Ten Disabled local residents have been awarded our highest honour – Freedom of the Borough.
The 10 residents all served on the independent H&F Disabled People’s Commission and were recognised for their groundbreaking work to ‘co-produce’ council services and policies. By bringing council officers to the table, they are ensuring H&F can make changes and decisions with Disabled residents that affect them.
These exceptional contributions to inclusivity and civic engagement were honoured at the Irish Culture Centre in Hammersmith on Wednesday evening (22 May).
Sharon Lea, Chief Executive of Hammersmith & Fulham Council, said: "We are immensely grateful to the commissioners for championing a new way of doing things that puts Disabled people at the heart of our decision-making.
“Their pioneering work has transformed H&F into a national leader on co-production and ensuring our services are accessible to all residents. Disabled residents must be active partners with the council in planning, designing and reviewing the policies and services that affect our daily lives.”
Meet the commissioners
First to receive the Freedom of the Borough on the night was Tara Flood, chair of the commission which ran between 2016 and 2017. In her work over the past 20 years, she has campaigned for the voices and experiences of all Disabled people to be heard, helping ensure they’re at the heart of discussions and decision-making about their lives.
"I’m blown away,” said the longtime disability rights campaigner after receiving her honour. “The biggest barrier Disabled people face is not having access to decision-making or power. We’re making progress and things now beginning to feel different in H&F. But we wouldn’t have got to this point without the amazing who are part of the Disabled People’s Commission, all of whom understand what the world looks like as a Disabled person."
Other commissioners receiving the Freedom of the Borough included:
Kevin Caulfield
Kevin Caulfield has played a huge role in supporting local Disabled residents in H&F. He worked as policy officer to the Disabled People's Commission. He said: “Wow. It’s not often that 10 local Disabled people get recognised for their work. Tonight highlights just how far we’ve come over the past 10 years. I’m delighted.”
Kate Betteridge
A Hammersmith resident for more than 20 years, Kate has been determined to support people with long-term conditions to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle choices. She said: “I feel so privileged to receive this honour for reimagining how we do things in H&F. I’m so glad to continue to support our work.”
Victoria Brignell
Victoria works full-time as a radio producer and is a tetraplegic wheelchair-user. She’s an ambassador for the international disability charity CBM UK, a patron of the Friends of Sunera Foundation, and secretary of H&F Amnesty International group. She said: “I’m stunned. I never expected anything like this. Diversity enriches our community.”
Ali Buhdeima
Ali was born and raised in London, being deaf in a hearing family. Going to a mainstream school with a deaf unit helped him develop his communication skills with both hearing and deaf people. He said: “I’ve lived in H&F for more than 20 years. I wanted to see a new way of doing things by working together to respect the rights of local Disabled people.”
Martin Doyle
Martin serves as Chair of Safety Net – People First (SNPF) – a charity and self-advocacy group run for, and by, people with learning disabilities. He said: “I wasn’t expecting this. Thank you! Seriously… me getting an award? Never! But working with all these amazing people has changed my life for the better. I love helping other Disabled people.”
Mike Gannon
Mike has lived in the borough for most of his life. Up until his retirement he worked as a trade journalist, predominately specialising in infrastructure and transport issues. He said: “Being born in Hammersmith, this is a great honour for me. I didn’t appreciate the scope of what we could achieve. And what we’ve started in H&F can be achieved across the nation.”
David Isaac
David volunteered for several charities in the borough. He also serves as a volunteer, fundraiser and speaker for the Guide Dogs organisation. He is active in the community in particular the West Kensington Estate. Before losing his sight, he worked in the design industry for more than 20 years. He said: “This means a lot to me. I’m really grateful. Working to improve co-production gave me back the passion I lost when I lost my sight. I thank the council for the work it’s doing to invest in the future of the borough.”
Ramona Williams
Ramona lives in Hammersmith and has volunteered with many different organisations to help people who are blind or partially sighted. Ramona set up her own social enterprise, Eyes For Success CIC. She said: “I am truly honoured. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked on the commission. It’s a privilege to be part of the H&F community.”
Jane Wilmot OBE
Jane is deaf and has lived in H&F for more than 30 years. She has worked with disability organisations at national, London and local level. Jane chaired the Disability Forum Planning Group, advising the council on ensuring access for Disabled people on major planning applications. Jane also co-chaired the Civic Campus Disabled Residents Team which championed co-production, accessibility, and inclusion for Disabled individuals. She said: “I’m absolutely astonished to be receiving the Freedom of the Borough. Thank you. Being ruthlessly inclusive is our mantra.”
Inclusion and equity
The group brought their local knowledge and perspectives to their review of the council. Specifically, they consulted with local Disabled people on their experiences of services and experiences in the borough.
Their final report, Nothing About Disabled People Without Disabled People, made eight recommendations for adopting a human rights-based approach at H&F.
As a result, the council is now working together to reshape services ranging from housing to digital inclusion, as well as public space design at H&F’s new Family Hubs and Civic Campus.
At all times, the commission was guided by the social model of disability with a human rights approach (based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) and the Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act 2010) and a dedication to inclusivity and accessibility.
Looking ahead, H&F is building on the commission's work by expanding co-production work with residents, training staff to adopt more inclusive working practices, and continuing to fund and partner with local Disabled people's organizations.
Meet the new Mayor
Also, on the night Cllr Patricia Quigley – herself a former commissioner of the H&F Disabled People’s Commission – was re-appointed as Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham.
During her acceptance, Cllr Quigley confirmed her partner charities that she will champion across her mayoral term. These include the Fulham-based charity Action on Disability, Solidarity Sports and Fulham Reach Boat Club.
“All of these local charities work inclusively in the borough and I’m really looking forward to working with all of them,” Cllr Quigley said.
“Especially Solidarity Sports, who tragically lost a family of five in the catastrophic fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower in 2017. One was a 12-year-old girl who had a dream of visiting Disneyland – but never did. Now, every year they take 20 children in a magical long weekend to Disneyland to keep her memory alive.”
