Yesterday we said a virtual goodbye to our long-standing colleague and friend Helen Smith. Helen who has been involved with Living Options Devon for over twenty years, retires at the end of the month.
Disability Champion
Helen joined the charity as a service user volunteer, and latterly as our Disability Champion. Many of our beneficiaries know Helen, and lots of different organisations have been the recipient of Helen’s amazing Disability Awareness Training. Helen who has a visual impairment has always championed the needs and rights of our beneficaries. She is passionate about equal access, and inclusivity and always seeks a solution that enables as many people as possible to access the support, help, and information they need.
Greatly Missed
We will greatly miss Helen and her passion, creativity and positive attitude as well as her great sense of fun and humour. Diana Crump CEO at Living Options Devon reflected on Helen’s time with the charity. Staff members who have worked closely with Helen shared their stories of how she has inspired them to consider everyone’s access needs when undertaking their work.
“Helen will be such a hard act to follow, her legacy will live on forever at Living Options Devon. We will all greatly miss her tenacity and good humor, as well as her influence in steering us to always consider the access needs of others.”
Diana Crump – CEO Living Options Devon
“I have been on an amazing journey with Living Options Devon, but I could not have achieved what I have on my own. I was embarrassed at first to wear the Disability Champion badge but grew to wear it with pride. When I had my first interview with Living Options Devon I was asked ‘What do I want to achieve?’ my answer was ‘I want to make a difference’ and leaving today, I know I have certainly achieved that”.
Helen Smith
We wish Helen a sunny, happy and much-deserved retirement.
