We believe in a confident social sector able to develop and amplify lived experience stories and expertise to address social inequalities.
We want to see people in positions to use their lived experience of social injustice so they can influence change on that issue.
We work towards greater representation and diversity of the voices we hear in the media and beyond.
Find out more about what we do and who we are.
Our programme creates a network of confident spokespeople, who have direct experience of social injustices. Developed collaboratively with a network of leaders with lived experience, it aims to diversify the voices we hear in the media and in rooms with policymakers and other decision makers. Through training, mentoring, peer support and speaking opportunities, we tackle the barriers that prevent these experts from engaging with the people and platforms that have the power to influence national conversations. Meet the network.
"Being involved with the Spokesperson Network is an experience I will never forget. It feels like I am part of an incredible, unique family. I have learned so much. I always come away with renewed passion, and the goal to keep going no matter how complex the issues I am trying to highlight."
Amanda Hailes
During the period that I was an asylum seeker, I realised how powerful the media was in shaping how people like me were seen. The stories told about refugees often shape how the public reacts, how policies are made, and even how welcome we feel in our communities. Dr Allan Njanji, Refugee Advocate and leader on our Spokesperson Programme reflects.
When a young Sikh woman was raped in Oldbury, her assailants told her: “You don’t belong in this country, get out.” It was an act of sexual violence, but it was also an act of racial violence. Despite the brutality of the crime and the hateful words that accompanied it, the silence is deafening. Hameeda Khan, CEO of People Empowering People and leader on our Spokesperson Programme reflects.
Bernie Rochford MBE is a Principle Freedom to Speak Up Guardian supporting those speaking up in the NHS. In this blog, Bernie shares the life-changing experience she had for speaking up / whistleblowing in the NHS and where that’s led her.
Marissa Begonia spoke at high-level Roundtable on Contemporary Forms of Slavery Co-hosted by UN Human Rights and The Freedom Fund.
Hameeda Khan-Davey, People Empowering People (PEP) Enterprise CIC, writes for The Lead about racial equity and the need for active allyship.
Oscar Sharples, Transilience, writes for the Big Issue on London Trans+ pride, celebrating moments of trans joy.
