Coram today welcomes the news that Jan Forshaw, Head of Education at Coram Life Education, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours List.
Jan has worked for the charity for over 30 years, supporting children’s health and wellbeing and contributing to Coram’s key purpose of enabling better life outcomes for children. She started working for Life Education (now Coram Life Education) in 1991, becoming Head of Education in 2009. Under her leadership, Coram Life Education’s wellbeing curriculum, SCARF, was developed and launched, and it now reaches over half a million children every year throughout the UK and beyond.
Jan said: “I feel both delighted and humbled to receive this honour. It is a privilege to be able to support hard-working school staff in the vital role of improving children’s health and wellbeing – never more important and more needed that at this time. At Coram Life Education I have the privilege of working alongside incredibly dedicated, inspiring people – many of whom are volunteers – and of knowing that, working together, we make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people, helping them to reach their potential.”
Harriet Gill, Managing Director of Education and Wellbeing for Coram, said: “On behalf of the Coram Life Education Network and Coram team, I am immensely proud of Jan and of the recognition she so richly deserves in this award. Jan is a joy to work with, an exceptional colleague and person. Throughout the pandemic, and her entire career with us, she has shown indefatigable energy, innovation, understanding and empathy for the needs of children and teachers. Today is a day to celebrate Jan’s achievements. It is a great day for Jan, and for us all.”