Worcester charity, The Myriad Centre, has appointed a new Chairman to its Board of Trustees.
David Strudley, CBE, took up the role in March 2022 at what marks the start of a new and exciting era for the organisation. The Myriad Centre provides daytime respite and specialised support for young people with PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities).
David is no stranger to Worcester, having been CEO of Acorns’ Children’s Hospice from 2006-2016. Under David’s leadership, Acorns worked closely with the NHS to develop and expand its specialist palliative care services for life-limited and life-threatened children and support for their families.
Since 2007 the Myriad Centre has provided high quality, specialist day care, respite and development opportunities for young people with profound multiple learning disabilities. The centre currently provides support to 16 plus clients every weekday, and offers physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, art therapy, activities, days out and music therapy to help improve the physical health and mental well-being of its clients. The charity’s vision is that every young person with complex needs can fulfil their potential and has access to fun and fulfilling activities that can help them form relationships, make choices, and enjoy a host of activities.
Commenting on his appointment, David says:
“This really is an exciting time to be joining Myriad as we will soon be launching a major capital appeal to redevelop and improve our premises in St George’s Walk.”
“There has never been a more important time to develop our services to redress the negative impact of the pandemic for our young people and meet the growing need for our specialist care and support. We now have a unique opportunity to create a purpose-built centre, which will enable us to support up to 25 clients a day as well as establish a beacon of best practice, here in Worcestershire, to provide a voice for a group of highly vulnerable young people who are often overlooked.”
After a distinguished military career in the British Army, finishing as a Brigadier, David left the forces in 2003 to join the children’s hospice movement. Following an appointment as CEO of Naomi House in Hampshire, David moved to the West Midlands as CEO of Acorns Children’s Hospice in 2006. While at Acorns, in 2012, David was appointed Chair of the Together for Short Lives UK Transition Taskforce to support older children moving from children’s to adult services. The Taskforce brought together organisations and professionals from health and social care, education and vocational development, housing, and employment in the private and public sectors, as well as voluntary organisations to provide guidance, training and coordinated support.
He stood down from his CEO role at Acorns at the end of 2016, to write book on children’s hospices. He was appointed an Associate Lecturer at the University of Worcester in the Department of Children and Families, and a trustee for Lifelites, a charity developing and providing assistive technologies for children and young people with complex needs.
He is married to Erica and has three daughters. Erica is a senior lecturer at the University of Worcester and a grief counsellor. She is also a Myriad trustee. Together, they greatly enjoy walking and reading. Both are members of their local Parish Church Council in South Shropshire.
David’s first public engagement representing the Myriad Centre will be to attend the Mayor’s Charity Dinner at the Guildhall later this month.