Dr Joan Bailey MBE, senior lecturer in Social Work with the School of Applied Social Studies, was appointed to the position by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, on 1^st March 2021. Dr Bailey will continue her teaching role at the University while supporting the Lord Lieutenant in carrying out her functions as Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in the county.

With over 30 years’ experience of working with young people as a social worker and a youth and community worker, Dr Bailey has extensive knowledge of youth justice, crime prevention, gender discrimination and conflict resolution. She was also presented with an MBE in 2010 for services to youth justice.

On receiving this latest appointment, she said: “I am incredibly thankful for being appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Bedfordshire and will use this role to support our amazing community and voluntary sector organisations. Community workers, charities and volunteers are indeed our unsung heroes and have demonstrated in the last year how fundamental they are in supporting those with complex needs.

“My life has been about social justice, particularly for young people. I want to continue to work with Bedfordshire’s young people and challenge the obstacles that are put before them. I hope that I can inspire them to have dreams and aspirations.”

Dr Bailey is one of five new Deputy Lieutenants of Bedfordshire, appointed this year. Selected by the Lord-Lieutenant, names of proposed new Deputy Lieutenants are forwarded to the government, who in turn submit them to HM The Queen for approval.

Responsibilities of the Deputy Lieutenants, who must have a place of residence within – or no further than seven miles out of – the county, include participation in civic and social activity including the encouragement of voluntary and community activities, as well as supporting the Lord Lieutenant in public and royal engagements.

Professor Rebecca Bunting, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, said:

“The University is incredibly proud of Dr Bailey’s appointment which highlights just how valued she is within the social sector and as a female change-maker.

“As Deputy Lieutenant, she can further strengthen our bond with the Bedfordshire community and allow us to continue our commitment to social and civic partnerships in the area.”

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, added:

“It is an honour to welcome Dr Bailey to our Lieutenancy Team. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge of how to enable people to thrive in our county as well as years of dedicated voluntary service particularly in supporting our young people.

“I look forward to working with her and learning from her."

Following tradition, Dr Bailey will hold the appointment until she is 75 years old. In her Lieutenancy, she joins fellow University of Bedfordshire academic Professor Gurch Randhawa, who was awarded the same position in 2017 following over 20 years of dedication to the county in Higher Education and the NHS.

For more information about how the Bedfordshire Lieutenancy operates, visit the Central Bedfordshire website.

For details about the University of Bedfordshire’s School of Applies Social Studies, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/departments/appliedsocialstudies