Ruth Runciman
Encyclopedia
Dame Ruth Runciman DBE (born 9 January 1936) is a former Chair of the UK Mental Health Act Commission
.
She is the mother of British political scientist David Runciman
, and as wife of British sociologist Garry Runciman
has the right to the title of Viscountess Runciman of Doxford, which she does not use. She has had over thirty years' involvement in the Citizens Advice Bureau
and has also made a significant contribution to work on drug misuse, for which she was awarded the OBE in 1991.
Ruth Runciman was an early trustee of the National AIDS Trust
(now known as NAT) and served as its Chair from 2000 to 2006. She has always had a special interest in prison issues and was a founder of the Prison Reform Trust in 1981. She was responsible for setting up a full-time Citizens' Advice Bureau in Wormwood Scrubs
, the first full-time independent advice agency in any prison. She is also a Trustee of the Pilgrim Trust
. The University of Central Lancashire
conferred an Honorary Fellowship on Dame Ruth Runciman at an Awards Ceremony on 5 December 2000.
Mental Health Act Commission
The Mental Health Act Commission was an NHS special health authority that provided a safeguard for people detained in hospital under the powers of the Mental Health Act 1983 in England and Wales...
.
She is the mother of British political scientist David Runciman
David Runciman
The Hon. David Walter Runciman is a British political scientist who teaches political theory at Cambridge University and is a fellow of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he was educated following Eton College....
, and as wife of British sociologist Garry Runciman
Garry Runciman, 3rd Viscount Runciman of Doxford
Walter Garrison Runciman, 3rd Viscount Runciman of Doxford, CBE, FBA , is a leading British historical sociologist, usually known informally as Garry Runciman...
has the right to the title of Viscountess Runciman of Doxford, which she does not use. She has had over thirty years' involvement in the Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureau
A Citizens Advice Bureau is one of a network of independent charities throughout the UK that give free, confidential information and advice to help people with their money, legal, consumer and other problems....
and has also made a significant contribution to work on drug misuse, for which she was awarded the OBE in 1991.
Ruth Runciman was an early trustee of the National AIDS Trust
National AIDS trust
NAT is a UK charity that campaigns on a range of issues related to HIV, primarily in a domestic context. The charity's key strategic goals are:* Effective prevention of HIV transmission...
(now known as NAT) and served as its Chair from 2000 to 2006. She has always had a special interest in prison issues and was a founder of the Prison Reform Trust in 1981. She was responsible for setting up a full-time Citizens' Advice Bureau in Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs, known locally as The Scrubs, is an open space located in the north-eastern corner of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London. It is the largest open space in the Borough, at 80 ha , and one of the largest areas of common land in London...
, the first full-time independent advice agency in any prison. She is also a Trustee of the Pilgrim Trust
Pilgrim Trust
The Pilgrim Trust is a London-based charitable trust. It was founded in 1930 by a two million pound grant by Edward Harkness, an American philanthropist. The trust's first secretary was former civil servant, Thomas Jones....
. The University of Central Lancashire
University of Central Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire is a university based in Preston, Lancashire, England.The university has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge which was founded in 1828. In 1992 it was granted University status by the Privy Council...
conferred an Honorary Fellowship on Dame Ruth Runciman at an Awards Ceremony on 5 December 2000.