Lawrence awarded BEM in Queen’s Honours | News

Lawrence awarded BEM in Queen’s Honours

A picture of Lawrence Kelly A Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (BWC) colleague has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours for services to mental health.

Lawrence Kelly BEM, Partnerships and Programmes Manager, was awarded the honour for his work launching the Wellbeing Sanctuary in his previous role at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust (SWBH).

The Wellbeing Sanctuary provided a critical service for colleagues during the Covid Pandemic by providing a confidential safe place to destress, access space and energy away from the front line, and offered free mental health and therapeutic sessions, which was a critical life-saving service for many colleagues.

The Sanctuary was very successful and has been integrated into the core way of working at SWBH.

Lawrence said: “I felt proud to learn I had been selected to receive the award. It recognises the commitment and passion from the team I led to making our dedicated workforce feel valued and supported during such a challenging period.

“The award reminds me of the importance of trying different approaches, thinking differently and respecting and celebrating all of our differences.

“When I attend the service to be presented with the medal, I will do so with a great sense of pride and knowledge that the team who supported me exceed our aims are truly amazing.”

Raffaela Goodby, Chief People Officer, BWC, said: “We are incredibly proud of Lawrence’s honour and his fantastic energy and creativity being recognised in this way. Since joining BWC he has developed programmes to support Care Leavers, Overseas Healthcare Professionals, young people who need access to learning and work experience, which will benefit all of our colleagues across our hospitals and impact on the community we serve. This is a huge honour and one that he thoroughly deserves.”

Lawrence received his honour alongside BWC Chief Executive, Sarah-Jane Marsh, who was awarded a CBE for services to in the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours List 2022.

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