George Fielding, Policy and Public Affairs Officer at Volunteering Matters, pays tribute to Richard Taylor OBE, founder of the Damilola Taylor Trust and true inspiration. Our sincerest condolences to Richard’s family and friends.
On Friday night, we lost an incredible guide within youth work and community development, but comfort and warmth lies in the fact that he was resolute in his message and purpose until the end, and that will live on through The Hope Collective: Richard Taylor, in memory and devotion to his beautiful son Damilola (with whom he is now reunited), dedicated every day to healing the division, dislocation and trauma that poverty and social injustice causes.
A skilled civil servant, Richard found himself in the service of a calling through lived experience none of us can comprehend. He had a contagious smile that could light up any room and always welcomed old and new friends with arms and hands outstretched. He embodied humility, courage, kindness, and faith, which were the pillars of his character that helped him bring about positive change. Focussed firmly on the future but fuelled by family, faith and his forefathers, Richard wanted to build a bridge from tragedy to trust, fracture to fullness, greed to graciousness. During the Hope Hack event on 10th December at The Mountview Theatre and Cinema, Richard said to me, “The people of Peckham have always embraced this old life Nigerian” as the participants left the auditorium. I returned to the same spot on a Saturday to see children dancing, creating hopscotch out of crayon, and painting a mural, which was a testament to Richard’s vision of building a better community.
He deserved that moment on the stage, the sense of pride and contentment, as he did every tribute I’ve seen and read since!
Richard embodied humility, courage, kindness, and faith, which were the pillars of his character that helped him bring about positive change.
I will never forget Richard’s words and company. The word ’embrace’ perfectly sums up his character, whether used as a noun, verb, or instruction. He always reminded us of the importance of unity and holding space for ourselves and others to achieve our collective dreams. We are all different but interdependent; we need love, connection, conciliation, and solidarity to move forward. With a vision that aligns closely with our organisational mission and values, Richard was close to the solutions to some of society’s most complex problems. We continue to send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
On 26th April Volunteering Matters is hosting The Hope Collective at Portland Road. The event aims to bring together Ipswich’s young people and changemakers to create a template to make their hometown stronger. On 7th December, which is this year’s Day of Hope, the Reimagined Manifesto will be launched. Young people will lead this initiative with support from #iwill and many others. The manifesto will contain stories, policies, and solutions created at events that Damilola and Richard have inspired.
Richard can rest, whilst we remember all he achieved and remain key partners in The Hope Collective. But for now: all I can think of say is to repeat the only words I mustered in his Richard’s presence late last year: “An honour, my friend. God bless”
George Fielding
George can be contacted at George.Fielding@volunteeringmatters.org.uk.
If you would like to get in touch with us, please click here and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
