We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Thomas, who served as an NDTi board member for the past two years. Many of us had known Jim for many years, working alongside him and being commissioned by him.
Jim was not only a valued colleague but a remarkable human being whose warmth, wisdom, and commitment to social care touched everyone who knew him. His determination was always that work should be inclusive, relevant and fun.
Jim’s contribution to NDTi and the wider social care sector was immense. He carried social care not as a job but as a calling, always thinking about community first and how to make life better for those who often go unseen. His legacy will live on through the lives he impacted and the people he inspired.
Below are some reflections from our team:
“I didn’t know Jim well, or see him often, but when I did, I always came away valuing the discussion we’d had and thinking ‘what a nice man’. He gave his time freely; one of the best gifts anyone can offer. The fact that he continued doing so alongside his terminal illness is an absolute measure of the man. He’ll be missed by many.”
“…the daily sharing of favourite CDs on LinkedIn, the fun of exclaiming ‘yes, I love that one too’ and sharing a favourite track back… knowing this was all about connection and Jim fostering and seeking connection on what must have been increasingly difficult days. I admired a man who proactively sought and valued this simple human connection with so many people, showing us all how to do it in the most simple of ways.”
“Jim was indeed a beautiful human being full of warmth, wisdom, and a genuine love for people. He always thought about community first, about how we could make things better for others, and how to support those who often go unseen. That, to me, was love in action. I’ll always remember his kindness, his humour, and the quiet strength he brought into every room.”
“He was the most delightful man. Full of love. So knowledgeable but also so kind and funny. I loved his occasional sideways comments, which made me laugh, but also loved his passion for doing better for people and for quietly helping us to be better too.”
“I only met Jim the once, at the Away Days earlier this year. We both got a bit confused about one of the breakout sessions and ended up going to neither. We started what turned out to be a long conversation. It ended up being one of the most impactful aspects of the Away Days for me. He came across as so knowledgeable, full of wisdom and compassion, and had such a great attitude to his illness – stoic and philosophical.”
“Jim was an exceptional human being. From the first time I met him when he came for interview, his humanity, wisdom and sheer breadth of knowledge shone through. Others will no doubt talk about his professional contribution to social care through decades of work, but what I will remember is his passionate and infectious desire to make a difference in the lives of those who needed support or were marginalised in any way.”
Jim showed us all what it means to live with purpose, compassion, and resilience. We are grateful for his time, his wisdom, and his friendship. He will be deeply missed.