A prominent member of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, a charity known for standing up for women and girls, has been listed in King Charles’ New Year Honours List.
The list, widely recognised for celebrating high-profile public figures, also shines a light on the often-unsung contributions of those supporting local communities.
This year Joan Fairley has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year’s Honours List for her exceptional service to the community of Sutton Coldfield.
Over the years, Joan has helped hundreds of mothers leaving refuge in the area by sourcing donations of furniture and other items to help them build their new homes. She has also hosted monthly lunches and Christmas parties for the mothers going through unimaginable circumstances. Her legacy now continues through regular coffee mornings.
On top of this, Joan has organised annual BBQs, barn dances and strawberry picking for children in her local women’s refuge, welcoming them onto her own farm to enjoy fun, carefree experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
Through her local Soroptimist club, Joan currently volunteers weekly at St Giles Hospice in Sutton Coldfield as part of the fundraising team. A keen fundraiser, Joan is known for selling jars of homemade jam to support the hospice. Since 2020, she has raised £20,000.
And, since the start of the war in Ukraine, Joan has remained busy collecting a variety of items that are all desperately needed to rehouse refugees in the UK and to support people directly in Ukraine too. Items include fridges, freezers, blankets, warm winter clothing, crutches, wheelchairs, medicines, tinned foods and much more.
Joan said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this award. I love the variety of work I’m involved in and I’m very conscious that none of this could be achieved without the many supporters and friends who respond to requests for help. This award is for all of them too!”
Gillie O’Rourke, President of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, said: “What a great honour for Joan and Soroptimists everywhere. We’re immensely proud of Joan’s well-deserved award received in this year’s New Year Honours List. Her recognition reflects years of dedication, enthusiasm and an unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
“Joan joins a long line of amazing, courageous and inspiring Soroptimists worldwide who have been recognised in similar ways for their hard work and action on behalf of people in need, specifically women and girls. On behalf of us all, congratulations Joan. We’re so proud of the work you continue to do.”
Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, a registered women’s charity founded in 1934, is part of Soroptimist International, a global organisation formed in 1921, born out of the service movement.
The organisation – which has consultancy status at the United Nations – focuses on empowering women and girls to achieve their full potential and works to eliminate barriers and discriminations that hinder women’s progress.
The charity does this through its 248 clubs throughout the UK, Ireland, Malta, Asia and the Caribbean. Get involved now: https://sigbi.org/get-involved/membership