Today, the Vulnerable lost an Angel & Ally

Today, the vulnerable lost an angel and ally

In 2012, I starting a new job as a Deputy Manager at the then Leeds Family Intervention Service (FIS). Speaking to an older colleague who let me know they knew me as a child, I found out things about my mothers’ past and my own pre care experience that I never knew. I was also told that if I wanted more answers, I could access my own care files as an adult. I had worked in Children’s Services for several years, been in care and in custody as a young person and yet, I still didn’t know this was possible. I was then given the number of a man Called Darren Coyne who worked for the Care Leavers Association (CLA).

This was the first time I spoke to Darren and immediately, I knew this was someone I would connect with. He told me after finding out about my past that he too had been in care, and also spent several years in custody, and was passionate about working directly with those with our experiences. The exact same reasons I worked with vulnerable families. He also told me that the system didn’t work very well when he was in care in the 80’s, and although there have been some improvements in various areas, he also didn’t believe the system worked very well now. I had worked in services supporting families; however, it was highly liberating to be able to have this discourse with someone through a refreshing lens without judgement or challenge.

Enter my life Darren Coyne, the most authentic man I have been blessed to not only spend time with, but also someone I have called my friend. Everyone I have worked with in the last 15 years since becoming a professional has the ambition of improving the lives of vulnerable children and families. But Darren, he was uncompromising in his pursuit to create fairness. Unwilling to sacrifice any of his authenticity to be diplomatic, or deliver his message in a way that he knew those in positions of influence would prefer to hear it. “If they are not ready to hear it this way Andi, they should not be leading services for the vulnerable children they are trying to help” he would say to me when I felt we were too direct. A man of principle that I was able to learn from. 

When you know Darren’s story, you understand the passion and the fire in his belly to make the world a better place for children in care, Care Leavers and anyone wanting a better life after being convicted of an offence. Standing up for minority groups and those rendered vulnerable after experiencing intersectional factors that he felt many do not truly understand or connect with.

It breaks my heart that Darren is no longer with us. He passed today and my heart is broken. He leaves behind a daughter, girlfriend and many friends and colleagues that know and understand his compassion and love for children in trouble. Darren is one of the most authentic, honest, genuine, passionate and dedicated humans I know. I love and miss you Darren my soul mate, friend and colleague. I know everyone that met you understood you would move mountains for the vulnerable people you came into contact with. We all witnessed the work you did here in Leeds through the Clear Approach Group from 2013 – 2020, inspiring children in care involved in offending to believe in themselves. I witnessed first-hand the connections between you and the children in care and how you touched their hearts and minds. We certainly connected brother, and you will forever be missed and loved. Rest now in the knowledge that you made the difference you wanted to make. You leave behind a legacy that will be hard for us to follow. See you on the other side brother.