A MENTAL health doctor said she was stunned to be awarded an OBE.

Dr Wendy Woodhouse has worked with Swindon youngsters for 22 years, spending a total of 32 years in the NHS.

The doctor, who is a consultant psychiatrist with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded an OBE for services to children and young people’s mental health. She is one of two Swindon mental health workers recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.

Dr Woodhouse said: “I’m stunned and delighted to be recognised as one part of a hard-working and dedicated NHS child and adolescent mental health service.

“I don’t feel I deserve this honour, as I couldn’t have managed my role without the support of the many expert clinical and management colleagues whom I have worked with over many years. However, I’m proud to be able to fly the flag on behalf of child and adolescent mental health services and to highlight the needs of young people with mental health problems.

“Our work is a team effort with the most important participants being the young people we work with to help them with their recovery. They have helped me to understand how services need to develop to serve their needs more effectively. I am proud to be able to continue to work with CAMHS services and to raise the profile of the dedicated work they do with and on behalf of children and young people.”

Dr Woodhouse’s boss, Stuart Bell, chief executive at Oxford Health, congratulated her on the award: “She has made a tremendous contribution to child and adolescent mental health. Having developed many key services over her years as clinical director at Oxford Health, she continues to provide care for young people as one of our most experienced consultants.”

Also recognised in the honours is Stephen Holmes, a recovery worker with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust’s intensive team. He has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to mental health in Swindon.

Stephen works with Swindon Town FC to use sport to boost people’s mental health. Over 20 service users are now involved in the programme. He said: “I have always played football and felt that through my work I would be able to help people with mental health problems.

“As well as physical exercise, which can improve your mental health, the programme also promotes recovery and hope and a sense of belonging. It also acts as a peer support group for the participants and for some has led to full time paid work, education and volunteer opportunities. Many people with mental health problems can often feel alone and isolated so having something they can feel part of is beneficial.”

Newlands Anning, AWP’s operations manager for Swindon, said: “We are delighted that Stephen has received a British Empire Medal. He is recognised in Swindon as extremely passionate about his work and always goes above and beyond for those in his care. This is an extremely prestigious honour and we are so pleased that his hard work and dedication has been recognised at such a high level.”

Karen Adams, a group manager with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, has won the Queen’s Fire Service Medal. The experienced firefighter, who battled cancer in 2008, estimates she has attended hundreds of 999 calls over her long career.