Chris Barmby, a volunteer Appropriate Adult with YLF, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours!

We are so proud to hear the wonderful news that Chris Barmby, a volunteer Appropriate Adult with YLF, has been awarded a MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his "Service to Policing and the Community".  Chris volunteered as an Appropriate Adult, supporting vulnerable people whilst in custody, for over twelve years and our records show he was the Appropriate Adult in over 1,700 interviews...more than some police officers!  Chris also served on the Independent Monitoring Board of a local prison.

Chris says " I am intensely proud of being awarded the MBE for Services to Policing and the Community.  The time spent as a volunteer Appropriate Adult has been extremely rewarding.  Having been brought up in a children's home myself and then pursuing a life in the Navy, I really felt I could offer empathy and understanding rather than judgement, to the people I supported.  I feel honoured to be awarded an MBE and reflect on my time as an Appropriate Adult with great pride"

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Chris for this honour and it is really good to know that the role of the Appropriate Adult has been recognised and is valued at such a prestigious level.