Police officer awarded BEM for mental health work

A 26-year-old emergency services worker has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours List for his work on staff wellbeing and mental health.

Ben Hawkins is now a police officer but was recognised for his efforts when working as an emergency dispatcher and community first responder for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust in Bedford.

Mr Hawkins, of Yaxley near Peterborough, has campaigned for better mental health support for emergency service workers for several years.

He told the BBC how he was "screaming with joy" when he opened a Cabinet Office letter telling him of the award.

Mr Hawkins, who joined the British Transport Police some months ago, also volunteered with the Norfolk Accident Rescue Service, which is based in Dereham.

He said he had lost a friend and had a "tough time with mental health" through his own experiences when working for the ambulance service.

"So, as a result of that, I wanted to campaign and create a better world for emergency services to get better mental health," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"I kind of set myself a mission to improve mental health across the emergency services for everyone."

He said he had written blogs and his campaigning "blew up" and attracted the attention of the media.

Mr Hawkins said he thought the letter telling him of his award was sent in error.

"I had to look twice and thought, 'it can't be me'," he added.

"I was literally just screaming with joy."

He said he had been informed in November but had to keep the news to himself.

In the summer of 2023, when working for the ambulance service, he won a Control Room Awards "Community Champion Award".

The trust had then described his commitment as "extraordinary".

Other people from Peterborough who have been honoured include:

• Alistair John Kingsley, chair of trustees at Hampton Academies Trust, appointed OBE for services to education
• Richard Howard Astle, awarded a BEM for services to charity and the environment

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