A member of the Travelling community who has completed a Foundation Degree in Community Development at Buckinghamshire New University has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

Janie Codona is the manager of One Voice 4 Travellers Ltd - a group of women, children and young adults from within the Travelling community who work to reduce violence both to Travellers and within the community as well as undertaking a range of community development activities.

One Voice 4 Travellers Ltd works across the Midlands, South Buckinghamshire and East Anglia with members of the Gypsy and Traveller community, particularly women and young girls, who have been affected either directly or indirectly by violence.

Her citation said: “She is a role model for the community and well respected by government, local government officials and service providers alike. She uses her past experiences constructively to raise awareness of the problems facing the community and seeks to build bridges.”

Mrs Codona has completed the two-year Foundation Degree at Bucks New University’s High Wycombe Campus and is going on to study for an MSc in Organising for Social and Community Development.

She was a Commissioner at the former Commission for Racial Equality - the first Traveller woman to take on the position – and is also a member of the Metropolitan Police’s Gypsy and Traveller Advisory Group, providing cultural awareness training to organisations and individuals including prison officers, police and schools.

The well-regarded activist is also a community health advocate promoting healthy living and emotional wellbeing for Gypsies and Travellers. Training for the role was completed at Bucks New University in a partnership with One Voice 4 Travellers Ltd and NHS Buckinghamshire following a Slough Social Fund grant of £10,000 from the Buckinghamshire Community Foundation.

Mrs Codona said: “The MBE is fantastic and very positive recognition of the work I have done with One Voice 4 Travellers and also voluntarily in the Gypsy and Traveller community.

“I learnt to read and write when I was six years-old but only attended schools for six months when I was six, before being fortunate enough to have a grandmother who helped educate me. I didn’t take GCSEs until I was married with three children so to gain a Foundation degree was like achieving a dream.

“I hope I am showing that Traveller women can aspire to something different than getting married and having children and they can gain qualifications, become educated, and achieve their dreams. The MBE is the icing on the cake and I’m already thinking who best to take to Buckingham Palace to receive it.”

Dr Margaret Greenfields is Research Director of Bucks New University's Institute of Diversity, Research, Inclusivity, Communities and Society (IDRICS) and has worked with Mrs Codona on Gypsy and Traveller health projects.

She said: "Janie really is a star - a hugely influential, hardworking and delightful lady whom we've all enjoyed working with at Bucks.

"We all wish her every success in her future career which, judging by her acadmic results, will continue to be outstanding.

"I also feel that Janie's academic success proves that with the appropriate tailored support Bucks New University offers we are able to ensure that students from very diverse backgrounds feel at home with us and are able to achieve their maximum potential."