Catalyst Presented With Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service

Published on: 25 Oct, 2015
Updated on: 23 Oct, 2015

The drug, alcohol and mental health charity Catalyst, that has its base in Guildford, has been presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, presents the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to Catalyst.

The presentation was made by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux at The Lightbox in Woking.

Volunteers, staff, trustees and guests, including the Mayor of Woking, Derek McCrum, from partner organisations were present at the reception which was also an opportunity to celebrate funding for its Reach Out counselling from The Big Lottery Reaching Communities programme, with a large cheque for £497,050.

The Big Lottery cheque for £497,050 to help fund its Reach Out counselling programme.

Catalyst was nominated for the award by a client who experienced counselling support provided by the organisation which has worked throughout Surrey over 30 years, delivering a range of drug and alcohol support work and activities for people with a range of mental health needs, which are also supported by volunteers.

She put Catalyst forward because of its work transforming the lives of those who suffer from mental ill- health, drug and alcohol misuse or homelessness.

Through its exceptional counselling services and programmes such as The Welcome Project, she has seen first hand how lives have been transformed.

The Lord Lieutenant spoke about the positive contribution made by Catlayst’s volunteers in providing much needed support.

Catalyst’s chief executive Haydn Morris said: ”We are delighted to have received the award, especially as it is recognition from those we benefit. Big Lottery funding will enable us to meet the increasing demand for counselling support.”