?Friday 20th June 2025
It’s days like this that show exactly why Roffey Park is more than just a venue.
We were honoured to host a truly special event at Roffey Park this June, the investiture ceremony of Rosemary Pavoni, who was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for nearly six decades of dedicated service to social care. On behalf of His Majesty King Charles III, Lady Emma Barnard, Lord-Lieutenant of Sussex, presented the medal in front of 65 of Rosemary’s family, friends and colleagues. The ceremony took place in our woodland venue, surrounded by heartfelt tributes, tears, laughter and applause for a woman whose work has transformed care in our region and beyond.
Rosemary’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. From her beginnings as a Home Help Organiser in 1960s East London, to pioneering community services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Brighton in the 1990s, to owning and running the award-winning Rosedale Care Home in Horsham, with her husband Adelindo. Rosemary has dedicated her life to supporting others.
She has chaired West Sussex Partners in Care, raised over £1 million in grant funding and founded the Care Accolades, celebrating excellence in care. Rosemary continues to drive change through her work with the Skills for Care Network, Tapestry Day Club, and her monthly Dementia Café in Horsham. She also lends her wisdom to students as a visiting fellow at the University of Chichester.
In her acceptance speech, Rosemary said:
“I am so grateful to be recognised in this way for doing a job I love and on receiving medal I am doing so on behalf of all of those who work so tirelessly in social care. I believe that in life we should be kind, speak your mind and don’t leave anyone struggling behind. I want to thank my family for all their support to my work and all the inspiring people I have and continue to work with”.
The ceremony was followed by personal tributes from family and colleagues, who celebrated Rosemary’s compassion, resilience and leadership. As Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults, shared:
“Social care would not be where it is today without Rosemary.”
It was a privilege to welcome Rosemary and her guests to Roffey Park for such an important and moving occasion.
Congratulations, Rosemary Pavoni BEM- and thank you for all you’ve done, and continue to do, for the care sector.
If you are looking for a unique and friendly space to host your next event, please get in touch.