Lilian Baker, founder of Advocacy in Wirral, has received an MBE in the 2010 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 wellbeing scene in Wirral.   Advocacy in Wirral  now employs over 50 staff and has nearly as many volunteers helping its work.   Although benefits and housing advice are still the mainstay of the organisation’s services (many of which are now offered with NHS and Social Services funding) the help available now includes a range of recovery strategies as well.

Lilian has remained fully engaged throughout the 17 years she has chaired the charity, and now runs a very 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 eighteen years.”

Debbie Mayor, Joint Commissioning Manager for Mental Health 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.”

John Webb, Director of Adult Social Services at Wirral council said, “She is a truly remarkable woman.”

David Eva, Chairman of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust said, “Lilian has played a key role is supporting initiatives to improve the environment for service users within the NHS.”