A Message from our Chair of Trustees Pat Wing. RE: Dick Atkinson, co-founding member of St Paul’s Trust.
It is with great sadness that I pass on the news that Dr. Dick Atkinson passed away yesterday.
I had the privilege of knowing and working with Dick for a long time and he really was a pioneer in his work in neighbourhoods and I can say without any doubt that he really did make a difference, particularly in Balsall Heath to which he devoted most of his working life and beyond.
Dick was one of the founders of St. Paul’s Trust, starting the school in the front room of his house when he recognised that some young people just did not fit the standard educational system. He was certainly right there! Along with Anita Halliday, they went on to build and develop the Trust into the successful charity, which it is today.
He later went on to form Balsall Heath Forum and began his work in transforming the neighbourhood with some pioneering and thought provoking strategies. He was without doubt well ahead of his time and an inspiration to many.
We send our best wishes and condolences to his family.