Memories of Dave Morris

HAFAD's Memories of Dave Morris

Dave Morris was Director of HAFAD from 1999 to 2003. His early death came as a great shock to his friends and colleagues here. We have put together some of our memories of Dave as Director, as a leader in the disability movement and as a man.

Independent living
I knew Dave before I came to work at HAFAD. He was my line manager when I worked for Independent Living Alternatives (ILA) the PA agency he set up 21 years ago as part of a pan-London project called Living Autonomy.
This project focused upon researching how local authorities were preparing to meet the requirements of the NHS and Community Care Act, enabling disabled people with high support needs to live independently.
I attended many of his annual summer barbecues which were always a good laugh. Sometimes they were themed so we were required to dress up :-).
The last 3 I attended were on the roof top of his suave studio flat in Canary Wharf. The view was breath taking.
For the past 6 months, I have been a PA user of ILA. It has been an empowering experience to receive support from an organisation, controlled by disabled people, who share the same experiences, in our bid to live autonomous lives.
Last year ILA celebrated its' 20th Anniversary. This is an impressive achievement once you are aware that ILA was seen as going against the tide of the Independent Living Movement.
In the early days of the Independent Living Movement, the thinking was that disabled people could only achieve choice and control in their lives if we "hired and fired" our PAs. Dave recognised that not all disabled people want to take on this role. If we choose not to employ our PAs, this should not prevent us from living autonomous lives.
Hence, Independent Living Alternatives was born (www.ilanet.co.uk).
I will miss Dave very much. He was good at lifting your morale when things were going pear shaped.
Angela Smith, HAFAD

After the big shock of the sudden death of Dave Morris on Monday morning you try to come to terms with the bad news. I feel very sad and I am trying to remember Dave as he was: his intelligence, fairness, vivacity, sense of humour, just a very good man. I’ve got many anecdotes about Dave some of them still make me smile and honestly right now, help me to feel a bit less sad.
I do remember Dave when he came to HAFAD for the Directors interview. He gave a very good impression, I don’t know, it was something there that I can’t describe. Some times your first impression can be very wrong with people but with Dave Morris I was very right.
My first supervision ever: Dave was my line manager. On his very first week with us he left a letter on my pigeonhole arranging a supervision, my first supervision ever at HAFAD, I was so excited, went to his office and very naively said: you have arranged my supervision, thanks but are you sure because it is so soon… he smiled (probably he didn’t understand what I meant) and said yes Rosario.. so soon. Dave treated us equally, he supported staff members as a full, never taking sides, it was really up to us how to approach to him. I personally will not forget all his support and encouragement.
Dave and his tie: One day we were talking about office dress code and I tried to persuade him to wear a tie, saying that we are not only a charity but we are business people, he wasn’t very convinced and only wore it occasionally. On his last week at HAFAD he said to me, “guess what Rosario, at City Hall I have to wear a tie… every day”. I said “good I feel better then”.
As my colleagues said the Crabtree was kind of Fridays relaxing time. Many Fridays he said, “Fulham Palace road is choke bloke, so I’ll be in the pub if you like to join me”. With Dave we could talk about every thing, books, films, exhibitions, food, restaurants, holiday places, music.
He always said after leaving HAFAD, “my heart is with HAFAD”. Now we tell you Dave, wherever you are, that our hearts, will always be with you.
Descanse en paz
Rosario Torres, HAFAD

The environment, beer and football
Dave was passionate and active in working and campaigning for social justice and equal opportunity. What struck me profoundly as I got to know Dave was how he never got blinkered by this passion - it was just one strand to his life and there was always a deeper thought or connection being made. At one of our regular after-work beers at the Crabtree, we got to talking about environmental credentials and how we all needed to make difficult decisions about how we live. Transport was an obvious topic. Rather than make the perfectly valid 'we should all be able to get on buses and tubes' point about equal access - Dave's issue was way beyond this. "I feel prevented from grappling with the moral dilemma of travelling in an environmentally friendly way. I'd love to be able to decide to leave the car at home but I'm excluded from that choice."
Aside from work, the Dave that I knew loved Barnet FC, Billy Bragg and beer amongst other things. He was encouraging, supportive and sensitive.
Not your average bloke. I'll miss him immensely.
Peter Gay, HAFAD

A moderniser
I found the news yesterday very shocking. Dave is somebody you thought would always be around. In fact he was due to do a presentation at the New Media event I am attending at the end of the week. I had hoped to catch up with him there.
Dave was always very personable. I have some very strong memories of working with him ten years ago. We would often end up in the Crabtree at the end of the week. I was very fond of him as I know were a lot of the staff that worked with him.
What he did for HAFAD was considerable. In the short period he was with us he brought us into the 21st century. Literally in that his directorship spanned those years but also in what he did with that time.
• He introduced HAFAD’s first computer network
• He organised a comprehensive review of our policies and procedures.
• He brought us the electric door systems.
• He introduced the phone network (I remember it well when he left I had to untangle all the BT lines with Opus telecom!)
• He supported 1st Chance in launching our Agenda For Youth programme.
• He revolutionised our book keeping system, directing us to Quickbooks ( For those that remember this was a challenge!)
• He introduced the Appraisal System
• He supported the development of unison as a negotiating body for staff
I am sure there are other things I forget now. The point for me is Dave was HAFAD’s moderniser. I remember him with his mobile phone... he was a gadget man!
He also had his own PA agency. At AFY we benefitted from very good support staff when we were short on scheme. Dave was a great contact and always willing to try and help.
I also found him to be a very sensitive man. I remember we talked a lot about the Dando case. He was someone who always wanted to do the right thing.
A very special human being. I will miss him
Richard Day, HAFAD

A leader and advocate
My contact with Dave came long after he left HAFAD. I was already aware of his long shadow and hard work for HAFAD when I met him at meetings at the GLA. I was impressed by his powerful advocacy of disabled people and the generous attention he paid to everyone who attended his meetings. And I was struck by his energy and sheer hard work. On several occasions he left the meeting to attend another important GLA event only to return before the end to sum up and agree a way forward. How he managed to keep up with it all I don’t know.
When the LDA changed the terms of a funding agreement half way through the project, HAFAD turned to Dave. His help was instrumental in reversing the decision and maintaining the service.
Dave provided local disabled people’s organisations, like HAFAD, with real leadership and a voice at the regional level.
Sarah Robinson, HAFAD

My introduction to Dave was when I first joined HAFAD as its Director back in September 2004. We met at his office, City Hall over s coffee, straight away he made me feel comfortable in his company and gave me a honest opinion of what managing a user led organistion was like, the good, the bad and all the bits between. He offered me his ongoing support as I settled in to a new role. We struck up a professional relationship ever since and I valued his opinions and enjoyed every opportunity to work with him. He last came to HAFAD to speak at our 2008 AGM, I could not be there having had surgery but I know from everyone who was there that he was inspiring.

We always talked about meeting up outside of work to fix the world but time didn't offer up this opportunity.

I will miss Dave, my occasional mentor, a professional friend and a great man who did so much for all deaf and disabled people. Thank you for all you did for all of us.
Kamran Mallick, HAFAD

From our colleagues at LBHF
I am very sorry to hear this. I remember Dave fondly. He made a real impact as Director of HAFAD and I also bumped into him a few times at the GLA, mostly when he was stimulating thought and encouraging helpful debate around personalisation. A great loss to the disability movement.
Sarah McClinton, LBHF

This is sad and shocking news. We worked with Dave when he was Director and recall him bringing a fresh purpose and stability to the management of HAFAD and then used to bump into him from time to time at the GLA or catch him on telly or radio where he shone with his very thoughtful insights and very clear articulation. Our deepest condolences to all of you at HAFAD who knew and worked with Dave and who will miss his contribution to the wider disability movement.
James Reilly, LBHF