Sanctuary resident receives Birthday Honour

Sanctuary Group resident Susan Ralph has been recognised for her work in the local community after being awarded a prestigious MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Sue, who lives in Tividale in the West Midlands, has been awarded the honour for her ‘Services to the Community’.

This is not the first time Sue’s remarkable achievements have been recognised. In 2004 she won the Active Learning Award for Active Citizenship and in 2006 was named Champion Citizen of Oldbury in Sandwell Borough Council’s Women of Achievement Awards.

A Sanctuary resident for over 20 years, Sue was nominated by the housing association for her tireless work in the community, supporting projects designed to improve the quality of people’s lives – particularly those less well off in society.

Her voluntary work also extends to supporting Sanctuary residents and contributing to the work of the Association through a variety of roles, including Sanctuary’s Resident Engagement Working Group and National Residents Forum where her input helps shape and enhance the delivery of both local and national services.

In 2006, Sue became chair of the John’s Lane Residents Group on the estate where she lives in Tividale. With her support and guidance, the group has forged key links with local organisations, helped to raise the profile of the area and obtained important funding to support local community projects and initiatives including those designed for younger people on the estate. Residents are now seeing a significant reduction in antisocial behaviour and the increased provision of local services, helping to make the community a place where people are proud to live.

Sue said: “I feel honoured to have received this award but my work is just about what I can give to people in the community and seeing how it benefits their lives.”

Said David Bennett, Sanctuary’s Group Chief Executive: “We are all delighted that Sue’s voluntary work in the community has been recognised with an MBE. Sue is a very special lady who always puts the needs of others before her own and we are all extremely proud of her achievements.”