Ambassadors for disabled people’s user led organisations
Published 2 November 2012
© Crown copyright 2012
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ambassadors-for-disabled-peoples-user-led-organisations/ambassadors-for-disabled-peoples-user-led-organisations
The Strengthening DPULOs programme ended in March 2015. This document is out of date.
The ambassadors for disabled people’s user led organisations (DPULOs) will help the organisations organisations become more sustainable by:
- promoting the ‘Strengthening DPULOs’ programme
- encouraging the sharing of good practice between DPULOs
Aidan Toomey
Aidan started his career as an access officer with Chester City Council. He worked on projects specific to the disability community and improving Chester as an accessible city. He then worked at the Disability Rights Commission on web and software access projects. He has a background in training and teaching on D/deaf equality. Aidan is employed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Aidan covers:
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- West Yorkshire
- Manchester
- Burnley
Contact – Aidan.ToomeyDPULO@gmail.com
Barry Ginley
Barry is a highly motivated, focused and proactive leader, with excellent influencing skills. He developed these skills working at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) where he works as Head of Disability and Social Inclusion. Barry leads on strategy and policy development, ensuring the V&A becomes an inclusive place to work and visit.
Barry covers:
- Kent
- Surrey
- Sussex
Contact – b.ginley@vam.ac.uk
Lynne Turnbull
Lynne is a dynamic, innovative leader who has the ability to envision and create positive outcomes for disabled people. As Chief Executive Officer for Cheshire Centre for Independent Living, a highly regarded DPULO, she brings extensive experience, skills and passion to the role of ambassador.
Lynne covers:
- Cheshire
- Staffordshire
- Derbyshire
- Preston
- Lancashire
Contact – lturnbull.dpulo@btinternet.com
Margaret Simpson
Margaret has drawn on her lived experience to be heavily involved in the voluntary and community sector. Her main areas of interest are enabling organisations to develop and be sustainable. Her roles include Director of Scottish Borders Social Enterprise Chamber, Convenor of the Community Care Forum and active involvement with local agencies on disability issues.
Margaret covers:
- Scotland
Contact – margaretdpulo@live.co.uk
Mike Adams
Mike is the Chief Executive of ecdp, a DPULO in Essex. He previously held senior management roles at the Disability Rights Commission and the National Disability Team for higher education. He has 6 years non-executive director experience at an acute hospital and is currently a non-executive director at a publicly-listed private company involved in the social care sector.
Mike covers:
- Essex
- Bedfordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Suffolk
- Norfolk
- Cambridgeshire
- East London boroughs
Contact – madams@ecdp.org.uk
Oliver Wood
Oliver is a governor of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and a Director of Tyneside Mind. He’s been involved in the disability movement for 10 years. He believes inclusion works and will embed this and a commitment to the social model of disability in his role as ambassador.
Oliver covers:
- North Yorkshire
- Durham
- Northumberland
Contact – oliverwoodnkau@gmail.com
Sue Rickell
Sue has been a disability consultant working in disability and development for 30 years. She applies her leadership, training and facilitation skills to empower disabled people and those who support them. She hopes her experience in the voluntary and statutory sectors will enable her to support DPULOs within their communities.
Sue covers:
- Bristol
- Gloucestershire
- Somerset
- Wiltshire (south)
- Cornwall
Contact – sue.rickell@alliesinchange.org.uk
Taiba Yasseen
Taiba has over 20 years experience of community engagement, equalities, media, law, and arts. She is a strategic manager working with public, private and voluntary organisations. Her engaging approach draws on cultural and social perspectives, reflected most recently in her documentary work for Channel 4.
Taiba covers:
- the north of the UK
Contact – taiba.dpulo@yahoo.com
Tess McManus
Tess is one of Inclusion London’s Strategic Development Officers. She provides infrastructure support to London’s DPULOs. She has over 20 years’ experience as a trainer and consultant in grass roots DPULOs and has an in-depth understanding of the strengths and challenges of these organisations.
Tess covers:
- Dorset
- Devon
- north London
Contact – tess.mcmanus@gmail.com
Tina Jones
Tina manages an emerging DPULO called Listen not Label – a pan-disability organisation that has a community involvement infrastructure and is developing a Volunteer Peer Support service. Tina has previous experience in managing a more traditional DPULO and has worked as a local authority disability officer, leading on the creation of their disability equality scheme. Tina hopes to bring her current and previous experiences to the ambassador role.
Tina covers:
- Shropshire
- Worcestershire
- Herefordshire
- Northamptonshire (south)
- Birmingham
Contact – tina.jones@listennotlabel.org.uk
Tom Hendrie
Tom provides Equality Act training. He is also developing a centre for independent living and a social enterprise controlled by disabled people, working with a consortium of several DPULOs. He hopes to bring his skills from local government and his experience as an activist in the disability movement to his role as an ambassador.
Tom covers:
- Cumbria
- North Yorkshire
- Lancashire (north of the Pennines)
Contact – tom.hendrie@btinternet.com
June Best
Since her early retirement from a wide and varied career within education, June has been an educational advisor and equality training consultant. She is currently a dedicated volunteer and Service User Representative within Guide Dogs and Convenor of the Information and Training work group of Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC). June adopts a person-centred ethos, continues to empower others and embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity
June covers:
- Northern Ireland
Contact – june2best@btinternet.com