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# Meet the everyday heroes making Suffolk a better place to live
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/meet-the-everyday-heroes-making-suffolk-a-better-place-to-live/
- Published: 2024-12-10T08:05:38.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:28:06.000Z
- Description: A woman who saved and transformed Suffolk's Meals on Wheels service and a bridge teacher who created a thriving community of over 100 members are among three Suffolk residents honoured for their exceptional service to the county.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Changemakers, #article, Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**Why it matters:** These local heroes demonstrate how individual action can transform communities and improve lives across Suffolk – from helping vulnerable elderly residents stay in their homes to breaking down social isolation.

**The big picture:** The Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, presented British Empire Medals to Teresa Aristodemou and Richard Evans, while Robert Utting received the Imperial Service Medal at a ceremony in Euston today.

![Ms Teresa Aristodemou BEM, The Lord-Lieutenant, Clare, Countess of Euston, Robert Utting ISM, Richard Evans BEM](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1733572611-british-empire-medal-winners-from-suffolk-1.jpg)

Ms Teresa Aristodemou BEM, The Lord-Lieutenant, Clare, Countess of Euston, Robert Utting ISM, Richard Evans BEM (The Office of the Lord-Lieutenant)

**Saving a vital lifeline:** Teresa Aristodemou stepped in when funding cuts threatened Suffolk's Meals on Wheels in 2017, founding the Aspect Living Foundation (ALF) to save the service. Under her leadership:

- The service now helps 450 elderly and vulnerable residents
- She launched an innovative Hospital to Home scheme helping early patient discharge
- The service proved crucial during Covid-19, managing a 25% surge in demand
- Daily health and wellbeing checks are provided alongside meals

**Breaking down isolation:** Richard Evans has been recognised for transforming community life in Stansfield through:

- Creating a bridge club in 2007 that grew to over 100 members
- Leading village hall renovation efforts
- Setting up online bridge sessions during the pandemic to combat isolation
- Contributing to county-level bridge development for over a decade
- Using his Fleet Street journalism experience to edit the County Bridge Newsletter

**A lifetime of service:** Robert Utting's Imperial Service Medal – a first for Suffolk – marks 43 years in the courts system, including:

- Managing critical court services across East Anglia
- Training new court staff
- Contributing to high-profile justice projects
- Serving on Suffolk's Criminal Justice Board
- Supporting the implementation of the first specialist Family Court business centre

**What they're saying:** "Listening to their stories of service, and hearing about the sacrifices they have made in their own lives to help serve others, is deeply humbling," the Lord-Lieutenant said after the ceremony.

**The bottom line:** These awards recognise how individual dedication can create lasting positive change in local communities – from ensuring elderly residents receive daily care to building social connections that combat loneliness.

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