A CHARITY worker from Astley Bridge enjoyed a magical start to the festive season when she attended the Duchess of Cambridge’s carol concert.

Rita Liddell was invited to attend Together at Christmas at Westminster Abbey in London for her tireless support to both HMP Styal Mother and Baby Unit as well as her work with Family Action’s community mental health support service BAND in Bolton, working to keep both services open throughout the pandemic.

The concert was attended by the Duchess and His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge in recognition and celebration of all individuals and organisations have done to help those in need over the past year.

Rita said: “I am feeling very Christmassy now. I was really thrilled to be invited and honoured to be representing Family Action. It was like walking into a medieval fairyland. The whole thing was spine-tingling. There were choir singers, carols, reindeer, candles, Christmas trees. It was magical.”

Rita was one of several colleagues from Family Action’s community-based services located across the country who were nominated in recognition of their dedicated work for families over the past year. The Duchess of Cambridge took on the patronage of Family Action from Her Majesty The Queen in 2019.

Rita said: “The whole Abbey was candlelit. I was quite emotional when I got there, especially when Prince William came up to the end of the row to say hello. When you get that warm feeling inside it makes you cry little happy tears.”

Rita, aged 60, has worked in the mental health support sector since 1996 and is now an operational manager for Family Action, managing a number of local community services.

BAND has supported people in the Bolton area who have mental health conditions, for over 30 years.

The service works using a recovery approach, offering support with information, one-to-one support, shared interest and activity groups, social groups and life skills courses.