Some years ago, I was Administrator at the Peter Bedford Housing Association up in Highbury. The Association exists to assist people who have faced long term exclusion from society through homelessness, mental health problems, learning difficulties, or multiple needs.
According to Peter Bedford’s 2007 Annual Report, David Ainley, a tenant, won the Model Employee award as a result of the high regard in which he is held by staff and participants alike in the post of permanent Administration Worker.
When I was Administrator, David would come into the office to work. A highly intelligent individual, I always looked forward to David’s presence – and our ensuing chats that, as I recall, were based around music, literature, films, and what food Djamel (the cook) was making in the canteen that day. We had a lot of laughs.
Today, I was informed that David passed away in his flat last week. I’m truly saddened by this, and can think of no other tribute to him than to post this as a reminder of what a kind person he was.
RIP David Ainley.