Louise Da'Cocodia a Personal Profile
It is with great sadness that we announce Louis Da'Cocodia passed away earlier this year 2008. Louis was a founder member of Cariocca Enterprises Manchester Limited, Arawak Walton Housing Association, Moss Side & Hulme Women's Action Forum, Afro-Caribbean Care Group for the Elderly, and the Agency for Economic Development Manchester. Louise was also a valued friend to the Have Your Say Team.
Louise's background included 26 years of nursing experience in the National Health Service where she held a range of senior nurse management posts. This also included involvement in the training and instruction of nurse trainees and practical instruction of Bachelor of Nursing students and the supervision of post graduate administration students.
Louise had considerable experience of working within the voluntary sector and had been the Chairperson of the West Indian Organisation Co-ordinating Committee for three terms. She was also involved in implementing a range of successful initiatives related to the economic development programme to promote viable commercial businesses within the inner city's deprived communities; served as the Deputy Chair of the Manchester Council for Voluntary Service and was involved in the re-drafting of redevelopment plans to guide the agency in its attempt to rationalise changes between objectives and activities. Also holding a number of directorships and committee positions in the voluntary sector and aimed to specifically address the very high levels of unemployment being experienced by the youth and other deprived groups within the inner city.
Closely involved with the public life of the city, Louise was a JP, a member of the Duchy of Lancaster Advisory Committee, an assessor in the County Courts, and Governor of Primary and Secondary schools. She has also been a member of the Church of England General Synod, and a Commissioner for Racial Justice. In addition, Louise had been appointed to Manchester Metropolitan University, The Court of Manchester University, and the Corporation of City College Manchester. She also served on the Executive Board of Christian Aid.
In 1990, Louise was nominated to the Manchester Magistrates Bench and in 1992 received the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of service to the community and nursing also Honorary MA University of Manchester. Louise received the Manchester National Anti-racist award for promoting good race relations. In 1999 she was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. In 2005 she received the MBE award.