Roger Diamond

Roger founded three significant charities during the last four decades. The first was "18th Brocade Performing Arts Workshop" in the borough of Haringey where he lived. The 18th Brocade logo had a symbolic meaning. The second is the popular education charity "Real Action" based in Westminster, founded over 27 years ago. Real Action used to work in a number of state schools and has run three of its own Saturday Schools consecutively delivering its Butterfly Literacy programme, which on average increases disadvantaged 4-12 year olds' reading ages by over one year in less than 18 hours. The third charity is The Roger Diamond Foundation - founded in 2019.

Roger has over 44 years' experience in youth & community work service in Haringey and West London. Taught to read classical music as a child, with a background of playing keyboards in successful British reggae bands (one of which reached number two in the UK charts), he still plays the piano, developing new skills that enable him to perform occasionally as a solo artist and in Jazz bands.

In the 70s & 80s certain types of institutional racism came to a peak in boroughs such as Haringey, so Roger joined Haringey Community Relations Council and soon became Chairman of its Youth Sub-Committee. Roger lived next to Broadwater Farm Council Estate and witnessed first-hand the terrific infamous riot there on 6th October 1985 that sparked off other large riots throughout the UK. The social issues that fuelled this had been a concern of Roger's for some time. He believed in peaceful solutions so he founded his first charity (18th Brocade...) in 1979. 

Having spent several years also as an amateur playwright and journalist, Roger is very passionate about education. He enjoys working with others who seek to find and/or promote effective educational solutions for reducing the causes of youth criminality and anti-social behaviour that is overly abundant in some areas of London and the UK.

In May 2022 Roger was elected as a Parish Councillor for Queens Park Community Council in the Queens Park ward. Roger is a member of the Campaign for Real Education.