'Profound privilege': Northampton's Teresa McCarthy-Dixon awarded MBE for services to the community

Teresa McCarthy-Dixon has been awarded an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her outstanding services to the community in

Northampton.

Although the King’s Birthday Honours and New Year Honours are well known, honorary awards such as this are presented once per year to non-British citizens.

Teresa, who is originally from the village of Portmagee in Co. Kerry, Ireland, was first notified of the award earlier this year and was delighted to formally accept the prestigious honour in January.

She will be presented with her MBE medal at an official ceremony later in 2025 by a representative of the King, details of which are yet to be confirmed.

Teresa has also been invited to attend the illustrious Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2026, a highly anticipated celebration that she eagerly awaits.

Teresa first made her mark in Northampton as the landlady of The Swan and Helmet in Grove Road in 2006.

Under her stewardship, the pub became a vital community hub, particularly for the Irish community, offering a welcoming space where people could connect and support one another.

Teresa explained The Swan and Helmet’s regular customers have always been extremely generous supporters of the pub’s community’s efforts, and have supported many fundraising efforts over the years to aid local causes and individuals.

In 2020, during the first national COVID-19 lockdown, Teresa responded to the growing crisis by launching a foodbank from The Swan and Helmet.

What began as a grassroots effort to help neighbours in need quickly grew into The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation, a registered charity that has been serving the people of Northamptonshire ever since.

Today, The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation continues to grow from strength to strength, supporting thousands of individuals and families on a monthly basis.

The charity works with over 90 Northamptonshire schools, groups and service providers, to distribute thousands of food parcels to vulnerable households in need across Northamptonshire, on a regular basis.

They also run a wide range of Community Wellbeing Services, including weekly social clubs, a minibus service, ‘Doorstep Buddies’ Program, gardening and home improvements, educational sessions and one to one support for people in need.

Teresa said: “It is a profound privilege to be awarded this MBE. I’m immensely honoured to have received such significant recognition, both my family and I are absolutely overjoyed.

“This reflects not just my work, but the dedication of our incredible team of staff and volunteers, and the kindness of our donors and sponsors.

"The work of our charity, and the impact we’ve had on local people, has only been made possible with their support.”

The recognition shines a light on Teresa’s tireless dedication to the most vulnerable members of the community, and the legacy of care and connection she has built in Northamptonshire.

Teresa shared that TMDF hopes to continue this legacy for many years to come, and they are currently in the process of trying to secure a permanent premises at Queensgrove Methodist Church.

The charity is running a fundraising appeal at the moment, which they welcome donations to – they encourage anyone able to donate to visit their online appeal page here