Tributes to pioneering charity director with 'wicked sense of humour'
“He brought a truly wholehearted passion, dedication and energy to the social enterprise sector in Lancashire.”
A Preston charity director who championed those less abled has died aged 58.
Peter Green, operations director/director of ISE projects at Integrate, passed away on Sunday, September 6 following a cardiac arrest. He leaves children Charlotte, George and Becca, and parents Mavis and Geoff.
Integrate- who offer services for people with learning difficulties across the North West- revealed the news on their Facebook page, saying: “Peter, we will miss your presence, quick wit and wicked sense of humour at Quayside House.”
Several commenters have spoken of how friendly and knowledgeable Peter was, with one person saying: “He was upbeat and supportive, with everything he achieved coming from his energy, advocacy and commitment.”
Peter joined Integrate in 2010 and developed and launched a wide range of services that were rooted in providing Individual Support for Individual People. Each of the services help people to build new skills, confidence, make new friends and be treated as equals in a work and community environment – including The WoodHouse for collecting and repurposing waste wood, the gardening project Sow n’ Grow, Integrate Charity Shop and Plants+ retail shop in Haslam Park.
Apple Social Care Ltd said: “We know through the local care community how incredibly respected, dedicated, and highly thought of Peter was. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire Integrate Preston and Chorley team during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Peter.”
Peter was named Lancashire's Social Enterprise Champion in 2017 by Selnet (Social Enterprise Lancashire Network), who have also paid tribute. They said: “On behalf of Selnet’s team and our Board of Directors, we are very sad to hear of the passing of Peter Green. He brought a truly wholehearted passion, dedication and energy to the social enterprise sector in Lancashire, all underpinned by his personal values which constantly promoted the rights and opportunities afforded to differently abled individuals.”
They added: “Integrate Preston and Chorley Ltd have been Selnet members for 20 years and Peter has supported the work of Liz and our team in many different areas of our Network's outreach and services. Being awarded our Social Enterprise Champion Award in 2017 highlighted the impacts he made: “Peter joined Integrate at a time when we were facing the reality of the recession and an erosion of rights, services and benefits for people with disabilities. Fast forward to the present and Integrate now benefit from a coherent, unified group with a strong brand and growth across all areas. With a clear vision of what he wanted to achieve, he excels at forming new relationships and partnerships and ensured that all possible synergies between the enterprises are utilised to their maximum”.
“Our thoughts are very much with Peter’s family, friends and all of his colleagues at Integrate. He will be very, very sadly missed.“