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.

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 Gam

Baroness Shelia 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. She became a crossbench life peer in the House of Lords in 2010 and was President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 2005 to 2008. She is also 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 Nursing Advisor to Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting. She is a Former Labour Health Minister and Chair of the Patient’s Association.

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

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 (RN, PhD) 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.

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

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

Adrian Anim, Community Practitioner, Community Learning Disabilities Team

Adrian Anim is a Community Nurse Practitioner from Newcastle who became a nurse after a 20-year career as a decorator. He has twice won Social Care Nurse Award in the North East Great British Care Awards. He works in the Sunderland Learning Disability Community Treatment Team at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

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. 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.

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.

*This will be updated as more speakers are announced.

Learning Disability Today

Speakers

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