Mrs Holland, who lives in Guernsey, has worked with Jersey’s Fostering and Adoption team for nearly 30 years, as well as being closely involved with Christian Aid Guernsey for more than 40 years.
Having been named in the New Year’s Honours List, Mrs Holland received her award at a ceremony at Government House in Guernsey.
Sarah Michael, a senior social worker from Fostering and Adoption Jersey, accompanied Mrs Holland to the presentation.
‘We work with Patricia to reunite people with their families and support them in whatever capacity they require,’ said Mrs Michael.
Mrs Holland said: ‘I work alongside Jersey and Guernsey’s post-adoption services. I have always felt it was essential to have healthy co-operation to provide the best support to clients, especially as many children have been born
in one Island and raised after adoption in the other.’
Tracing a family is just one of the post-adoption services available for Islanders who have been adopted. Jersey’s Fostering and Adoption team provides counselling sessions, helps people access their birth records,
regardless of their place of birth, and acts as an intermediary between adopted adults and birth parents.
