A charity man who set up a food bank and a counselling service for the people of the Ribble Valley has been awarded a BEM.

Nigel Rix of George Lane, Read has been awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire in the King’s 2023 New Year’s Honours list.

The medal is awarded for services to the community in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

Nigel said: “This unexpected honour celebrates the commitment of so many, our volunteers, our managers and our Trustees, to serving disadvantaged residents in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

“It also celebrates the generosity of all who give much-needed food, toiletries and finance which are essential to delivering the Trust’s services.

“Above all this honour celebrates the uplifted lives which result from faith in action."

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Nigel was the founding Chair of the Ribble Valley Gateway Trust, a Christian charity established by the eight Clitheroe churches to serve people across the Ribble Valley experiencing social and economic needs.

Under Nigel’s leadership, the Trust developed a foodbank, and cookery classes, an art group for people with special needs and a counselling service.

In 2012 Nigel, as the Chair of Clitheroe Christians in Partnership, shared a vision for community service with members of the Clitheroe churches.

He established a working group to focus initially on plans to develop a foodbank after consultations with local agencies including the Borough Council and Citizens’ Advice.

It was clear that some residents were already suffering financial hardship and needed practical support.

Supported by a committed manager and 80 volunteers the Ribble Valley Foodbank opened in July 2013, in partnership with the Trussell Trust, with centres in Clitheroe and Longridge. 

Over the last 9 years, it has served several thousand clients with food, toiletries, information and a listening ear.  The Foodbank benefits from generous local donations to make it sustainable.

The Clitheroe Cookery Club soon complemented the Foodbank by helping participants learn about economical and nutritious cooking in a friendly setting.

Nigel developed a business model which embraced the Foodbank and Cookery Club and enabled new community services to evolve and thrive under the supervision of local church Trustees.

Nigel recognised that restricted public finances had affected the opportunities for residents with special needs to flourish.

In 2018 he worked with a talented retired art teacher to set up Ribble Valley Art for All where students develop highly attractive visual creations while boosting their personal confidence.

In the same year, he established Gateway Trust Counselling as a new service under the auspices of the Trust led by an experienced manager.

The need for counselling services in the Ribble Valley was acute and in short supply.  Residents with counselling needs are now served by eight counsellors with an additional four trainees.

Clitheroe English Club also joined the Trust umbrella, providing opportunities for residents to develop their use of English as a second language.

With the onset of advanced prostate cancer, Nigel retired from the Trust in 2020 but it continues to serve the Ribble Valley community under the leadership of Colin White with more than 120 volunteers, new Trustees and committed managers.