The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation (TMDF) is delighted to share the incredible news that our founder, 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 here in Northampton.
This honorary MBE is a rare and prestigious distinction, awarded by the King once a year to non-British citizens whose work has made a significant impact in the UK. Teresa, who is originally from Portmagee in Co. Kerry, Ireland, was formally notified of the honour earlier this year and officially accepted the award in January.
She will receive her MBE medal at an official ceremony later in 2025 and has also been invited to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2026, a wonderful opportunity and recognition of her lifelong commitment to helping others.
Many in Northampton will know Teresa as the landlady of The Swan and Helmet, a pub she took over in 2006 and quickly turned into a true community hub, particularly for the local Irish community. The pub’s regulars have always been key supporters of the charitable work that blossomed from that space, and Teresa often credits their generosity as the starting point for much of what followed.
In 2020, when the first national COVID-19 lockdown hit, Teresa launched a small foodbank from the pub’s premises. That grassroots initiative grew rapidly and eventually evolved into TMDF a registered charity that now supports thousands of individuals and families each month across Northamptonshire.
Today, TMDF operates a wide range of services including our food hub, community wellbeing clubs, a minibus transport programme, doorstep visits for isolated residents, home improvements, and one-to-one support for people in crisis. We work in partnership with over 90 local schools, groups, and organisations to ensure help reaches those who need it most.
Teresa’s MBE is not just a personal recognition; it is a testament to the incredible growth of TMDF and the collective effort of the Northamptonshire community.
In her own words:
“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.”
We are incredibly proud of Teresa and the legacy she continues to build here in Northamptonshire. Her MBE is a tribute not only to her vision and leadership, but also to the spirit of community that defines everything we do at TMDF.
Read Northampton Chronicle and Echo’s front-page feature on Teresa’s MBE here: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/profound-privilege-northamptons-teresa-mccarthy-dixon-awarded-mbe-for-services-to-the-community-5089887
