Claire Crossley I am first and foremost a parent! I have 4 children with a variety of needs and have experienced all aspects of services and tribunals in the last 20 years. My oldest son now 24 is entering his last stage of education and will be accessing a bespoke package to pursue his dream of being a gaming designer. I challenged my local council who have provided 24/7 care via a personal budget since…

Mathew Micklethwaite   Having spent over 10 years working within health and social care, working with many individuals from children and young people, up to older adults with varying needs leading into my current role as a service manager for children and young peoples service, and providing specialist and dedicated training for Ethical workforce solutions I have built a portfolio of knowledge, awareness and experience that can support many people to achieve and succeed. I…

Jacqui Darlington BEM I am a passionate campaigner for unpaid carers and adults with additional needs. I have lived experience of the struggles associated with caring for family members and raising a young person needing everyday support. This prompted to start the Out of Hours Club Rutland, a group for adults with additional needs who are isolated or at risk of becoming so to get together and go out ‘independently’ carrying out a range of…

Stephen Springer Following a road traffic accident in 1991 I became a tetraplegic (spinal cord injury level c5/6). I soon became aware of the challenges and difficulties of living with a disability, not only the strictures of the built environment and social attitudes but also the issues around finding and managing care, and navigating employment opportunities. And while there have been improvements over the past three decades there is still a great deal to be…

Peter and Kim Moore Peter’s choice of career in social care was influenced by his experience of being a child carer to his brother Stephen. Peter then spent his career trying to make things better for Stephen and other people. Peter trained as a social worker and spent most of his career as a senior commissioner in local authorities.Peter’s wife Kim trained as a learning disability nurse but then spent her career working as a…

Karen McCormick Karen is the founder of inCharge, a technology for self-directed support & shared family care. She is a thought leader on care technology and innovation. Karen is a family carer and PA employer for adult daughter she is also experienced in co-production. If you want to book Karen contact us HERE

Dr Miro Griffiths Dr Miro Griffiths is a Disability Studies scholar, based in the School of Sociology and Social Policy, at the University of Leeds. His research is associated – primarily – with understanding disabled people’s experiences of resistance, activism, social movement participation, and advocacy. His contribution to existing bodies of literature has progressed ideas and theories about power, resistance practices, and disabled people’s pursuit for liberation. Dr Griffiths is, also, prominent within social policy…

John Evans OBE John Evans is the best known and respected for  Disability Rights and Diversity. He works as a Consultant, Trainer and Researcher in the UK, Specializing in Independent Living and Disability Rights. He was one of the first persons to set up an Independent Living scheme in the UK and has been actively engaged with the Independent Living Movement of both the UK and Europe since their beginnings. He commissioned the first piece…