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. Trustee
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 Trustee
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 Trustee
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.
Katie Sharpe Trustee
I have been a Ripon resident for over 17 years.
Following a career as a private Veterinary Surgeon, Government vet and senior manager in the civil service, I now have time to contribute to some wider creative and community work, moving my focus from animals to people.
I am a member of Ripon Together and enjoy supporting the wider cultural aspects of Ripon including as a member of the Ripon Theatre Festival Team.
I am involved in Refugee support and lead a community sponsorship group in Ripon for recently resettled families.
Recently, I have seen how rapidly and unexpectedly people’s mobility can be changed by accident or illness. As a veterinary surgeon, I was struck by the fact that it is easier to find out whether a Ripon business is dog friendly than it is to find information on how accessible it is and I want to help to move accessibility higher up the priority scale of the whole community.
Sharon Fisher Trustee
Sharon Fisher brings both lived experience and professional insight of disabilities, particularly neurodivergence.
She has worked with children for over 20 years first as a teacher and now she runs her own business delivering creative play classes and events.
Sharon is keen to contribute to supporting greater understanding , inclusion and opportunities for disabled people while continuing to expand her knowledge and understanding.