Hi, I'm Richard Haynes
Get to know me.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/8/135885277/published/img-7888.jpg?1612967057)
Blue Lagoon, Reykjanes.
Named by National Geographic as one of 25 wonders of the world. Heated by a geothermal power station, this pool sits amongst a desolate mass of rough, black lava rubble. Here with wife Tracy and daughters Lily, Rosie and Holly rounding off a campervan adventure across Iceland.
Futurist // Innovator // Systems Thinker// Service Designer
I have worked with amazing people, clients and colleagues, built teams and led and contributed to dozens of creativity, design and problem solving workshops in sectors including health, social care and housing.
You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.
Buckminster Fuller
Mindset
At heart, I'm adventurous by spirit, I have a love the outdoors and highly curious. Here I am in the photo with our wedding presents from years earlier, a canoe and couple of kayaks (unconventional gifts but Tracy and I already had two toasters, two kettles, two washing machines and this seemed like more fun). And here with my daughters on Llyn Padarn in North Wales on one of our many camping adventures in our van. Looking back, a great deal of what I learned has been experiential. When my father introduced me to skiing at 11, the dry ski slope staff in Birmingham asked 'can you do a snow plough stop?'. 'Yes', I replied. 'Can you do a snow plough turn?, 'yes, I replied. As I put on my boots and wondered how the 'button' ski lift worked, the first challenge before any skiing, I pondered 'what on earth do snow ploughs have to do with stopping and turning on skis? |
Learning by doing
Nonetheless, I learned how to ski. Of course having a mentor* is better, which I definitely recommend. Particularly as the adventures (or innovation) get riskier. And absolutely a prerequisite if you intend to undertake sea kayaking, my favourite activity now, because of the exhilaration, freedom and access to nature that it affords. In my career I have been lucky to have met and had amazing mentors to help me on my journey. But like skiing, or sea kayaking you can't learn this from a book or inside of a classroom alone, and you have to just get on and just do it. Service design, innovation and creativity is very much like learning to ski or sea kayak to advanced levels in this respect. It requires and taps in to my natural adventurous spirit, my love for exploration, curiosity and an insatiable appetite to learn, to develop and hone skills, both practical and in terms of good planning, to accommodate tides, swells, weather and general navigation. * Mentors who I would particularly like to acknowledge thanks to and have helped my career along include Anne Eaves, Chris Haynes, Steve Edwards, Reg Dutson (RIP), Tony Goodson, Cliff Dean, Kerrie Allward, Dyllis Faith. |
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Ethos
I have learned by doing, that whatever methods, practice or skills set you bring to change, that the best methodologies all start with people. By being human-centred, putting customers' voice in to the co-design process, and including as equal partners service users, patients, tenants, and front line services at the heart of what you do, right from the get-go. There is of course a huge benefit by combining the strengths, diversity and capacity that people bring to your project with the assets that the place has to offer. My favorite career memory is working with a fabulous team in Blackburn with Darwen, to transform the lives of people with learning disabilities. Pictured here with Ibrar, his care worker, head of Service Pete in a Cafe. We planned our pitch for an award. Ibrar was a central team member to the team who presented confidently to the judges at the Local Government Chronicle. Ibrar, a high need Learning Disability service user, navigated the underground in London without any problem. The look on Ibrar's face, a learning disability service user who helped us co-design the assistive technology service and the speed he ran up to collect the award from Sue Perkins at the LGC Awards Ceremony will never leave me. In fact everytime I listen to Katie Perry, Fireworks, Ibrar is synonymous with the lyrics and the upbeat music and it is impossible for him to not immediately enters my consciousness. Read more about this project on 'My Projects' page. |
What people say
Richard is a seriously talented and innovative leader. He effortlessly makes his team feel valued and supported while ensuring the projects being delivered are creating the most value they can. I had the pleasure of working with Richard last year to design service initiatives that strengthened community resilience in neighbourhoods across Walsall. Our project's success can easily be credited to his zeal and his commitment to innovation in the housing sector. In less than 3 months he had helped the project establish informal partnerships with prominent government and private sector organisations to prototype our ideas. Richard's ability to engage stakeholders and build meaningful alliances is another example of his dynamic leadership and management style. He is also one of those rare people who will always go above and beyond. When the first COVID lockdown started, the team was worried our workshops would get cancelled. Richard came through by helping onboard participants and teammates in Walsall to Zoom and personally posting workshop kits. He even included treats in the kits! Any employee would be lucky to have him as a leader and as a teammate. |
Richard worked as a project manager on the TCES project at Department of Health... Richard had a role to support all the London boroughs as part of the wider social care reform agenda. Richard is an excellent project manager and has a real connection with end users and the impact of any changes being implemented. I would not hesitate to recommend Richard to work in all areas of social care. |
Richard recently worked with me on a complex project looking at children's equipment across all sectors. He very clearly and quickly understood what was required and was able to suggest how the project should be best approached. |
Richard was an invited speaker at conferences and workshops to disseminate our ALIP-funded AKTIVE project findings on telecare usage & adoption, and engage with the health, care & assistive technology sectors. If you need passion, integrity, expertise and insight that adds significant value to assisted living service design and user satisfaction, look no further! Richard is a superb presenter and ALT expert, and we hope to work with him again before too long. |
Richard was my mentor for a Assistive Technology project I was leading. He has such great practical knowledge of change management and Assistive Technology. His positive attitude made the mentoring sessions interactive, engaging and thought provoking. Really appreciated his support very valuable. |
100 Questions that appeared in the top google search ranking to ask to get to know someone. If you get to the end of the list, there is a medal for long service award, and you will probably know me as well as my Mom and wife put together...
Who is your hero?
Jiddu Krishnamurti, Peter Joseph, Hillary Cottam, The Meek Family, Jos de Blok. I have lots of heroes who inspire me. They are all real human beings, rarely celebrities with managed brands, who all change the world for people and planet, or change my perspective of the world and not paid gazillions to kick a ball up and down a field.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I'm happy right where I am. But if I did move, I suppose it would to be to get closer to the sea, seeing as my no. 1 hobby requires vasts amount of it. And presently I live the further point in any direction from it, here in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.
What is your biggest fear?
Snakes. Death. Donald Trump. Brexit. And an inability to stand outside of a culture and reflect back on it.
What is your favorite family vacation?
2017, my wife, three daughters, two large stand up paddle boards, one Volkswagen Camper, over 2,000 miles, 5 weeks, 5 countries travelling no more than an hour or so a day on most days with days off, visiting the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy and France, on one lot of UK passports and no visa's.
What would you change about yourself if you could?
Apparently, I would be Ryan Renolds (Tracy).
What really makes you angry?
Injustice, inequality, waste, violence, ignorance, Donald Trump, Brexit.
What motivates you to work hard?
Deeper meaning and purpose.
To be continued... Or why not just drop me an email and arrange a virtual coffee. This is getting a bit 'stalky'...
What is your favourite thing about your career?
What is your biggest complaint about your job?
What is your proudest accomplishment?
What is your child's proudest accomplishment?
What is your favorite book to read?
What makes you laugh the most?
What was the last movie you went to? What did you think?
What did you want to be when you were small?
What does your child want to be when he/she grows up?
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car?
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
What two radio stations do you listen to in the car the most?
Which would you rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, or vacuum the house?
If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work?
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Who is your favorite author?
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?
In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?
Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why?
Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? And why?
Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
If money was no object, what would you do all day?
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
How would your friends describe you?
What are your hobbies?
What is the best gift you have been given?
What is the worst gift you have received?
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
List two pet peeves.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
What form of public transportation do you prefer? (air, boat, train, bus, car, etc.)
What's your favorite zoo animal?
If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be?
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
How many pillows do you sleep with?
What's the longest you've gone without sleep (and why)?
What's the tallest building you've been to the top in?
Would you rather trade intelligence for looks or looks for intelligence?
How often do you buy clothes?
Have you ever had a secret admirer?
What's your favorite holiday?
What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
What was the last thing you recorded on TV?
What was the last book you read?
What's your favorite type of foreign food?
Are you a clean or messy person?
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
What kitchen appliance do you use every day?
What's your favorite fast food chain?
What's your favorite family recipe?
Do you love or hate rollercoasters?
What's your favorite family tradition?
What is your favorite childhood memory?
What's your favorite movie?
How old were you when you learned Santa wasn't real? How did you find out?
Is your glass half full or half empty?
What's the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
What was your favorite subject in school?
What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
Do you collect anything?
Is there anything you wished would come back into fashion?
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
Have you ever had a surprise party? (that was an actual surprise)
Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?
What do you do to keep fit?
Does your family have a “motto” – spoken or unspoken?
If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce?
Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?
What three things do you think of the most each day?
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
What song would you say best sums you up?
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Who was your first crush?
What's the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window?
On a scale of 1-10 how funny would you say you are?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
What was your first job?
If you could join any past or current music group which would you want to join?
How many languages do you speak?
What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
Who is the most intelligent person you know?
If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be?
What is one thing you will never do again?
Who knows you the best?
Jiddu Krishnamurti, Peter Joseph, Hillary Cottam, The Meek Family, Jos de Blok. I have lots of heroes who inspire me. They are all real human beings, rarely celebrities with managed brands, who all change the world for people and planet, or change my perspective of the world and not paid gazillions to kick a ball up and down a field.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I'm happy right where I am. But if I did move, I suppose it would to be to get closer to the sea, seeing as my no. 1 hobby requires vasts amount of it. And presently I live the further point in any direction from it, here in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.
What is your biggest fear?
Snakes. Death. Donald Trump. Brexit. And an inability to stand outside of a culture and reflect back on it.
What is your favorite family vacation?
2017, my wife, three daughters, two large stand up paddle boards, one Volkswagen Camper, over 2,000 miles, 5 weeks, 5 countries travelling no more than an hour or so a day on most days with days off, visiting the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy and France, on one lot of UK passports and no visa's.
What would you change about yourself if you could?
Apparently, I would be Ryan Renolds (Tracy).
What really makes you angry?
Injustice, inequality, waste, violence, ignorance, Donald Trump, Brexit.
What motivates you to work hard?
Deeper meaning and purpose.
To be continued... Or why not just drop me an email and arrange a virtual coffee. This is getting a bit 'stalky'...
What is your favourite thing about your career?
What is your biggest complaint about your job?
What is your proudest accomplishment?
What is your child's proudest accomplishment?
What is your favorite book to read?
What makes you laugh the most?
What was the last movie you went to? What did you think?
What did you want to be when you were small?
What does your child want to be when he/she grows up?
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car?
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
What two radio stations do you listen to in the car the most?
Which would you rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, or vacuum the house?
If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work?
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Who is your favorite author?
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?
In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?
Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska, and why?
Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? And why?
Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
If money was no object, what would you do all day?
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
How would your friends describe you?
What are your hobbies?
What is the best gift you have been given?
What is the worst gift you have received?
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
List two pet peeves.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
What form of public transportation do you prefer? (air, boat, train, bus, car, etc.)
What's your favorite zoo animal?
If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be?
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
How many pillows do you sleep with?
What's the longest you've gone without sleep (and why)?
What's the tallest building you've been to the top in?
Would you rather trade intelligence for looks or looks for intelligence?
How often do you buy clothes?
Have you ever had a secret admirer?
What's your favorite holiday?
What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
What was the last thing you recorded on TV?
What was the last book you read?
What's your favorite type of foreign food?
Are you a clean or messy person?
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
What kitchen appliance do you use every day?
What's your favorite fast food chain?
What's your favorite family recipe?
Do you love or hate rollercoasters?
What's your favorite family tradition?
What is your favorite childhood memory?
What's your favorite movie?
How old were you when you learned Santa wasn't real? How did you find out?
Is your glass half full or half empty?
What's the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
What was your favorite subject in school?
What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
Do you collect anything?
Is there anything you wished would come back into fashion?
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
Have you ever had a surprise party? (that was an actual surprise)
Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?
What do you do to keep fit?
Does your family have a “motto” – spoken or unspoken?
If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce?
Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?
What three things do you think of the most each day?
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
What song would you say best sums you up?
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Who was your first crush?
What's the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window?
On a scale of 1-10 how funny would you say you are?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
What was your first job?
If you could join any past or current music group which would you want to join?
How many languages do you speak?
What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
Who is the most intelligent person you know?
If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be?
What is one thing you will never do again?
Who knows you the best?
Get In Touch.
Get in touch, grab a virtual coffee with me and have a chat about your project.
Afterall, there is no planet B, so no time like the present.
Afterall, there is no planet B, so no time like the present.