Today is #IDPWD—a day to champion accessibility, inclusion & breaking down barriers for Disabled people everywhere.
Shoutout to #SDMNetwork member Claire Fisher at Inclusion Barnet: a tireless advocate whose work drives real change & ensures Disabled voices are heard.
Shift the narrative! A powerful read from proud trans activist @oscarsharples.bsky.social focusing on #TransJoy and radical community care. 🏳️⚧️
Read on: www.sounddelivery.org.uk/2025/07/what...
#TransRights #LGBTQIA #LivedExperience #Allyship #SDMNetwork
PUNCH the story behind the bold play: Watch our Q&A, chaired by Lady Unchained of the #SDMNetwork, to hear how Jacob Dunne's life is sparking a national conversation:
#SDMNetwork leader Stephen Arnott (Redeyefeenix) and Beats Bus Records were featured in a three-part series on @bbc5live.bsky.social this week! 📻
The Beats Bus crew run a mobile studio that brings hip-hop, mentoring, and a safe space to young people.
Listen now! 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5nv...
Powerful read in @bigissue.com from Hameeda Khan, CEO of PEP Enterprise and #SDMNetwork member.
She reflects on the heavy price individuals pay for speaking out about racism in Britain.
A necessary piece for anyone committed to racial equity. buff.ly/6ea9h7j
Samantha Southern, from our #SDMNetwork, was featured by the BBC this week to share her upcoming role in leading
the Baton of Hope to Blackpool in honour of her husband Glen who lost his life to suicide in 2020.
📖Read the full article here:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Today is #BrightonPride, the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ festival! If you’re not able to make it to the celebrations, take a moment to read & share Oscar Sharples’ piece on #TransPride an joy.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/tran... #Pride2025 #SDMNetwork
group photo of 15 people behind the news desk at ITV News studios.
Our July news is out now 📣
It’s been an exciting month as our 2025 #SDMNetwork visited @itvnews.bsky.social & @bigissue.com HQs
We share their 1st vlogs & opinion pieces on media narratives, challenging the welfare reforms & more.
Plus what's on our storytelling radar: mailchi.mp/sounddeliver...
📑 NEW: Oscar’s Blog - 'What I wish you'd ask me about transness'
#SDMNetwork member, Oscar Sharples shares what he wishes cis people knew about the intricacies & joys of trans identity.
“But they never ask the right questions.”
🔗Read: www.sounddelivery.org.uk/blog/what-i-...
#TransRights
📑 NEW: Diane Johnson, Founder & CEO of EnFold, writes for The Big Issue about the Welfare Bill’s painful impact on the autistic community. She calls for lived experience to shape every stage of reform.
Read her first op-ed via our #SDMNetwork: www.bigissue.com/opinion/welf...
#DisabilityJustice
🗞️ Want to hear more stories from our Spokesperson Network, updates, and lived experience voices changing the narrative?
Subscribe to our newsletter: eepurl.com/dsWRCv
#SDMNetwork #LivedExperience
🎥 NEW: Diane Johnson, Founder & CEO of Enfold and one of our brilliant Spokesperson Network members, shares how our residential helped her grow her skills, amplify her expertise & connect with others with lived experience.
Watch her vlog:
#SDMNetwork #LivedExperience #Storytelling
📰 Our June newsletter is out!
Inside: our Spokesperson Network residential, a multi-year grant from @esmeefairbairn.bsky.social, #JudesBigSwim, updates from our Network + more.
Catch up: mailchi.mp/sounddeliver...
#SDMNetwork #LivedExperience #SocialJustice
NEW: Marissa Begonia (Voice of Domestic Workers) writes for The Big Issue on why the UK must reinstate the original Overseas Domestic Worker visa and end the Hostile Environment.
She recently took these demands to a UN roundtable on modern slavery.
🔗 www.bigissue.com/opinion/dome...
#SDMNetwork
#SDMNetwork @janjengba.bsky.social and @jengba.bsky.social families interviewed in @mirrortogether.bsky.social ahead of their stories of #JointEnterprise being shared on stage at #Bradford2025
A photo of Valerie Lolomari, a Black woman. She has long, wavy brown hair. She is wearing drop earrings and a brightly patterned dress in shades of blue, white, brown, and gold, smiling against a bright blue background. “I want to be a Spokesperson to amplify unheard voices, challenge harmful narratives, and advocate for change that empowers and protects women and girls everywhere.”
Valerie Lolomari, resilience coach and founder of Women of Grace UK, joins #SDMNetwork. Valerie advocates for survivors of FGM and gender-based violence with compassion and power.
A photo of Shamim Sarabi, a Brown woman. She has dark brown hair that is short and straight, and is wearing a light blue jumper. She is smiling softly in front of a cream-coloured background. “I want to give voice to vulnerable refugees that the world forgets to listen to them.”
Shamim S, refugee rights advocate and lead at a legal advice charity, joins #SDMNetwork. Shamim speaks out to ensure refugees’ voices shape policy and support.
A photo of Sandy AbdelRahman, a Brown woman. She has long curly dark hair, and is wearing glasses and a white halter-neck top with a black abstract pattern. She is smiling in front of a white and rust-coloured background. “I want to be a Spokesperson to spotlight our community’s powerful work—and to reach those who need us but might not yet know we exist.”
Sandy AbdelRahman is co-founder of Skaped and Noria Collective, using art as a tool for youth activism and systemic change. Part of the #SDMNetwork, she’s amplifying marginalised voices and building creative pathways to justice.
A photo of Laura Fisher. She has long, blonde hair and is wearing red lipstick. She is smiling, showing her teeth and is wearing a white top against a plain background. "As a Spokesperson, I aim to empower survivors to use their collective voices for lasting change."
Laura Fisher joins #SDMNetwork. Founder of Survivor Sanctuary, a survivor-led grassroots organisation offering peer support and healing after sexual violence.
A photo of Karina Graham. She has long ginger hair, tied up, with facial piercings. She is wearing a black top and is smiling. “Being a spokesperson for me means using my voice and experience to challenge stigma, inspire change, and amplify parents’ experiences to create real impact.”
Introducing Karina Graham, #SDMNetwork member and communications lead at Pause. She uses her lived and learned experience to uplift women affected by child removal. Karina believes storytelling can turn pain into power and voice into change.
A photo of Hameeda Khan-Davey, a Brown woman. She has long, curled dark brown hair with blonde highlights in the front. She is wearing a black top and is smiling softly against a light hallway backdrop. “I want to be a spokesperson to amplify GEM voices, challenge systems of inequality, and drive leadership that authentically represents and serves the communities it impacts."
Introducing Hameeda Khan-Davey, Founder & CEO of PEP Enterprise CIC and #SDMNetwork member. A champion for equity, she amplifies Global Ethnic Majority voices through heritage and digital storytelling projects.
A photo of Diane Johnson. She has long, straight, ginger hair. She is wearing a black, gold and grey top with patterns on it and is smiling, showing teeth, against a black backdrop. “I want to be a Spokesperson to amplify authentic autistic voices, challenge misconceptions, and help create a world where autistic people are truly understood, accepted, and empowered to thrive.”
Diane Johnson, autistic advocate and founder of En-Fold, joins the #SDMNetwork. Diane uses her lived experience to ensure autism support is authentic, empowering and person-centred.
A photo of Claire Fisher. She has straight, light brown hair and is smiling widely. She is wearing a cream and brown striped top. “I am committed to promoting inclusivity through accessibility and effective policy development. I believe that true progress towards a more equitable world can only be achieved through peer-led working and co-production partnerships."
Claire Fisher joins #SDMNetwork. As a disabled rights campaigner at Inclusion Barnet, Claire uses her experience to drive accessibility and champion inclusive practice.
A photo of Christopher Egan. He has straight, light brown hair that has been slicked back with grey tones. He is wearing a black t-shirt and is smiling softly. “As a Spokesperson for male survivors of sexual harms, I aim to offer hope to men living in silence and isolation that support is out there, recovery is possible, and happy, fulfilled lives can be lived.”
Introducing Christopher Egan, #SDMNetwork member and advocate for male survivors of sexual violence. Through We are Survivors, he supports healing and challenges stigma.
A photo of Cass Humphries-Massey. They have short, ginger hair that is slightly wavy and is smiling with their mouth closed. They are sitting at a table, with one hand clasped around a grey coffee mug. They have tattoos on their arms. “As a Spokesperson, I want to amplify the full spectrum of grief experiences and grow our collective understanding of how we engage with grief in everyday life.”
Cass Humphries-Massey (they/them) joins the #SDMNetwork. Founder of Navigating the Wilderness, Cass shares vital insights on grief, neurodivergence, and chronic pain through writing and peer support.
A photo of Bernie Rochord. She has wavy, dark brown hair with auburn tones and is smiling softly. She is wearing a royal blue neck scarf and a white top, against a plain backdrop. “As a Spokesperson I want to ensure anyone speaking up in the public interest is heard and appropriate action taken where needed; making it safer and kinder for everyone involved.”
We welcome Bernie Rochford MBE to the #SDMNetwork. As National Principal Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, Bernie supports those raising concerns in the public interest and works to improve the systems that enable safe and effective whistleblowing.
A photo of Allan Njanji, a Black man. He is wearing glasses and has a dark, full beard. He’s wearing a cream, quarter-zip jumper, smiling with his eyes. “I want to be a Spokesperson to challenge injustice, amplify refugee voices, and help shift narratives that dehumanise people seeking safety and belonging.”
Introducing Allan Njanji, #SDMNetwork member and Regional Campaigns Manager at @AsylumMatters. He combines lived experience, strategic comms, and grassroots action to reframe narratives and push for a fairer asylum system.
🎧 Love seeing our #SDMNetwork member Steve’s
#BeatsBus featured as the campaign trail hits the decks!
From empowering youth with music to hosting political leaders, the Beats Bus keeps community at its core.👏
📰 hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-ea... #Hull #LocalElections2025
Happy #WorldArtDay!
Let's celebrate the work of Lady Unchained and her Unchained Nights, a platform for artists with lived experience of the justice system. Art can be a powerful tool for social change. www.sounddelivery.org.uk/alumni/lady-...
www.unchained.org.uk
#ArtsAndActivism #SDMNetwork
Reading this harrowing account in The Guardian about Michelle's coercive control: tinyurl.com/ControlStory. The justice system's response feels inadequate.
This highlights the crucial role of lived experience voices. Advocates like @strongerbeginnings.bsky.social (SODA) do vital work. #SDMNetwork
