“It’s His mission, we are simply His servants... it’s not my honour, ultimately, it’s His.”
Have we mentioned that our founder and trustee Barrie Stephenson was named in the King’s Birthday Honours List? Okay, kidding! We know; we’ve mentioned it quite a lot. But that’s because it’s a big deal! However reticent Barrie may be to receive acclaim for his nomination, we absolutely believe it is recognition of his perseverance in making the word ‘Restore’ synonymous in York with the provision of homes, hope and community.
Firstly, a bit of background (in case your understanding of the inner workings of the British Honours system isn’t quite as nerd-like as that of our Marketing and Events Officer!). The Order of the British Empire was created by King George V during World War One, as a way to recognise the contributions made by civilians, as opposed to those on the front line. In order of merit, they include Knighthoods and Damehoods (GBE/KBE/DBE); Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE); Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE); Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), and the British Empire Medal (BEM).[1] Around 2000 honours are awarded each year and the nominations are published twice annually; on the monarch’s official birthday in June, and on New Year’s Day.[2] In the 2026 birthday honours list (on which Barrie appeared), 1182 people received an award.
Of these latest recipients, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them. Their dedication shows how lasting change is built - through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others.” [3]
Without knowing of his case specifically, the Right Honourable Gentleman has managed to capture Barrie – and the wider work of Restore more generally - remarkably well. Lasting change brought about through compassion and resilience is what we strive to achieve through the support we offer. Our commitment to our residents, and our heart for building community is fundamental to Restore, and that is - in large part - thanks to Barrie, for keeping the organisation focussed on this vision. It is because of this drive that we have been able to house 475 people in the last fifteen years, currently managing 18 properties and supporting up to 80 people at a time across our shared accommodation, bedsits, refugee housing, and former residents who are now living in their own tenancies.
When he received the letter from the cabinet office informing him that his name had been put forward to the King to receive an MBE, Barrie was characteristically modest. His first reaction was to feel that it was unfair to single him out as worthy of praise, when so many people have played a part in making Restore what it is today. His thoughts immediately went to co-founder Ed Hambleton, who “gave up a secure job to pioneer Restore…and poured himself into Restore and its residents.” He also considered our financial supporters and regular donors; our landlords, who sacrifice the chance of a far greater profit margin on the open rental market in order to partner with us instead; our prayer supporters in local churches and beyond, who lift the work of Restore regularly before God; our staff and volunteers, and of course, our residents, who arguably do the hardest work of all to turn their circumstances around and move to a life beyond homelessness.
‘A mixture of emotions’
Barrie describes feeling “a mixture of emotions,” upon learning of his nomination. He was surprised, over-awed and unsure how to respond publicly. Nevertheless, he was thankful, because he views this award as recognition of Restore York more generally, and the efforts everyone within the organisation has made to end homelessness in York:
“Will it be good news for Restore, an endorsement of all the charity does? I hope so. The ‘honour’ has to be shared. It’s not really mine - it belongs to everyone who has shared in the success of the charity; making it a viable and respected provider of homes, hope and community for people experiencing homelessness in York.”
Moreover, he was keen to reflect the glory straight back to God. Restore is - and always has been – a Christian organisation. Its very foundation was a venture of faith, initially taken by Barrie and Ed, answering what they firmly believed was a calling, which God placed on their hearts. That faithful foundation continues to this day. As such, Barrie’s main response to his nomination was one of wider thanksgiving:
“When we respond to God’s mission, He also provides and supplies the grace and resources to complete it…Surprised? Perhaps shocked? In reality - humbled, because God brought so much out of the little I could bring to the success of our mission.”
We share Barrie’s thankfulness to God for remaining faithful towards Restore throughout the last fifteen years. We’re also incredibly proud of Barrie: his dedication to ending homelessness in York has never wavered one bit since he helped bring Restore into existence in 2011. It was his vision that started the charity, and he is the only person who has been a constant through the last fifteen years, watching, advising and supporting us to grow into the organisation that we are today. He has chaired the board. He has spoken passionately about Restore to audiences as diverse as small church congregations and the listeners of BBC Radio York broadcasts. He has run 10Ks and half-marathons to fundraise for us, and continues to do so (much to his wife Joan’s consternation!). Quite simply, Barrie cannot be stopped. He will continue to serve God through Restore until the Lord chooses to call him home.
It’s only right that we allow Barrie the final words here, and - true to form – he makes them about Christian service:
“In the end, [Restore] is God’s mission, we are simply His servants. All honour and glory go to Him…if there is an honour to be given for what Restore has achieved it ultimately belongs to Jesus.”
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[1]https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/103372
[2]https://www.guidelondon.org.uk/blog/british-monarchy/the-uk-honours-system/
[3]https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-celebrates-community-change-makers-from-across-the-uk-in-hm-the-kings-birthday-honours-list