Rev. David Gray – Mini-Biography:

Having completed his work as community coordinator with the team that raised £6.5M to restore Gorton Monastery, David formed “Creoginity” – his sole trading company - to help maintain community projects begun when he was with Gorton Monastery Trust. Profits from his income streams go back into community work across Manchester. 

One of the key projects David established and now supports as projects director is “GROWING FAITH in COMMUNITY”, a charitable allotment smallholding that grows food and keeps poultry for eggs to feed homeless and other vulnerable people via the Pharaoh’s Barn ethical food-chain. His interests include eco-horticulture, social history, archaeology and ethical husbandry.

An Independent Advisor to Greater Manchester Police, David is also a member of the Manchester ring of the Magic Circle – (Order of Magi). 

In the 1980’s, David founded Lifeshare, a charity that works among Manchester’s homeless people and sex-industry workers. He has worked in mental health, social work, counselling and as a negotiator. A Franciscan priest and Interfaith Minister (unpaid) he has been secretary to Faith Network for Manchester since 2005 and edited MENSA INTERFAITH for ten years. A veteran’s chaplain and Royal British Legion branch president, he helped form and sings with GORTON VOICE community choir. David also guests with Manchester Punk Rock band GOLDBLADE. As Magician, MC and vocalist, David has performed at most major Manchester venues, including “SATAN’S HOLLOW”, BRIDGEWATER HALL, The APOLLO, ACADEMY and M.E.N. ARENA -appearing with artists like The DAMNED, BADLY DRAWN BOY, IAN BROWN and others. David’s contacts on the Sally-Manc music scene help his approach to developing alternatives to violent gang culture through music. He has also advised MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL.

A former Manchester STREET PASTOR’S trustee, David presents a weekly show on MANCHESTER’S 106.6 FM which, along with his weekly column in the NORTH and EAST MANCHESTER ADVERTISER, enables him to help local people tell their amazing stories. 
PRESENT ROLE:

Having worked with and on behalf of local communities and compiled reports for, among others,  the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Baroness Scotland, the Learning and Skills Council and Greater Manchester Police, David has a reputation for progressing well-being and community cohesion at many levels. His knowledge and experience is broad and includes:

Writing and delivering training courses / facilitating workshops / public speaking / media work in radio, TV and as a newspaper columnist / personal and community development / facilitation of worship, funerals, weddings and blessings / school assemblies, classes in diversity and local history and mock interviews / group and one to one motivational talks 
 
Professional Background: 
Mental Health / Social Work / Homelessness / Youth Work / Counselling / Faith / Community:

Jobs while still at school during holidays &amp; weekends: Delivering coal (1960-1963); Fairgrounds (1963 – 1966); Paper-round / Chip Shop / Decorating / Race Relations / Shelter.

Jobs on leaving school in 1967 aged 14 - NB: Some jobs overlapped with others or voluntary work:
Factory Work (1967- 1968)
Book-trade (1969 - 1972)
Model (1971)
Registered Psychiatric Nurse (training 1973 - 1976)
Great-Ape Keeper - Belle Vue Zoo (1977) 
Foreman Gardener (Parks Dept – 1978)
Central Manchester Pest Control Officer (1979 – 1980)
Homelessness Care Worker (1981 – 1984) 
NCH Carline counsellor (1981 – 1991)
Granada TV / Piccadilly Radio Christmas Toy &amp; Tin appeal Manager (1984 – 1988)
Founding Director of Lifeshare – Homelessness / Sex-Worker charity (1984 – 1991)
Counselling (telephone / face to face / street / pastoral (1980 – present)
Crisis Centre manager and negotiator – HMP Manchester (Strangeways) Prison Riots (1990)
Children’s Services Social Worker (1988 – 2003)
Community Coordinator – Monastery of St. Francis &amp; Gorton Trust (2003 – 2008)
CURRENTLY SELF EMPLOYED
Contact Details:
Rev. David Gray
www.creoginity.org

M: 07927 734 419 - E: rev.elation4.1@ntlworld.com