Staff

Ann Wright, Chief Officer

I joined Just Drop-In in January 2014 and have had the pleasure of leading and developing all of the day to day activity at Just Drop-In. I work alongside a positive and skilled staff and volunteer team who inspire and motivate me every day. We continuously strive to improve the quality and reach of our services to do all that we can to help young people find their feet. I am educated to post graduate level and have over 20 years experience working in the statutory sector with young people. I truly enjoy my role at Just Drop-In and look forward to seeing what each day brings!

Jane Cryne, Counselling Manager

I began working at Just Drop In as Counselling Service Manager in October 2022 and am so proud to work for this amazing organisation supporting children, young people and their families. Enabling people to live their best and happiest life is what motivates me. I strongly believe that support should be available when you need it, and that is welcoming, easy to access in the community, tailored, flexible and high quality – Just Drop-In ticks all of these boxes (and more!)

Tim Marsh, Wellbeing Services Manager

I joined Just Drop-In in February 2023, having previously worked for The Prince’s Trust for almost 10 years. My background is in Outdoor Adventurous Activities and Youth Work. I have lived in Macclesfield for over 16 years and the thing that inspires me most about working at Just Drop-In is the opportunity to make a difference to young people’s lives in the place I am now proud to call home! I am an active person and hope to bring my energy and enthusiasm for outdoor physical activity into the Wellbeing Services at JDI. I am also incredibly passionate about volunteering and I am very proud to be have been the Event Director of Macclesfield parkrun since it started in 2018. I have completed over 250 parkruns and volunteered on over 200.

Jenny Shadforth, Business Operations Manager

I joined Just Drop-In in April 2021 to lead on the behind the scenes areas. I am a Chartered Accountant with a background working with companies of varying sizes, doing really diverse things from recycling batteries to property development. My role allows me to use my commercial experience to support all of the fantastic staff and volunteer team. I have been a Guide Leader for 20 years and really enjoy doing crafts and outdoor activities with young people.  As a Guider I love to see the progression and development of a young person over their time with us and I feel really privileged to be able to do this every day with Just Drop-In.

Jenny Spencer, Business Operations Manager

I am really excited to be joining the team of staff and volunteers at Just Drop-In and supporting the great work they do to help young people (and their carers) in Macclesfield. In my role I will be trying to ensure that our “front door” services are of the highest quality; that young people know what we can offer them and how to access the services.

I am a qualified Social Worker and have 15 years experience working in Youth Offending and am passionate about helping young people to find their feet…

Helen Lees, Counselling Co-Ordinator

I have had the pleasure of working with Just Drop-In since 2017. My role as Counselling Coordinator for the under 13s means I often get to introduce young people and their families to Just Drop-In’s services, and support them to make the decision of if we are the right organisation to support them. I also help to ensure young people get seen for counselling quickly and work to make sure that the counselling that they are offered by the team is of a high standard. This includes offering 1-1 counselling myself, during which I aim to offer individuals the opportunity to talk in a safe, supportive and private space.

Lisa Turner, Counselling Co-ordinator

I am passionate about supporting young people, and have worked for over a decade as a Counsellor, Advocate and in Pastoral support. I joined JDI in 2019, now as Counselling Coordinator, I support our work in schools and our 18+ team. I offer in-school therapeutic assessments, 1-1 counselling as well as supporting a fantastic team of JDI school based counsellors & 18+ counselling volunteers. I aim to offer young people a safe and confidential space to explore their feelings using fun and creative resources. I have a PG Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy and a PG Certificate in Advocacy for Survivors of Sexual Violence. I love coming to work, I feel so lucky to work for such a dynamic young person led charity.

Kim Davies, Counselling Co-ordinator

I joined Just Drop-In in 2019. As well as working as a counsellor in the 8-17 team I also complete assessments with young people. This often means that I am the first person that young people will come into contact with so I feel it’s important to try and make a good connection with them and help them to feel as comfortable as possible.

Before starting my role with JDI I worked in Early Years at a local school for 16 years before deciding to do a BA (Hons) at The University of Salford in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I truly love my role at JDI and feel very privileged to work alongside such a dedicated team in supporting young people, particularly at what may be a challenging time for them. I once heard a quote which said “find a job you love doing and you’ll never have to work a day in your life!” This is how I feel working for for this special charity!

Sue Lomas, Counselling Co-ordinator

I joined the team in May 2017 as a Counsellor. I am passionate about young people’s mental health and well-being and have been involved with working with and supporting young people for the past 15 years, firstly as a Teaching Assistant and I then gained my Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.  My passion and interest is wanting to support and empower young people to help themselves in a safe and secure environment.  Often young people may struggle with changes or challenges in their lives and just need an avenue to help them find their way or to discover their inner strengths.

Deb Gibson, Counsellor

I joined Just Drop-In in 2020 as a counsellor and have enjoyed counselling with JDI in Macclesfield Academy and more recently in JDI itself. I have a Foundation Degree in Counselling and am accredited with the BACP. Before joining the team, I worked in youth work, education and training both here in the UK and abroad. I am passionate to see young people flourish and reach their potential and I love getting to know each young person who I work with. When I’m not working, I love being outdoors and enjoy playing tennis. I’m grateful to be working with such a great team of people.

Jen Chadwick, Wellbeing Services Co-ordinator

I feel very privileged to have join the Wellbeing team at Just Drop-In, where I am already enjoying being able to support young people in many ways. My background has been in Education for over 20 years, with many of those working as a SENDCO, supporting children (and their families) with Special Educational needs. I am also a qualified Life Coach and am able to use the many skills have developed in these roles I when at Just Drop-In.  I am passionate about helping children and young people to overcome difficulties and understand that there is support out there for them to move forwards in a positive way.

Abby Hanaghan, Business Support Officer

I joined Just Drop-In in April 2022 after working in FE for over seven years. My role is very varied and I like that I can be doing something completely different each day at work. It’s great to see the change that the organisation really makes to young people’s lives, and I’m so pleased to be part of such a warm, supportive team.

Katie Jennings, Business Support Officer

I joined Just Drop-In in October 2022. I’m so happy to be working with such an amazing team and being able to welcome young people and their families/carers into our friendly and caring services.  I am very passionate about helping and supporting young people, and I feel extremely lucky to be working for Just Drop-In and helping to support the wonderful work that we do.