After four decades of volunteering , and a 60-year connection with Harmeny, Ron Smith, our woodwork instructor has retired from Harmeny, leaving a lasting impact on generations of young people and staff.
Celebrating Ron’s dedication
Ron hung up his chisels for the last time in April and to mark his incredible dedication to Harmeny we have refreshed and reinstated the iconic “The Smithy” sign that once crowned the original woodwork workshop and placed it on the current Learning Hub. It now stands as a lasting reminder of the legacy Ron has left behind.
Ron’s retirement was also marked with cake by the children and adults with presentations, music and gifts, including his own memories book with contributions from many of those who he has worked with over the years.
A journey that began in 1963
Ron first joined Harmeny in 1963, when the school was run by Save the Children. From the outset, he brought a willingness to help wherever needed, from building the swings that still welcome visitors today to supporting practical improvements across the site.
Alongside this, he began one-to-one woodwork sessions with young people, something that would become a defining part of his contribution. These sessions were about more than learning practical skills, they offered choice, creativity and a sense of achievement. Each child was encouraged to choose what they would like to create, with many making gifts for family members or other people important to them.
After stepping away in 1973 due to family and work commitments, Ron returned in 1996, shortly after Harmeny Education Trust took over the running of the school. Ron resumed his one to one woodwork sessions and also helped raise over £4million as part of the Pathfinder and Pathfinder II capital appeals between 1997 and 2002 which resulted in the build of our primary school plus Holly and Hawthorn Cottages. Ron also lent a hand to the more recent Learning for Life Appeal to build the Learning Hub and has always been happy to help out with projects within the local community too, most recently helping our young people to build bespoke shelving for the Community Telephone Box.
Decades of change but a constant presence
Over the decades, Ron has seen Harmeny grow and evolve. He has volunteered under seven Chief Executives and worked in numerous workshop spaces, witnessing first-hand the charity’s development. However, Ron has provided a constant presence throughout and has been a font of knowledge for staff about our history. He has always made time for former pupils too, helping identify people in photos and helping spark memories of their time here.
The importance of volunteers
While Ron is stepping back from regular volunteering, he remains very much part of the Harmeny community. We look forward to welcoming him back at future events and know that his connection with Harmeny will continue.
We extend our sincere thanks to Ron for everything he has given over the years and wish him much health and happiness in this new chapter.
A found farewell but not a goodbye
Ron’s story is a powerful example of that impact. His long-standing dedication shows how volunteering can shape not only individual lives, but an entire community over time.
At Harmeny, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Volunteers play a vital role in enriching the experiences we can offer. Whether sharing a skill, supporting an activity or simply being there, volunteers help create an environment where children and young people can feel safe, valued and able to thrive.
