Children’s champion Ann receives an OBE

Ann, the Children and Families Manager for NHS East Lancashire with responsibilities for Colne Children’s Centre and the Family Tree Centre, Brierfield, as well as supporting the innovative Communities against Cancer project and Healthy Schools and the Health Improvement Service, received the honourfor her services to families in East Lancashire.

Ann (53) lives in Chatburn in the Ribble Valley and is married with two grown-up daughters. She said: “I am very honoured to receive this award. It’s still quite a surprise and I am a little bit embarrassed as it is such a privilege to be supporting families and working to give children the best possible start in life. The work we do is an enormous team effort with a wide range of health and other professionals working very hard to ensure every family can get the support they need to be effective parents.

“I believe every child should have the opportunity to achieve their potential and live a healthy and fulfilling life. Most families find it hard to cope at times and some parents face real hardship and difficulties. “Children’s centres are there to help at these times and give all children the chance to learn and develop and I am pleased our work is receiving the recognition it deserves.”

Ann is Lancashire-born and has had a varied career of public service serving the people of Lancashire before she joined the NHS.

She was a director of Relate Lancashire from 1995 to 1998, and was regional manager for the Stroke Association from 1998 to 2000. She followed her work in supporting relationships and people who suffer from strokes by becoming centre manager for Brook in Blackburn, providing sexual health advice for the under 25s.

In 2003, Ann was recruited to set up the Sure Start programme at the Family Tree Centre from scratch, and following the success of this, was appointed in 2006 as centre manager for the Chai Centre in Danehouse and Stoneyholme, Burnley.

Ann added: “I would like to pay testament and give thanks to my work colleagues who work in health, children’s centres, social services, and within the local authorities. Without them this would not have happened. I am proud to receive this honour, which reflects the dedication, hard work and diligence of everyone involved in the delivery of child and family services. They have all contributed to improving community health and well-being in the area. Most important of all however, is the commitment and willingness of parents, children and families in working to improve their lives – this is why we’re here and what we are all about.”