Cornerstone Community Care founder dies at 65

The founder and former chief executive of one of Scotland’s leading social care charities has died.

Nick Baxter, 65, who set up Aberdeen-based Cornerstone and spent decades campaigning for people with learning and physical disabilities, died on Sunday in the city’s Roxburghe House hospice, where he had been receiving care. His family were at his bedside.

The charity was set up in 1980 under the name Cornerstone Community Care and it was initially run from Mr Baxter’s dining room.

It now employs about 1,700 staff and 300 volunteers in 20 local authority areas in Scotland, and has an annual turnover of more than £31 million.

Edel Harris, the charity’s chief executive, last night paid a warm tribute to Mr Baxter and described him as a “remarkable man”.

“As founder of Cornerstone, he was always a strong advocate for people with learning disabilities and did so much to change attitudes and improve the lives of so many,” said Ms Harris, who succeeded Mr Baxter as chief executive five years ago.

“The charitable work of Cornerstone will always be part of Nick’s legacy, and his commitment to ensuring that everyone in society had a chance to live a valued life won’t be forgotten.”