Denyse Walker, Co-ordinator at Home-Start Lakeland in Northern Ireland has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s 2020 New Year’s Honours List.

“[I am] honoured and humbled to have been awarded a British Empire Medal”, she explains

The New Year’s Honours names new members of the order of chivalry as well as other official honours.

The British Empire Medal is awarded to individuals who have shown momentous civil or military service – service that is worthy of recognition of the Queen. Denyse was granted her award for services to family welfare in Northern Ireland due to the extemporary work she has shown throughout her local area from being a co-ordinator at Home-Start Lakeland.  

“To have worked with Home-Start and been able to serve families for 20 years has been my privilege as co-ordinator of Home-Start Lakeland”.

Denyse and her husband, Robbie, have also spent their lives fostering many children, keeping families close to their heart.

“I have a great belief in the importance of family. I think every family is trying their best and some need help from time to time and we try and provide that help. As one mother said to me once, ‘we provided the armbands when she was in deep water’, which I thought was a lovely thing to hear,” Denyse explained.

Denyse’s lifelong commitment to helping families across the Fermanagh area, including the two decades she has spent supporting families through Home-Start truly make her a worthy recipient of the award.

If you would like to follow in Denyse's footsteps and volunteer for your local Home-Start, you can do so today.

Click here for more information about volunteering