Code of Conduct
Ripon Disability Forum (RDF) works to improve the well-being of people with a disability in the Ripon area. As a member of the North Yorkshire Disability Forum, we work with other organisations to address disability issues and to seek improvement to services and life opportunities.
Members play a critical role in developing and promoting the credibility and positive reputation of the Forum.
The Code of Conduct has been developed to ensure members and visitors understand the expectations for Ripon Disability Forum
meetings. It should be read in conjunction with the Ripon Disability Forum Terms of Reference.
Trustees of Ripon Disability Forum
Maggie Donnelly Chair of Ripon Disability Forum
After 13 years in Hampshire Maggie returned to Ripon in 2002, joining RADDAG (Ripon and District Disability Action Group) and has seen the group transform through all its iterations into a CIO (Charitable Interest Organisation). She has been a serious volunteer for more than 45 years for organisations ranging from The Samaritans to Victim Support and is also a Parish Councillor. At the heart of RDF is Ripon and the city’s interests but we also campaign on any matters regarding disability- which generally benefit the wider community too
Lynette Barnes OBE Co-ordinator
Having been involved in the establishment and continuation of RADAG and then RDF.
As the Director of the Ripon Council for Voluntary Service I continued my interest, becoming the Co-ordinator of RDF on my retirement in 2011.
It has been a privilege to work with such a proactive and happy group of people.
Stewart Aitken MSc B Eng(Hons) BSc Cert Ed.
Stewart Aitken is a wheelchair user and a retired Fire Service Station Officer.
Currently, he is the lay member for two University of York committees, the Physical Sciences Ethics Committee and the Professional Services Research Ethics Committee.
Margaret Crossfield
I have been involved in disability matters over many years in Ripon.
Jeremy Dunford Trustee
Jeremy has lived in Ripon since 2018, having moved from Glasshouses (Nidderdale) when an adaptable home was needed.
He is a retired headteacher.
His interest in disability issues arises from personal experience as his disability arises from an adult-onset condition which means he is now a part-time wheelchair user.
He is interested in improving the opportunities for people with disabilities through improved access to buildings and homes as well as access to the countryside and routes of travel.
Wendy Richardson
Wendy is a mother to two and granny to three adult grandchildren. The eldest has just graduated with a first in engineering at Queens Belfast, her granddaughter is at Newcastle University training to be a nurse and the youngest is running a landscape gardening and fencing business. She is extremely proud of them all.
She is a former headteacher having led schools at Robin Hoods Bay and Pickering County Infant and Nursery School.
She is also a Sides-person, welcomer and volunteer caterer at Ripon Cathedral and a volunteer at the Ripon Community Link Walled Garden.
She is also a Rotary Adventurer (online club) having just raised £2581 at an event for Humanitarian Aid Ukraine (2025), Chair of the Masham Players, a member of the Ripon Choral, Society and still finds time for her main hobbies of walking with her border terrier, gardening and reading.