Carers UK would like to congratulate member and volunteer Matthew McKenzie, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to carers in the King's New Year Honours 2024.
Matthew has been a member of Carers UK since 2013 and has been an exceptionally committed and active volunteer during that time. Having cared for his mother for many years, and through continuing to support his two brothers, Matthew brings a wealth of understanding to his voluntary work and a strong commitment to improving the lives of unpaid carers.
He has been an Insight Volunteer for many years, generously sharing insights based on his own experience of caring, as well as raising awareness at local events; informing carers of their rights and entitlements in the different Carers Forums he co-chairs*; and representing the voice of carers in meetings with Government, NHS England, and senior decision-makers.
He has devoted a significant amount of time to ensuring that Black, Asian and ethnic minority carers are identified, recognised, and supported. He has led numerous Carers UK online activities – our Share and Learns - aimed at addressing the particular challenges faced by carers from these communities, and he co-chairs a steering group within Carers UK which seeks to understand health inequalities and barriers faced by carers in accessing support.
Matthew’s work has not only helped Carers UK to make sure that our service delivery meets the diverse needs of unpaid carers but is also helping to inform and inspire others in health and social care across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Carers UK is delighted to see him commended for his contributions and congratulates Matthew once again for his achievement.
Matthew said:
“I was amazed and shocked when I found out that I got the award for the British Empire Medal. I work so hard to engage with carers locally and at a national level. The award means so much because Carers UK has stood by me for many years. I will continue to push for the carers cause.”
* Outside of his voluntary work with Carers UK, Matthew runs several different carers’ forums for local mental health trusts. These include Bromley, Lewisham, Greenwich, and Bexley Ethnic Mental Health Carers Forum, Lambeth and Southwark Mental Health Carers Forum, Lewisham Mental Health Forum, and more.