In Loving Memory of Dr Malcolm Aickin
Dr Malcolm Aickin, CHOICE IN HACKNEY’s beloved Chair, former Treasurer and Board of Trustees member since 2010 has passed away. He is fondly remembered by staff and trustees as a dedicated champion of disabled people’s rights and a stalwart supporter of our charity. He will be dearly missed.
Dr Malcolm Aickin, Chair of the Board of Trustees of CHOICE IN HACKNEY. Photographed during Trustees, Staff and Volunteers “Meet and Greet” on 26th Sept 2024 in the Garden Room of the Marie Lloyd Centre to celebrate CHOICE IN HACKNEY’s first few months in the newly refurbished community hub.
Malcolm Aickin, Chair of the Board of Trustees with Caroline Nelson, Chief Executive Officer.
Choice In Hackney's End of Year Meal
During Jan 2024, Trustees, volunteers and staff gathered together at the Open Kitchen N1 in Hoxton Street for a slightly delayed end of year evening meal and we were pleased to have Malcolm (front, right) join us on the day:
Left: Information Guidance & Advocacy Officer, Colin Finch, Volunteers: Jacek and Waruna; Trustees: Andrew Price, Mary Julian & Debra Schiman, sit next to Advocacy Training & Employment Coordinator, Haq Ismail and Hate Crime Advocate, Felicia Tay.
Right from the front: Trustees: Malcolm Aickin, Thomas Brayford and Bharat Siyani, CEO, Caroline Nelson, Hate Crime Trainer, David Landau and Volunteer, Edna.
Choice in Hackney's 25th Anniversary Event
CHOICE IN HACKNEY marked its 25th anniversary at an event held on 13th Sep 2017 at Amnesty International UK Human Rights ActionCentre inLondon. The event was opened by Malcolm Aickin who recounted the history of CHOICE (i.e. that it started its life as an advocacy project, having just 2-advocates and a part-time administrator). The event was well-attended by over 80-people made up of service users – past and present, volunteers, staff, Trustees, mentors, local businesses and distinguished guests including:
- The Worshipful Deputy Speaker of the London Borough of Hackney Clare Potter.
- Panel members:
- Ruth Bashall former Trustee of CHOICE and Director of Stay Safe East;
- Tracey Lazard Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion London;
- Lord Low of Dalston.
Dr Malcolm Aickin, the then Treasurer of CHOICE IN HACKNEY, addressing delegates at the CHOICE IN HACKNEY 25th Anniversary celebration.
Here is an extract of Malcolm’s inspirational speech, which he gave during the 25th Anniversary celebrations:
“Let me welcome you to this celebration of 25 years of CHOICE IN HACKNEY, which has always been a Disabled People’s User Led Organisation. So, let me tell you I am Dyslexic. As I am sure you know Dyslexia runs in families. So, I want to tell you a story about my grandfather’s uncle: he was so seriously affected by Dyslexia that it was unlikely he would follow his boyhood dream of a career in joining the Royal Navy… However, after undertaking an oral examination (instead of a written one), he went on to pass his training at Dartmouth.
There was a Blue Plaque outside the house he lived in in Whitehall, which commemorates him and it was later turned into the first headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service that he founded. His successors have been known as “C” ever since and in James Bond novels, as “M”. So, he did not do badly! However, we should not think life is easy. There are Trustees at CHOICE IN HACKNEY who had been told by other organisations their impairment meant they could not possibly be a charity trustee. They are hardworking competent diligent Trustees: to deny them that opportunity is just a terrible waste of human potential. ”
Photo: CHOICE IN HACKNEY Treasurer, Malcolm Aickin (left) and a service user light the 25th Anniversary cake.
Testimonies
Dr Malcolm Aickin will be sadly missed by the CHOICE IN HACKNEY team all of whom have had nothing but praise for him over the years as demonstrated below:
“My co-trustees have made my job as Chair a real pleasure and having a Treasurer as hard working and reliable as Malcolm, is very reassuring!” – Mary Julian, as CHOICE IN HACKNEY Chair during the 2014-15 Annual General Meeting
“It such sad news to hear the passing of Malcolm, he was such a pleasant, joyful and approachable person. He will be sadly missed as he was very supportive to the staff and to the organisation”. – Ola Macauley, CHOICE IN HACKNEY Advocate
“Malcolm is synonymous with the board for me. His charming manner and affable nature made him a pleasure to see at CHOICE IN HACKNEY events. Even when times were tough for CHOICE IN HACKNEY, his reports always made our future seem bright. I’ll never forget the enthusiasm he showed for our projects both inside and outside of the organisation”. – Paul Salt, CHOICE IN HACKNEY Volunteer Coordinator and Administrator
“Malcolm was a very approachable person who I really enjoyed working with over the years – a very patient man who could make the most complicated of issues appear straightforward and easy to follow. He was a real ambassador for CHOICE IN HACKNEY who was always available to offer his support whenever it was needed.” – Monica Matthews, CHOICE IN HACKNEY Administrator
“I have always found Malcolm to be a good listener who always had 5-minutes to spare when I needed to brainstorm or have another person’s perspective on the organisation: I would always have a sense of relief after our conversations. He was also very willing to help and would often attend meetings with potential funders and consultants to offer his unique insights and contributions – all of which were very valuable: he will be very missed.” – Caroline Nelson, CHOICE IN HACKNEY Chief Executive Officer