A Penrith woman has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Helen Storey, 56, set up Triple A in 2016 to provide guidance and support for those affected by autism.
It was launched under the Cumbria Reducing Offending Partnership Trust umbrella, funded by the John Getty Foundation
Within 12 months Triple A had gained charitable status, set up a board of trustees and acquired premises in Penrith.
From there, she has led Triple A from strength to strength, gaining the admiration and support of the National Autistic Society as well as the endorsement of police, probation, NHS and local government services across Cumbria.
The highly innovative and successful programmes she has devised and implemented include a one-on-one mentoring service for people on the autistic spectrum who have either already committed a criminal offence or who are deemed to be at risk of doing so; a county-wide programme which provides opportunity for small groups of autistic people to meet socially; a Duke of Edinburgh Award programme aimed at making the Bronze Standard of the Award accessible to autistic young people; an Autism Alert Card system which issues an alert card to people on the autistic spectrum for use in situations which they find confusing or threatening.
She also set up a Buddy Project to provide ex-offenders in the community with volunteer mentors; has been instrumental in the development of Cumbria Circles of Support and Accountability for sex-offenders; she had supported the regular publication of The Seagull, HMP Haverigg’s free newspaper delivered across the county and she had initiated an allotment and horticultural project for serious offenders housed in the Carlisle approved premises.
Other people who have been awarded MBEs are:
- Catherine Dutton, chair of Kendal College Corporation, for services to education and training.
- Jess Gillam, of Ulverston, saxophonist and presenter, for services to music.
- Dr Carolyn Elizabeth Otley, of Cockermouth, for services to the community during COVID-19.
The following people have been named Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)
- Peter Alger, of Ulverston, for services to young people.
- Elizabeth Mawson, of Seascale, for services to the community during COVID-19.
- Melanie Ann Walker for services to the Allonby community during COVID-19.
Anyone can nominate someone for a UK honour through the ‘open access’ system and these are awarded to people from all walks of life.
The final decision as to who receives an honour is first decided by an Honours Committee and their recommendations go to the Prime Minister and finally to The Queen for approval.
The process can take up to 18 months, with recipients of honours announced in HM The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and Birthday Honours List.
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Claire Hensman, said: “I would like to congratulate all those who have received an honour.
“Receiving an honour is a huge achievement and I am pleased to see Cumbrians in this Birthday Honours’ list.
“I would encourage people to think about someone that they know who always goes the extra mile for others and who has made a special contribution to their community or to their area of work over the years.
“Anyone can nominate a person for an honour and I am very keen for people who have given exceptional service to the community to receive the recognition they deserve.
“These awards are special and for me they are the highest possible recognition of a job well done.”
