IN this most difficult of years people have great worries of their own.

We believe, nevertheless, that it is more important than ever that we help others.

The Hereford Times Christmas Appeal 2020, in partnership with the Herefordshire Community Foundation, aims to help seven LOCAL charities in each of the key towns where the Hereford Times is read.

We invited the county’s mayors (and the mayor of Hay-on-Wye) to nominate a charity to receive an equal share of the funds raised.

Cllr Daniel Lister, Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, has chosen Ross Basement Youth Trust. It provides support and services to young people 11-18 years in the Ross-on-Wye area through informal drop-in sessions, professional training workshops and sports.

“These very important services are at risk, said Mr Lister, and as a community we need to step in and protect these services and vital connections to our youth and their future.”

Sometimes, as youth worker Amy has found, we understand others better when we have experience of their situation. Amy is a youth worker for the Basement Trust and she can remember when she was younger and used to attend the evening sessions in Ross-on-Wye.

She started going to the youth club as a young teenager with a group of her friends. Together they enjoyed cooking, craft, pool, films and general social activities.

Amy wasn’t the best at playing pool, though she gave it a good go, but she showed her personal qualities of empathy and understanding from the start. She was sometimes a go-between when high spirits got the better of others and would help to keep the atmosphere calm.

She was also one of the supporters of the trust when it was clear that council youth work was closing down, and she helped to write to the local media to show the need and benefit for young people of having a safe place to be in their leisure time.

As time went on, Amy moved away and into the world of work. However, she always commented fondly of memories of fun as a teenager.

Sue, a volunteer with the trust, suggested to her that she would make an excellent youth worker.

The chance arose when the trust had a vacancy and Amy applied. She is now a valued member of the youth work team and is keen to encourage the next generation to take the opportunities they are offered at the youth club.

  • To donate visit www.herefordshirecf.org/donate or send a cheque to the Herefordshire Community Foundation, The Fred Bulmer Centre, Wall Street, Hereford HR4 9HP.