MBE awarded to dedicated social worker

A social worker who has helped people for more than 30 years has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list. Andrea Collingridge from Narborough provides pre-birth risk assesments to ensure children are safe before and after they are born.

These involve adults whose expected child could be at risk of harm because of previous childcare concerns, a past or present violent relationship or a history of substance misuse.

This is an incredibly demanding job involving very sensitive circumstances and Andrea has received fantasic feedback from families about her ability to build trust and help people through their pregnancy. 

Earlier in her career Andrea was a founding member and voluntarily worked as a National Welfare Officer of the ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association. She then identifed the need for and helped to set up Baby Gear – a charity based in Leicester and Hinckley which provides baby equipment to mums.

Andrea said: “It was a huge shock when I opened the letter. I couldn’t believe it.  The colleagues I’ve worked with over the past 33 years have given me loads of support and made me feel very valued. I’m humbled to get this award which shows how important social care work is to children and families.”

David Parsons, Leader of the County Council, said: “Andrea is an exceptionally hard-working and dedicated social worker who always puts other people first and has made a fantastic contribution to social work.

“We are proud to have someone like Andrea working for the County Council and pleased that she has been given the recognition that her work so richly deserves by being awarded an MBE.”