AN East Renfrewshire resident has been recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list for her services to vulnerable people in Glasgow. 

Carol Dutch, who is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) employee and civil servant of 39 years, has been awarded an OBE - an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. 

Carol started her career as an administrative assistant in 1983. 

Working at the DWP, she now supports colleagues and members of the public going through difficult times, whether that be financial hardship, domestic abuse, ill-health, family bereavement or those who feel at risk of suicide. 

Carol said she was "speechless" when she found out about the award. 

READ MORE: New Year Honours 2021: Full Scottish list revealed

She said: “To be quite honest I cried and for the first time in my life, I was totally speechless.

"People who know me well will find that quite unbelievable, but I was.

"I think I was in a complete state of shock as it was just so unexpected.

“Being nominated by my colleagues without knowing it is something quite strange really.

"Recently I was sixty and my family were planning a surprise party and I got a sense that something was going on but not with the nomination.

"This takes secrecy to another level.

“To be nominated personally for something that you think is “just your job” is just wonderful and I am exceptionally proud of all the teams and colleagues I worked with along the way that played a huge part in this.

“I know it sounds trite but I really couldn’t have achieved anything without every one of them playing a vital role. My view is that we are all just one big team doing different jobs and I feel exceptionally privileged and humbled."

Glasgow Times:

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Explaining her work at the DWP, Carol added: “I’ve been recognised for my work over the last 10 years with the Scottish Benevolent Fund to support colleagues across DWP who are in crisis and need financial support - this ranges from colleagues fleeing domestic abuse or with very ill children and need to take unpaid leave, to colleagues with crippling debt, who are at threat of breakdown or suicide.

“It has been such a privilege to do this and be the Management Trustee for a Fund that was set up 100 years ago to support widowed colleagues.

"The fund committee are the most loyal, dedicated group of people who do most of this work in their own time.

“My role was to support them to transform and deliver, ensure governance and security systems were in place and be their advocate across Scotland.

"They do all the work and really this award is for them also in recognition of the fantastic work they do daily in Scotland.

“I was also nominated for my recent work in Scotland on Adult Protection and developing an organisational structure which safeguards customers at risk of harm or financially.

“I joined the Civil Service in 1983 on a 6-month contract as an administrative assistant and here I am 39 years later.

"I retire in March 2022 and I can honestly say that I have loved all the jobs I have done over the years, some more than others obviously, but my passion is operational delivery as you can see first-hand the difference you make to people’s lives, both customers and colleagues.

“That is what makes me tick - knowing that you have done your best for colleagues and customers every day and seeing that in action.

"I have always worked to deliver a service that I would be proud to deliver to one of my own family members no matter what.

"Within DWP I have attempted and been afforded the privilege of doing this with a particular focus on those that are vulnerable or in crisis."

Carol is one of 17 DWP employees recognised in the New Years Honours list this year. 

DWP Lords Minister Baroness Stedman-Scott said: “It’s fantastic to see such inspiring people working at DWP being recognised for their conscious efforts to bring about positive changes in our world – whether through their role at work or in their spare time.

“I congratulate every single one of them and those across the wider civil service, who have been awarded for going above and beyond to help others. Thank you for all you do.”