CHAMPIONS IN THE EAST MIDLANDS
Bedford - Jo Baxter PCS
I was diagnosed as a manic depressive in 2006. Following this I became more aware of the widespread nature of mental health issues, especially in the workplace. I was already a union rep and started to think about the connection of mental health with its perceived stigma to disciplinary procedures. I joined the E.D.E.N. network and from there found out about the course, which seemed the next logical step to becoming more knowledgable and therefore, more effective.
Belper - Mick Potter Unite
Burton Upon Trent - Steve Noble T&G
Whilst researching on the TUC site came across the link for this site. So I completed the form. I work in the distribution industry in warehousing. Since becoming a union representative I have become heavily involved with members who have issues but do not know or cannot for one reason or another find the relevant information to protect themselves at work or to demand what they should reasonably expect from their employer. The site I work on is a green field site built within the last three years it has disabled parking, disabled toilets and lifts to accommodate wheelchair users. What I think is that people automatically when hearing the word disabled have a picture in their head of somebody with a physical disability. In my experience this is not necessarily true.
Chesterfield - Andrew Fanshawe Unite
email me
|
Hello, my name is Andrew Fanshawe. I work for GKN and am a member of Unite. I completed my Disability Champions course at Sandwell College near Birmingham. I found out about the project at a union seminar. |
Chesterfield - Mike Fanshawe Unite
Chesterfield - Andy Stacey NASUWT
|
I have a disability - in fact lots of people have disabilities - which are not immediately apparent. We / they all need support sometimes, too. I think it’s a bit early yet to guess just how effective this can be.
. |
Cleethorples - Adrian Sanderson T&G
|
After hours of surfing the net I had a lucky find; Disability Champions@Work. After becoming disabled last year and finding out no one else at work really cares, I decided if something was going to be changed then I’d have to be the one to do it, and if I can help others on the way even better. It looks like this is a place for real people to get some real results |
Derby - Ian Malcolm-Walker Unison
email me
Derby - David Randle T&G
 |
I came across this project at the TUC Disability Conference 2006. I was recently finish work by my employer where I had worked for over 25 years. I became disabled after an accident and operation. |
My employer (a blue chip company) have very little provision for disabled people, I would like to be able to get employers to view people with disabilities more positively. I’m looking forward to being a part of the team, and learning more about being a Disability Champion
Derby - Steven Pickering Unite
|
My name is Steven Pickering, I am 27 years old and I currently work for
Rolls-Royce ( within Compressor Systems business unit). I am employed
as an (industrial) Radiographer. I have been a Union Workplace Rep since
October this year, and will hopefully complete courses in equality and
health and safety late 2004 early 2005.
|
| There are over 100 employees within the area that I work. In 2005-6 we
will be moving to a new facility in Sinfin, Derby. As a Disability
Champion I want to make sure awareness of disability issues are at the
forefront of planning before/during the move, and also continues
afterwards. I am looking forward to learning more about disability issues in
general, and also I hope to work with Managers, HR and Occupational Health
employees to ensure we do everything possible to build on work already
being done, hopefully providing a place of work more accessable and
open minded about disability issues.
|
Grimsby - Rachael Balcombe Unison
The NPS Health & Safety Officer approached me to be a representative for our Grimsby Field Office. With the work I do in the field office it seemed appropriate to extend the work I do a DSE assessor and as the responsible person for building inductions. Hoping I will be able to represent staff with DDA related issues in a positive manner and hopefully achieve a satisfactory working environment.
Grimsby - Sue Barnes GMB
 |
Hi I'm Sue Barnes I work at the Springboard Learning Centre at Birdseye Walls, I have worked in the Learning Centre for eight months. |
| I also work in the factory during the morning shift and my role is a skills Trainer and a level 1& 2 NVQ assessor. I am a member of the GMBU union and have become involved in the role of disability Champion rep to help me become more knowledgeable on disabilities at work and to help me deal with the learning needs of learners visiting the Learning Centre. |
Grimsby - Helen Jorgensen GMB
 |
I work for a frozen food company, where I am a shop steward and secretary of the GMB union on site.
I represent about 800 people as a shop steward, and also serve as a safety rep.
|
| On our site, we have one of only two sites in the country, which has a Learn Direct Centre run by the workforce, for their colleagues. I have particular interest in being a Disability Rep, because my partner is disabled. From personal experience I have seen the problems that he and I have had to contend with. Often your only defense is humour. I would like the knowledge to help those with disabilities in the workplace, and I believe this course will help. |
Grimsby - Terry Tidswell Unite
|
I want this course to help me to understand disabilities within the teaching and learning environment. How to adapt my teaching materials to help students who may have a disability within the classroom to acheive the course learning outcomes. also to make sure that everybody has an
|
equal chance within T&G union education. I'm not sure what to expect, I have done some work regarding Dyslexia etc I'm sure this course will help me understand more refarding disabilities.
Hinckley - Ron Fox Unite
I found this project through the Direct/Gov Website while looking for further information regarding disabled workers rights. I have recently become disabled myself and wanted to find out as much information as I could regarding my employment rights. I’m surprised by my employer’s lack of knowledge on the Subject
Ilkeston - Trevor Corney Unison
Kimberley - Janet Pearce Unite
Leicester - Adam Alarakhia CWU
Leicester - Liz Blackman GMB
Leicester - Nicola Coughlin CWU
Lincoln - Trevor Majer .
I found out about the role though the web site, and then being supported by my branch to apply to go on the course. I baecame involved to help me in my role as Disability Member Officer in raising awareness on disability issues, to support members and to pass on relevant information to my work colleagues
Luton - Sumon Bajaj PCS
Market Harborough - Jonathan Stevens PCS
I had just been appointed as my establishments Staff Disability Liaison Officer.
2. I witnessed the lack of help a new recruit recieved who was severly dyslexic and thought I'd like to get involved to improve matters.
Wow...I hadn't realised just how much work a Disability Champion is going to have to take on board. When asked to be the Staff Disability Liaison Officer I had kinda thought I'd just add this task to my current workload. Having now done the training I realise that if I'm to do the job as it should be done I'm going to have to negotiate with my employers that I be given the necessary time.
Matlock - Rose Palmer Unison
Melton Mowbray - Frank Worthington-Clarke GMB
Northampton - Steve Croke CWU
Nottingham - Anthony Barrable TSSA
I have represented individual cases which come under the DDA and wanted to get a greater appreciation of Disability issues, with a view to take forward ideas and a greater awareness. I feel that the course has equipted me with a valuable insite into the issues surrounding workers and the potential for futhering their rights in the worplace.
Nottingham - Lorraine Harding PCS
Nottingham - Rob Raynham PCS
Rugby - Colin Elcome CWU
Rugby - Nicola Warren CWU
Scunthorpe - Chris O'Sullivan GMB
Scunthorpe - Roy Spindley NAPO
I’m 57 years old and currently work for Humberside Probation based at approved premises Scunthorpe. I’ve been there since 1994. Previously I was a draughtsman/engineer contracting on Humber bank petro chem, and North Sea gas fields, after serving 12 years with British Steel including apprenticeship, water engineering and cost manager for engineering company.
I took 3 years out 1987 to1991 to gain degree BA Hons in social sciences. I had a slipped disk 1985 and have had back problems since then. I have also had both knees replaced since 2002. I became interested in disability issues since problems I had with probation service which in my opinion was leading to capability route.
Scunthorpe - Glyn Williams Unite
email me
 |
Hello my name is Glyn Williams I live in Scunthorpe and work at 2nd biggest steel works in Europe. Why have I become a Disabilities Champion, is it because I like to work? No it's simply an extension of the work I believe I do already as a union representative |
I came aware of the project in January at the Unite MSF Section President and Secretaries meeting at Whitehall College. As a union representative you should have as broad a knowledge as you can, so you can understand and assist your members in their everyday struggles. Remember a disability can affect you as well me, so come on and help us expand this network.
Thanks Glyn Williams
|
Scunthorpe - Andrew Wilson Unison
My wife has just been registered disabled and i realised i have no real experience with dealing with any matters that might arise in the future for her.
Sleaford - Howard Crosse PCS
I found out about this through the Eastern Disability Equality Network
I am a disabled person myself and I appreciate the additional and unnecessary challenges that society places on us. It's not about what we can't do, it's about what we can!
South Killingholme - Alison Dunn PCS
 |
I am married - no children have passion for painting and the arts - even had equity card at on time - on good terms with the present Doctor Who - (Don't ask for autographs!) spoils a good wee heavy and a dram. Currently work as VAT Officer at HMRC in Grimsby. |
Considered by others as having a walking problem so have a stick but not registered disabled. Nobody currently a champion in the building which houses 200-260 staff from Inland Revenue and HMRC together.
Watford - Jan Cannon USDAW
I found out about this project from a friend. Having over 600 members of staff many could be covered under the Act. I feel it would benefit staff with our attendance management policy (SYA) where staff are through fear attending work where if they had a Disability Champion recognition and adjustments would be managed better than it is at the moment. As a Health & Safety rep I would like to become more familiar with the DDA. At the moment when I raise these issue on behalf of staff members the response I get is that the person is not covered under the act. I look forward to be fully trained to adequately represent this group of workers.
Wellingborough - Paul Ims CWU
|
