This Disability Pride Month, we decided to host a celebratory event, not only to say thank you, but also to showcase how our Access Champions and Craftivists are using lived experience as a tool for social change and creating a community where we feel valued, included, and supported by one and another.

These passionate local Disabled people are shaping change locally by challenging barriers, influencing decisions, creating welcoming spaces, and helping each other to lead.

We shared an overview of the impressive achievements of the Access Champions – some of which you can read about here. Access Champion, Simon Bruton (pictured above), then shared some of his work and the change that it has influenced. You can read here, for example, about how he worked with other Access Champions and the Mitcham Town Centre Manager to ‘ramp up accessibility’ in Mitcham.

We also heard from Access Champion Liz Muir, who spoke about her work to make Wimbledon Common more accessible, and Access Champion Sarah Henley, who shared her efforts to push Wimbledon Theatre to fix its lift.

We also gave an overview of Craftivism and Chat and how members are building skills and confidence to lead sessions that are influencing collective wellbeing. Craftivist Renata Russo shared her story about how she was supported to develop a creative idea that led to the creation of ‘art for the mind’, a series of online Craftivism and Chat sessions that supported local Disabled people to use art to navigate wellbeing. Renata spoke of how being a Craftivist has supported her to ‘increase her inner knowledge and wisdom to support others’.

We also heard about Craftivist Nicolette and her journey to learn more about event management and shape Craftivism sessions, and Craftivist Ana Lapsa, who used the medium of collage to direct a session that left attendees feeling ‘able to express their emotions’ and ‘like everyone connected’.

This event was a beautiful example of what can be achieved when we come together, mobilise our lived experience, and build the relationships that make change possible. Interdependence is key to us achieving our vision of a society where we can live as full and equal citizens in all aspects of life and lead systemic change.

If you are interested in one day becoming an Access Champion or Craftivist and would like some support to build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed, find out more about our Building Disabled Leaders programme here.

If you feel like you already have the skills needed to become an Access Champion, express your interest by emailing info@mertoncil.org.uk