CHAMPIONS IN THE SOUTH EAST
Banbury - Caroline Bossom Unison
My Branch Sec informed me of the training. I am the Branch commitee's Disability Officer, so look as this as the next step in futhering my knowledge. great course!
Binfield - Andrew Farthing Unison
Brighton - Ian Evans Unite
Brighton - Rena Hope Unison
Bury St Edmonds - Sylvia Mallion PCS
I have been a Disability Champion for some time now, first thougths are, what a struggle i had to overcome the dis-interest and lack of time being given by management especially. I also had a few issues with other Union reps on site not showing any interest in the course i had just completed, all but one that is. I called a meeting to feedback form the course.
Chatham - Gavin Barr Unite
 |
I’m Gavin, I attend National Motor Components Meetings for the union. I am interested in any aspect of the trade union movement that effects the members in the company I work for. It is also hard for a non disabled person to fully understand a disabled persons |
problems, this is a good opportunity to begin learning more of the issues surrounding their lives.
Crawley - Gabriella Upton Unison
 |
I have been fighting the cause of Disability at work through Unison, as a Disability Officer, everyone has assumed that I am a Disability Champion. Therefore, I decided that I better become one. Ies interesting site and course. |
Crawley - Robert Hopkinson USDAW
I found out about this by attending TUC disability conference in 2007. As I am disabled and a health & safety rep, I wanted to be proactive to enable me to help other disabled colleagues.
Daganham - Paul Tucker CWU
Dartford - Howard Pearson Unite
Eastleigh - David Hibberd Unison
Enfield - John McIrvine CWU
Gravesend - Richard Cook Unite
Richard Cook Unite TUC Disability Committee Delegate from inception for 2 years? Amalgamation meant I stood down, because only one of two delegates could stand. Newsletter editor Trade Union Disability Alliance (TUDA) an organisation of disabled trade unionists. Branch secretary with a fully accessible branch, even the main door is automatic. Disability trainer who thinks non-disabled People benefit from training. National and Regional Unite Disability Committee. Labour party Disabled members Group, Gravesend Access group. Everything is not listed. Wheelchair user committed to do what ever I can to improve disabled peoples lives. I was honoured at the 2003 Disability Committee; the motion I moved was chosen the best motion. It went to the main TUC meeting and is now TUC policy. Despite my having a speech impairment. That was amazing.
Guilford - Kay Mackay Unite
Guilford - Cliff Parker Unison
 |
I am A branch steward and I am responsible for disability and diversity, I am also a health and safety representative, I was attending a the health & safety stage 2 course at college when I became aware of the Disability Champions Course. |
I have been a Diversity Champion and Improving Working Lives Champion for over three years, My current post where I work is Diversity Support Officer, one of my key responsibilities is Disability, as a disabled person I a very aware of disability needs and the need to hear from disabled people about what thier needs are. I have always supported diversity and disability. Yes I would like to be able to support people in the same way that I would like to be supported
Hamble - Keith Neale Unite
email me
|
I'm recently divorced with three adult children and three grandchildren. I'm a Production Engineer for an Aerospace company called 'Aerostructures' (part of the Smiths Group) in Hamble near Southampton. I AM disabled...that's true but, if I was famous I wouldn't want Michael Aspel to dwell on it. |
| I ride a Motorcycle and sometimes an adapted Trike and certain people refer to me as 'A Biker'. (I've NEVER had a Car) But....I hate the term 'Biker' and get annoyed when people assume that's ALL I want to talk about. I'm 48....two years away from the age group targeted by Frank Windsor & June Whitfield in 'those' irritating adverts. So....I'll be in a Cardie and Slippers before you know it..."No Chance".
I became involved in 'Disability Issues' after becoming disabled myself. Whilst in a Wheelchair I grew to really dislike the way I was now perceived by 'some' people. Spoken to, as if I was mentally retarded or deaf or, if someone was with me, ignore me and talk to them (as if I was deaf!) Now I'm out of the Wheelchair. I would like to help change both the able bodied and some of the disabled's perception of a disabled person. You don't HAVE to be in a Wheelchair. You don't have to be elderly. You don't have to drive a Car. Most of us are not 'deficient' in any other way.
|
Iver Heath - Yvette Hockley Unite
My name is yvette Hockley and I am a member of TGWU soon to be Unite. I work for Mind and became interested in disabilities issues after being diagnosed with ME last year. I want to ensure that everyone no matter who they are or what problems they have get the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Lancing - S Goddard Unite
Maidstone - Paul Hardisty Unison
I found out about Disability Champions from SERTUC. I work for Kent Police and got involved to ensure Disabled People are Fairly represented and Equality for All. I was Equality for all and Disabled People have skills and they want to work and be treated with dignity and respect and fairly.
Maidstone - Clare Hatfull POA
I have worked in the Prison service for the last 8 years , employed as a nurse. I have been a union rep for the last four years and was elected branch secretary earlier in this year. I have represented a few staff with disability issues, negotiated reasonable adjustments and have promoted disability issues in the workplace. I was a member of the NEC Disability Advisory Committee of the POA and have recently applied to be a Disabled member of the newly formed NEC Diversity Committee. I am also a member of HODS (Home Office Disability). I am a very active union representative and I am always keen to gain my knowledge and skills to assist the members of my branch and promote disability issues within the prison setting, affecting both staff and prisoners.
I am 46 years old and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis over 20 years ago. I had been relatively stable until four years ogo, when after major surgery I had a severe relapse of the RA. As a result, I am now on the TNF blocker Enbrel, and inject myself twice a week. Since being on this drug I have made a dramatic improvement, in fact I would say it has been life changing. I also have a chronic back condition probably due to years of nursing and lifting heavy patients, for this I have regular epidurals to combat the pain. At present, I have some difficulty walking long distances, climbing stairs, lifting anything heavy and stiffness in my left thumb and wrist, though this varies from day to day. Obviously that could be a very different scenario, if I wasn’t on the Enbrel. After recent surgery to my foot, my walking should improve with continued trips to the gym and physio and hydrotherapy.
As a result of my condition I now fit the criteria of the DDA, and reasonable adjustments have been made which means I continue to work full time. I now have a yearly review, unless anything comes up in the mean time. I do have time off work for physio, hydrotherapy and when I go into hospital for my epidurals which is now counted as Disability leave. I recently had three weeks Disability leave, when a measles outbreak in the prison meant that due to my reduced immune system I could not stay at work, because catching measles could have proved fatal for me! I have had no sick days apart from when I was off for two operations. It has not been all plan sailing though and I needed support and representation of my union colleagues to get to this point.
Portsmouth - C Humphreys Unite
Reading - Michael Beaven Unite
Reading - Elaine Harris Unite
Shefford - Kevin Rodgers Unison
Slough - Martin Hunt Unite
My name is Martin. I had a stroke in July 2002 which was diagnosed as a multiple stroke by scan in October 2002. I was a member of RNID but have ceased my membership and will soon be joining the BDA. I have had other bouts of illness that has incapacitated my earned income. I have been nominated by the AEEU to be a delegate to the TUC Disability Conference in December 2003 of which I am extremely proud.
I am a member of BCODP and have nominated myself to serve on the new UK Disability Parliament, this is an all 100% disability members org who are dreadfully short of funds. I have been a member of TUDA for many years and look forward to meeting you on the 28th April. I am also attending the European disability review conference at Congress House on July 15th.
I start my Online Learning Reps Course on the 11th April at North London. I intend to complete my ECDL certificate in June 2003. I am 62 years old in May My wife's name is Pamela and she is a member of MSF. I have two additional ladies in my life Bonny a Cairn Terrier and Bubbles a Bichon Frise. A strange mixture of Beauty & the Beast and I love them dearly. Now you know my weakness, I am potty dog lover.
Slough - Shabnam Iqbal USDAW
Slough - Luxi Kaur USDAW
Southampton - Pam Luff Unison
Southampton - Michael Toulouse Prospect
Always been interested in the subject, wished to have greater involvement, and help. Start from small base, hopefully to graeter involvement.
Southampton - Patricia Webb PCS
Southend-on-Sea - Darrell Binding PCS
 |
I was told about this by an existing Disability Champion recently qualified, Alan Dunn. I have been doing work setting up a Regional Disability Equality Network for my Union called EDEN and feel I need some training and awareness on legislation and issues. |
I am acting Chair of the PCS Eastern Disability Equality Network (EDEN) and wish to promote and campaign on disability issues, as a disabled person.
Just completed the course at Peterborough today (20th February 2008) and feel great along with my other 16 PCS colleagues who did the same
St Albans - Eileen Francis Unite
Staines - Linda Henderson TSSA
Sunbury-on-Thames - Terry Williams Unite
Twickenham - Nazir Dar Unite
Uckfield - Ray Whiteway-Roberts Unison
Waterlooville - Maree Gibbins Unite
Woking - Nigel Bulbeck Unite
I am 44 years old. I suffer with a neuro-genetic disorder called Familial Spastic Paraplegia; this was diagnosed in 1990. I am officially registered as a Disabled member of society. I am still able to walk about unaided but I do have difficulty with downward slopes and steps. I have a car which is a normal manual gearbox and does not have adaptions. So all in all I am luckier than most disabled people.
I live in Farnham in Surrey and have lived in the area all my life. Get about a lot don't I.
I work for an insurance company called Allianz Cornhill in Woking, Surrey. I have been with Allianz for 3 years.
As a disabled person all things related to disabled persons are close to my heart. I would love to be able to work for an organisation that deals with disabled issues.
Woking - Christopher Elson Unite
email me |
I am a Church of England Vicar and Local Rep for the Unite MSF Clergy & Churchworkers Branch. We are a national branch representing both those who are employed by Churches and the ministers who are not legally regarded as employees. |
Because our members are spread all over the country and, apart from some major national headquarters, are scattered in ones or twos we have a particular challenge in building the fellowship and support that Union Membership can bring. However the muddle about who is employed and what you can do with them gives rise to all sorts of injustice which make representing our members particular interesting!
Most religious organisations are just beginning to come to terms with the "service provider" demands of the Disability Discrimination Act and have given little or no thought to the employment practice provisions however I am looking forward to working with colleagues to bring this matter to the attention of those who make the decisions.
Both my wife and I have disabilities though these are not immediately apparent and I am therefore interested in seeking support and understanding for all sorts of disability. I have experience of taking a case to Industrial Tribunal under the provisions of the DDA and we were very pleased to win. However the role I see for the Champions in the future is to avoid that sort of legal expense and unpleasantness by getting those who are responsible for the workplace to treat disabled people fairly and reasonably. I hope that with the expertise I am developing in my own specialist "industry" we will soon see good policies being introduced.
|
