JOHN Dickinson has been named the 'Volunteer of the Year' out of the 10,000 who work for The Prince's Trust which helps young people in Macclesfield and nationally.
The Cheshire County Council quality standards manager for social services specialising in older people was presented with the award by chairman Bert Grange on Prince Charles' behalf.
His 36-year career in Social Services began in Newcastle and included periods in Gateshead and Mold before he became a team leader in Cheshire in 1980.
Since then Mr Dickinson has helped develop policies on a range of issues including fostering and adoption, disability awareness and quality standards.
His role as a Prince's Trust volunteer, dating from 1982, has involved administering awards to some 5,000 young people including many from Macclesfield aged 14 to 25 from difficult backgrounds who for one reason or another have found life tough and required practical help or financial assistance for education, training or employment.
In a citation Mike Stephenson, chairman of The Prince's Trust Board for Cheshire, said: "John has gone about this work with a rather low profile but the effect and result of what he has done, and is doing, has been very important indeed.
"His knowledge of young offenders, family stress, disability, young people in care has been invaluable, enabling a good partnership between the Local Authority and The Prince's Trust to take place.
"He has given an enormous amount of his own time".
In response Mr Dickinson said: "I would like to thank the Prince of Wales for his inspiration and enduring concern for the most disadvantaged young people in society, the thousands of young people who have so enthusiastically used the opportunities given them and the County Council for the support and encouragement given to employees to get involved in volunteering."
