New Year's honour for Wirral mental health champion Lilian Baker (From Wirral Globe)

New Year's honour for Wirral mental health champion Lilian Baker

10:38am Thursday 31st December 2009

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Lilian Baker, founder of the Wirral-based mental health charity Advocacy in Wirral, has received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Having suffered serious mental health problems herself over many years, Lilian, who lives in Bebington, felt that the practical help available to people experiencing mental health difficulties was virtually non-existent.

She founded Advocacy in Wirral in 1992 to assist people, and their carers, with practical issues such as benefits and housing advice, to help them in making as full a recovery as possible.

From a small team of three or four friends, all of whom suffered mental health problems themselves, Lilian has guided the charity to the respected place it now holds within the health and well-being scene in the borough.

Advocacy in Wirral now employs 50 staff and has nearly as many volunteers helping its work.

Lilian has remained fully engaged throughout the 17 years she has chaired the charity, and now runs a successful women’s support and self help group.

She even turns her hand to decorating the offices at Woodside, Birkenhead, to help make the funds go further!

Lilian, delighted though she was to be recognised, says that the award is for everyone involved in the day-to-day work of the charity.

She said: “It’s a tribute to the work that they do – as well as a recognition that there are a range of people in Wirral who have managed to regain a positive lifestyle after poor mental health episodes.”

John Brady, who helped Lilian start up the charity and is still a volunteer, said, “Lilian has undoubtedly made the charity what it is today.”

Tony Lawrence, senior advocate at Advocacy in Wirral and its first volunteer after its inception said, “Were it not for Lilian, Advocacy would not have been created and she is largely responsible for the incredible growth over the past 18 years.”

Debbie Mayor, a mental health manager at NHS Wirral, said, “Lilian has worked tirelessly to promote user-led services within the primary care sector.

"She has never lost sight of doing what is right for, and with, service users.”

Also honoured was Wirral-born milliner-to-the-stars Stephen Jones, who was awarded an OBE.

Mr Jones, 51, from West Kirby, has designed headwear for Boy George, Kylie Minogue, Dita Von Teese and the Rolling Stones.

Merseyside Police Superintendent Bill McWilliam, of Wallasey, received the CBE for services to the police and young people.

A CBE has also been awarded to Brian Fleet of Bebington, retiring senior vice-president of Airbus UK, for services to the aerospace industry.

MBE: Helen Morris, of Neston, of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Jean Atkinson of Bebington, for services to the NHS.

Professor John Huthnance, deputy director of the Proudman Oceanographical Laboratory in Wirral, for services to marine science.

Noel Ormrod, former chairman of the Wallasey Arts Council for services to the arts.

Dorothy Parker, of Wirral, for services to health care.

Angus Tilston, of Bebington, for services to the historical film industry in the North West.

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