CEO of The Mulberry Bush charity John Diamond has retired after 30 years.
Staff, ex-pupils, trustees, and supporters of The Mulberry Bush gathered together to acknowledge Mr Diamond's outstanding commitment and leadership, as well as his extensive contribution to the therapeutic care sector.
The Mulberry Bush is a national charity, based in Standlake working to transform the lives of all those affected by childhood trauma, through specialist therapeutic services.
Its patrons include Stephen Fry.
Traditionally when a pupil or staff member moves on from The Mulberry Bush they are wrapped in a blanket to symbolise the charity's continuing warmth and support.
Mr Diamond was presented with his blanket by Richard Rollinson, former director, and current trustee of the charity.
Two former pupils spoke movingly about their time at the school, sharing that for them it epitomised two things that had been missing from their lives: ‘home’ and ‘trust’.
Mr Diamond joined The Mulberry Bush in 1991 as the school’s deputy director/head of residential therapy until 2001, when he became school director.
He has been chief executive since 2006, overseeing the charity’s development, including the opening of The Burrow (a 52-week house) in 2018, and new services such as Outreach, Research and Consultancy.
Mr Diamond also established The International Centre for Therapeutic Care and edited the bi-monthly Therapeutic Care Journal.
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