2 Islanders have been recognised for their varying contributions to the local community and society as a whole in this year’s New Year Honours list, it has been revealed.
The honours system demonstrates the breadth of service given by people from all different backgrounds across the UK. A total of 1,278 people have been recognised this year, alongside the 1,129 listed on the Birthday Honours list back in June.
48-year-old Ian Lloyd (pictured left), Strategic Manager for the Isle of Wight Council, receives a BEM for services to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ian, from Ryde, immediately instigated the set up of the community helpline and 27 community hubs at the start of the pandemic, which have provided tailored support to over 10,500 shielded Isle of Wight residents. Furthermore, the community hubs mobilised 1,150 volunteers, helping 4,000 residents with 395 emergency food parcels, 1,665 meals and 1,200 food parcels.
From working closely with voluntary sector partners, to coordinating activity with local faith groups, Ian is said to have been integral to identifying how to support the harder to reach, sometimes marginalised, members of the community and those at highest risk.
Chief executive of the Isle of Wight Council, John Metcalfe, has said:
“Ian has the ability to inspire colleagues to be the best that they can be.
“His professionalism and approachability are valued and never more so than in responding to the impact of COVID-19 on our communities.
Article continues below this advertisement “He has led with sensitivity and provided clarity in direction to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community received the care and support that they have needed.”
Of his honour, Mr Lloyd has said:
“Being a local Isle of Wight lad who is very passionate about this Island and its community, I am immensely proud of the amazing efforts and willingness of so many staff, voluntary community partners and volunteers alike.
“I cannot begin to describe the lengths the community response went to at such urgent pace to enable the most vulnerable of our Island community to have somewhere to turn to for assistance to remain safe, supported with access to food, medication deliveries and knowing that they were not alone and could reach out for contact support during these uncertain times.
“This honour is as much about the many people who worked with me for the Island’s response, as it is for me.
“My hope is that those vulnerable residents of our community feel that ‘we’ went some way in making a real difference to them in their genuine time of need, that we can all be proud of as a community
Diane Foxley from Seaview has also been awarded a BEM, for her services to the community in Seaview.
The 84-year-old is said to have been an active and dedicated parish councillor with over 10 years’ service, having resigned around 2 years ago. She had responsibility for chairing the local planning committee and overseeing planning related decisions.
Within the parish council she was a vital source of institutional knowledge due to her long service and experience, and longer-term residency in the village.
Diane is also noted as being involved in establishing and running Seaview’s community shop, a vital community resource that was conceived 5 years ago. Over the last year, Diane has had to self-isolate and shield as a result of her age, but in spite of this obstacle, she has continued to manage the community shop, providing guidance to both permanent and voluntary staff, leading management meetings remotely via Zoom, and ensuring the maintenance of a vital lifeline for the community.
Alongside these efforts on behalf of the whole village, Diane is also a longstanding volunteer race officer and instructor at the Sea View Yacht Club, supporting many club members, and participating in the annual regatta.
