RETIRED Salvation Army College salad cook was stunned to find out that she had been awarded the MBE for services to the Southwark community.
Valerie Fenn, who has spent the last 16 years dedicating her time to improving the living conditions and services on the Elmington Estate in Southwark, met with Royalty when she received the award.
Arriving in her private Dial-a-Ride bus, 82-year-old Mrs Fenn, who is in a wheelchair, was initially a little apprehensive with the crowds of tourists and well-wishers at the gates of Buckingham Palace. However, with her wheelchair adorned with two Union Jacks and accompanied by Timothy, her adopted grandson, friend Gloria, and the driver of the bus, Mohammed, Mrs Fenn soon settled into the majesty of the morning with everyone else who was gathered together for the celebration in the Throne Room.
Commenting on the experience, Mrs Fenn says: ‘Buckingham Palace was just so vast, with huge rooms filled with oil paintings. When it was my turn to receive my MBE, Princess Anne was very thoughtful as she came down off the rostrum to present it to me. We had a little chat, and I told her how I had followed her, especially her riding achievements over the years. She smiled and said how kind of me.’
A patient of the Specsavers Home Visits team for the last five years, Mrs Fenn last visited her local Specsavers in Lewisham some six years ago. So she is very grateful that the team can come to her instead for her regular check-ups.
Valerie was thrilled to chat about the MBE Award with Home Visits optometrist Janki Vadgama when she carried out her two year check-up.
As Chair of the Elmington Estate’s Tenants and Residents Association (TRA), Mrs Fenn’s dedication to making positive changes has seen the introduction of a children’s play area, football pitch, flowers and planters and access to a local allotment, plus new security doors at the entrance to the flats on the estate.
Over the years Mrs Fenn has also organised days out to the coast, Easter egg hunts for the children and regular get-togethers including ‘Fish and Chip Days’.
Mrs Fenn adds: ‘I’m someone who never gives up until the job is done. It’s been so rewarding to see the local children playing outside and the football pitch is used constantly. So all my chasing with the local Council has paid off. I will keep on going.’
Preetam Meghani, Specsavers optometrist director of the North East and North West London Home Visiting service, comments: ‘Congratulations to Valerie for her commitment and dedication. It’s a pleasure visiting our customers to ensure they have access to sight tests, which are also an indicator of overall health.
‘This year Specsavers Home Visits team is celebrating 10 years in the community. I am stunned with the amount of sight tests we have carried out in that time across the London region. It’s very rewarding – I hope we will be supporting our customers for many more years to come.’
Specsavers Home Visits offers comprehensive free eye tests in the home and in care and nursing homes for people who qualify for an NHS-funded eye test and are unable to leave their house unaccompanied due to a physical or mental illness or disability.
The team carries out the same standard of eye test as in Specsavers’ stores, but with just a few changes and specialist equipment to make them home-friendly.
For more information about the Home Visits team or to book an appointment, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/home-eye-tests
