#ToiletsForAll

In May 2023, I devised #ToiletsForAll campaign focused on changing the perceptions of the Changing Places toilets from people with severe needs/ those who need a changing table and/or hoist to everyone with all disabilities regardless of the severity. This coincided with the Changing Places Awareness Day on the 19 July.

As part of the campaign, I went to Downing Street to present a letter based on a national survey I devised and circulated to various disability charities/day services, social media and by word of mouth. The survey also went to the non-disabled community to gain their perspective on the scheme.

Please watch this video to tell you more about the campaign and the day itself!

Loneliness Awareness Week 2023

In June 2023, for Loneliness Awareness Week, I powerfully shared my personal experience of being lonely to Birmingham Live and is re-shared by The Mirror.

Health Education England's Disability History Month campaign 2022

As part of my co-chair role on legacy HEE's disability staff network, I led the organisation's campaign both internally and externally with a particular focus on the tone and messaging.

As part of the campaign, I conducted pledge follow up interviews with colleagues based upon the 2021's pledges.

Check them out below!

Malaika Lynch -

Diversity and Inclusion Programme Manager

Malaika’s 2021 DHM Pledge:

To continue to listen to the lived experience of colleagues at HEE who have a disability. Ensuring that their voices, thoughts and suggestions are considered and included in all that we do.

Guz Ali -

Programme and Contract Manager

Guz's DHM 2021 pledge:

I pledge to increase my own personal awareness and understanding of the range of disabilities that people experience and live with. I pledge to include and promote disability in all workstreams not just in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion workstreams.

#CPEverydayLife

To mark World Cerebral Palsy in October 2021, I launched an online social media campaign #CPEverydayLife which aims to raise an awareness and understanding of Cerebral Palsy through people doing every day activity with just one hand.

#CPEverydayLife GB News interview

The campaign featured on GB News where I was interviewed by Balvinder Sidhu.

Express & Star interview

The campaign also featured in the Express & Star.

#CPEverydayLife BBC Radio WM Interview

The campaign was also featured on BBC Radio WM.

Chronically Brown 'Living with Disability' event to mark South Asian Heritage Month

To mark South Asian Heritage Month 2021, I participated in Chronically Brown's ' Living with Disability' event alongside Donna Nahal and Rashmi Becker.

The focus was not only on my personal life with my disability but it was also my professional life and also featured the #CPEverydayLife.

West Midlands Young Combined Authority

Young people need to be involved in decisions around youth unemployment

As part of my role on the YCA in February 2021, I co-authored an article in FE Weekly around young people being involved in decision making around youth unemployment.

YCA Vision and Priorities for the Future

In February 2021, alongside fifteen board members we launched a Vision and Priorities Report with the support of Beatfreeks Marketing Agency and the West Midlands Combined Authority setting out our vision and priorities for the future of young people across the West Midlands and generations to come.

The report is based on seven areas including:

• Culture and major events

• Skills

• Digital

• Environment

• Transport

• Housing and regeneration

• Inclusive communities

• Wellbeing

YCA’s Disability History Month 2020

Within my social media role at the YCA, I hosted a podcast 'Include Us Too' with four board members sharing lived experiences with their disabilities.

Blogs and newsletters

Social media posts

Graphics