Sharon Bond, a dedicated social worker and family psychotherapist based in London, has passed away at the age of 77. Throughout her career, she made significant contributions to the field of family therapy, particularly by championing inclusivity and support for those marginalised by traditional training institutions.
Early Career and Social Work
Sharon began her professional journey in 1985 as an education social worker for the London borough of Tower Hamlets. She later served as a principal psychiatric social worker with the Hackney Child and Family Consultation Service for many years. In this role, she worked extensively with families and children in mental health clinics, as well as collaborating with teachers in schools to address broader community needs.
Founding Chiron and Promoting Diversity
In 1997, Sharon established Chiron, a therapy, consultation, and training service. Her motivation stemmed from a desire to assist individuals who felt excluded by existing family therapy training programmes. As the first black woman to qualify as a family psychotherapy supervisor, she was a trailblazer in a field historically dominated by white male clinicians.
Through Chiron, Sharon focused on building the self-belief of practitioners who had been made to feel inadequate. Her efforts successfully brought many people into the family therapy profession who might otherwise have abandoned their training journeys.
Background and Activism
Born in Kitty, British Guiana (now Guyana), Sharon moved to the UK in 1957 at the age of nine with her family. After secondary school, she became involved with the British Black Panthers and founded a Saturday supplementary school named "Heads" in east London. This initiative aimed to support black children who were underserved by the mainstream education system.
She also volunteered for West Indian World, the first widely distributed black weekly newspaper in the UK, highlighting her commitment to community empowerment and media representation.
Professional Achievements and Legacy
Sharon qualified as a family psychotherapist in 1993 and continued to run Chiron as its director from 2003 until her death, never retiring from her passion. Over the years, she held various esteemed positions, including:
- Clinical director at the Kensington Consultation Centre in London
- Visiting lecturer in family therapy at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
- External examiner for master's degree courses in family therapy at the Institute of Family Therapy in London and Birmingham University
In 2006, she earned a doctorate in systemic psychotherapy from the Tavistock Clinic in London, further solidifying her expertise and influence in the field.
A Lasting Impact
Sharon Bond is remembered as a strong, assertive woman with a gentle soul, deeply committed to empowering individuals facing racism and discrimination. Her passion, generosity, and dedication have enriched and healed countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on the world of family therapy and social work.
She is survived by her son Darren, granddaughter Nia, siblings Yvonne, Mikloth, Sheril, and Eglah, and her partner, Alex Smith.
