A WORDSLEY woman who quit teaching as she battled to cope with bipolar disorder has been honoured by the Queen for helping to improve mental health services for others who had suffered like her.

Lynne Jankowska - awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen's birthday honours for services to care quality in mental health - said she was "delighted but surprised" to receive the accolade.

Ms Jankowska, now aged 64, of Swan Lane, was an "expert by experience" for Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership from 2010 until last year, when she was part of a team that visited Bushey Fields psychiatric hospital in Dudley to give feedback to staff and management aimed at improving services for patients.

She had been a teacher, working at Moat Farm Primary School in Oldbury, until her bipolar condition worsened at the age of 45.

She left the teaching profession but later became involved in Dudley Advocacy, which provides a voice for vulnerable adults who need help.

Eventually she took on the role of "expert by experience", working for at least 12 hours a month to identify areas where mental health services could improve.

"I think I helped to improve communications between patients, management and staff," said Ms Jankowska.

"One area where improvements were made later was in providing more activities to keep people busy during their recovery, with artwork, puzzles, games and crafts available on the wards.

"We also worked to remove the stigma of mental health issues, which one in four adults could have."

Mark Axcell, acting chief executive of the mental health partnership, said: “Lynne has dedicated many years to the trust and its services, ensuring that they are effective and continuously improving for our service users and carers.

"As a former expert by experience, she has left her mark through the strong relationships she has built and her contributions which have resulted in measurable improvements to our trust’s services in both improving patient activities and shaping services.

"Throughout her time with us, Lynne became a highly valued member of the trust and an excellent role model for both new recruits and long-serving members of staff.

"Lynne remains active within the trust as she continues in her role as one of our governors, representing the opinions of service users, carers, staff and the public.

"She managed the difficult balance of offering a professional yet personalised challenge to the committee and is a true champion for service users and carers, supporting the trust in delivering high quality mental health services."