Alison Bunce, founder of Compassionate Inverclyde, has been recognised in the 2025 New Year Honours List with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her remarkable contribution to the Inverclyde community. This national honour celebrates individuals who dedicate themselves to serving others, and Alison’s lifelong commitment to compassion and care perfectly embodies that spirit.
Alison began her nursing career in 1981 and has since worked across hospitals and hospices, including her role as Director of Care at Ardgowan Hospice. Throughout more than four decades in palliative care, she has consistently championed dignity, kindness, and human connection, all values that underpin everything she does.
In 2016, Alison founded Compassionate Inverclyde, which has grown into a vital independent charity supporting people at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Learn more about Compassionate Inverclyde’s mission and values. The charity’s initiatives include No One Dies Alone (NODA), a volunteer-led service that ensures no one spends their final hours alone, and Back Home Boxes, which provide practical essentials and comfort for people returning home from hospital. These programmes reflect the charity’s mission to build a more compassionate community where everyone is valued and supported.
Alison’s achievements have already been widely celebrated. She previously received the Queen’s Nurse Award and the Royal College of Nursing’s Nurse of the Year accolade, highlighting her leadership and innovation in care. The British Empire Medal (BEM) now further recognises her exceptional contribution to improving the lives of others and promoting community-driven kindness across Inverclyde.
This honour is not only a testament to Alison’s dedication but also to the volunteers, supporters, and local partners who help Compassionate Inverclyde continue its life-changing work.
Congratulations, Alison, on this well-deserved recognition of compassion, commitment, and care.
