Learning Disability England wants to welcome some new people to it’s board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees makes sure Learning Disability England does a good job and is chosen by the Representative Body.

On the 18th October three new people joined the board.

These people were:

Parmi Dheensa

Parmi is an award-winning social innovator and humanitarian, disability human rights activist and neurodiverse , sharing lived disability experiences with her youngest son, a disabled and adventurous changemaker. Parmi is also the founder and Executive Director of ‘Include Me TOO’ charity, working with disabled children, young people and their families from racialised and marginalised communities.

Parmi says – “I am delighted to be joining LDE Board of Trustees, and I am looking forward to working with LDE to further build upon previous work to include the intersectional perspectives, increasing engagement, participation, visibility and voices of our diverse communities with learning disabilities and contributing towards Good Lives vision.”

Jordan Smith

Jordan is a self-advocate, former self-advocate representative body member and former co-chair of the representative body of Learning Disability England. He currently is a quality consultant at Dimensions UK and chair of Dimensions council.

Jordan says – “ I’m really proud  and honoured to be joining LDE as a trustee and helping them to achieve good lives for all our self advocates. There families and supporters “.

Kristiina Cooper

Kristiina is a journalist at the BBC, a volunteer for the advocacy charity, VoiceAbility and mother to George, 16, who has Down’s Syndrome. She’s committed to ensuring people with learning disabilities lead fulfilling lives and believes the best way to overcome challenges is to join forces with like-minded people. She works at BBC Westminster where she’s been reporting on politics for over 30 years.

Kristiina says – “It’s a privilege to be joining such a supportive, ambitious and compassionate team as a trustee. As a mother to a teenager with Down’s Syndrome, I share the aims and values of Learning Disability England and look forward to contributing the knowledge I’ve gained through lived experience as well as my professional skills as a journalist.”  

Learning Disability England is also sadly saying goodbye to Debbie Neil as she is resigning as a Board member.

Thank you for all your hard work on the board Debbie, you will be missed.

You can find out more about all of Learning Disability England’s trustees here.