Homecoming honour for organisation founder supporting the vulnerable
The co-founder of an organisation tackling health inequalities among vulnerable people has returned to her home city to receive an honorary award from the University of Bradford.
Yvonne Stocks DL is co-founder, director and chairperson of Palm Cove Society (PCS), which address disadvantage, inequalities, education, community bias and health needs experienced by vulnerable people, including survivors of domestic violence, refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals affected by modern slavery and human trafficking, while also providing safe and supportive homes for them.
She has been given an Outstanding Contribution Award by the University ‘in recognition of the significant impact she has made to the health, wellbeing and safety of vulnerable people in the Bradford district and beyond’.
Yvonne, 65, who received her award on Tuesday 14 July, said: “I feel proud, honoured and delighted to be given an honorary award by the University.
“Bradford is the city where I was born, grew up and raised my family. It’s also the place where my entrepreneurship journey began.”
Yvonne Stocks DL has received an Outstanding Contribution Award from the University of Bradford. Images credit: Kiran Mehta@KM Images/University of Bradford
Who is Yvonne Stocks DL?
After receiving a first-class honours degree in Midwifery Studies, Yvonne has dedicated her career to tackling vulnerability and disadvantage among people.
Alongside her husband Gerard, Yvonne founded PCS in March 2007, which initially looked at disadvantage and inequalities experienced by vulnerable women.
After witnessing some of the same experiences in males, PCS expanded its service the following year to accommodate both genders.
PCS has been associated with the University of Bradford since 2009, working with survivors, who can share their experiences of higher education or learning the skills required to pursue their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs.
In 2015, Yvonne was recognised as a specialist practitioner in trauma informed wraparound accommodation services and seconded by the Home Office as Special Advisor to the First Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. She worked throughout the UK, raising awareness of modern slavery, its impact on victims and the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Yvonne received a High Sheriffs Award for outstanding work during a high-profile prosecution in 2017 and, the following year, she was awarded the Metropolitan Assistant Commissioners Commendation for outstanding commitment to victim care and support.
She was commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire in 2023 to support the Lord Lieutenant, the King’s representative for the county.
Yvonne Stocks DL has received an Outstanding Contribution Award from the University of Bradford. Images credit: Kiran Mehta@KM Images/University of Bradford
‘Surround yourself with good people’
Yvonne had this advice for her fellow graduates: “Have big ideas and a clear vision of how you want to achieve your goals.
“Surround yourself with good people. Follow your own path and do not deviate from your aims but be prepared to adapt to achieve your desired outcome.
“You will have to overcome several difficulties and challenges but do so with dignity, humility, and grace. Most importantly – keep your dreams alive and never give up.”