Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs presented Reach Out and Recover (ROAR) with The Queen’s award for Voluntary Service at a reception held in Macclesfield.
David Briggs said: “The Queen was so impressed with ROAR and what the volunteers have done to change the lives of so many people she has made this award to all the volunteers at ROAR.
“This is the highest award that any voluntary organisation can win in the United Kingdom – it is equivalent to a group MBE.”
He added: “If you are in any doubt about your achievements you might like to know that there are more than 4,000 charities in Cheshire and only 5 have won a Queen’s award this year.”
(The others are Knutsford Heritage Centre and Space4Autism as well as Cheshire Search and Rescue and Cheshire Asbestos Victims Support Group)
The purpose of ROAR is to empower people to believe, achieve and succeed following difficult times in their lives – perhaps as a result of alcohol and drug abuse, homelessness or other reasons.
ROAR volunteers teach them about behaviour change, learning new skills to cope and rebuilding their life style in a two-step safe setting.
This work is designed to provide the personal tools to become independent and have the skills and confidence to enter paid employment.
Accommodation is available and the clients are encouraged to work in the community with other charities such as Just Drop In, Hope Centre, police, local hospital, churches and many more.
One of the ROAR stories written by Katey who has recovered and now a volunteer:
“Roar is quite simply the difference between life and death for some people. For others it’s about hope and families. For everyone it’s about change.
“It’s about learning to change every aspect of your life and those bad behaviours you pick up. It’s about building relationships and learning coping mechanisms, it’s about honesty and trust.
“It’s about people becoming who they were meant to be before they picked up substances and giving them the time and space to discover themselves – it is about being you.
“I do this as a worker by never forgetting what life was like before and keeping me grounded. I do it by being grateful every minute of every day for what ROAR has given me.
“I do it by offering to others as was offered to me and by constantly remembering the care and support I was given.
“I do it by listening and talking, by building trust, by showing empathy and understanding because I know that every person’s journey is different.”
Before David finished he discussed how most of us have an understanding of how destructive alcohol can be, but a synthetic drug now being offered in Cheshire is called SPICE, and across the border in Stoke another synthetic drug known as Monkey Dust which is said to have an even worse impact than heroin or alcohol.
David urged: “Please do not use, or let your friends take, this awful substance.”
He continued: “The work that you do is very hard but hugely rewarding when you see people change.
“The award is for voluntary service so an award for the 32 volunteers as well as the original founders – Vicky, Danny, Jill, Marc, Lesley and Tony – who all give of their time and skill to ROAR, to help some of the most desperate and needy in our community.
“So again thank you so much for all that you undertake for others. Very many congratulations.”
