News Walthamstow

Walthamstow civil servant awarded OBE in New Year’s Honours List

Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) employee Kemi Ademola has been awarded an OBE for services to bereaved families across faith communities

Kemi Ademola, Credit: Department for Work and Pensions

Walthamstow civil servant Kemi Ademola has been awarded an OBE for services to bereaved families across faith communities.

Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) employee Kemi leads support for ‘Tell Us Once’, a service that helps grieving families notify government departments about the death of a loved one in a single step. 

She works directly with community faith leaders and funeral directors to raise awareness of the service and ensure families know help is available when they need it most. 

Since joining DWP in 2001, Kemi has spent most of her career in frontline roles in various jobcentres, working directly with communities. 

Reacting to her award, Kemi said:  “I find it both inspiring and deeply humbling, a powerful reminder that when passion is paired with purpose, lives can be transformed.” 

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:  “It’s fantastic to see our brilliant DWP staff recognised in the New Year Honours List, which celebrates extraordinary contributions to their communities and public service. I would like to thank and congratulate all of our DWP colleagues who have been awarded.”  

Kemi is among ten staff members across the DWP who have been named this year in the King’s New Year Honour lists, which recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK. 


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