John Ryde has been married for over 40 years and lives in rural Dorset. He has two grown up daughters and, in the last two years, 3 grandchildren. The grandchildren keep him fairly busy! For most of his life he was a secondary school science teacher and in recent years has really enjoyed working for Able2Achieve, a company that runs supported living placements and day provision for adults with learning disabilities and autism. John has organised and run numerous residential trips as a teacher and youth leader. John and his wife spent 6 years working with refugees and other disadvantaged people in northern Thailand, close to the Burma border. As part of their role in Thailand they helped to facilitate visiting teams. John has spent part of the last 4 summers with Go Provence in France and Italy.
John is also a Governor in a special school in Dorset. He is the link Governor for Safeguarding and the sixth form. He spends time in school as a volunteer in the sixth form most weeks. He has received recent training through Able2Achieve and Governor Services in safeguarding both for children and adults, medicines administration, first aid at work, the mental capacity act, epilepsy, autism and therapeutic behaviour management.
A few questions to John Ryde
What motivates and inspires me?
Seeing people, especially disadvantaged people, achieve their potential – going beyond what they thought was possible. I also love travelling to new parts of the world and getting to know their culture and food.
What are your strengths?
Years of life experience and finding myself in slightly stressful situations have taught me to stay calm and find a good way through anything. This is backed up by a practical/technical ability born of years of having to make do and mend mechanical and electrical things due to lack of money! As for people, I nearly always see their positives and enjoy working with them. I find this an amazing privilege. In recent years I have learned a tremendous amount about behaviour and how to manage it positively. I wish I had known what I now know when I was a Teacher!
