An inspirational 20-year-old autistic woman from Wimbledon will be awarded a medal by the King for her services to young people with disabilities.
Rebecca Clarke, who has lived in Wimbledon all her life and was educated at Holy Trinity CofE Primary School and Wimbledon High School, has been named as a recipient of a British Empire Medal (BEM) in King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours List.
Recipients in the New Year Honours List are awarded for outstanding contributions to British society.
She said: “I am incredibly excited and honoured to be receiving this award.
“It has given me so much more confidence about the impact I am having, and a renewed sense of energy and motivation to continue working to improve society for disabled people, including autistic people.”
Ms Clarke’s award recognises her commitment to voluntary and advisory work for young people’s disability organisations, including Ambitious about Autism.
Ambitious about Autism is the national charity which supports autistic children and young people.
Ms Clark has been involved with the charity since 2021 and serves as a member of its Youth Council, a group of autistic young people who ensure the charity’s work reflects the views and needs of autistic children and young people.
Through the charity, Ms Clark has played a key role advising decision-makers on the key issues affecting autistic children and young people and their families.
Recently, she helped to produce the charity’s preventative mental health programme, Autistic and OK, which is an educational toolkit designed to help improve autistic young people’s wellbeing.
Ms Clark was involved in designing the programme’s modules and provides training to schools on how to deliver them.
Jolanta Lasota, chief executive of Ambitious about Autism, said: “Rebecca dedication to amplifying the voices of autistic children and young people is inspirational, and we want to congratulate her on this award which is thoroughly deserved.”
Alongside her charitable efforts, Ms Clark has been studying for a Biomedical Engineering degree at Kings College London. She is currently in her second year of study.
Ms Clark’s honour also recognises her work with charities Whizz Kidz and the Disabled Children’s Partnership.
For more information about Ambitious about Autism, please visit ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk.
Pictured top: Rebecca Clarke, a recipient of a BEM in King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours List (Picture: Ambitious about Autism)