ABOUT DAVID

“You really do have a wonderful gift of bringing the Gospel to life and such a creativity in weaving in images to help us along the way in understanding the rather tricky thing which is our faith!”

JO FLOWER.
Plymouth CAST. Plymouth. UK. February 2018

“You were an absolute joy to listen to and I have been sharing your wisdom with all my colleagues this past week. Thank you for being so real, for awakening me, reminding me to better myself and to embrace showing tenderness to everyone around me.”

HEATHER WISHLOFF.
St Marguerite School. Spruce Grove. Alberta. Canada. May 2017

Speaking to thousands around the world over the years, I have always been very keen to serve exclusively as a speaker and consultant. In early 2018, I was fortunate enough to make that independent move and establish David Wells Live.

Career Choices
My teaching career began in 1985. At St John Houghton School in Ilkeston, I was promoted as Head of Upper School, often working with the 14-16 year-olds who felt most demotivated. These young people taught me how to teach.

In 1990 I gained an M(Phil) degree from Nottingham University focusing on Effective Methods of Teacher In-service Training. The Master’s degree changed my direction. The following years I worked in London for the Catholic Education Service providing in-service training opportunities for staff in Catholic schools. This was followed by two Diocesan roles first as an Education Adviser in the Nottingham diocese and then in 2000, in Exeter as Director of Formation for the Plymouth Diocese. Since leaving Plymouth Diocese in May 2018, I’ve been grateful for a portfolio of projects including a two-year post working with Bishop John and the Salford Diocese.

On the Road
In 1997, I represented the Bishop’s Conference at a meeting in Jacksonville, Florida. This led to other invitations and since then I have spoken at more than 500 conferences worldwide. Please take a look at the endorsements page to read recent evaluations. What a privilege it is to meet and work with people from other countries. I have contributed to the production of training resources in the USA, Canada as well as here in the UK. I am a regular contributor to the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California where over 30,000 delegates gather to hear some of the world’s most prolific religious writers; and I have spoken at some of the largest teachers events in Canada and appeared on Canadian TV.

Nearer to home I have enjoyed serving conferences in every diocese and corner of England and Wales and most of the dioceses in Scotland. As well as serving on several working parties for the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales, I have also guest-lectured at three English Universities.

Homework & Best Selling Author
In 2000 I scripted and presented the video series “You, Your Children and Their Catholic Faith” which sold widely throughout the English speaking Church. It’s embarrassing now because the style is so dated, but the material still enjoys good reviews. My two books The Reluctant Disciple and The Grateful Disciple (Redemptorist Publications) have done well. The Reluctant Disciple was Redemptorist’s best-selling book of 2015. You can view their website here.

Home
Alison and I married in 1989. That was my greatest ever decision. We have three grown-up children, Sam, Matt and Emily who each have a different way of making us laugh. Now in their 20’s, they give me hope. We also have a spoilt dog which does exactly what it likes, eats plastic and doesn’t give me any hope. In my free time, I enjoy spending time on the River Exe dodging the river ferries.

“You really do have a wonderful gift of bringing the Gospel to life and such a creativity in weaving in images to help us along the way in understanding the rather tricky thing which is our faith!”

JO FLOWER.
Plymouth CAST. Plymouth. UK. February 2018

“You were an absolute joy to listen to and I have been sharing your wisdom with all my colleagues this past week. Thank you for being so real, for awakening me, reminding me to better myself and to embrace showing tenderness to everyone around me.”

HEATHER WISHLOFF.
St Marguerite School. Spruce Grove. Alberta. Canada. May 2017