Tribute to David Wigley

MHA has paid tribute to its former Chief Executive David Wigley, who has died aged 82 at an MHA care home in Derby.

David died peacefully at MHA’s Maple Leaf House care home on 10 January, having been the charity’s Chief Executive from 1982 to 1997. He was one of 16,000 older people whom MHA serves with accommodation, care and support nationwide.

Rev Dr Keith Albans, MHA’s Director – Chaplaincy and Spirituality, said, “In everything David Wigley did at MHA, he was supported by Brenda, guided by his Christian faith and by his Primitive Methodist upbringing. David oversaw a time of evolution as MHA became an increasingly professional and well respected organisation.”

Under David’s leadership, MHA started its Live at Home initiative, whereby community schemes provide practical and social support to older people living independently. He also oversaw the start of MHA’s first provision of nursing care at Trembaths in Letchworth, and dementia care at Westbury in Newport Pagnell.

Keith added, “Writing around the time of his retirement, David suggested that MHA was ‘poised for an exciting future, extending its significant record of care and support for older people.’ In 2015, that remains true, thanks to David's pioneering work, and it seems highly appropriate that in his final years David was the beneficiary of the care and support he had pioneered.”