A Fenland mum who campaigns tirelessly for vulnerable families with children has been awarded the MBE in the King’s first birthday honours list.
Angela Frazer-Wicks works to ensure families who find themselves in difficult situations have their voices heard, and that they are treated fairly.
In 2004, she became a ‘birth parent’ when her two young boys, then aged one and five, were removed from her care and adopted.
Domestic violence and mental health problems were among the many issues she was dealing with at the time – and she did her best to keep the boys but lost the battle.
Since then, she has gone on to rebuild her life.
She is married with a young daughter, who has had no local authority involvement whatsoever. Recently, she re-established contact with her eldest son.
But when reflecting on what happened 20 years ago, she says there was no support available to help her during that period of her life.
Angela, who lives in Three Holes, near Wisbech, now campaigns for the system to consider and listen to the needs of families in such situations.
She serves as Chair of Trustees for Family Rights Group, a charity that works to keep children safe within their family and strengthens support networks for youngsters unable to live at home.
Angela, 48, is also a founder of the charity’s parents’ panel.
She openly shares her own experiences and perspectives with the justice system and government to drive change in the child welfare system.
Angela says she was ‘thrilled but stunned’ to have been included in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
She was selected for her services to children and families. Her nomination came from the Department for Education.
She said: “If you had told me in 2004 that I would end up where I am today, I would never have believed you.
“I hope this shows that we should be less judgemental and more supportive of birth parents.
“We still have so much to offer our children whether we are directly involved in their lives or not. We still love and miss them terribly.
“Involving birth parents in discussions about the wider system, and in particular adoption, can help bring about positive system change for everyone, in particular the children – who must remain at the heart of everything we do.”
She added: “Recent research on recurrent care proceedings showed the importance of reaching out to birth families, supporting them through their challenges and enabling them to make better decisions as they move on from a monumentally difficult point in their lives.
“I hope I am living proof that a challenging and traumatic past does not have to stop you from having a bright and happy future.”
The Honours Lists mark the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.
Elsewhere in Cambridgeshire, Patricia Covington has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to the community in Steeple Morden, near Royston.
She served as the head postmistress at the local Post Office for more than 35 years and transformed it into a community hub, particularly for the vulnerable and those in need.
Even though Patricia was the victim of two armed robberies at the age of 70, she continued to serve the community until her retirement earlier this year.
The 71-year-old has also been a key figure in the Morden’s Branch of the Royal British Legion for over 35 years, supporting ex-servicemen and women.
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