It is with heavy hearts that we post this tribute to Baroness Valerie Howarth of Breckland OBE, who passed away on 23 March 2025, aged 84. But we also celebrate a life well lived.
Much loved, admired and respected by so many, her death leaves an enormous void.
She will be remembered for her sound judgement, intelligence, warmth, compassion and calmness, and perhaps mostly for her resolute determination and tireless striving to make the world a better place for children and young people.
Her career included social worker, eventually Director of Social Services in Brent, managing the fall-out from the high-profile serious maltreatment and death of Jasmine Beckford by her stepfather. She was appointed the first Chief Executive of Childline in 1986. Here, she developed a local into a truly national service that goes from strength to strength and has inspired similar helplines across the globe. In her quiet-spoken, unrufflable way, she achieved so much and improved the lives of so many, yet never sought the limelight. Her contribution to child welfare earned her recognition as a “People’s Peer” in the House of Lords.
A personal friend of Baroness Lucy Faithfull, after whom this Foundation (LFF) is named, Valerie became intimately involved in our work from its beginnings in 1992. The early days of establishing the Foundation were not always easy, and Valerie’s support as a key advisor was invaluable. Valerie remained a staunch supporter of our work for more than three decades, serving as trustee, Vice Chair of Trustees, and finally – Patron.
As a firm believer in the potential to prevent child sexual abuse and a pioneer of new approaches, she was pivotal in garnering support from individuals, organisations, agencies and Government Departments to launch the Stop It Now UK and Ireland helpline and campaign, which came to fruition in 2002. She chaired the Advisory Board for several years and ensured that both the helpline and campaign were built on firm foundations. She brought her wisdom and support to the table, helping keep the team on mission, while also garnering acceptance more broadly for working with those who might be at risk of causing harm. Indeed, in those early days of the Stop It Now helpline, she helped us model much of the operation on the experience and wisdom of Childline. That relationship with Childline goes from strength to strength, to our mutual benefit.
With her tenacity for the well-being of children, we feel privileged to have had Valerie involved in and supporting our work so passionately, so actively, and for so long.
Through her own direct effort, as well as through her support for organisations like ours, Valerie has improved the lives of so many – both adults and children. We will ensure we maintain our efforts and build on the legacy of Baronesses Faithfull and Howarth – of Lucy and Valerie.
Baroness Valerie Howarth OBE
5 September 1940 - 23 March 2025
