At the DiMHN’s 2018 AGM in Manchester in October, President, Joe Forster, paid tribute to the work of the Board members, Workstreams, and the Network’s commercial members, and, after the formal proceedings had closed, said one individual who exemplified this commitment and contribution was Russell Hogarth, who recently stepped down as a Board member.
Presenting him with a piece of sculptured glass, Joe Forster said: “There is a link between Russell and the Network’s origins, because about 10 years ago, Anne Whitworth at UCLAN devoted her personal research budget to setting you up the Design in Mental Health Network with Bev Lamey. Russell has a direct links with those people, and that university, and has worked with us, bringing to bear his own business, service-user, and carer experience – he is a real ‘all-rounder’. I’d thus like to pay tribute to his work, and to present him with this memento of his time on the DiMHN Board.”
Russell Hogarth responded: “It has been a great honour and pleasure to be involved in the Network from its beginnings in 2009; since then it has changed totally, growing beyond recognition in a positive way. I know that I am stepping aside for a colleague – Jonathan Campbell – who will make a great contribution, and, as my workload and other things in my life change, I will no doubt re-apply again to be a Board member in the future. The DiMHN is now entering some very exciting times. I wish you all success, and will keep in touch and support you going forward.”