Trustees listing

• Gillian Hunter (Vice Chair)

  

  Gill Hunter

  Gill Hunter is our Vice Chair.

  What inspired you to apply to be a Trustee of Disability North?

  From the lived experienced gained from having a disabled son, I have learnt so much abouthow much built in institutionalized prejudice and discrimination there is against people with disabilities, how people with disabilities are stereotyped and marginalized and how poor the support available can be and how difficult that support can be to access, particularly whereneurodiversity is a factor. I wanted to be part of an organization such as Disability North that is trying to move the dial and change things at all levels to provide better understanding and support for issues that affect disabled people.

  One of the programmes I am particularly impressed by is the Independent Living programme. Disability North is one of the only organisations that focusses on meaningful and direct support for people with disabilities in this area.

  I own and manage a law firm and am currently running a change programme within my own business to address the current barriers to entry into the legal profession from a diversity perspective. We are aiming to create a stronger business through diversity and equitable access to our services and roles within our business for all. One of our key areas of focus this year is ensuring we are accessible to people with disabilities and that our people have an understanding of the issues faced by people with disabilities and are confident in talking about those issues in an appropriate way – a role within Disability North would provide great insight into best practice.

  I am a Geordie born and bred and I am passionate about the North East and would see this as an opportunity to contribute to the success of an organization that is strengthening and supporting the community that has supported me.

  In your view, what are the biggest issues currently facing disabled people in the North East?

  The issues facing disabled people in the North East are much more severe than in many parts of the country. The statistics tell a worrying story – much worse health outcomes, a large pay gap between disabled and non-disabled people and a lower social care spend. I am not an expert and can only speak from my direct experience, but the following are consistently talked about within my contacts:

  – Access to services and information – getting what is needed in a form and in a manner that is appropriate.
  – Access to support, including financial support. It is difficult to source information on what benefits and support are available and the application process is often complex and convoluted and can take a significant amount of time to secure the entitlements.
  – Access to jobs. There are many highly qualified and knowledgeable people with disabilities, who simply don’t get jobs as there is no equity in the application process and employers are reluctant to implement adjustments or don’t take the time to understand what adjustments could be made to ensure their workplaces are inclusive. There are too many businesses that approach inclusivity and diversity as a tick-box exercise rather than really seeking to create equity of opportunity.
  – There is a lack of understanding and fear about disability – people and specific disabilities are reduced to stereotypes and a one size fits all approach is adopted by many non disabled people. However, this is coupled with the impact of social media and fake news – people think they are really well educated about all sorts of issues, but much is based on misinformation and false assumption.

  What skills and values are you bringing to your trustee role at Disability North?

  I am a qualified lawyer with over 25 years’ experience and a great network, so should be able to find an answer on most legal issues!

  I have acted as an Academy Council member on an educational trust previously and have held a number of non executive directorships across a range of organisations from a not-for-profit contemporary arts production company, to a digital innovation company. This has taught me how to perform the role of ‘critical friend’ to different types of organisations and boards and given me an understanding of not for profit organisations, their drivers and key challenges.

  I am the owner and manager of a commercial law firm employing c65 people across the north and have also been involved in a number of other commercial ventures including a consultancy business and a holiday lettings business so I understand and have first hand experience of business, finance and people management through good times and the more challenging! I have also managed and led a number of significant change programmes – most recently following the departure of our founder from the business. These experiences, knowledge and skills mean that I will be able to contribute on a strategic and operational level to the work of Disability North.

  My values are fairly simple – I have a strong moral compass and I believe in doing what is right and fair, being willing to put my head above the parapet to stand up for things that I believe are important and I have integrity and authenticity at my core. I also very much believe that life is for living and we should all have the opportunity to live our best lives as our true authentic selves.

• Kathryn Morris
• Tanya Rowlands
• Tony Neal

  

  Tony Neal

  What inspired you to apply to be a Trustee of Disability North?

  When it comes to Disability, I am extremely passionate.

  At the core of everything I do is people. I have always had to fight- against exclusion, for inclusion, whether it be at school, work- for my children. I want to pass on my experience and knowledge so maybe those following don’t have to fight as hard.

  I am a firm believer that we can all thrive with the appropriate support and appropriate environment.

  I would like to be able to be part of continuing the excellent work that you have already undertaken, look at building a new strategy and even improve on the figures already displayed.

  In your view what are the biggest issues currently facing disabled people in the North East?

  Accessibility is one. Throughout the North East, there are restrictions to public transport. Buses often do not reduce in height to enable access, lack of dropped curbs etc. That is one example of accessibility that I have experienced, but other problems might be a lack of lifts, or public transport is full and so on.

  Negative attitudes of people towards disability, stereotyping, stigma, and discrimination and more are challenges people with a disability face every day.

  Much of our disabled community face exclusion from parts of society other people take for granted, feelings of exclusion lead to feeling less important, less included. This can lead to the feeling of isolation and being alone.

  There are extra barriers to overcome that may not be visible to the public. Not just a physical barriers, but also Systemic barriers, work-based barriers, communication barriers and as I have already mentioned technology/digital barriers.

  What skills and values are you bringing to your trustee role at Disability North?

  My passion for doing the right thing for others. I want the ability to share my lived experience of physical disability and neurodiversity to the benefit of others.

  I have always had to fight for inclusion.  I want to pass on my experience and knowledge so maybe those following don’t have to fight as hard.

  The reason I became a co-chair of our lived experience network was to make a difference, be that person who can facilitate that difference and not have to rely on others.

• Lucy Reynolds ( Chair )

  Dr Lucy Reynolds PhD is a public speaker, academic researcher, blogger and advocate for disability rights. She has Cerebral Palsy and employs Personal Assistants in order to live independently and enjoys a very active and fulfilling life. Lucy is passionate about exploring, challenging and changing perceptions of through sharing the insights and knowledge gained from her PhD research and first-hand through her own experiences. (more…)

• Lucy Pritchard

  I have over 15 years’ experience in developing and delivering engagement and marketing strategy, working in both the voluntary and Higher Education sectors. I am passionate about person centred approaches, effective people management and innovation. (more…)