The Hope Dealer

Ken Barnes - The Hope Dealer

I am first and foremost the father of two girls. I have always been concerned about the world my daughters are growing up in.  At times, it seemed like society’s moral compass had been broken and too many young people were losing their way.

Many of the young people I have worked with over the years know me as ‘The Hope Dealer’, not a dealer in dope, but a dealer in hope. Everyone needs hope. “Hope is the vein that our future aspirations and dreams flow through."  We all need hope and respect instead of living for the day, and that is especially true of young people who are growing up in environments that may be discouraging or even hostile.

I passionately believes that learning is a continuous and never-ending process.  I am government advisor on raising the aspirations and attainment of young people. I have numerous other titles such as entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker, coach and community business leader. 

Gripped by a sense of horror at the way some young people were using the word 'respect' to justify crime, anti-social behaviour and a lack of discipline, I set about reclaiming the word ‘respect’ back from the thugs by adding a new definition and using it as a positive acronym to affect change in young people.

I took positive action and created a powerful set of life changing principles using the word ‘RESPECT’ to deliver to young people I work with in schools. This new definition is called ‘RESPECTisms’, a new moral code, seven principles that can be used in homes and in our schools for successful living. The Principles of RESPECTisms effectively works from the ‘bottom up approach’; nurturing and impacting the minds of young people within a framework they can relate to and call their own.

“These are the collective character building traits of the word ‘respect’,” explains Ken. “Anyone who takes on board and lives by the seven principles will find themselves ready and able to face many, if not all, of the challenges life throws at them. They will allow you to become the best you can be.”

However, the title that gives m the most personal satisfaction is the title  of  Mentor.  Through my professional and personal life activities, I have inspired thousands of adults and children to reflect and to discover the valuable personal assets they possess within themselves.

“My aim is that through RESPECTisms we can lead young people towards a different way of dealing with their situation and feelings, through character building and emotional intelligence. And that goes for everyone, not just those who are heading down the wrong path. I truly believe that no matter how well a young person is doing, they can always do better.”