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British Empire Medal awarded to Somerset carers campaigner

  • Writer: Healthwatch Somerset
    Healthwatch Somerset
  • 7 days ago
  • 2 min read
HM The King’s New Year Honours List 2025 celebrated over 1200 people who have made outstanding contributions to their communities across the UK. We spoke to one person from Somerset who received an honour.

Red boxes with British Empire Medals on a burgundy tablecloth, featuring silver medals with red ribbons. Text reads: "For Meritorious Service."
British Empire Medals

On Friday 9 May 2025, at Bishop’s Palace in Wells, the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Mohammed Saddiq presented British Empire Medals (BEMs) to six people from Somerset.


One of those recipients is well known to us and has given valuable intelligence and support to some of our work.


Caroline Toll from Frome was awarded a BEM for her services to unpaid carers.


Caroline in blue coat and hat smiles at Mohammed Saddiq, the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, who is presenting her with a medal in a warmly lit room with patterned wallpaper.
Caroline Toll and Mohammed Saddiq, the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset

Caroline took care of her husband for five years after he had a stroke. When he died in 1999, she started focusing more on helping and raising awareness for other caregivers.


Over the past 25 years Caroline has held a variety of roles supporting carers in Somerset. We have listed a few of her achievements below:


  • Founded the first Carers UK committee in Somerset in 2000 after becoming a volunteer.

  • Carers UK Local Ambassador volunteer since 2014.

  • An essential figure in producing Somerset's first Commitment to Carers document in 2016 and revised version in 2024.

  • Previous member of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Board.

  • Still works closely with a variety of health and care professionals to increase understanding around carers.


Caroline told us:

Blue quotation marks on a white background, stylized with bold lines. No text or additional elements visible. Clean and minimalist design.
“It’s really nice to have the recognition, but I think all carers should have a medal.”

The five other BEMs were awarded to:


  • David Addis from Long Ashton for services to Long Ashton in North Somerset.

  • Douglas Allen from Chard for services to policing and the community in Somerset.

  • Angela Clarke from Wedmore for services to Mental Health and to sufferers of substance misuse and trauma.

  • Roy Gibson from Bath for services to space.

  • John Hardy from Bridgwater for services as a volunteer for Blind Veterans UK.


We congratulate everyone who received the BEM and thank them for the important ways they have helped their communities in Somerset and beyond.

A group of people in formal attire, each wearing medals, stand in an ornate room with patterned wallpaper, next to a table with awards.
Pictured left to right: David Addis, Janet Montgomery (High Sheriff of Somerset), Angela Clarke, Roy Gibson, Doug Allen, Mohammed Saddiq (Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset), Caroline Toll, John Hardy

Images kindly provided by the Lord-Lieutenant’s office.



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