Refocusing health and wellbeing for people with a learning disability: the action we need

Speakers

CO-CHAIR: Jim Blair, Independent consultant nurse learning disabilities

Jim is currently an Independent Consultant Nurse Learning Disabilities, Associate Professor Intellectual (Learning) Disabilities at Kingston University and St Georges’ University of London, Chair/Clinical Advisor Learning Disabilities NHS England for Care Treatment Reviews, Panel Member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Fitness to Practice Panel, Member of the Learning Disability Nursing National Shared decision-Making Council, Chair of the Royal College of Nursing London Board.

CO-CHAIR: Scott Watkin, Head of Engagement, Seeability

Scott Watkin BEM is a learning disability campaigner who in 2009, was appointed the Government’s learning disabilities Co-Tsar, representing people with learning disabilities at the heart of policymaking and Government. Now, Scott leads an engagement programme at SeeAbility where he is supporting people with learning disabilities and autism to become future leaders.

CO-CHAIR: Lloyd Page, self advocate

Lloyd Page is a writer, volunteer and adviser for Beyond Words.  He also volunteers at Mencap and is part of the learning disability panel and a Mencap spokesperson for health. He is a campaigner for Changing Places and has been involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games too.

Baroness Sheila Hollins, Crossbench Peer, House of Lords, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at St George’s

Baroness Hollins established and leads the ground-breaking social enterprise Books Beyond Words. She is a Professor of the Psychiatry of learning disability at St George’s, University of London. She became a crossbench life peer in the House of Lords in 2010.  She was President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 2005 to 2008 and is a former President of the British Medical Association and is currently Chair of the BMA Board of Science.

Ann Keen, Former Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth

Ann Keen is Visiting Professor of Politics and Health Inequalities at University of East London. She is a former Labour Health Minister and Chair of the Patient’s Association. She previously worked as a district nurse and acted as an advisor on nursing policy to the Labour party.

Ismail Kaji, Parliamentary Affairs Support Officer, Mencap

Ismail Kaji is a Parliamentary affairs support officer. He is the spokesperson for Mencap in parliament and provides support to the public affairs and parliamentary team. He is also the Co-Clerk to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Learning Disability.

Sara Ryan, Professor of Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University

Sara Ryan is a Professor of Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is the author of Justice for Laughing Boy: Connor Sparrowhawk – A Death by Indifference, about the death of her autistic son Connor while in an NHS care unit.

Stephen Unwin, Theatre director and expert by experience

Stephen Unwin is an experienced theatre and opera director, writer, teacher and campaigner for the rights of people with learning disabilities.

Sheila Sobrany, President of the Royal College of Nursing

Sheila Sobrany became President of the Royal College of Nursing in January 2023, acting as an ambassador for the nursing profession across the UK and internationally. She is also a course leader in adult nursing at the University of East London. Her key priorities are securing fair pay above inflation, reducing pressures on nursing staff and tackling racism, bullying and discrimination of healthcare workers.

Dr Jahan Foster Zabit, Senior Researcher at the Race Equality Foundation

Jahan is Senior Researcher at the Race Equality Foundation. She leads a diverse array of research projects exploring health inequalities, including co-produced projects around Annual Health Checks for people with a learning disability from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds. Prior to joining the Race Equality Foundation, Jahan worked at Healthwatch Greenwich as the team’s social research lead.

Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, Professor of Intellectual Disability and Palliative Care

Irene Tuffrey-Wijne is Professor of Intellectual Disability & Palliative Care at Kingston University & St George’s University of London. Her research explores end of life care for people with learning disabilities and how to manage their conditions. She is also leader of the Staying Alive and Well co-production group that helped with the LeDeR report.

Lauretta Ofulue, Health Visitor, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Lauretta Ofulue left her career in financial services to train as a learning disability nurse following the death of her son Otito, who was born with an inherited metabolic condition. Lauretta won a student nurse of the year award before qualifying in 2020, and she now works as a health visitor.

Adrian Anim, Community Practitioner, Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Adrian Anim has worked for the NHS for 10 years as a registered Learning Disability Nurse after studying at Northumbria University. Prior to this, he worked as a painter and decorator for 20 years, before injury led to significant changes. His work looks at improving or maintaining a person’s physical and mental health, ensuring their health and care needs are met.  He is two times winner of the ‘Great British Care Award’ Nurse of the Year for the region of the Northeast and Scotland in 2021 and 2022. He also won ‘Learning Disability Nurse of the Year award in the ‘National Learning Disability and Autism Awards’ 2024.

Shevon Dalena, Paediatric Learning Disability Clinical Nurse Specialist, King’s College NHS Trust

Shevon Dalena is a Paediatric Learning Disability Clinical Nurse Specialist at King’s College NHS Trust. She has been instrumental in establishing and developing the paediatric learning disability service across the trust. This service focuses on supporting children with learning disabilities, global developmental delays, and autism, ensuring they receive the care and attention they deserve. Shevon’s journey in nursing began at Kingston University, where she qualified as a Learning Disability Nurse in 2012.

Norman Lamb, former Minister at the Department of Health

Sir Norman Lamb was Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk from 2001 to 2019. After serving as a minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, he was appointed Minister of State for Care and Support at the Department of Health in September 2012 until the end of the Coalition Government in May 2015. He also chaired the Learning Disability Programme Board, which worked to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people with learning disabilities and their families and monitor the delivery of the changes set out in the Department of Health review of Winterbourne View.

Anna White, Psychotherapist and Carer by Lived Experience

Anna White works in the city as a day job but also delivers training to NHS departments on how to change service delivery for those with learning disability an special needs, with a specialist focus on dementia.

Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England

Prior to his appointment as Chief Nursing Officer for England in July 2024, Duncan held the post of Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England. Duncan has spent his career in nursing in the NHS and has held a variety of leadership and executive roles. He is passionate about improving patient care and experience, improving the population’s health, growing, developing and nurturing the workforce, and inspiring the next generation of nursing and midwifery professionals and leaders.

Anup Upadhyaya, self-advocate, My Life My Choice

Anup has been a member of MLMC for over 15 years and has been a trustee many times. She works on the Quality Checker project, regularly attends Gig buddy activities and is supporting with the set up of a new self-advocacy group in Didcot.

Katie Lloyd, self-advocate, My Life My Choice

Katie has been a member of MLMC for a while but this is her first year being a trustee. She regularly attends Young People’s group and Gig Buddy events. As a trustee, Katie would like to support other members to learn Makaton.

Shaunie Picken, self-advocate, My Life My Choice

Shaun has been involved with MLMC for the last nine years and has been a consultant for five of those years. He has worked across all of MLMC’s projectts and is an experienced Travel Buddy and Gig Buddy. Shaun always stands up for the community and is a strong advocate through his campaigning with the Champions group. Shaun is most proud of his work with Champions as he identifies as a very political person and wants to be a voice for the issues he cares about.

*This will be updated as more speakers are announced