Can you help raise awareness and make improvements?
As reported in the May 2024 edition of The Rudd, I’ve been working to raise awareness of accessibility and make suggestions to the Parish Council for qu ite some time now, by listening to the needs of local people with disabilities, illnesses and conditions, and trying to make sure their voices are heard and considered.
However, my health has recently taken a turn for the worse – and I’ve come to realise I need some help to continue this work and make accessibility improvements to our lovely Ruddington community.
I’ve also recognised I need to work with people with different disabilities and conditions to my own, and that I can’t make as many changes alone as if I were to form a group (after all, one disabled person is just that: one disabled person!).
I’m therefore looking to form and work with a group of volunteers to help me advocate and campaign for positive changes. Ideally, you’ll have experience of living with, or knowing someone with, a disability (visible or invisible), long term health condition, chronic illness or neurodiversity; have caring responsibilities; or have any other experiences of disability.
The more diverse the new group becomes, the better the ideas we can generate and hopefully make a wider range of accessibility changes for as many Ruddington people as possible.
I’ve already been in contact with another Ruddington group and where possible we will be working together, which is lovely as the more awareness the better for all causes.
As a volunteer, you’ll work with local organisations and businesses to help make changes to the way people work, and plan how to make a positive impact on the lives of disabled people.
This could be through talking to local businesses or groups, posting on social media, sharing your experiences, providing feedback and suggestions, or just meeting up monthly and having coffee and a chat (or moan!) with likeminded people if you’d like to.
What the group is, how it works and how much can be changed will be shaped by the people who join it. I’m hoping to meet for the first time at the end of August (subject to spaces, availability and interest) – and I can’t wait to see what we can work towards together!
If you’d like to find out more, please contact me through my Facebook or Instagram pages (search for ‘Accessibility Matters Ltd’), or send me a text or WhatsApp message 07512 213 770. You can also email me at accessibilityinrudd@outlook.com.
Please share my request for volunteers with anyone who may be interested.
Jemma, Accessibility Matters Ltd / Accessibility in Ruddington