It is with tremendous sadness that we mourn the loss of John Kemmis, who died with his family by his side yesterday afternoon.
We also celebrate who John was, what he stood for and what he gave to children.
Maria, 54, met John when she was 3 or 4 years-old and first went into care. John was Maria’s social worker. She said:
“There were two incredibly kind people that I remember and cherish from my childhood, one was the cook from the children’s home and the other was John. I will never forget him.”
John was a “really significant” person in Hiwet’s life. Now aged 38, she came to the UK as a child refugee and it was only through having an advocate that she was able to be fostered and move from her children’s home. Hiwet has many lovely memories of working with John at Voice for the Child in Care (now known as Coram Voice), and thinks of him with love and happiness.
Article 39’s national campaign to strengthen children’s independent advocacy was John’s idea. His vision and determination led to a Parliamentary roundtable in June this year, after which the Children’s Commissioner for England established an Advocacy Working Group which will report early in 2019. Nearly 50 organisations now back our campaign, whose goals were crafted by John.
Carolyne Willow, Article 39’s Director, said:
“John was a man of deep principle and purpose. He stood by children because he believed in them. He saw and felt the injustice of children not being heard, not being believed and not being helped. Then he translated what he saw and felt into action. And brought others with him. Over many years.
“John was an exceptionally kind and warm human being. His smile was energising and his commitment motivating. If we in the charity world are allowed to have comrades, then John Kemmis was my comrade. His work and legacy goes on.”
You can read more about John’s 50+ year career in social work and children’s rights here (published by the British Association of Social Workers).
In October 2018, John was the inaugural winner of the Stand Out Children’s Advocacy Award. Read more here.