Welcome

Supporting people with Learning Disabilities to access equal healthcare

Who we are..

The Paul Ridd Foundation has been created to support people with a learning disability, their families and carers when needing secondary health care.

We want to make a difference for people with a learning disability by raising general awareness of the issues they face when accessing good health care.

Our Journey

Paul Ridd was born at Neath General Hospital
July 11th 1955

While giving birth, Paul’s Mum Andrea was left with a trainee midwife. Paul was born with the chord around his neck and his brain was starved of oxygen leaving him with permanent brain damage and severe learning disabilities.

Paul lived in Port Talbot with his parents John and Andrea.
1955 - 1964

Paul developed  ’Petit Mal’ seizures. They began suddenly and  without any warning signs.

Paul went to live in Hensol Castle Hospital
1964 - 2001

Paul lived in Hensol for 36 years from 1964 to 2001

Hensol Closes
2001

Paul was moved into the community to a purpose built bungalow in Briton Ferry

1964
Paul is admitted to Morriston Hospital
Dec 31st 2008

Paul Ridd admitted to ITU for an operation on his perforated bowel

Paul was moved to Ward G in Morriston Hospital
January 20th 2009
1964
Paul Passes Away
January 23rd 2009

Paul sadly died in Morriston Hospital

Inquest Opens
Jan 26th 2009
Independent Post Mortem
Jan 28th 2009

Paul is taken to Cardiff for independent post mortem

Unanswered Questions
2009

We had so many unanswered questions. Meeting with the Coroner. Told “If you’re looking for compensation, Paul’s life was worth nothing.”

Mencap Cymru
April 28th 2009

Met Nicky Gilbert from Mencap Cymru who advised us and supported us. Nicky was our only supporter for the first 12 months after Paul died.

POVA Opened
June 5th 2009

First meeting with Linda Bevan, Head of Nursing for General Surgery and Urology at Morriston Hospital.

POVA Meeting
Jan 26th 2010

POVA Meeting at Morriston Hospital. Unable to answer all our questions.

Ombudsman’s Report was made public
Sept 2011

“It greatly concerns me that the dire level of nursing care to which Paul was subjected on the ward could have happened in the 21st Century.”

Peter Tindell, Ombudsmen

Paul’s Story Made Public
Sept 2011

Paul’s story was made public on BBC and ITV news and in all the local papers.

First Meeting with ABMU
Nov 10th 2011
Meeting with Wayne Crocker, Director of Mencap Cymru
Nov 12th 2011

Mencap Cymru have always been there for us. It’s an organisation with passionate people who make a difference. 

Welsh Government Meeting
Nov 14th 2011

Meeting with Leslie Griffiths, Professor Ruth Northway and Professor Jean White and Hayley Tarrant

Joined the ABMU Pathway Implementation group
March 2012

Meeting with Leslie Griffiths, Professor Ruth Northway and Professor Jean White and Hayley Tarrant

Filmed Mencap training video
Oct 4th 2012

Mencap received funds from WAG to create a training video and awareness sessions for hospital staff.

First Talk at Bridgend LD Day.
Oct 26th 2012

Our first sharing of Paul’s story with health care professionals.

Mencap Training
Dec 14th 2012

First Mencap training at Morriston with Dawn Gullis.

Sharing Paul's Story
March 20th 2013

We shared Paul’s story at  Strengthening the Commitment conference at SWALEC Stadium Cardiff.

Inquest Outcome
May 1st - 2nd 2013

2 day inquest into Paul’s death – outcome was “Neglect”.

IWA Inspire Wales Awards
June 18th 2013

Jonathan & Jayne win the Citizens’ Voice Inspire Wales award.

Meeting with Welsh Government
July 24th 2013

Meeting with Health Minister Mark Drakeford & Jenny French

Care Bundle Launch
Jan 13th 2014

Launch of the Care Bundle at Welsh Assembly Government by Welsh Health Minister via 1000 Lives campaign.

Stakeholders day at SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff
Jan 14th 2014

Launch of the Care Bundle at Welsh Assembly Government by Welsh Health Minister via 1000 Lives campaign.

Hospital Walkabout
Jan 21st 2014

First hospital walkabout with Rachel Sommerville.

Morriston Hospital Walkabout
Feb 4th 2014

Morriston Hospital walkabout – first time back to ward G since Paul died. Met Melanie Davies for the first time.

"Hear My Voice" Campaign
April 22nd 2014

Made a film for Mencap’s  “Hear my Voice” campaign

Meeting with ABMU
May 21st 2014

Met Paul Roberts, ABMU CEO with Christine Williams RE logo packs, training and liaison nurses.

We designed the Learning Disability Logo
July 2nd 2014
Meeting with Cardiff & Vale
August 19th 2014

First meeting at Cardiff & Vale with Ruth Jordan

Invited to speak in Parliament
Sept 10th 2014

Invited by Mencap to speak in Parliament and share Paul’s story as part of the “Hear my Voice” campaign.

Presentation at USW
Oct 31st 2014

First presentation at University of South Wales, Pontypridd with Professor Ruth Northway.

First Learning Disability Champion training at ABMU
Nov 28th 2014
Presentation at Motorpoint Arena.
April 17th 2015

Met Gail Elwell, Laura Andrews & Laura Phillips.

Spoke in Parliament with Lord Brian Rix
June 17th 2015
Paul's 60th Birthday
July 11th 2015

Paul Ridd would have been 60. We celebrated his life with a party at Margam Park.

Meeting with AM David Rees
Jan 18th 2016
Funding Secured for Liaison Nurses
March 30th 2016

Met ABMU CEO Paul Roberts and Hazel Powell. She secured funding for liaison nurses.

LD Liaison Nursing Service Launched
June 22nd 2016

Launch of the ABMU LD Liaison Nursing Service at Morriston Hospital

Launch of the Paul Ridd Foundation
June 22nd 2016

First paid member of staff Debbie Shawe.

Welsh Assembly Meeting
Aug 9th 2016

Meeting with Vaughan Gething, Welsh Assembly Minister for Health

Hywel Dda Health Board Meeting
Aug 10th 2016

First meeting at Hywel Dda HB. Met Carol Cotterell for the first time.

Public Health Wales Meeting
Aug 2016

Meeting with  Sharon Williams of Public Health Wales.

First Sponsored Activity
Sept 3rd 2016

Climbed Pen y Fan.

Pathway meeting at Morriston Hospital
Oct 31st 2016

Pathway meeting at Morriston Hospital with Nicola Williams, Director of Nursing – Chair of Pathway meetings.

Learning Disability Tuesday Club
Nov 13th 2016

First visit to the Learning Disability Tuesday Club. Met Pat Lamprey.

All Wales Group Meeting
Nov 14th 2016

First All Wales group meeting to promote the Common standard.

Our 1st Annual Fundraising Winter Ball
Nov 18th 2016

Our 1st Annual Fundraising Winter Ball raises over £7,000. Organised by Debbie Shawe.

Compiling LD Logo Packs
Nov 2016 – Mar 2017

Volunteers Phyl Morgan & Lynn Gower come in to help Debbie in our office to put together 1200 LD Logo packs for every hospital in Wales.

E-Training Meeting
Dec 8th 2016

First meeting  to discuss E-Training & LD Hwb.

The Learning Disability Logo goes live across Wales!
2017

Completion of 1200 LD Logo packs for every hospital ward and department in Wales.

Ladies Night Fundraiser
Jan 2017

We attended the Ladies Night at the Masonic Lodge organised by Debbie and Chris Griffiths to fundraise for the Paul Ridd Foundation.

First Visit to Powys Teaching HB
Jan 31st 2017

 Met Hayley Tarrant, Head of LD services and  Katrina Rowlands, assistant Director of Nursing

Cardiff & Vale Grand Round Meeting
Feb 1st 2017

Presented by Andy Jones.

First Stand at Welsh Ambulance Day
Feb 28th 2017
Bespoke Group, Neath Abbey
Mar 6th 2017

First contact with Bespoke Group, Neath Abbey and  Danielle Wagstaff

Afternoon Tea at Tyn yr Twr
Mar 15th 2017

Afternoon Tea at Tyn yr Twr for family and carers of people with a LD. Met Kath Palmer, Welsh Assembly Government

Sharing Paul’s Story and Care Bundle
Jan – March 2017

Shared Paul’s story and the Care Bundle with local GP surgeries and local care providers

Award-winning "SPA"
Apr 11th 2017

Paul Harris of Princess of Wales Hospital Bridgend won awards for his tremendous work creating a unique “SPA” (Soothing Patients Anxiety) experience.

Meeting at Aneurin Bevan Health Board
Apr 6th 2017

First visit to Aneurin Bevan  Health Board. Met Gail Elwell, LD Liaison Nurse.

Miss Wales Hospital Walkabout
Apr 11th 2017

Port Talbot Hospital with Ffion Moyle, Miss Wales 2016 – Ward Walkabout and distribution of Logo Packs.

Met Maria Battle, Chair of Cardiff & Vale Health Board
Apr 13th 2017
Shared Paul’s story with Autistic Society, Cardiff
May 5th 2017
RCNi Nurse of the Year Award
May 2017

Our trustee Melanie Davies won RCNi Nurse of the Year Award.

Met ABMU Primary Care Liaison Nurse
May 12th 2017

Met Paula Phillips, ABMU Primary Care Liaison Nurse to share our vision.

Presentation at Swansea
May 25th 2017

First presentation at Swansea University with Gerwyn Panes.

Tough Mudder Fundraiser
May 2017

Volunteer Jen Eddy takes on the gruelling Tough Mudder course to fundraise for the Paul Ridd Foundation.

Glow in the Dark Midnight Walk
June 2nd 2017

Glow in the Dark Midnight Walk organised by Debbie Shawe. We were supported by over 200 walkers from all over Wales and raised £6,000.

Launch of LD Champions at Morriston Hospital
June 21st 2017
1st Birthday of the Paul Ridd Foundation
June 22nd 2017
Betsi Cadwaladr UHB Launch of PRF LD Logo.
July 12th 2017

Met Kim Scandariati, Jenny French, Nichaela Jones, Simon & Rebecca Evans, AM

First visit to Cwm Taf UHB.
July 27th 2017

Met Paul Davies.

Welsh Assembly Government Meeting
Aug 3rd 2017

Met Kath Palmer & Claire Hough.

Sky Dive Fundraiser
Aug 5th 2017

14 skydivers raised over £7,000.

Cardiff Marathon Fundraiser
Oct 1st 2017

Paula Phillips, Helen Fargie and Lynn ran the Cardiff Marathon to raise funds for the foundation.

Care Bundle Awareness Day
Oct 19th 2017

Attended our Ambassador David Brown’s LD Care Bundle Awareness Day in Aberystwyth.

Shared Paul’s Story
Oct 2017

Shared Paul’s story with nursing students University of South Wales, Access to Health students at Gower College and at the Learning Disability Conference.

Meeting with CEO of Cwm Taf UHB
Nov 16th 2017

Discussions to launch the LD Care Bundle and LD Logo in Cwm Taf.

Our 2nd Annual Fundraising Winter Ball
Nov 17th 2017

Our 2nd Annual Fundraising Winter Ball and presentation of our first Learning Disability Awards.

All Wales People First Meeting
Feb 6th 2018

Meeting with Joe Powell.

Compilation of Cardiff & Vale Care Bundle Resource Folder
Feb 12th 2018

Meeting with Andy Jones C&V.

Interviewing with Mencap Cymru
Feb 29th 2018
Sharing Paul’s Story
Feb-May 2018

Sharing Paul’s Story with Nursing students at USW, Singleton, Swansea and Carmarthen campuses of Swansea University.

Supporting Learning Disability Champion Training around Wales
Spring 2018

From ABMU to Cwm Taf in Cardiff and BCUHB in North Wales.

Welsh Learning Disability Health Champion Conference
June 19th 2018

In partnership with Mencap Cymru in Cardiff.

Publication of the Welsh Government Improving Lives programme
June 2018
British Empire Medals Awarded
June 2018

Both Jayne & Jonathan are awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal).

Honorary Fellowship
July 2018

Jonathan & Jayne received an Honorary Fellowship of the University of South Wales.

Family Fun Day Fundraiser
July 2018

Family fun day in Margam Park. Raising money by having a walk, a run and a picnic!

Second skydive for the PRF Team & Supporters
Aug 2018
E-Petition Submitted
Oct 2018

Momentous day as we submitted our E-petition with over 5,000 signatures to Welsh government to make learning disability awareness training mandatory.

WI Fundraiser
Nov 2018

Fashion Show at the Aberavon Hotel with Women’s Institute.

Ball with M & D Care
Nov 2018

Mitch Richards won the Paul Ridd foundation award.

Welsh Government Committee Meeting
Jan 2019

First committee meeting with Welsh Government regarding Mandatory Training.

First Champion Training at UHW Cardiff
Jan 2019
First Champion Training at Anuerin Bevan UHB
April 2019
Consultants Awareness Training at SBUHB
June 2019

Invited for the first time to speak at Consultants awareness training at SBUHB.

Training Student Nurses
June 2019

So far this year we have trained over 700 nursing students at USW and Swansea University!

North Wales Challenge to raise funds
June 2019

Thank you to Simon Sherriff for organising this amazing event to raise funds for us!

Farewell to Debbie Shawe and lovely afternoon tea
June 2019
First day for Bridget Robinson
July 2019

Champion training with Cwm Taf Community Resource Team.

Filming in USW with TRAC
July 2019
Three Peaks Challenge
Sept 2019
Annual Conference
Oct 2019

In conjunction with Mencap on Reasonable Adjustments. 

Senedd debate for mandatory learning disability awareness training
Nov 2019
Jayne interviewed on Radio 4’s You and Yours about the debate result
Nov 2019
Champion training in Hywel Dda and SBUHB
Nov 2019
Inaugural Christmas Pub Quiz
Dec 2019

Celebrating the end of another successful year of campaigning.

Champion training at POW
Feb 2020
Training meetings with South Glamorgan Community Health Council
Feb 2020

Meetings with South Glamorgan Community Health Council regarding joint training with their staff and also met with Public Health Wales to discuss the Mandatory learning disability awareness training.

Covid means that everything moves online
March 2020
17 Liaison Nurses
June 2020

Announced that there are now 17 Liaison nurses working in hospitals across Wales.

Trained over 50 LD nursing students
July 2020

Online training for USW.

All Wales Health Profile launched to replace Health Passport
Aug 2020
Trained 30 Masters nursing students at Swansea University
Oct 2020
Launched our new website!
February 2021

After many months of work we were delighted to launch our new website, with E-Learning, resource pages for families & carers, NHS staff, news pages and lots more!

Virtual meeting with Swansea University
February 2021

A great meeting with Swansea University to discuss our input into their new nursing degree.

RCN Wales cross party group
March 2021

Jayne was delighted to be asked to speak at the RCN Wales cross party group on Nursing & Midwifery Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. At the event we received their backing and that of David Rees MS for a Consultant nurse in every health board in Wales.  We currently only have one in SBUHB.

Meeting with Aberystwyth University
April 2021

Great meeting with Aberystwyth University to discuss their plans for a brand new nursing degree and how we can support them.

Restarted meetings with Welsh Government & Improvement Cymru
July 2021

After delays caused by the pandemic, we were delighted to restart meetings with Welsh Government & Improvement Cymru to discuss progress of the mandatory learning disability awareness training for all healthcare staff in the NHS in Wales.

October 2021
Training at Swansea University
October 2021

We carried out 2 online sessions, sharing Paul's Story with over 100 mental health nursing students. 

November 2021
Filming with Welsh Government at Buffoon Media
November 2021

Jonathan & Jayne filmed a short video at Buffoon Media studios which will appear at the beginning of the mandatory Paul Ridd Learning Disability Awareness Training when it launches within the NHS in Wales next year.  

February 2022
Training with Bangor University
February 2022

We were delighted to be invited to Bangor University to share Paul's Story online with over 120 first year nursing students. Online training has really increased the number of locations we can now easily share such vital learning disability awareness.

April 2022
Launch of the Paul Ridd Learning Disability Awareness Training
April 1st 2022

Today was a momentous occasion for the PRF as we saw the launch of the mandatory learning disability awareness training that we had campaigned tirelessly for.  From today all NHS staff in Wales with a public facing role, will have to complete this vital training. 

April 2022
Creating logo packs!
April 2022

With the help of a volunteer, we created 100 logo packs for Cwm Taf health board which they kindly provided funding for.  These packs are seen as a vital resource for the acute  liaison nurses and champions looking after patients with a learning disability in hospital. 

April 2022
Learning Disability Awareness Workshop at Cardiff University
April 2022

We were invited to join the acute liaison nurses from Cardiff & Vale Health Board for this inaugural workshop at Cardiff University.  We shared Paul's Story and answered questions from over 120 nursing students. 

May 2022
More student training!
May 2022

Sharing Paul's Story is always a privilege.  We spoke to Swansea University nursing students online, and later in the month to students at the Carmarthen campus working for a Certificate in healthcare studies.  Over 140 students in total!

July 2022
And even more student training!
July 2022

This month we shared Paul's Story again online with Bangor University and the next day we travelled to Cardiff University to  join the liaison team for another workshop.  We spoke with over 100 students.  

October 2022
Swansea roadshow with Mencap Cymru
October 2022

Over 70 people attended our inaugural roadshow event in Swansea with Mencap Cymru for the launch of our Family & Carer Access to Healthcare booklets.   

October 2022
Learning Disability Awareness Workshop
October 2022

We were delighted to speak with over 50 first year nursing students and staff in Aberystwyth University's first nursing cohort. We were joined by members of the Hywel Dda Health Action and liaison nurse teams.

November 2022
Update meeting with Deputy Minister for Social Services
November 2022

We discussed the uptake of the PRF mandatory learning disability awareness training across the NHS in Wales, which sadly has been patchy.  We are grateful to have the full support of Julie Morgan the Deputy Minister in our campaign.

March 30
Sharing Paul's Story
March 2023

We were delighted to share Paul's Story online with over 60 first year nursing students at  Bangor University, and then later in the month, with over 150 students at University of South Wales.

March 30
New trustees for the Paul RIdd Foundation
March 2023

We were delighted to hold our first meeting online, with our new trustees, Professor Catherine Bright and Dr Dawn Cavanagh.  We are thrilled to be working with them and very grateful for their commitment to the Foundation.