From Personal Experience to Community Impact

Graphic with ombre purple background darker at the top and lighter at the bottom, with white text in the centre that reads, 'From Personal Experience to Community Impact'. At the top left, a person is seated with their head in their arms with an arrow pointing towards to the words 'community impact'. Bottom right is a megaphone.

When I took on the role of trustee at Equal Lives, I didn’t make the decision lightly. It came from a desire to advocate for those with disabilities we can’t see. Disabilities that are often misunderstood or dismissed because they aren’t immediately visible.

My passion for this work comes from seeing my mum experience life with chronic illness. If you passed her on the street, you wouldn’t know the challenges she faces. Because of this, I’ve witnessed how often her struggles have been dismissed and overlooked simply because they weren’t visible.

It's a common misconception that disability status always requires a wheelchair.

Before the pandemic, my mum was told to appear in person for a benefits assessment, or she would lose all assistance. However, travelling from Yarmouth to Norwich by bus and finding her way to the assessment centre was evidence enough that she was fit for full-time work. It felt like a no-win situation.

But what hurt most wasn’t just the injustice, the dismissal or the appeals process; it was the impact on my mum’s view of herself. After years of being told she wasn’t ill enough, wasn’t disabled enough, she believed it and stopped trying to ask for help. That’s the harm this treatment of disabilities can do.

I’m neurodiverse myself, diagnosed with AuADHD (autism and ADHD) and dyslexia, and I know how common it is for people with neurodivergent conditions to feel they don’t belong in the disabled community; some even view it as empowering, but it isn’t. When people are convinced that they don’t need or deserve adjustments, they stop asking for access to the tools, support, and opportunities that would allow them to thrive. That’s not empowerment, that’s exclusion in disguise.

I became a trustee to help break these barriers. Being part of Equal Lives allows me to listen, learn, and speak up. It gives me insight into the lives of disabled people across Norfolk. I have a chance to use my voice to help lift others, and that’s something I feel proud of every day.

Being a trustee isn’t as daunting as it sounds. It’s not about endless hours, complex paperwork, or complicated commitments. We attend meetings throughout the year (in person and online), share our experiences and perspectives, and help guide the charity’s work. It’s about being part of a team that cares and making a meaningful difference in your community.

If you’re considering becoming a trustee, I encourage you to take that step. It’s a chance to support real, positive change and help build a fairer, kinder world for everyone.

Written by Katie Robinson-Sherlock

To enquire about becoming a trustee please contact our Chief Executive for an initial discussion. You can call him on 01508 491210 or email him ben.reed@equallives.org.uk.