The Wheelchair Alliance, an organisation that champions the needs of wheelchair users, has appointed the founding members of the UK’s first national advisory network of wheelchair users, The Wheelchair Collective.
The appointment of representatives for all ten UK regions, alongside a Chair, follows a nationwide campaign by the Alliance earlier this year.
Selected from applicants with a combined reach of over 30,000 wheelchair users, The Wheelchair Collective brings together voices from every corner of the UK. The group will use their lived experience to help influence how wheelchair services in the UK are designed, delivered and improved.
The Wheelchair Collective representatives are:
- Chair - Damian Joseph Bridgeman
- London - Jade Carter-Williams
- East of England - Liz Owen
- Midlands - Lee Cairns
- North East and Yorkshire - Louise Tobin
- North West - James Hurn
- South East - Gina Perryman
- South West - Howl Baer
- Northern Ireland - Mary-Elaine McCavert
- Wales - Kerensa Phelps
- Scotland - Rosie Sinclair
Led by the Alliance and backed by funding by the RFU (Rugby Football Union) Injured Players Foundation (IPF), an independent charity that supports players who have sustained an acute life-changing injury whilst playing rugby union in England, this pioneering group will work with the Alliance to shape future strategy. As a consultative and advisory body, The Wheelchair Collective representatives will act as conduits between local communities, organisations, and the national advisory network , bringing forward insights, challenges and priorities from their region to ensure that wheelchair users’ lived experience informs national strategy, policy, and service delivery.
“Until now there has been no unified structure that represents wheelchair users’ collective interests at a national level, leading to fragmented service provision,” comments CEO of the Alliance Nick Goldup.
“Each representative of The Wheelchair Collective will play a vital role in bridging the gap between their local community and national policy, ensuring their lived experience informs the highest levels of government and the NHS.
“Together, we can’t wait to make positive change and shape wheelchair provision services to the benefit of wheelchair users nationwide.”
Speaking about why she chose to undertake the voluntary role, East of England representative Liz Owen said: “As a powered wheelchair user with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and multiple associated chronic conditions, I joined The Wheelchair Collective to connect with others who share the same passion for change, to learn from their experiences, and to bring my own lived experience and advocacy work to the group.
“I am passionate about making the world more inclusive for everyone and hope to help create a more accessible future by amplifying disabled voices and driving meaningful change across the UK."
