Carers UK is delighted to congratulate member and volunteer Caroline Toll on being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to unpaid carers in the King’s New Years Honours 2025.
Caroline has been a stalwart member of the carers’ community for over two decades and has made a huge impact in raising awareness of caring and directing unpaid carers to vital support in Somerset. Caroline began caring when her husband had a stroke in 1994 and, following his death in 2000, she dedicated herself to the carers’ movement.
She became a member of Carers UK in 1997 and established the East Somerset Branch of Carers UK in 2002. She served as the branch’s first Chair and over the next twelve years she mobilised many carers and supporters to improve the support available to carers, both on a local and national scale.
Since 2014 Caroline has been a Carers UK Local Ambassador volunteer, helping to improve the identification and support of unpaid carers by GPs and other healthcare professionals. Recognised for her dedication to supporting carers, Caroline was invited to join the Carers Partnership Board and became a governor on the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Board, where she played a pivotal role in producing Somerset’s first ‘Commitment to Carers’ document.
Caroline’s unwavering commitment, extensive knowledge and compassion for carers has had a significant impact on thousands of unpaid carers and Carers UK is delighted to see her work recognised with this prestigious award.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“Caroline’s passion and dedication to the carers’ movement serves as a powerful testament to the profound impact committed volunteering can have on the lives of others. She is a fantastic ambassador for carers in Somerset and across the UK and we really value all of her efforts on behalf of Carers UK.
“This announcement helps to make a great start for our 60th anniversary year considering that we were founded by women who, like Caroline, were determined to make a difference for unpaid carers.
“On behalf of everyone at Carers UK, I extend the warmest congratulations to Caroline on this well-deserved award.”
Caroline Toll said:
"It's been really interesting being a volunteer for Carers UK and I've met some lovely people, both carers and professionals. I hope I have in some small part raised the profile of carers in Somerset. I've had various roles during the last 25 years and I'm very honoured to have been recognised publicly."