THE WOMAN who launched the UK’s first-ever Citizens Advice charity shop has been awarded and MBE.
Kerry Turner, the chief executive of Citizens Advice Solihull was named in the King’s New Year Honours for services to Citizens Advice and to the community in Solihull.
Over the past 28 years Kerry has devoted her career to supporting the most vulnerable in society within the Citizens Advice network, including 18 years in charge at the Solihull centre on Bosworth Drive.
In 2018, Kerry led the launch of the UK’s first-ever Citizens Advice charity shop in Chelmsley Wood.
This is run entirely by volunteers, the shop enables local people to donate pre-loved items while offering affordable goods to the community. Every item is priced at no more than £5.
She also played a pivotal role in steering the charity through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring vital support continued to reach the Solihull community when it was needed most.
She said: “When I got home from work one day at the end of November my husband and son were waiting at the door for me – why this was unusual.
“They were so excited and holding a letter with On His Majesty’s Service written on the front.
“Even though I had a letter explaining I had been nominated and asking me if I would accept, I did not believe it was real.
“Who would nominate me for doing a role I enjoy so much. I read the letter several times and then the tears came. It was extremely emotional.
“I then had one month to keep a secret whilst trying to look for signs about who had nominated me.
“On December 29 we were refreshing the webpage constantly to see the official list to ensure it was real – then the tears came again.
“The first message of congratulations came in at 7.15am and the celebrations began.
“I am so proud to have received this award and humbled by all the messages people have sent to me; it has been lovely to reconnect with people and connect with others.”
She said news of her MBE prompted an outpouring of hundreds of messages of congratulations and thanks from residents, partners, and organisations whose lives and work she has touched over many years.
- Margaret Fisher, lately chair of Governors at Dorridge Primary School, was also awarded an MBE for services to Education.
And Susan Nichols, deputy manager at Fledglings Day Nursery in Solihull has been given a BEM for services to Early Years Education.
