Liz Ewart-James, 1947 – 2024
Twenty five years ago Liz was inspired by 2 Bed and Breakfast guests who were sporting T shirts with a logo that looked like Ban the Bomb. When she had established that they were not off to a march and the logo was one for Home-Start, she became a lady on a mission. She had been a social worker for children for many years and was acutely aware of the need for a different form of intervention for families going through tough times; Home-Start sounded exactly right. She gathered up a steering committee, applied for Lottery Funding and Home-Start Stroud was off.
Throughout those years Liz worked tirelessly to promote Home-Start, spending the last 13 years as Chairman. It was a good match. She was a children’s champion whether it was speaking up for children in court as their Guardian ad Litem, defending the rights of foster children in her social work role, pushing the cause of Home-Start families or gathering professionals to the ‘First Thousand Days’ conference she organised to spread the word and improve care in the early years.
Liz was endlessly positive, brave and optimistic. The thought of taking on the running of the 2 day Westonbirt Fair was somewhat terrifying to many of the trustees as was incorporating Gloucester in our remit but with Liz’s enthusiasm we did both and did them well. She never saw obstacles and courageously stood up to those in authority when she sensed injustice. She had a remarkable ability to chat to anyone and get them on board whether as trustee, funder or friend. It was most fitting that she was awarded Trustee of the year by the parent body earlier this year.
Her swift decline and death were so very tragic but she leaves a lasting legacy behind as our staff and volunteers continue to help the many families who struggle to give their children a good start to life.
She leaves a lasting legacy behind as our staff and volunteers continue to help the many families who struggle to give their children a good start to life.
