HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, Episode 6 – Alcohol Action Ireland

To Listen to the podcast please click on the following link – #06 Alcohol Action Ireland | HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing (podbean.com)

The sixth episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and on the HSE Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel.

In this episode, hosted by Noreen Turley, Dr Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, outlines the work underway to help reduce alcohol consumption and reduce the harm caused by alcohol in Ireland. “Many of us enjoy drinking alcohol, but there is another side to drinking and that is the harm that’s generated from the way we drink and the amount we drink.”

Listen to the podcast which reviews the changes that have been made through the implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, including the areas not yet implemented. Sheila explains and discusses issues like alcohol advertising, the role of the alcohol industry and where the priority should now be to combat the long term health impact drinking alcohol has on the Irish population.

For more information go to AskAboutAlcohol

Listen to and follow the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts to keep up to date with our latest episodes. We would also appreciate a review of the podcast on your chosen podcast channel.

HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, Episode 5 – Living Well

 

Click the following link to open the podcast programme – HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, Episode 5 – Living Well

 

The fifth episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and on the HSE Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel.

In this episode, hosted by Eamon Keogh, we talk about the Living Well Programme, a free group self-management programme to help people manage their long-term health condition. Tommy, shares his experience of participating in the programme, talking honestly and openly about his long term health condition, from the day he received the news: “You’re flying around all your life working not a bother on you, all of a sudden you can’t do anything”, dealing with that initial shock, to finding out about the Living Well Programme and how the different tools covered gave him the confidence to move forward with his life and to remain positive, as he gets back to living his life to the full.

We also hear from Liz Cox, a Living Well Leader, who facilitates the programme and is also a former participant. Liz talks about the topics that are covered in the six week programme. Giving her unique perspective as both a former participant and current facilitator about the benefits of the programme. She also talk abouts how the programme benefits a variety of people of different ages and the change she sees in participants as they progress through the programme: “It is such a well-designed programme, people become very comfortable with each other very quickly. I have seen even after the first session people becoming comfortable with each other and willing to share their experiences”. Mary Gowing, a Self-Management Support Coordinator for Long-term Health Conditions discusses the history of the Living Well programme, its origins and explains more about what a long term health condition is. Mary also tells us more about what is next for Living Well.

For more information about Living Well go to www.hse.ie/livingwell

Listen to and follow the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts to keep up to date with our latest episodes.

 

DFI March Update

 

 

ILMI eBulletin March 10th 2023

ILMI International Women’s Day Gathering 2023
IMAGE photo collage of all the Guest speakers, Selina Bonnie, Rachel Hurst CBE, Professor Elaine Short, Shelby Lynch, Louise Bruton, Caprice-Kwai, Jenny McShane, Sarah Gordy MBE. And of the IWD ILMI Team: Claire Fiona Paula Nicola Shelly and Nina
 

When Irish women come together, they a force to be reckoned with – when disabled Irish women come together then walls will quake and ceilings shatter. This year, to mark International Women’s Day, the women of ILMI planned and executed an event that was all at once enlightening, and indeed, elegant. It was powerful. Not in any pedestrian sense, but rather a subtle and lingering power. One that goes the distance – all the way.

Here, on a Tuesday night in March, over 100 disabled women from across Ireland, the UK and US and beyond, gathered together. We heard from activists, scientists, actors, journalists, fashionistas, and designers. We heard tales of invention, perseverance, creativity and collective action. But there were no tales of overcoming, none of being utilised as a token. As Toni Morrison wrote: “If you wanna fly, you gotta give up that shit that weighs you down.” Instead, on this March night in Ireland, we heard the voices that make walls tremble and ceilings break, all of them. This, for certain, was a unique event.

To all of you who came thank you again, for all of you who couldn’t make it we are pleased to say there is a video being worked on as we speak and will be available on our YouTube channel very shortly. Do you want to work on disabled Women’s issues? Then contact us on info@ilmi.ie

Caprice’s jewellery designs https://www.capricekwai.com/shop
Louise’s Legless in Dublin subscription page https://leglessindublin.substack.com/

The Passing of a Legend
IMAGE: Photo of  Judy Heumann

“Judith “Judy” Heumann—widely regarded as “the mother” of the disability rights movement—passed away in Washington, D.C. on the afternoon of March 4, 2023. Judy was at the forefront of major disability rights demonstrations, helped spearhead the passage of disability rights legislation, founded national and international disability advocacy organizations, held senior federal government positions, co-authored her memoir, Being Heumann, and its Young Adult version, Rolling Warrior, and was featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary film, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.”

ILMI was very saddened to hear of the passing of our great friend Judy, Judith Heumann. It is a terrible loss to the global disability rights movement, her grace, her light, her sheer force will be sorely missed by us all. However we will all in our individual ways seek to further her legacy. ILMI sends our deepest condolences to her family, friends and all those whose lives were made brighter by her presence. May you rest in power Judy RIP #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

The World Mourns the Passing of Judy Heumann, Disability Rights Activist

Selina Bonnie ILMI Vice Chair
IMAGE: photo shows Selina Bonnie

On International Women’s Day 2023, it is clear that disabled women in Ireland and elsewhere continue to face multiple barriers and prejudices in living a life of their choice. “Disabled Dublin woman faced ‘prejudice and barriers’ while trying to become a mum” Selina Bonnie, Vice Chair of the Independent Living Movement in Ireland, went through IVF before giving birth to her daughter, who is now 15.

Ms Bonnie now strongly focuses on reproductive justice due to the struggles she had in becoming a mum. Read the full article here.

Sign the petition End Forced Sterilisation
Acts of violence against disabled women and girls must be included in the EU Directive on Violence against Women. On International Women’s Day we call to End Forced Sterilisation.

Join The European Disability Forum (EDF) and sign the petition to ban this practice in the EU

Disability Matters Committee
The presentations and discussion this week at the Committee on Disability Matters were really powerful. The Topic: Self-Advocacy and Disabled Women.

Opening statement, Amy Hassett, Co-director, et al., Disabled Women Ireland
Opening statement, Eliona Gjecaj, Disability activist and researcher
Video Link 

DPOs Update
IMAGE: photo shows Peter in action in a theatre hall with a group of motivated people

ILMI continues its positive social model presence in the north west with support for local DPOs. Leitrim DPO participants continued their collectivism advocacy journey with Theatre of the Oppressed techniques with another Manorhamilton Glens Arts Centre workshop with ILMI’s Peter Kearns. Peter, who worked throughout to 90s & 00s with Brazilian born Forum Theatre creator and author Augusto Boal, is supporting the Leitrim DPO Actors to develop drama stories communicating their shared lived experiences of local medical model situations & crises to be performed to County Council members and HSE staff to incite them to arrive at effective social model informed systematic change & transformations with the DPO members. The DPO cross-impairment ‘label’ group are regularly joined by Teresa Butler, Community Development Officer of Leitrim Development Company, who will be transforming the DPO dramatic issues into policy themes to include in county strategic plans alongside ILMI’s Peter.

Peter is also facilitating Sligo DPO and Sligo PPN’s 2nd social model workshop to inform members access stories to be filmed and uploaded onto social media platforms – Monday 13th March on Zoom at 7pm to 8.30pm – If you live, work or are in education anywhere in Sligo County you can join Peter’s fun & creative video workshop by emailing sligodpo@gmail.com

HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast Episode 3, Tobacco Free Ireland

The third episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and on the HSE Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel.

In this episode, hosted by Noreen Turley, Sarah Halpin tells us about her journey from smoker to ‘We Can Quit’ Community Facilitator with Empower in Fingal, where she is now helping others to stop smoking through the free HSE Quit supports. Sarah highlights that while quitting is not easy, motivation is key: “I gave up smoking because I wanted to give up smoking for my health and for my own wellbeing, the children were definitely a motivator but it’s very important that you give up smoking for yourself because it’s a very hard thing to do”.

We also hear from Dr. Paul Kavanagh, HSE’s Public Health Clinical Advisor on Tobacco, who shares his thoughts about the current smoking and vaping situation in Ireland and plans for a Tobacco Free Ireland. Dr. Kavanagh highlights things which the HSE and their partners need to now focus on, to make a real impact in this area. These include implementation of evidenced based programmes and continuing the focus on health inequalities: “Rather than doing something brand new, the first thing would be to focus on implementing and getting into practice the things that we already know works.”

For help to stop smoking and to see the full range of HSE supports go to Quit.ie.

Listen to and follow the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts to keep up to date with our latest episodes.

March 2023 Wellbeing Resource

Hi there,

 

It’s time to level up your wellbeing with HealthHero Pulse. Our team of experts provide monthly toolkits to help you prioritise health in all aspects – from physical fitness to mental wellbeing, as well as financial security.

 

With just a few clicks, you can easily access our resources for effortless self-care and wellbeing designed with you and your team in mind – we’ve got you covered!

In the spotlight

International Women’s Day 2023: Let’s #EmbraceEquity

 

The 8th of March 2023 marks International Women’s Day, a day to recognise and celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements worldwide.

11 facts about nutrition and hydration

 

Do you know what fuelling your body with the proper nutrients and staying hydrated can do for you?

The benefits of getting a good night’s sleep

 

Research shows how vital sleep is for improved immune function, increased concentration, memory recall and resilience to stress.

A look at the effects of economic abuse

 

What constitutes economic abuse and what are the signs and symptoms to watch out for?

Download and share these resources with your colleagues to help them stay on top of their health and wellbeing.

 

See you next month!

Team HealthHero

ILMI eBulletin March 3rd 2023

ILMI IWD Update
IMAGE: photo shows Jenny McShane

Just a little exciting news Jenny McShane is also joining us as a guest speaker on 7th March which is next Tuesday evening at 7pm via Zoom for our International Women’s Day (IWD) event exploring equity and equality in relation to disabled people. If you haven’t already registered please do so, we still have a few spaces left before we have to move up to a webinar. Email info@ilmi.ie to register

There will be a small Q and A session at the end of the event. This is a celebration event and you are all more than welcome to attend.

Jenny McShane is an editor and journalist who works across a broad range of platforms in media, specialising in branded and commercial concepts and copy, social and digital strategy as well as editorial features and news pieces.

There are too many publications she has worked in to list so here is a link to her portfolio. 

Our other Guest Speakers include:
Rachel Hurst CBE is a British activist and former director of Disability Awareness in Action (DAA).. She has been interviewed on local and national media and written countless papers and articles in mainstream and disability press in relation to disability rights issues.

Shelby Lynch is a 25-year-old fashion and beauty influencer.

Elaine Short Professor (Tufts), Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering. Expertise includes: Robotics Artificial Intelligence, Human-Robot Interaction and Machine Learning Assistive Technology.

Louise Bruton is a freelance journalist, pop culture enthusiast, disability rights activist, DJ and playwright.

Caprice-Kwai is a 21 year old successful model, blogger, jewellery designer and business owner.

Nina Tame “The Wheel Housewife of Essex” is a counsellor and disability mentor, her educational content about disability, told in her unique, witty and fierce voice is influential on how we see ourselves in a fundamental and practical sense.

Sarah Gordy MBE is known for her roles in Ralph & Katie (2022), The A Word (2020), Upstairs Downstairs (2010), Call the Midwife (2014) and Holby City (2012). She has acted in TV, short films, radio dramas, commercials and many theatre productions.

Francesca Martinez is an English comedian, writer and actress.

Kind Regards,
The ILMI IWD Team

Rocking the System
IMAGE: Photo shows Fiona Weldon with Dr Pauline Conroy

ILMI’s Fiona Weldon with Dr Pauline Conroy attended “Rocking the system since 1973: EU and Ireland working together for Gender Equality” at the European Commission Representation in Ireland.
Citizens of Ireland have spoken and gender equality is truly at the forefront in supporting all women to demand their rights to be equals and play a part to rocking the system that has disempowered them. Government have committed to a 40% representation of women including those that intersect with other minority groups.

If a disabled woman is interested in getting involved in politics Minister Ivana Bacik is running The Sign Up a Sister Campaign to bring women into politics. www.ivanabacik.com It’s also worth looking at www.womenforelection.ie

This week VOICE Kilkenny had their first meeting of 2023
IMAGE: graphic show the VOICE logo

It was a fantastic discussion around issues disabled people are facing in Kilkenny and the importance of being a part of a collective to bring about change. Many disabled people feel that they should just accept things as they are because they are led to believe they can’t change things on their own.
This is true, but people and communities are stronger when we work together. The group will focus on group work and brainstorming as the first steps. Then we will focus on one issue at a time and work to make connections in the local community and work with ILMI staff to support the issues being highlighted.
VOICE is a great space to meet like-minded people, have your say and work as part of a collective. Kilkenny Meetings take place on Monday’s via Zoom from 6.30-7.30pm Email paulasoraghan@ilmi.ie to get the link or call Paula on 087 163 0433.

Want to get involved in VOICE?
If you live in Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford or Wexford contact paulasoraghan@ilmi.ie or call Paula on 087 163 0433.

If you live in Kerry, Cork or Tipperary contact nicolameacle@ilmi.ie or call Nicola on 087 718 9237

Breaking Barriers
IMAGE: Screenshot of Peter Kearns and Rebecca Tighe

ILMI’s Peter Kearns’s research interview with Rebecca Tighe of ATD Ireland (All Together in Dignity) from the “Breaking Barriers” project. (ATD Ireland is part of the International “ATD Fourth World”,  a movement of solidarity among, and in collaboration with the most disadvantaged and excluded families around the world, with more than sixty years’ experience of tackling inequality and promoting social justice. Rebecca told Peter that ATD hold a vision of a world without poverty, a society where each person is respected. Poverty is an affront to human dignity, and people in poverty have unique knowledge and experience that can lower the barriers separating people and communities.

ATD’s Rebecca asked ILMI’s Peter research questions such as:

What would you say are the main characteristics of socio- economic status for and with disabled people in Ireland?
What does socio- economic discrimination mean to ILMI and DPOs?
What are disabled people lived experiences of socio- economic discrimination?
How can Ireland bridge the gap and create trust between people from different socio – economic backgrounds/communities?

BREAKING BARRIERS: A participatory approach to defining socio- economic discrimination
Anyone interested in taking part in the project: Zoom interviews take around 30mins contact: dann@atdireland.ie  Full info on this link 

Add The 10th
IMAGE is a graphic of a young black man and text that reads Should People be looked down upon from those in authority because of their income?

ATD and ILMI are part of an alliance called #Addthe10th The purpose of this group is to have socio- economic status recognised as the tenth ground of discrimination in Irish equality legislation, namely the Equal Status Act and the Employment Equality Act

On Wednesday unfortunately the Socio-Economic #discrimination Bill vote wasn’t past, but we continue to remain hopeful that a 10th ground will be added to the #Equality legislation once the review is completed. It is a pivotal issue that needs action #Addthe10th

You can read the full @atdireland statement here

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This is your invitation to Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) International Women’s Day Event 2023:  7th of March at 7pm via Zoom

Join us as we ask ourselves the question “Do we need Equality before Equity?”

As strong women on our good days we have an obligation to give back to our peers, community, allies and of course….each other. We say good days because we hope this is a starting point that all of us together will have more good days and be stronger in our collective power. The reality is we have more in common with each other then what sets us apart.

The ILMI IWD Celebration event will have some incredible guest speakers and performers which spans the length and breadth of disability culture, fashion, science, business, music and written word.

Please share this invitation within your networks and join us for a Tuesday Night “in” you will never forget.

Dress code is “Night Club” and feel free to have a favourite beverage. Please email info@ilmi.ie to be on the VIP list!

Our Guest Speakers:
IMAGE: Photo shows Rachel Hurst CBE

Rachel Hurst CBE is a British activist and former director of Disability Awareness in Action (DAA).. She has been interviewed on local and national media and written countless papers and articles in mainstream and disability press in relation to disability rights issues.

IMAGE: Photo shows Shelby Lynch

Shelby Lynch is a 25-year-old fashion and beauty influencer @shelbykinsxo 

IMAGE: Photo shows Elaine Short

Elaine Short Professor (Tufts), Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering. Expertise includes: Robotics Artificial Intelligence, Human-Robot Interaction and Machine Learning Assistive Technology.

IMAGE: Photo Shows Louise Bruton

Louise Bruton is a freelance journalist, pop culture enthusiast, disability rights activist, DJ and playwright. Twitter @luberachi

IMAGE: Photo shows Caprice Kwai

Caprice-Kwai is a 21 year old successful model, blogger, jewellery designer and business owner Insta @capricekwai

IMAGE: Photo shows Nina Tame

Nina Tame “The Wheel Housewife of Essex” is a counsellor and disability mentor, her educational content about disability, told in her unique, witty and fierce voice is influential on how we see ourselves in a fundamental and practical sense. Insta @nina_tame

IMAGE: Photo Shows Sarah Gordy MBE

Sarah Gordy MBE is known for her roles in Ralph & Katie (2022), The A Word (2020), Upstairs Downstairs (2010), Call the Midwife (2014) and Holby City (2012). She has acted in TV, short films, radio dramas, commercials and many theatre productions. Sarah’s website

IMAGE: Photo Shows Francesca Martinez

Francesca Martinez is an English comedian, writer and actress. Francesca’s Website

Looking forward to seeing You! kind regards,
The ILMI IWD Team: Shelly, Nicola, Fiona, Paula, Claire, Ruan and Nina

IMAGE: purple disco ball

ILMI eBulletin February 17th 2023

Pobal launch Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making
Photo shows a copy of the document - A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making

Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD launched the Pobal Guide for Inclusive Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making  in the offices of IHREC at the start of February.

The guide was developed to support Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) to ensure that marginalised and disadvantaged communities have opportunities to engage and participate in local planning and decision-making. ILMI was approached to write a section of the guide, “How to create an inclusive environment for disabled people” and the role of Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs). The guide outlines nine main principles LCDCs need to use when carrying out local planning and making decisions but more importantly the guide shows some practical examples of how to put these principles into practice.

The guide should be used by DPOs and local community groups to ensure that the collective voice of marginalised communities are to the fore when designing and implementing systems and policies locally to build a more inclusive Ireland. Minister O’Brien said that there is an onus on policy makers to ask what barriers re preventing people from being included but that real inclusion makes for better policy.

Strategies for Change Update
Zoom screenshot of group

All SFC graduates came together last night to reconnect after the Xmas. The group as a whole shared the wealth of talent that each individual brings and looked at how ILMI can support them to actively engage in collective change using a grass roots approach, their lived experience and their learning from the SFC course.

Disability Equality Workshop
Photo shows a group of people standing.

On Wednesday, 15 February ILMI’s Peter Kearns & Paula Soraghan had a Disability Equality workshop with workers from Ablevision Ireland. Ablevision Ireland is a media training and Production Company focussed on working with people with the impairment label of intellectual disability.

It was a fantastic workshop with lots of engagement and is extremely important for building relationships with people in establishing local DPOs. Genuine engagement with DPOs and disabled people in the arts sector is absolutely vital and highlights the importance of disability arts and culture.

Participants found the workshop to be thought provoking, exciting and great craic!

For more information, please contact peterkearns@ilmi.ie or paulasoraghan@ilmi.ie

Committee on Disability Matters: Disability proofing and data
Screenshot of Jacqui Brown Chair of the DPO Network (also IHREC Commissioner and part of the ILMI Board)

Data is tricky to get, in how it’s collected and which box it’s squeezed into, but it’s crucial to understanding the barriers we currently face and to plan for a better future. The data we collect shows us whose experiences we value as a society. There are so many people who do not identify as disabled people but whose impairment label affects their day-to-day life. There are people who have an impairment who are disabled by the world around them but their label puts them in the wrong box of data catchment, or is simply not counted at all. To get a true representation of disability in Ireland today in order to plan for the future or tackle a barrier the methodology of data collection must be disability proofed with the UNCRPD and Equality at its heart.

The DPO Network members each hold consultations in our own time, we make the submissions, and all this is in line with the UNCRPD but it would be great to see it not only utilised and taken on board but actually supported in core funding. The research and data created is rich in depth and authenticity, because we have the trust of disabled people, because we are disabled people, because we understand how diverse we are and how being disabled affects all aspects of our lives. As activists, we are often left asking ourselves the question is our insight taken on board? Is important because it motivates us, it is capacity building in our members to know that our hard sought inputs are actually put into action. Is what the collective goal is.

Representatives from The Central Statistics Office, Cormac Halpin, Census Outputs Division, Kieran Culhane, Statistical System Coordination Unit & Fiona O’Riordan, Social Data Collection division
Representatives from DPO Network, Jacqui Browne , Chair & Grace Murphy, member, Amy Hassett, member & Nem Kearns, member
Representatives from Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), Sinéad Gibney, Chief Commissioner & Dr Iris Elliot, Head of Policy and Research
Full Statement of the DPO Network is here https://tinyurl.com/bdekrb5k
Link to video is here

Ireland should enshrine economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights in its Constitution, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has said in a new report.

ESC rights — such as the right to food, housing, social assistance and medical care — relate to fundamental aspects of human life which are necessary for people to live and thrive in society.

Explicit constitutional protection would ensure that ESC rights are taken seriously as core rights concerns, and not treated as lesser than other rights protections

Link to report

The Road that Rises
Photo shows the cover of the book with text that reads “The Road that Rises, by Dermot Hayes” and features an image of a winding country road.

The memoir of well-known activist and Corofin native, Dermot Hayes, is set for publication shortly. Dermot has been a bastion for equality and rights for many years and was on the ILMI Board.

‘The Road That Rises – a memoir by Dermot Hayes, a boy from Kells’ will lift the lid on a life of campaigning and community action that has challenged establishment thinking over seven decades.

During this time, he has founded, co-founded and headed organisations to represent, campaign and progress rights for people with disabilities and this ongoing struggle remains a central part of his life.

Dermot is advising that The Road that Rises will be launched in St. Patrick’s Hall in Corofin in March 4th at 6pm with a great evening of celebration planned to which all are invited.

All of us here in ILMI would like to wish Dermot every success with this launch and we look forward to a hooly in Clare and a copy of this unmissable book.

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We should all be free to express ourselves through art

We’re incredibly excited to introduce the new Artistic Director of the Sense visual arts programme, Tanya Raabe-Webber. An acclaimed disabled artist, she’s passionate about making the arts accessible for all. Here she is to discuss her creative process, disability and her ambitions for the programme.

I’ve always been an artist; I feel I’ve been creating from the moment I was born – probably even before! Painting and drawing gave me a voice, a way to communicate my experience of the world. I use visual art to explore issues that stem from being a woman and a disabled person.

I really believe that visual arts are a brilliant tool of self-expression and something that everyone should be able to practise. Through the Sense visual arts programme, we’re going to support more people to explore and develop their creative abilities. More than that, we also want to promote this work for wider recognition, acting as a platform for disabled artists.

                                                                                                                      Find the non-BSL version of the video here.

Creativity brings connection

The work I make has enabled me to explore and challenge notions of identity and disability. My art is informed by my lived experience – my disabled self and the world I live in.

Many of the artists I’ve mentored and collaborated with over the years use their art in this way. it’s been a pleasure to team up with people and share our stories, our ideas and find connections with each other.

A painting of a landscape. Meadows and plants in the foreground and rock formations in the background
                                                                       CountrySideSpecial, Acrylic on wooden panel, 2022. More information on the artwork.

As a painter of people, I also get unique opportunities to connect with my portrait sitters. One of the most interesting experiences I had was with the world-famous deaf percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie.

That sitting took place at the National Portrait Gallery in front of a live audience. It was a real sensory experience. While I painted her, she played the waterphone in response to my work, I then interpreted those sounds to create new markings on the canvas. It was magical!

Building the Sense visual arts programme

Last year, Sense and I kicked things off with the creation of our Sense Connect manifesto. Our intention with this statement was to encourage disabled people to come together to create artwork in the same space, fostering creativity, community and combating loneliness.

This was during the pandemic, so our next step was to set up an online Art Club. This enabled creative people from all over the country to join us. Now, thanks to the fundraising Sense have done over the last year, we’re ready to launch the new Sense visual arts programme!

As Artistic Director, I’ll be developing a three-year programme of exciting studio art projects, residencies, workshops and exhibitions. Together, we’ll explore different art making techniques, from drawing and painting, to print making and 3D sculpture.

It’s going to be an exciting journey of exploring and experimenting. We will learn from each other. We hope you will join us to help create a vibrant, visual arts community!

Take part in art

Find an activity that suits you. We’ve got plenty of fun guides on how to get involved in art or you can book onto an art activity near you.

A Joyful Challenge, Self-portrait, Medium: Acrylics
The Maker, Medium: Acrylics

About the author

Tanya Raabe-Webber

Tanya Raabe-Webber is an acclaimed disabled visual artist. She creates portraits of high profile disabled and diverse people during live sittings in high profile public art galleries and venues.

As well as being Artistic Director to our arts programme, she’s on the board of three national disability arts organisations and is an ambassador for many others, including The Big Draw.