Bollington, Wilmslow, Knutsford and Poynton. All of its services are free.
Its counselling page says counselling is for young people aged 14 and over, in a person-centred style where “your voice, your pace, your goals are what’s key”. Its counsellors must follow the BACP Ethical Framework, be registered with the BACP or a similar professional body, and have experience of working with young people. The service covers the old borough of Macclesfield, including Knutsford, Wilmslow, Poynton and Disley, but not Congleton, Holmes Chapel or Stockport, and some schools have a Just Drop-In counsellor on site.
Alongside counselling the charity runs wellbeing groups for 11 to 24 year olds, mentoring, a therapeutic group for young women called Circles, and support courses for parents and carers.
What it means for you
- Counselling is free for young people aged 14 and over in the area above; under-14s and those outside it are pointed to other support on the charity’s resources page.
- Referrals come from young people and families themselves, not from GPs, schools or other organisations. There is a referral form on the Just Drop-In website.
- The charity is at 15 Brook Street, Macclesfield, SK11 7AA, telephone 01625 665079.
- If a young person is in crisis, the charity’s website has a separate “Is this a time of crisis?” section with urgent help.
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