My husband, Elwyn Owens, who has died of cancer aged 76, worked throughout his life to improve the lives of children and vulnerable people, first as a social worker and then in various managerial positions in social services, including with Barnardo’s and ChildLine.
Elwyn was born in Stockport, Cheshire, to Thomas Owens, a builder, and Gladys (also born Owens), a housewife. However, he spent most of his childhood near Mold, in north-east Wales. After leaving Mold Alun grammar school at 16, he worked at a brickworks and the blood bank, both formative experiences, and then studied theology at London Bible College. He initially joined the probation service, but after qualifying as a social worker at Manchester University he switched in 1966 to become a social worker with Liverpool city council, rising swiftly to become district personal services officer in Everton. There he managed a busy team in a community facing significant deprivation, tackling numerous challenges with energy, imagination and commitment.
A lectureship in social work at Liverpool University led Elwyn to become active in the British Association of Social Workers, of which he eventually became chair. In 1980 he moved down to London to become Barnardo’s divisional director in the capital, where he was an early advocate of giving children a voice.
After a decade at Barnardo’s, Elwyn moved to Wales in 1992 to work for ChildLine, establishing its regional office in Manchester. The following year he went freelance, working for a number of local authorities and voluntary organisations in Wales, north-west England and London, not only with children and vulnerable adults but also with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, assessing and making recommendations on a wide range of grant applications.
In retirement he channelled his energies into his local community, helping with various projects, such as a pantomime and a lunch club, at his local village, Gwernymynydd, near Mold. He was also chair of governors at Gwernymynydd’s primary school. A lover of oral history and a wonderful listener, Elwyn enjoyed recording people talking about their lives, and created a number of CDs from such sessions.
Throughout his life he was always willing to face difficult issues and to find creative and balanced ways of responding to them. He was a skilful strategist and problem-solver who encouraged others to grow in confidence and to help themselves. All that he did was tempered with kindness, compassion and unfeigned respect.
He is survived by me, by his children, Stephen, Sarah and Jane, from his first marriage, to Pat (nee Hazlehurst), which ended in divorce, and by seven grandchildren.
