Tributes to David Hartwell

One of Mersey Care’s longest-serving experts by experience, David Hartwell, who helped shape service user involvement across the trust, has passed away after a short illness.

David’s involvement with Mersey Care spanned two decades and grew out of mentorship and support for fellow service users at the former Windsor Clinic, Aintree. He was named Volunteer of the Year at Mersey Care’s Positive Achievement Awards 2017 and went on to take the Winner of Winners’ Award, presented by Chief Executive Joe Rafferty, pictured.

Director of Social Inclusion & Participation Michael Crilly said: “David served in just about every volunteer role we’ve had and in all parts of the trust. He interviewed hundreds of us for our jobs – including me – and he strove tirelessly to get the best for our service users. He role-modelled hope and recovery to so many people.

“His loyalty and friendship were a tremendous source of strength to his Mersey Care family and his deep personal faith in humanity an inspiration. He served us with great love, a mischievous twinkle in his eye and with some fabulous one-liners.”

Chief Executive Joe Rafferty said: “So sad to hear that David has passed away – he was a model of positivity and civility. He interviewed me for my job and more than once provided me with very wise advice. He will be missed.”

Communications Manager Graham Hignett added: “David was a true gentleman and ambassador for service user involvement and volunteering across Mersey Care. His lived experience and openness about his own recovery helped break down barriers, tackle stigma and supported numerous other people as they too came to terms with turning their own lives around.

“He was passionate about the former Windsor Clinic and often said publicly he owed the staff and peer support workers in our addictions services an enormous debt of gratitude for their care and treatment in helping him get his own life back on track. I had the honour of collaborating with him on many occasions including the engagement and renaming of the unit that superseded the Windsor Clinic at the new Hope Centre in Wavertree four years ago. The word ‘hope’ was very much one that he embodied.”

Neighbourhood Network Lead Katie Taylor, who previously worked as Modern Matron in addiction services, said: “Dave was a very special man who was pivotal to providing a voice for so many people living with addiction a wise and humble gentleman who gave me such a lot of his time and guidance in my early days at Windsor Clinic. He was a lovely man and much-loved by everyone who worked alongside him.”

David helped interview hundreds of Mersey Care staff, pioneering an approach by the NHS to involve patients in workforce development and recruitment, in addition to being active on many other service user-led initiatives. David also kept busy with his nine grandchildren and enjoyed frequent family trips abroad and to the States. He had been a businessman and had run a successful company, bringing great people and organisational skills to his roles at Mersey Care underpinned by an honesty about his own recovery and a continued determination to dedicate much of his time to helping others.

Chairman Beatrice Fraenkel concluded: “David was an expert by experience that staff and other service users respected and listened to. His tireless commitment helped shape Mersey Care through its formative years and continue to grow as a patient-focused organisation.”  

David, shown right with Joe Rafferty, at the 2017 Positive Achievement Awards.