Back for its third full year, our Spokesperson Network training programme aims to diversify the voices we hear in the media and make it more representative of the society we live in. This year we recruited our new cohort for the 2023 Spokesperson Programme. We welcomed leaders using their experiences of miscarriages of justice, suicide bereavement, learning disabilities, racial inequity and more to advocate for change for their communities.
They took part in a three day summer residential alongside participating in workshops in social media, blogging, vlogging, public speaking, media training, and campaigning…
Our programme of practical workshops, media matches, speaking and media opportunities and one-to-one support gave the network the skills and confidence to share their experience, have their expertise heard more widely and ultimately drive change. Here’s a snapshot of what they’ve been up to in 2023:
Kevin was a panelist on Good Morning Britain.
Ellie was a guest on the Mentally Yours Podcast and wrote for Metro UK
Kellie an op-ed for experience the Third Sector
Sue wrote an op-ed for The Justice Gap
Johanna, Debbie, Kevin, Sabrina and Shanine were published in Children and Young People Now.
Debbie and Lady Unchained were interviewed for BBC Woman’s Hour.
Alan was featured and interviewed in The Daily Express
Zain appeared live on BBC Newsnight.
Jan was interviewed by The Guardian.
Craig was featured in the Big Issue.
Some featured in this image carousel:
There were incredible blogs and vlogs with thousands of views created by our network.
Members of The Voice of Domestic Workers network, Future Voices, were featured on the BBC World Service documentary, ‘Other People’s Children’.
Zain Hafeez and Jan Cunliffe Co-Faciliated a session for NEON with Jude Habib on supporting people with lived experience in the media.
Sabrina Jones, Rachael Mole, Sam Billingham and Steve Arnott joined NPC Open Philanthropy Panel.
Debs won an award in the Inspirational Story category 2023 Mental Health Awards.
Siobhan won two awards at the Pride of Andover awards including the Spirit of Andover award.
Jan and JENGbA won the 2023 Longford Prize and a Systems Changer award.
Rachael and Sharon won Churchill Fellowship Awards.
We’re excited to continue our mission amplifying lived experience voices and expertise support our network. Meet all of the network here.
“I’m so proud to say that I’m one of the graduates from 2023 #SDMNetwork. I’ve learned, laughed and loved the whole experience. Most of all I have come out of the shadows and know that my lived experience is a strength” Siobhan Down, Yellow Brick Road Project