Two Frome women have been recognised in the King’s New Year’s Honours list for their outstanding contributions to society.
Julie Devey has been appointed an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the victims of domestic violence and their families while Caroline Toll has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to unpaid carers as a volunteer for Carers UK.
Julie co-founded the group Killed Women with Carole Gould after their daughters Poppy Devey Waterhouse, 24, and Ellie Gould, 17, were murdered by ex-partners. Carole was also appointed an OBE.
“It was quite a shock to hear about the OBE I can tell you!” said Julie.
In a joint statement, Julie and Carole said, “By accepting the OBEs it will continue to shine a light on our campaigning and will keep the many unjust issues surrounding Violence Against Women and Girls in the spotlight.
“Getting this far has been really hard and emotionally draining and of course, will not bring our darling daughters back but as we learn more and more about the injustices and more and more families reach out to us, we are fired up to continue our work. A bereaved mother is not to be messed with.”
Caroline Toll received her BEM after 25 years volunteering for Carers UK.
“I’m very humbled, when you think of all the other people who deserve it,” she said.
“I got a letter from the Cabinet Office about a month ago and thought, ‘Oh dear what have I done’; it was a complete surprise.
“I’ve been a volunteer for Carers UK ever since my husband died 25 years ago; I looked after him for five years after he had a stroke and that’s how I got involved and became a carer. Volunteering for Carers UK has been so rewarding. It does such fantastic work, as carers so often get overlooked.”
Caroline helped set up the Frome Carers Support Group which is still running and is a Carers UK ‘Volunteer Ambassador’, representing and championing carers rights, campaigning for improved support for carers and raising awareness about the support that Carers UK provides.
She has also been a governor for the Somerset NHS Trust and works with the Patient Participation Group at Frome Medical Practice which offers support to local carers.
