Rebecca Clarke, Vice-Chair of Kidz Board, awarded British Empire Medal in New Year’s Honours

Rebecca Clarke, a dedicated advocate for young people with disabilities and autism, has been recognised with the prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List. This honour acknowledges Rebecca’s exceptional contributions as a volunteer and board member for organisations including Whizz Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, Ambitious About Autism, NCS and the Disabled Children’s Partnership Youth Advisory Group. Her award is for services to Young People with Disabilities and Autism.

Rebecca’s journey began with advocating for greater accessibility in her own school environment. Her pioneering project, “Project Flip,” improved the understanding and acceptance of disabled students and gained international recognition. Since then, she has expanded her advocacy to a national level, addressing barriers faced by disabled and autistic young people in education, healthcare, transport, and the workplace.

Reflecting on the honour, Rebecca said: "I felt incredibly excited and honoured when I found out I was being awarded the BEM. Receiving this recognition validates all the time and effort I’ve dedicated over the years. It renews my energy to continue working to improve society for disabled people. Professionally, it gives me credibility and influence, making it easier to push for meaningful changes for young people with disabilities and autism."

Rebecca’s contributions span multiple organisations and projects, including:

• Whizz Kidz Kidz Board (Vice-Chair): Advocating for improvements such as 24/7 disabled bus passes and accessible supermarkets.
• Ambitious About Autism: Co-designing the Autistic and OK programme, which empowers autistic students and fosters acceptance in schools.
• National Citizen Service (NCS): Helping embed youth and disabled voices into the organisation’s structure to ensure accessible and inclusive programming.
• Disabled Children’s Partnership: Shaping surveys and reports on education, health, and social care to inform policymakers and ministers.

Rebecca’s work has directly influenced positive change, including expanded bus pass schemes, accessible hiring practices, and innovative training programmes like Autistic and OK.

Rebecca’s advocacy stems from a personal understanding of the challenges faced by young people with disabilities and autism. She envisions a future where society takes a more person-centred approach in all sectors, ensuring that the voices of disabled individuals are heard and acted upon.

"We have a voice, and we can make change. I will continue to advocate for the needs of young autistic and disabled people, with this recognition fuelling my motivation and drive," Rebecca shared.

“I’ve seen first-hand the barriers we face in accessing education, employment, and the community,” she explained. “I know how good things could be if small changes were made, and I’m determined to make those changes happen.”

Despite challenges like balancing her extensive commitments with full-time education and navigating resistance to her ideas, Rebecca has remained resolute. “I focus on what I’m passionate about and work with organisations willing to listen and take action,” she said.

Her work has touched countless lives, demonstrating the power of lived experience and determination in driving societal change. Rebecca’s work has had a ripple effect, improving not just the lives of disabled and autistic young people but also their families and wider communities. “Accessibility benefits everyone,” she noted. “For example, making public transport more accessible transforms family trips into joyful memories instead of logistical battles.”

Sarah Pugh, CEO at Whizz Kidz, said;

“We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud that Rebecca, one of our remarkable Kidz Board members, has been awarded the British Empire Medal in this year’s New Year’s Honours list. Rebecca’s passion, dedication, and advocacy for young people with disabilities and autism are nothing short of inspiring. Her tireless efforts to break down barriers and create a more inclusive society reflect the very heart of what we stand for at Whizz Kidz.

Rebecca exemplifies the power of lived experience in driving meaningful change, and this recognition is a testament to her incredible impact on improving accessibility, equity, and opportunities for disabled young people. We are honoured to have her as part of the Whizz Kidz family and look forward to seeing her continue to inspire and lead the way for others.”

Rebecca encourages others to join her efforts, whether by donating to impactful organisations, volunteering, or advocating for greater accessibility in everyday life. “Invite us into spaces where we can create change,” she urged. “Listen to us, act on what we say, and support us in building a more inclusive society.” Whizz Kidz are currently looking for more young wheelchair users to join its Kidz board - a group of young wheelchair users from across the UK that make sure young wheelchair user’s voices, are at the heart of every decision Whizz Kidz makes.