Tributes to Alison Richards
I worked with Alison during my time with FRG and have such clear memories of Alison - an exceptionally able and caring woman who made a real difference to families lives. I have a lovely photograph of Alison at my house holding Freya (who was under one at this time). Such a sad loss, my thoughts are with Alison's family and friends
From: Kate Morris
My deep and sincere condolences to Alison's family, she was an exceptional person and I feel blessed to have known her even if for a very short time.
From: Ann Fenton-Jones
My condolences go out to all those who were blessed to have met and know Alison, in particular her family. I used to work with Alison at Family Rights Group and have many fond memories of her. She was a wonderful , caring person and often brightened up my day. I feel it a privilege to have known Alison.
From: Deborah Cooper-Jones
It was a privilege to be taught by Alison on the child studies course at King's College.She will remain an inspiration to us all. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
From: Caroline Johnston
I first became involved with Alison whilst our grandson (that was) was in the process of being adopted. The support she gave me was immense. She was a shining light for Grandparent Carers, and I will miss her presence enormously. My sincere condolences to her family and friends and all who knew her. I will look for her star in the sky, as I am sure she is looking down on us and wishing us well.
From: Ivy,Geoff,Neil, Jessica,Emily Holmes
Her warmth, love, and friendship will stay with us for always.We pray that the love people had for Alison will help you through this sad time.
From: Rod & Angela Price
Alison was a very special person. I was fortunate enough to work with and get to know her during the four and a half years that I was chief executive at Family Rights Group. When I joined the organisation in 1999, Alison was returning to work after her second maternity leave and she was completing work on Overcoming The Obstacles. This was an important piece of work with some difficult messages to give about the failures of services to meet the needs of black and minority ethnic children and families. Alison did not flinch from giving these messages but what I remember most was her ability to express complex ideas simply and her unwavering commitment to put across what families were saying about their experiences of services.
After this work was completed I was delighted that Alison could then lead a new piece of work for Family Rights Group that sought to learn more about the experiences of grandparents who were bringing up their grandchildren. With the publication of Second Time Around, Alison contributed massively to our understanding of the difficulties that many of these grandparents were facing. Again, Alison was absolutely committed to putting across what is what that the grandparents were saying.
Alison was devoted to her family and very proud of her children. Her work was also very important to her and there are many individuals, parents and grandparents, who Alison has advised and/or advocated for who owe much to Alison and who will always be grateful for the time and respect she showed them. There are many more, particularly grandparents, who are grateful to Alison for describing their situation so clearly and for representing their interests so powerfully.
I was very lucky to have worked with and known Alison. Like many others I will miss her enormously.
From: Robert Tapsfield, 25.09.05
I feel priviledged to have known and helped Alison with her work on the "Second Time Around" project I found her very easy and sympathetic to talk too. When we met at London at the FRG Conferences she was friendly and had a good sense of humour. Her daughters can grow up knowing that their mum was a very special person who will be missed by a lot of grandparents and families.
From: Ellen & Alan Ashton & grandchildren Bradley & Callum
I knew Alison for five years having been involved in the Second Time Around survey and then the Special Guardianship projects. This lady had truly extraordinary skills in dealing with people while they were talking about difficulties. Not only was Alison able to understand and empathise with individuals, she demonstated an endless compassion - All this at a time when she was unwell herself.
Many family and friends carers, and the children in their care have a lot to thank Alison for. She was able to thrust the issues faced by these people into the public domain while quietly and thoughtfully campaigning for change amongst the policy makers.
My thoughts and prayers are with Alison's family as they no doubt struggle to come to terms with the inevitable void in their lives. I hope it is of some reassurance to know that their loved one was such a remarkable person and managed to touch so many with her kindness.
Rest in Peace dear Alison.
From: Robin Derriman
I was terribly sorry to hear of Alison's death. She will always be a great example of the ability of an individual to make a difference in
the world that she continued to do so while struggling with illness is a real testimony to her courage and determination. My thoughts are with her family at this sad time.
From: Paul Tyack
I can remember meeting Alison on my first day at Family Rights Group - she was about to have her baby and I had also recently had a baby. She was warm, funny, caring and scarily intellectual. I really enjoyed working with her. We both had another maternity leave and so our working together seemed to alternate with the complexities of having children. It was great to talk with her about all those early parenting issues. She was a good friend, a brilliant colleague, and I will miss her enormously,
From: Jane Wiffin
I never had the privilege of meeting Alison personally, but the advice she gave me through FRG provided a brief insight into both her
dedication and compassion. Such people are rare in this world, and I hope it of some comfort to Alison's family and friends that, although her life has been cruelly cut short, it touched so many people for the better.
From: David Heathcote
I am so very sorry to hear of Alison's death. She is a great loss to FRG personally and professionally and also to the child welfare
community to which she made such a significant contribution.
From: Elaine Farmer
We've only just heard about Alison's death. During the 20 years we knew her, she was always brave and kind. She was a true free spirit who never allowed herself to be over-awed when she was standing-up for the disadvantaged. We will always remember her speaking out but keeping her sense of humour when she did it. The world will be a poorer place without her and the children of this country have lost a constant friend.
From: Nick Cohen and Anne-Marie Ellis
I have worked with Alison on many projects over the past five years. When I first heard of Family Rights group, it was tremendous find for myself and my husband. I was running a grandparent support group in Peterborough, and it was not long before Alison was offering us support, and involving us in all sorts of "grandparenting issues. " She was happy to travel to Peterborough to attend our group, and we became involved in the Second Time around study. After this we were asked to pilot the Training and support package. Alison met everyone on the steering group here in Peterborough, and welcomed them all when they visited her London.
Alison had a most wonderful caring capacity, making everyone feel valued and special. She remembered peoples problems, and asked after them. She was a true professional,always making time to listen.
I will miss her greatly.
From: Chris Leaves. Peterborough
Alison was one of those people who combined warmth, passion, intelligence and calmness in just the right amounts. The office was a more enjoyable and effective place when she was there, and she could bring together different perspectives and help us all to find common ground for moving forward. I admired her and enjoyed her company tremendously. My most sincere condolences are offered to her family, her friends and colleagues.
From: Megan McNeill-McKinnell