Those who have made it onto the list include an 83-year-old Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) pioneer and an NHS doctor. The honours are dedicated to people who have contributed to a substantial change and led solutions that have had a hugely positive impact on the lives of those around them and across the country. Shirley Biro, 78, has been recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to the community in Newham over the past 30 years.
Just some of Shirley's praised work includes her role as publicly elected governor for the East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) for the borough. According to her citation, Shirley's work has helped to raise the profile of ELFT and to win the Council of Governors' support of the trust's shift from a service provider to a population health-based approach. She told this paper: "I'm still trying to sink it all in actually, it was quite a shock.
Shirley Biro, 78, has been given a BEM for services to the community in Newham (Image: Andrew Biro) "I've never liked being in the spotlight. The fact I'm Newham born and bred and there is (such a) lack of confidence around here and people with low expectations. "I like to think, look, I've done this so you can as well.
Just be brave and take that first step." Shirley explained how her passion for volunteering started when she was in secondary school, helping to organise a fundraising dance for Oxfam. She said: "I think it was then I got the passion for it and I really got a kick out of.