Lucy Watts has been appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s New Year Honours List, in recognition of her services to young people with disabilities.
Since 2013 Lucy Watts has been a young Ambassador for the UK children’s palliative care charity, Together for Short Lives.
Lucy is 22 and has a complex life-limiting formof acondition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Lucy’s condition means she requires 24/7 care and support. In her role as an Ambassador for the charity Lucy has supported Together for Short Lives’ lobbying and awareness raising activity, including campaigning to change and improve young people’s transition from children’s to adult palliative care.
Along with other Together for Short Lives’ young Ambassadors Lucy has endorsed many campaigns on behalf of the charity – including sensitive subjects like talking about end of life choices and breaking taboos about young people with disabilities exploring their sexuality and relationships. In her role as an Ambassador for the charity Lucy has spoken at a number of high profile Together for Short Lives events, including sharing a platform at its parliamentary reception at Westminster with Dr Daniel Poulter MP.
Lucy Watts MBE said:
“My charity work all originated with Together for Short Lives; without the charity and all the wonderful people who make the charity what it is, I would not be receiving an MBE in the New Year Honours. My charity work keeps me going, gives me a way to contribute to society and feel useful and is a positive focus away from all the negative of my conditions. To find out that my hard work has been recognised, and that I have been awarded something as prestigious as an MBE, has truly been the most wonderful experience.”
“It proves to me that I am succeeding to make a difference for others and that I really have contributed to society in a big way, which is something that is so important to me. I am truly humbled that people think me worthy enough of such an accolade, and spurs me on to continue with my work to make an even bigger difference in the future.”
Congratulating Lucy Watts MBE on her Honour, Barbara Gelb OBE, CEO for Together for Short Lives added:
“We are all so thrilled for Lucy; this Honour is richly deserved. Lucy is a courageous and amazing young woman who will stop at nothing in her ambition to make life better for children and young people with serious and complex health conditions.
Lucy is a compelling advocate for other young people, has tremendous energy and doesn’t let her illness stand in her way. She is very much a voice for others – speaking out and campaigning for change on behalf of the UK’s 49,000 children and young people with life-shortening conditions.”
Commenting on the award, Castle Point Member of Parliament Rebecca Harris said:
“I have met Lucy in Thundersley and was immediately struck by her force of personality. It was a pleasure to meet a young person so focussed on improving the lives of others in spite of the huge challenges she herself faces on a daily basis.”