On 20th August it will be a year since we lost Laura Welti and I wanted to take the time to acknowledge this and to tell you about her if you were never able to meet her.
Laura was not only the manager of BDEF but also its spirit having taken it from a council run project to an independent organisation which continues to have her character and values woven through it.
She was a tireless campaigner, not just for Disabled people but wherever she saw injustice. Her unequalled work ethic, even when her health was failing her, built Bristol Disability Equality Forum.
Laura was not only my manager but also my friend. She gave me an opportunity and had a faith in me that no one else had ever had.
The first time I met her I probably couldn’t have made a less impressive first impression, having got lost in St Paul’s. Then I stepped in a bucket of spilt paint which I trampled through St Paul’s Learning Centre!
Laura was a university educated, a proud feminist, Lesbian and vegan with a passionate understanding of campaigning and intersectionality. Whereas I am a heterosexual, white working class male oik (my chosen descriptor) who had just walked paint through her office. In spite of this, she took me under her wing and the reason was simple, she was just very kind.
We started working together just as COVID decided to rear its ugly head. For a year it was just the two of us, although Laura’s PA Pat was an absolute rock in very difficult times. Laura allowed me to just get on with my job, however I saw fit, because, and this really shocked me, she trusted me.
Her management style was often unconventional, full of inspiration and great ideas but not always structured. Laura often found out about “schemes” where she could get things cheap and in bulk which she thought could help other people. Our office often looked like Del Boys lock up!
Laura was always encouraging to me personally, not just as an employee but also as an individual. She encouraged me to have the best life I could. I knew that I could talk to her about anything. I was lucky to know such a unique person.
I sometimes wondered if she ever felt lonely even though she had plenty of friends who loved her deeply. When someone has feelings of right and wrong that run deeply and they are unafraid to be the only one to speak up, it can be isolating and lead to misunderstandings. Despite this Laura was never afraid to be herself.
When Laura left the Forum, due to her failing health it affected the Forum greatly. Sadly, Laura blamed herself for this. The truth is there would never have been a Forum without Laura to begin with.
For a while I was the only remaining member of staff and I would continue to see Laura as a friend. She would continue to give me invaluable friendly advice. Eventually, thanks to the tireless work of Ruth Pickersgill and Alun Davies the Forum got back on its feet and is now a worthy legacy to Laura. I know that she would be particularly delighted that she has a great successor as Forum Director in Megan Belcher. Laura greatly admired Megan’s equalities work at Bristol City Council and considered her part of the BDEF family. Megan has many of the same qualities as Laura with perhaps a more structured approach and I’m sure Laura would be very proud of Megan.
Today when I am on the bus going to work and pass Laura’s old street, I make a point of uttering under my breath “miss you boss.”
By Dan Bourton Peer Support Worker