We were bursting with pride when Ann Keable, former Trustee of Home-Start Norfolk and Home-Start Great Yarmouth and District, and Home-Start Norfolk Patron, received her MBE for service to children in Norfolk from King Charles III last week.
Ann was awarded the MBE in Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Year Birthday Honours in 2022 and has committed much of her life to supporting vulnerable young children. Ann joined Home-Start Great Yarmouth & District shortly after retiring from a career in early years education in 2005 as a Trustee and Fundraiser. In 2017, she proactively supported the amalgamation of five Norfolk Home-Starts when statutory funding cuts forced a countywide merger and consolidation of the family support service.
Ann is passionate about supporting young children to have the best start in life. She continued to have an active role in the Board of Trustees of Home-Start Norfolk until taking the difficult decision to retire in 2021. Since then, Ann has continued to actively fundraise for the charity, organising local events and tirelessly recruiting support from her community.
‘I have seen the impact on the lives of children when they have not been fully nurtured through their earliest years. They do not enjoy the security and self-confidence that every child deserves, and it made me determined to do all I could to raise awareness and help parents,’ says Ann.
Ann and her husband Martin were invited to attend the investiture on February 14th, joined by their children Nick and Sarah. Ann told us,
“It was a wonderful day and such a privilege to receive my award from King Charles III at Windsor Castle”.
