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Edna Speed MBE became aware in her teaching career that the early foundation years of a child’s life shape the path of their future.

Having grown up in a loving and stable home, with extended family and community for support, Edna studied at Bangor in North Wales. During the 1970s she came to realise that the lives of the families whom she taught were a stark contrast to her own life. She refers to this as ‘the revolving door’, where generation after generation are unable to escape from poverty and hardship.

Edna set about putting this right by being the voice that they needed, facing authorities and government during her journey to give families support. Her words will make you laugh and make you cry and – hopefully – will give you an insight into the struggles facing many families.

Edna’s dearest wish would be to stir your heart and prompt you to think how you might help fight the good fight for the broken, hurting and damaged lives that are very much still around us in this country today.

Born in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Edna Speed was educated at Dowlais Junior School, Merthyr County School and Bangor Normal College where she trained to be a teacher and met her late husband, George.

Her childhood was shaped by the outbreak of World War II but, despite the hardships and shortages she experienced, the foundation of community support and her family’s strong Christian faith fostered her desire to help those less fortunate than herself.

Edna and George founded the charity Save the Family in 1976 when Edna was head teacher at a nursery school on the Lache Housing Estate in Chester. It was here that Edna had a vision for supporting families in need. After years of campaigning and fundraising, they opened their first residential centre in 1991 and a second one in 2011, supporting homeless families.

In 1983, Edna was made an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 2023 was selected to receive the specially minted coins at The Royal Maundy Service for her outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in her community.

Edna will be remembered for helping thousands of families stay together through difficult times in their lives and, in her own words, described herself as an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Edna and George were married for 52 years, and had two sons and two granddaughters.

In Edna I saw someone who recognised the huge importance of a family unit and who was actually doing something to maintain it.
– Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Westminster

Driven, enthusiastic, a determined woman who always got what she wanted and wouldn’t take no for an answer.
– Chester Lions

I was electrified by what Edna said. I’d never heard of Save the Family but she spoke with such passion, conviction and enthusiasm I was totally hooked.
– Sir Malcolm Walker CBE – Founder of Iceland Foods