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living a life

Meet the leaders who make society better for all

Campaigners, creatives and
entrepreneurs all made
the Dimensions Learning
Disability and Autism Leaders
List, writes Duncan Bell

ising athletes and successful
dancers, political campaigners and
Rpassionate self-advocates,
published authors, experts by experience
and dating agency managers – all can be
found on the 2019 Dimensions Learning
Disability and Autism Leaders’ List.
These are individuals with mild,
moderate, profound and multiple learning Steel Squid Collective: spreading the positive message of cider with Greggs at scary times
disabilities or those whose autism
manifests in many ways. They have a wide about his journey growing up with autism. Steel Squid Collective: sports, arts and
variety of health needs. Featuring his own artwork, illustrations entertainment
And all of them have had to work and narration, it inspires young autistic “My daughter came home yesterday and
harder than others to get where they are. people to know that they can have a all she could talk about was the Steel
Although society has come a long way, it future in work. It also inspires employers Squid Collective’s visit to her college. She
still is not shaped with disability in mind. to see people with autism in a positive said she loves it and now wants to join the
The Leaders’ List celebrates their light and to take the plunge and hire them. group as a dancer,” said a Leader’s List
achievements in advocacy, sports, work However, when Gill was young, his judge. “I think you might have an
and education, arts and entertainment, parents were told he did not really have a emerging fan!”
nationally and locally. future and he struggled at mainstream The Steel Squid Collective is a group of
More than 400 people were nominated school. He turned a corner when he musicians from Burley who all have
for the 42 places on the list. Winners attended a school for autistic children then learning disabilities and associated
were selected by a panel of expert judges, a learning disability and autism residential difficulties. Their music has one purpose:
two thirds of whom have a learning college. At college, he gained qualifications to help young adults transitioning from
disability or are autistic themselves. and learned to live independently. full-time education into adult services.
One winner from each of the four His job helped him redefine how he is For young people with learning
categories is profiled here. perceived and taught him to start disabilities, moving from full-time
believing in himself. This led to education, where they have structure,
David Gill: work and education volunteering at the Speakup Self routine and purpose, into adult support
The learning disability and autism adviser Advocacy charity, of which he became a services can be a daunting prospect.
for the children and young people’s team trustee before gaining full-time paid The Steel Squid Collective are here to
at NHS England, David Gill is passionate employment at NHS England in 2015. help. Their debut EP and supporting tour
about sharing his story of succeeding with Gill still lives and works with the will help show teens across the country
autism to inspire others. challenges of being autistic. Crowded that they are not alone and inspire them
He wants to make sure every places, large meetings, teleconferences, to think about their own dreams.
child and young person with a travelling, staying away from home They have overcome hurdles to be
learning disability or autism and meeting new people are where they are; at times, all have been
enjoys the same opportunities difficulties he faces with courage and frustrated or felt like giving up.
that he has. determination at work every day. The collective members illustrate just
“It really matters to me to make Sarah Jackson, autism clinical lead how people with learning disabilities can
a difference to the lives of at NHS England, says: “We achieve amazing things, with dedication
others,” he says. support David with as and hard work. They show people that the
He made the A Future much practical stuff as right, person-centred approach to support
with Autism (https:// we can to help make can change lives.
tinyurl.com/sxhxleu) this easier, but it’s Such serious issues sometimes need a
video for the NHS David who rises to light-hearted approach. At such a scary
Patient Voices website the occasion every time, some humour can help make a
time – he is now situation seem less intimidating. Who
David Gill: inspires a confident and knew that one of their songs – Cider
employers to see people a brilliant public with my Greggs – could have such a
with autism positively speaker.” positive message?
16 Vol 33 No 3 | Spring 2020 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk