Foster carers and social workers recognised in Honours List
The 2024 Honours List recognises the achievements that people have made in the public sphere. While figures from entertainment and politics are often the focus of recipients of awards such as the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) and the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), ordinary people are also among those recognised for their contributions and services to society.
Among these ordinary people are foster carers, who go above and beyond to help children in care. Here at Beacon Fostering, we want to show how fostering is a rewarding endeavour that can lead to wider recognition for the community.
Caroline and Gordon McGough from Middlesborough received MBEs for fostering more than 90 children in under 3 decades. Despite the challenges, Caroline said she and her husband found the endeavour rewarding and were “happy” to receive the awards on behalf of the fostering community.
Similarly, Dr Mary Beek was recognised for her career as a social worker in the Birthday Honours List, for working with families and children. She received an MBE for her work with fostering and adoption services with Norfolk’s council.
The Prince of Wales presented Joan Wilson with an MBE in July; she and her husband fostered over 50 children, mostly teenagers, in Lambeth. Regarding her receival of the award for helping young people in need, she told a local source of her joy not just in receiving the reward, but also giving vulnerable young adults a place where they would feel safe and loved, ensuring they could do the same when and if they had their own families.
Beacon Fostering strives to help everyone on their foster care journey. If you’d like to make a difference by providing foster care in the North West, reach out to the team today.