Melvin Walton

“I remember the first time I went in a shop with one of my young friends, and somebody said: ‘Oh, what’s he come in the shop for, he won’t know anything about it.’ And again one of my friends said: ‘He’s got as much right to come in the shop as me.’” Melvin Walton
 
Born 15 February 1952
 
Educated Elmfield School, Harpenden

Melvin Walton Tape 1 Listen here:
Lived with grandparents for 18 years, whilst mother worked. Home tutor four times a week. At 11 or 13, sent by Local Authority to a special boarding school Elmfield School, Harpenden. Left school at 16. Squint operation... 00:31:48

Melvin Walton Tape 2 Listen here:
Started at day centre aged 16-17. Answered phone in day centre office. For 10-12 years, co-ordinated 8-9 vehicles in control centre at day centre. MW lived in Leonard Cheshire bungalow... 00:29:31

Melvin Walton Tape 3 Listen here:
Local independent living centres. Leonard Cheshire course on Independent Living. Social worker and direct payments.... 00:04:14

Download a transcript of the Melvin Walton interview (PDF, 219kb)