Kinship staff member awarded MBE in King’s Birthday Honours

A dedicated member of the Kinship staff team has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her ‘services to kinship care and for advocating for and supporting families.’

The achievements and service of people across the UK, from all walks of life are recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list which was published on Saturday 14 June. 

Maxine Campbell-Downer from London who works as the charity’s senior peer support development officer providing direct support to kinship families, and is a kinship carer herself, said it was a ‘total shock’ and ‘truly humbling’ to be recognised for her kinship care work. 

She said: “This is massive for me. As someone who was very much overlooked as a child, I feel proud. I have met so many amazing people on my journey. I feel that the kinship carers I have met have given me far more than I have given. I am inspired by their bravery and tenacity to push through. I love the people I work with.” 

She became a special guardian and kinship carer to her niece in 2012 and has since used her personal experience to support and advocate for other kinship carers. 

“When I started, I had no idea how difficult the journey would be – from financial hardship to lack of promised support,” she said. “But I found purpose in helping others through similar challenges.” 

Back then Maxine was a Champion for Grandparents Plus, now called Kinship, and threw herself into campaigning work which led to her role working with kinship families. She went on to play a leading role in national advocacy, including becoming the first kinship carer representative on the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board. 

Maxine said: “Being able to demonstrate the complications that kinship carers have to navigate and our voices being heard has given me a huge sense of pride.” 

Kinship’s Chief Executive, Lucy Peake said: 

“Everyone at Kinship is over the moon that Maxine is being recognised with an MBE for extraordinary dedication and service to kinship care. This honour reflects not only her many years of unwavering commitment to kinship families but also her tireless advocacy, compassion and leadership in a sector that too often goes unseen. 

“As a passionate member of staff and campaigner, Maxine has changed countless lives offering crucial support to kinship carers when they’ve needed it most. Her work has helped shine a national spotlight on kinship care, and today that spotlight turns rightfully on her. 

“I know the kinship carers she works so tirelessly for will be as proud as we are to see her recognised in this way. This honour is a powerful acknowledgement of her brilliance, her voice and the cause she champions. On behalf of everyone at Kinship, we offer her our heartfelt congratulations on this richly deserved honour.” 

Maxine’s niece Faith was the first person she told. Faith said to her: “I am super proud of you mum. Always remember that hard work pays off. I love you.”