Remembering Simon Rée, Who Made Sure Coventry’s Young People Had Someone to Turn to When They Needed Support Most

It was with a very heavy heart that last week we shared the news that our CEO, Simon, sadly passed away.

For everyone who knew him, his passing is going to be very difficult.

He was caring, passionate, brilliantly quirky and committed to supporting young people across Coventry.

Simon wore his heart on his sleeve. He cared deeply, spoke honestly and dedicated his life to making sure that people did not have to face their struggles alone.

His loss is being felt throughout the entire Bardsley family: by our team, trustees, the young people we support, our partners and the wider Coventry community.

Simon’s commitment to young people was not simply part of his job; it was at the heart of who he was.

He had a brilliant ability to connect with young people, meeting each person where they were. No matter how different their experiences were from his own, he found a way to make them feel understood.

He understood that young people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity or other difficult circumstances needed more than housing assistance. They needed someone who would listen, take them seriously and walk beside them during the moments when life felt uncertain or overwhelming.

Through his work, Simon helped to create a place where local young people could feel welcomed and supported.

He believed that nobody should be left to navigate hardship on their own, and he worked to ensure that Bardsley Youth Project remained somewhere people could turn to when they were at their most vulnerable.

These attitudes, and beliefs shaped Bardsley Youth Project. Not only the services we provide, but the culture of our organisation and the way we support every person who comes through our doors.

Over the years, Simon touched the lives of so many people across our city. Some of us knew him as a colleague and a friend. Some knew Simon as a compassionate, committed and determined voice within his local community. Many knew him as the person who helped them through one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Whether someone knew Simon for years or had only met him briefly, he had a special way of connecting with them, touching their lives and leaving a lasting impression.

Simon was warm, funny and brilliantly quirky. He was unapologetically himself, and everyone who knew him will have their own stories and memories of the things that made him so special.

He will be missed greatly by the entire Bardsley family, our team, trustees, the young people we support, and the wider community.

We know that this news will affect many people, including young people who have been supported by and built up a relationship with Simon over the years.

Grief can look and feel different for everyone. There is no correct way to respond to losing somebody important. You may feel shocked, deeply sad, angry, confused or unable to process what has happened. You may also find that your feelings change from one moment to the next.

Please, if you are struggling with this news do not feel that you need to struggle on your own. Pop into one of our sessions or give our team a call.

As a team, we are grieving, but we know Simon would have wanted the work to continue. The best way we know how to honour him is to carry on supporting the young people of Coventry with the same compassion, care and dedication that he showed every day.

Here you can see our Facebook post announcing the news. If you feel you'd like to leave a comment please feel free to.

Thank you for your kindness, support and understanding as we remember Simon, in all his brilliant quirkiness and who he was to each and every one of us.