Oldham Youth Charities get an award from the Queen

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Picture courtesy of Oldham Council

Representatives from each organisation joined a record number of 27 Greater Manchester voluntary groups to collect an engraved, commemorative crystal trophy and a certificate signed by Her Majesty the Queen at a special ceremony at Gorton Monastery on Wednesday 29 August.  They were presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Paul Griffiths DL. 

Mahdlo is a youth zone in Oldham which provides activities, support and opportunities for 5,000 young local people aged 8 – 19 years (or up to 25 if they have a disability), which helps reduce anti-social behaviour and encourage volunteering and a sense of community. The charity helps young people improve their health, well-being, self confidence and resilience, working in some of the most deprived areas in the borough.  

Mike Doran, chief executive of Mahdlo Youth Zone said: “The young people we work with are the town’s future and we will do anything to encourage and support their success.  Our Get A Job programme has worked with over 140 young people with 83%securing employment, training or education. The team here offer somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to. They are so committed to helping our young members, so it’s fantastic to get this recognition for all they do.”

Oldham Youth Council has been operating for since 2006 and has 60 volunteers who aim to ensure Oldham’s young people have a voice and help plan and shape council services as well as influencing national agendas by linking to regional and national organisations.  Aged 11-21 years they represent Oldham’s 26,000 strong youth population.

Cllr Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Oldham Council said: “For over ten years Oldham Youth Council has been involved in making vital decisions for the borough and will be integral in how we gain the voice of young people to help shape a better Oldham for our future generations.

“We’re enormously proud of them and everything they do and all members and staff involved should be incredibly proud in achieving this fantastic recognition.”

Commenting on the two Oldham youth bodies, The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith, said: “These are two very worthy recipient who really support young people in the borough.

“This year we had 27, a record number of recipients, more than any other year, and far more than any other county. Since these awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation, we have met so many deserving groups who give their time freely for the benefit of others. The annual event at Gorton Monastery is such an uplifting and inspiring day.  I would like to encourage more nominations for social enterprises, charities and voluntary groups in Greater Manchester before the September deadline.”

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a voluntary group.

The closing date for nominations for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2019 awards is 14 September 2018. Organisations who have been operating for at least three years, and whose workforce is more than half voluntary are eligible to be nominated.