Dedicated volunteers and their families attended a celebration event at Parklands Children’s Centre.

Mayor of Ellesmere Port Cllr Bob Crompton presented Catch22 volunteers with certificates and a small  token of appreciation to acknowledge the invaluable support they have  provided to 12 local children’s centres  and related projects.

Catch22 is a social business that  helps people to turn their lives  around. 

Volunteers are an integral to its success and in Cheshire West and  Chester more than 60 volunteers are supported to provide activities for children and young people.

They have committed more  than 3,500 hours of their time to  Catch22 in 2013 so far.

The volunteers have the opportunity to become involved with play  activities, administration support,  youth work and community engagement and several volunteers have  progressed to further education or  employment as a consequence of the  experience and confidence they have  gained within their volunteering  roles.

Local volunteer Katherine Downey  spoke about how much impact her  role  has had on her, not only in  building confidence and experience  but also helping her to achieve the  qualifications she needs in order to  progress into her chosen career in  childcare.

Following the certificate presentation, the contribution of the volunteers was rewarded with a buffet  meal and the opportunity to meet  and mingle with other volunteers,  staff and representatives from  Cheshire West and Chester Local  Authority who currently commission Catch22 to coordinate this service.