On Thursday 18th January 2024 at the Palace of Westminster 28 individuals from around the UK were awarded the esteemed British Citizen Award for their exceptional endeavours which have positively impacted communities up and down the country. The prestigious event was hosted by TV presenter Matt Allwright.
The British Citizen Award in partnership with One Stop, is now in its 10th year and recognises an elite group of exceptional individuals twice annually. The January 2024 cohort of medalists have been committed to their causes for a combined 401 years, been responsible for £12,890,500 in fundraising, and have impacted the lives of 63,283 people. Each person selected to receive the BCA Medal of Honour as a legacy for their achievements richly deserves the right to use the letters BCA after their name in perpetual recognition of the nation’s gratitude.
Among the 28 honoured were Deborah Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Allen, from London, who both received The British Citizen Award for Services to Community (BCAc).
The joint intergenerational Project they created benefitted those who are isolated or lonely, with poor mental and physical health and those with learning disabilities. The Project challenged assumptions and broke down barriers between generations. Older adults also had a sense of purpose and the Project resulted in younger people having a value and respect for older adults. The pupils gained a better understanding of their own older family members’ challenges.
The impact of students’ involvement had a profound impact on those they met, and their confidence grew in ways that could not have been foreseen, helping them grow into the young adults they are today. The pupils developed activities for those with complex needs and dementia, creating a happier environment. With guidance these enthusiastic youngsters spread their positive energy throughout the community. With this dedication they achieved some awesome successes including: becoming Dementia Friends, visiting Care Homes, establishing a school lunch club, reading and poetry in Care Homes; and teaching French.
Deborah and Jennifer were presented with their BCA Medals of Honour by Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers and Patron of the BCA who said “With an ever-increasing number of older adults, it is so important to “close that gap” with younger people, then that isolation in the elderly does not become the norm. Deborah and Jennifer have realised this and have instigated good activities to remedy what is a “modern” problem affecting relationships between generations”.
Immediately following the formal presentations, the medalists and their families boarded an Open Top Lap of Honour Tour courtesy of Big Bus London. After taking in some of the iconic sights of the capital they disembarked at Church House in Westminster for a Certificate of Honour presentation. The certificates, presented by representatives from One Stop, Specsavers, Places for People, Uniserve and Objective HR, completed the official BCA proceedings. Each of the organisations associated with the BCA reflect the community-spirit and care for the community that the medalists are recognised for.
The British Citizen Award was established in 2015 to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their communities and society. The BCA recognises true community heroes who would otherwise likely be overlooked. Dubbed ‘The People’s Honours’, the BCA has so far recognised over 573 exceptional individuals for their divergent endeavours, making them a very exclusive group of the nation’s favourites.
Anyone with an MBE, OBE or Knighthood is ineligible for a BCA having already been deemed to have received recognition, however, anyone receiving the BCA can still be nominated for the other honours. Nominations can be made a www.britishcitizenawards.co.uk
