Experience

Policy Connect

• United Kingdom
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Policy Manager (Assistive and Accessible Technology)

  • Sep 2022 - Present

  Supporting the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Assistive Technology and the ATech Policy Lab.• Lead researcher for the APPG's current report on technology use in supported employment.

• Policy Project Coordinator (Assistive and Accessible Technology)

  • Jan 2022 - Aug 2022

  • Working with public, private and third sectors across multiple policy areas (education, employment, care and independent living, research and innovation, technology, disability and ageing, accessibility and inclusive design, trade and growth)• Organising policy design workshops and public events with high-profile participants • Events-focused research (writing briefings and workshop outcomes papers)• Coordinating communications (social media, blogs, media articles)



The Disability Policy Centre

• United Kingdom
• Think Tanks
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chair of the Disabled Women in Politics Network

  • Apr 2023 - Present

  The Disabled Women in Politics Network meets every other month and is run in partnership with Elect Her CIC and Centenary Action Group. The Network is a safe space for disabled women to share their experiences and support each other. The Disabled Women in Politics Network meets every other month and is run in partnership with Elect Her CIC and Centenary Action Group. The Network is a safe space for disabled women to share their experiences and support each other.



Community TechAid

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Board Trustee

  • Mar 2023 - Present



Freelance

• Independent Disability Consultant

  • Aug 2021 - Nov 2021



Inclusion London

• United Kingdom
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Policy and Campaigns Officer

  • Jul 2020 - Jul 2021

  Gathering evidence, as well as carrying out policy and campaigning work, on the impact of the Covid-19 emergency on Deaf and Disabled people including the experience of shielding and self-isolation, the impact on social care/independent living support and the implementation of the Coronavirus Act. Gathering evidence, as well as carrying out policy and campaigning work, on the impact of the Covid-19 emergency on Deaf and Disabled people including the experience of shielding and self-isolation, the impact on social care/independent living support and the implementation of the Coronavirus Act.



Leonard Cheshire

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Change 100 Ambassador

  • Oct 2019 - Jul 2020

  Change 100 is a programme of paid summer work placements, mentoring and professional development, designed to support talented university students and recent graduates with any disability or long-term health condition. The programme aims to remove barriers experienced by disabled people in the workplace, giving interns the opportunity to work within leading organisations across the UK and helping them to achieve their potential and thrive. As a Change 100 ambassador and alumni of the programme, I will be: • promoting the programme amongst my personal and professional networks, such as students, universities and employers, by drawing on my personal experiences of the programme • attending university careers fairs, events and seminars at my current/previous/local university • speaking at Change 100 Peer Development Sessions • writing emails and blogs to reach my network or engaging with the programme on social media to raise awareness of Change 100 • shortlisting future Change 100 applicants and assisting at Assessment Centres following relevant training and modules at Leonard Cheshire Disability I also have consultancy experience of disability training for employers through this role. Show less



University of Birmingham

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Disability Services Ambassador

  • Jun 2018 - Jan 2020

  I worked with the Disability, Mental Health and Learning Support Services department at UoB as a Disabled Student Peer Support Ambassador acting as a buddy to new disabled students starting in Welcome Week and as assistance during events in Welcome Week.I was also involved in a project aimed at widening the use of assistive technologies across the student body by evaluating nine assistive technology applications. I presented my findings at a number of 'Starting the Conversation' workshops to stakeholders at the University such as the Careers Network team, Welfare tutors, Library staff and external stakeholders providing assistive technologies. I also presented the benefits of the reviewed technologies to students within my course - Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences and at a conference on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.I also audited disability signage and testing of the University accessibility 'Map App', as well as authoring a series of blog posts on the reviewed assistive technologies in my role as an Assistive Technology Blogger. Show less

• Student Recruitment, Outreach and Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Ambassador

  • Nov 2013 - Jun 2019

  I worked for the Outreach and Student Recruitment teams undertaking the following roles:- Campus tour guide- Assistance on Open, Accommodation and Offer-Holder Visit days- Developing and delivering presentations during school visitsI also worked for my course department as a Liberal Arts and Sciences ambassador on Offer-Holder Visit days as:- Campus tour guide- Assistance on Offer-Holder Visit days- Filming volunteer

• Birmingham International Academy Ambassador

  • Jul 2016 - Jul 2018

  Duties included helping in the running of cultural trips, administrative duties and assistance at airports for arriving Birmingham International Academy pre-sessional summer school students.

• Student Experience Assessor Intern

  • Jul 2017 - Sep 2017

  I worked within the School of School Policy as part of the Student Experience and Enhancement team to investigate, develop and deliver a report. I made sector and university wide recommendations and best practice guidelines for a number of student groups, with a view to improving student experience in the long term. My main projects focused on: Postgraduate students, International students and Student Parents and Carers.Although this report was commissioned for the School of Social Policy in the College of Social Sciences, my manager used the recommendations to improve the wider student experience in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences too, in the following academic year, which I assisted with. Show less

• Library Steward

  • Sep 2016 - Sep 2016

  I assisted patrons and library staff during the inaugural opening of the new library with a service-focus to provide a positive experience.



Civil Service Fast Stream

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• SDIP Intern

  • Jul 2019 - Sep 2019

  I was successfully admitted on to the competitive Civil Service Fast Stream internship programme (Summer Diversity Internship Programme). I learned about the Civil Service and its initiatives to recruit individuals from diverse backgrounds through central events in London, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities. Central events attended included: - SDIP Disability Skills workshop - Ministry of Defence Crisis Management Simulation - A Diverse and Inclusive Civil Service - SDIP closing ceremony with senior Civil Servant diversity and inclusion champions from the Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Policy and the Social Mobility Commission. Show less



City of Wolverhampton Council

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Housing and Homeless Strategy Assistant (Change 100 Intern)

  • Jun 2019 - Sep 2019

  I prepared and assisted in the preparation, monitoring, review and delivery of housing strategies, policies and plans by: - providing a research and information service to enable appropriate forward planning and strategic decision making - collating, commissioning and analysing a range of data to inform the delivery of housing related services and strategies - keeping abreast with sector developments and engaging with other services and multi-agency working - project managing a review of temporary accommodation I developed housing needs information including general needs and specialist housing, providing analysis and advice on housing needs information/requirements. I assisted in the development and management of the Council’s contractual relationships with its housing management agents. Show less



National Union of Students (UK)

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Disabled Students Committee - Women's Place

  • May 2018 - May 2019

  I represented the voices of students, who identified as disabled and as women, nationally at NUS Disabled Student Conferences and sector meetings. I effectively communicated the interests of disabled students through social media campaigns, committee meetings, at national events and in the UK Parliament. Following a roundtable discussion with the former Minister for Universities and Science (Chris Skidmore), I facilitated partnership building with Thomas Pocklington Trust and the NUS Disabled Student’s Campaign to improve Disabled Student’s Allowance provision in Higher Education for student's with a visual impairment. In relation to this, I was involved in a photography campaign called Unfiltered Lives, which focuses on the impact of academic research and showcases those who have been affected by the research carried out at the University of Birmingham's College of Social Sciences. Show less



University of Birmingham Guild of Students

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Disabled Students' Officer

  • Mar 2018 - Dec 2018

  In this position I represented the voices of all disabled students at UoB. I was elected on a mandate to campaign for more counsellors, improve accessibility on campus and oppose the privatisation of local mental health services by working with stakeholders on campus, regionally and nationally. This role included working with the full-time officer team, other part-time officers within the Guild, University professional services such as the Disability services, the NUS Disabled Students' Campaign, the UoB Disability and Mental Health Students' Association and student activists. Show less

• NUS Delegate - Disabled Student's Conference

  • May 2018 - May 2018

  I was elected into this position through a cross-campus election to represent the University of Birmingham nationally at the National Union of Students' Disabled Students' Conference. This was on a mandate to continue opposition to cuts to Disabled Students' Allowance and mental health services. I also ran for a committee position, which I was successful in being elected to, as the Women's Place on the NUS Disabled Students' Committee.



University College Dublin

• Ireland
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• UCD Foundation Fundraiser

  • Sep 2015 - Apr 2016

  On my study year abroad, I negotiated with old and new alumni as a fundraiser for the University College Dublin Foundation Charity's UCD Scholarship Programme, so that bright students from a widening participation background were able to fund their studies at UCD. This was a success as targets for scholarship funding were reached. On my study year abroad, I negotiated with old and new alumni as a fundraiser for the University College Dublin Foundation Charity's UCD Scholarship Programme, so that bright students from a widening participation background were able to fund their studies at UCD. This was a success as targets for scholarship funding were reached.