Newham-based Governor Shirley Biro has received recognition in this year’s King’s Birthday Honour for her enduring dedication to supporting the borough’s vibrant community across three decades.
Shirley was born in the borough, and has spent much of her professional life working with the local community in her capacity as a local volunteer, Trustee and Chair. Over many years, Shirley has shown a keen interest in community mental health and the damaging impact that loneliness and isolation can have on individuals. This led her to create a directory of services offered by voluntary sector organisations in Newham, which is routinely used by social prescribers to support service users and the wider community.
In recent years, her constructive engagement also helped the Trust to improve the way we offer appointments to our phlebotomy services in the borough.
This initiative resulted in the Council of Governors inviting Shirley to join numerous mental health-related task forces at the Trust, and she continues to send out regular updates on behalf of voluntary, health and council services.
In the King’s Birthday Honours 2024, which were announced in June, Shirley was awarded a British Empire Medal for this work and her all-round proactivity in engaging with Newham’s community.
Speaking about this recognition, Shirley Biro said: “I feel immensely privileged to be receiving this honour. Newham holds a special place in my heart, and I hope this award will encourage others who are ‘born and bred’ in Newham to follow their dream and overcome the barriers of low self-esteem that is often experienced.”
The Trust’s Chair, Eileen Taylor, added: “Shirley is a shining example of service to our local communities and, as a Trust, we have benefitted so much from her expertise and her commitment to the people of Newham.
“Shirley thoroughly deserves this honour and we are delighted and proud that she has been recognised in this way.”