Jane Clarke, who retired as the Chief Executive of Dudley charity CHADD (Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District) two years ago, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honour’s list. Jane has received the award for services to vulnerable women and children in Dudley.
Jane worked for CHADD for 28 years, starting as General Manager in 1988 with her role changing to CEO in 2000. She had a significant impact on the range of services provided by the charity, overseeing the opening of Allen House Refuge in 1993 and working in collaboration WM Housing to open a purpose built New Beginnings Refuge in 2012. Before joining CHADD she was a volunteer at Elizabeth Attwood House Refuge, where she coordinated the equipping and opening of the refuge and was Vice Chair of Management Committee. This refuge came under CHADD’s direct management in 2007. Jane is also involved in many voluntary sector activities and runs a charity in India.
Jane Clarke Awarded MBE
She said: “This is a great honour and I feel humbled to have been awarded it. However it shouldn’t just be about me. This honour is for everyone who works at CHADD, quietly changing people’s lives for the better and making a difference to those who are most in need in Dudley. I am very grateful to those who cared enough to propose me for the award I would like to share it with all those who are doing great things in our community, for the vulnerable and abused, for the homeless and lost and for the unloved and rejected. This recognition is for us all.”
The Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher, who is Chair of CHADD, said: “I am thrilled and delighted that Jane Clarke has been awarded an MBE by Her Majesty The Queen. Jane has given her heart and soul to vulnerable women, children and young people in Dudley. Inspired by her deep Christian faith, she did much to grow the Churches Housing Association in Dudley and District, known as CHADD, to be a leading player in supporting vulnerable people living in Dudley, including providing the women’s refuge. So this is good news for Jane, good news for CHADD, and good news for Dudley!”
Current CEO of CHADD, Anna Gillespie, said: “We are immensely proud that Jane’s work with vulnerable women and children in Dudley has been recognised in this way. Jane has been the driving force in developing our services for domestic abuse victims, including the Women’s Refuge service, for many years. She has also been a passionate advocate of the voluntary and housing sectors and is a huge inspiration to so many of us. It is wonderful news indeed.”
CHADD is the Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District; a local housing association which has been working across Dudley for 37 years. The Chair is the Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher and the association is closely linked to and supported by the Diocese of Worcester. CHADD provides services to young people, older people, people living with a disability and mental health conditions and has provided the women’s refuge service for over 30 years. The charity now works with around 450 women victims of abuse each year and 250 children; providing housing, support and a range of specialist services.
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