Disabled People's Meetings

In 2022 the Disabled People’s Commission report recommended that a disabled-led organisation was created. The council are now working with Lewisham’s disabled people to create this organisation. 
The first step is that the council are hosting a series of meetings for disabled people in person and online. These meetings are an opportunity for disabled people to build relationships with one another and find shared purpose.   In the meetings we are building a vision of what a new organisation will be. This vision is being led by disabled people. The meetings involve co-production activities, discussions and visits from disabled leaders. These meetings will provide the foundations for a new organisation. 

When and where 

Every Tuesday and Wednesday, in person and online.  If you want to take part, please contact Michael Holloway to discuss any access requirements and what the group are working on. Email: disabled.co-production@lewisham.gov.uk or call: 07887038191 

Who can join?  

We welcome everyone who is disabled or faces barriers including  

• Deaf BSL signers  
• Neurodivergent people  
• Learning disabled people  
• People with long-term physical or mental health conditions  
• Blind and visually impaired people 
• People with conditions that effect movement, energy, cognition, and more  

One quarter of people are disabled. If you have a long-term health condition that effects your daily life, you are welcome. Adults aged 18 and over are welcome.

What we expect from members

• lived experience of disability  
• live, work, study or use services in Lewisham  
• use, phone, email or video calls (with or without support)
• inclusive and respectful 

What you get in return

• make real change happen  
• meet new people  
• gain work experience 
• learn new skills  
• connect with services and networks
• future paid opportunities  

If you need information in another format, please email to request your preferred format. 

Access information for meetings

We aim to make the events as inclusive as we can and are always learning and improving on that. We welcome making more adjustments based on your input.

We currently provide:

Physical access

• wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible venue. Including: ramps, two lifts, wide corridors, large rooms and flat surfaces
• accessible bathroom next to meeting room
• food and drink at meetings
• breaks and quiet space
• not excessively light or dark lighting levels
• payment for support workers on request

Communication

• welcoming and disability conscious staff and facilitators
• rules on inclusion and equal communication
• in-person BSL Interpreters on request
• video call BSL Interpreters on demand
• infrared hearing loops
• quiet meeting room without distraction or background noise
• language interpreters on request on the phone or in person
• braille available on request
• easy Read agendas and reports
• large text on request
• weekly video call catch-up meetings
• 1-1 communication with facilitator: in person, telephone, text, video call or email

Travel

We can pay for travel expenses. The venue in the middle of Lewisham and has great transport links including:

By car

• large amount of disabled parking and free parking bays across the road from the venue
• single parking space in front of the ramp to the venue

Local bus routes

185, 75, 136, 199, 208, 54

By train

Nearest train station is Catford station and Catford Bridge station, 5 minutes away.