Find the Disability Champions

CHAMPIONS IN SCOTLAND

Ayr - James McCahill Unite

I am 47 married with 2 kids who have both graduated from uni 1 in physiotherapy the other in occupational therapy. I have been at B.A.E, SYSTEMS for about 23 years. I have always taken an interest in fairness and equality and being slightly disabled myself I think I understand the problems a bit more than others

I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and contacting other DC`s. I have to own up and say that I have not started my training yet but there a few distractions as we as a company are being sold off and as deputy convenor I am quite heavily involved. Have no fear though I will complete my task.

If you require any further info do not hesitate to ask. I forgot to say that my disability is Vibration White Finger and I have some info on this subject which I hope to forward on, as my other disability is computers and spelling.

Bathgate - Andy Sharp Unite
Unite National Disabled Members' Committee

Carluke - Helen Newlands Unison

Coatbridge - Linda Johnston Unison

Cowdenbeath - Ralph Balfour Unison

Crieff - Malcolm Anderson Unite
I have been employed by the Ministry of Defence for over twenty seven years and have been a member of Unite since the early 80's. In 2000 I took over the role of Unite Convener for the Almondbank site and have had a few years as the Secretary before that. So I guess I have picked up a bit of experience representing my members on a number of issues. However, until recently my involvement in representing disabled members has been limited and therefore I feel that this is an area which I require further training/advice/guidance.

I believe the disability champions training will help me to successfully represent disabled members and ensure they are treated fairly and equitably, and in accordance with the law.

Cumbernauld - Alan Chapman Unison

As I am a deaf worker (or should I say hard or hearing?!) I thought I'd like to get involved and come on the training course.

Cumbernauld - Elaine Grubb Unison

Dumbarton - Grace Wardrop CWU
I'll be doing my training at Stow college. I was nominated by the workplace union reps. Being a Disability Champion looks like a challenging and satisfying role

Dundee - Debbie Clarke PCS
My branch informed me about this course. I want to ensure that there are people in my union and workplace that are more experienced in this area as we are dealing with more and more disability issues.

Dundee - Jim Devine PCS
My Union Learning Co-ordinator told me about this course. Having been involved in H&S issues where disability issues have overlapped this is a natural extention, gaining knowlege, contacts and sharing views to assist in representing members.

Dundee - Susan McLaren Unison

Dundee - Tony Sneddon CWU

Dundee - Alan Tait PCS

Dundee - Kenny Watson PCS

East Kilbride - Tom Coll Unison

Edinburgh - David Hop BECTU

Edinburgh - Tara Lillis NASUWT

Edinburgh - Helen Smailes Prospect

Elgin - Steve McBean Unite

My name is Steve McBean, 37 years old Married with 3 children living in Elgin Moray. I work for FR Aviation Services Ltd, working at RAF Kinloss carrying out maintenance on Nimrod Aircraft for BAE Systems and the Royal Air Force. I am the Unite Convener on site an also a Health and Safety Rep. We have just set up an SNVQ Training Centre on site and I am also an assessor. I attended the Glasgow Meeting and did not know what to expect, but it opened my eyes to what a disability is. I have a handicapped Brother-in-law and have seen the metalwork he can produce, it is better than many able bodied tradesmen. He can not read, write or use numbers.

I have signed up to be a champion, Because it looks like a good way to help me in my union duties being so far north.I handed out some leaflets at the Moray trades union council meeting an hope we can get some more Champions in this area.

Fife - Davie Hammond Unite
I hope to improve the standing of disability issues within the company and assist members with their local issues.

Forfar - Alan Valentine PCS
I’m doing the course at Dundee College. I found out about it through our Branch Learning co-ordinator and got involved due to a high prevalence of disability discrimination within my work place; I have dealt with many personal cases that involve disabled members of staff. Employers need to start following the Social model of Disability and ensure that they make adjustments to prevent the working environment negatively impacting on disabled members of staff.

Glasgow - Abdul Aziz Ahmed NASUWT

Glasgow - David Armstrong Unite

Glasgow - Elspeth Bettney CWU

I found out about this from Ted Stead and Paul Pritchard, CWU Disability Champion tutors. Its an extremely good course. I have learned so much more, even though I have promoted disability issues for around 9 years

Glasgow - Russell Bishop Unison

Glasgow - Alan Brown Unison

Glasgow - Piers Doughty-Brown CWU

Glasgow - Aileen Duncan Unison

Glasgow - Dennis Fallen Unite

Glasgow - David Grant Unison

Glasgow - John Heaney GMB

Glasgow - Debra Hicks Unison

Glasgow - Mae Johnston Unison

Glasgow - James McGowan Unite

Glasgow - Fiona McNeill Unison

Glasgow - Anne McPake EIS

Glasgow - Stephen Merchant Unite
I have been involved in Health, Safety and Well Being for over 20 years, as both a trade union safety rep and a chartered Health and Safety Professional. The main area of interest for me with regards to disability is Mental Health, which I feel is largely neglected at present time by most employers and organisations. I feel the "Disability Champion" provides a great opportUnite to take forward all the issues surrounding disability. Additionally it will be invaluable for everyone to share information and experiences.

Glasgow - Alex Miller FBU
I found out about this from my colleague Pat Hampsey who is our rep. Retention and recruitment of firefighters with a disability is now a common occurrence within the fire service and I feel that its our duty as a union and a rep to offer the best advice and support we can, it’s going to be challenging.

Glasgow - Heather Muirhead Unison

Glasgow - Peter O'Hara Unite

Glasgow - Angela Paton Unite

I am an Unite Safety Rep and a grants officer with the Big Lottery Fund. I have been involved in equalities for fifteen years and in health and safety for five. I have noted the lack of understanding at work for those disabilities concerning mental health.

Employers and workers alike tend to think only of physical disability because they can see that. I'd also like to see that more than lip service or assumptions are made for all disabled people, regardless of their disability.

Yours, in solidarity,

Glasgow - Gordon Simpson Unison

Glasgow - Robert Torbet Unite

Glasgow - James Walker Unite

Glasgow - Maureen Watson EIS

Glasgow - Steve Whitehall Unison

Glasgow - Ann Whitton CWU

Greenock - Tom Doig POA

Inverurie - Andrew Mitchell-Moore CWU

Irvine - Jim Curran Unite

Irvine - Gina Hay SSTA

I’m currently chair of the STUC Disabled Workers' Committee and have been involved in disability issues most of my working life. I’m very impressed with the way the course was presented and the issues it raises. Even although I consider myself knowledgeable on disability issues there were things introduced which I was unaware of.

Lanark - Henry Kilgour EIS

As a multi-establishment Learning Representative i have always been interested in supporting collegues gain access to required training. I want to extend this to include access to resources, etc that will allow all staff to have equal opportunities.

Lanark - Rhona Paterson Unison

Larkhall - Lesley Jurczyk Unison

Lerwick - Jane Haswell EIS I hop to increase my own awarness and to inform my work as a learning representative. As a union representative on the eqalities committee of my College I also felt I needed to increase my knowledge of current issues as well as creative positive initiatives to challenge overt & covert discrimination. I'm learning from the course and participants. Gaining information on resources.

Lesmahagow - Patrick Hampsey FBU

Leven, Fife - Iain Brown GMB
I became a champion in order to try and make working conditions and perseptions of disabled people better. I did my training online with East Riding College.

Motherwell - Jim France Unison

Motherwell - Deanne Wardrope NASUWT

Motherwell - Debbie Welsh GMB

Perth - Jock Munro FBU
I became a Disability Champion to learn more about what I can do to assist members with disabilities in their daily working life. By raising awareness and tackling the issues head on I would like to think there is more I could do. At present I assist members as problems arise, but at times that is too late and becomes a bigger fight. I would like to be more proactive and solve problems before they become a bigger issue. My main interest is with Mental Health.

Perth - John Oswald PCS I did the course in Dundee. I want to defend the terms, conditions and jobs of members in my branch of PCS.

Rosyth - Diane Bett Unite
I am currently working as an HR Adviser for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency, although having worked in Human Resources for six years I have not been directly involved with disabled members of staff until joining DARA.

Although I feel I have supported disabled colleagues to the best of my ability, as an HR practitioner I am keen to support the Disability Champions at work project and look forward to increasing my knowledge through the training provided by the project.

South Queensferry - Hillary Kirstine PCS

Stirling - Dawn McIlwraith Unison
I became a disability Champion in order to raise the awareness of the day-to-day diffculties disabled people tackle and to raise the profile of the need to resolve these issues and give us the rights and respect we all deserve. I want to learn and share that info to all. Access for All people should be standard practice. We all deserve to live our lives to their full potential in all areas.

• Town/City
• Surname