Biddulph's Kay McIntyre, area manager for Cheshire East Council's youth support service, is celebrating 2022 in style by being awarded an MBE in the recently published New Year Honours list.

The Queen honours the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom every new year and on her birthday with the list published in the official newspaper of the Crown, called The Gazette.

Kay received her Member of the Order of the British Empire or MBE for her outstanding achievement and service to children and young people. The honour is awarded to those who have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others.

Kay, aged 43, recently moved to Biddulph after living in Congleton just over the border in Cheshire. Kay is currently an area manager for Cheshire East Council's youth support service, which helps young people aged 13 to 25-years-old.

Kay's team offers support to young people who are not in education, employment or training and young people with disabilities. The youth support service provides activities for targeted and vulnerable young people, including helping them to complete their Duke of Edinburgh awards. The team also encourages young people to have a voice in shaping services via groups such as the Cheshire East Youth Council and the Cheshire East Children and Young People's Trust.

Kay has worked with children and young people throughout her life. Her first job was in early years, moving to work in a primary school where she supported children with autism. Alongside this, she worked in the evenings as a part time youth worker. She completed her youth work degree in 2003 and worked as a full-time youth worker for several years, before becoming a manager in the council's youth support services more than 14 years ago.

From the age of 10, Kay has also been involved with Congleton Youth Theatre, performing in local shows and becoming the chair of the theatre at the age of 18, a role she did for 10 years. Kay still volunteers and helps out during their show weeks.

Kay said: "I am overwhelmed and honoured to have been nominated and to have received an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list. I have worked with children and young people across Cheshire East and Staffordshire for more than 20 years.

"My passion is to engage with young people to ensure they are happy, healthy and safe and to encourage them to have a say in issues that affect them and to help them shape services.

"I would like to thank the people who have taken the time to put me forward for this honour. I feel privileged and blessed to have a job within children's services that I love and find rewarding."

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, lead member for children and families at Cheshire East Council, said: "I am so proud of Kay's achievements and on behalf of the council I would like to congratulate her on receiving this prestigious award.

"We are hugely ambitious for all our children and young people, supporting them to succeed and grow as individuals. Kay and her team work tirelessly, together with the rest of the council and our partners, to ensure that the interests of young people are at the heart of everything we do.

"Kay really does demonstrate in both her work and volunteering that she supports children and young people across the borough to build on their strengths, develop resilience, and achieve their full potential."