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living a life

Jessie Carter-Kay: local communities
Jessie Carter-Kay is the driving force
behind Pulp Friction, a social enterprise
that supports people with learning
disabilities and/or autism.
Carter-Kay has learning disabilities and
autism. She wants to help people and
make new friends but, sometimes, her
speech can be difficult to understand. As a
result, she has been patronised,
infantilised and ignored.
She will not accept discrimination,
against herself or others. This is why she
worked with her mum, Jill, to set up the
Pulp Friction smoothie bar project. Healthy picture: Jessie Carter-Kay’s business
Pulp Friction is a social enterprise that Pulp Friction employs 13 people
helps people with learning disabilities
and/or autism to be more independent works hard to make sure all people are
and develop their work and social skills. treated equally.
It runs a range of hospitality and “I have always appreciated Jessie as
catering activities, including pedal- my daughter. But, when I step back and
powered smoothie bikes, an ice-cream look at what she does, how she does it
tricycle, a cafe and two canteens. What and what others say about her, I can
started as a hobby has grown into a really see the difference she is making,”
business that employs 13 people. says Jill.
As an ambassador for Pulp Friction, “I’ve had parents and young people
Carter-Kay volunteers in all aspects of it. who are struggling with a range of laugh at funny jokes. They talk to each
She uses the profits from the catering additional needs tell me that Jessie gives other and people around them through
side of the business to fund social and them hope for the future.” eye contact and facial expressions.
leisure activities, including an inclusive El-Ziftawy is the centre of attention with
choir and a dance group led by people Francesca Dunn and Samir El-Ziftawy: his radiant personality, and Dunn knows
with disabilities. advocacy, policy and the media category exactly what she wants and she gets it.
Carter-Kay spends most weekends People with severe disabilities cannot use “Samir and Francesca work together
volunteering at community events. She regular accessible toilets and need as a team… they come as a duo and
raises the profile of those with disabilities somewhere to be changed when they go support each other… I am extremely
and autism by changing the perceptions to the toilet. Without a public place to proud of their achievements over this past
of individuals, groups and organisations. change, they simply cannot stay out for year,” says Katie Reid, healthcare
Although Carter-Kay can be quiet and long. Samir El-Ziftawy and Francesca Dunn facilitator at disability support
timid, she has a strong sense of right and feel this is really unfair. organisation Achieve Together.
wrong and always wants to challenge Having profound and multiple learning Through self-advocacy group Campaign
what she sees as social injustice. She disabilities, they cannot use words so 4 Change, El-Ziftawy and Dunn encourage
communicate in other ways. For example, those managing places such as shopping
Dunn blinks once to say “yes” and stares centres, cinemas, restaurants and parks to
to say “no”. El-Ziftawy shows that he install Changing Places toilets to make
agrees by smiling widely and making a going out and staying out possible for
“happy” sound. people with severe disabilities.
Both have a great sense of humour and They also raise awareness of their
campaign by meeting the public on
Samir El-Ziftawy and Francesca Dunn in the Changing Places Awareness Day, sporting
publicity campaign posters and at the awards Changing Places T-shirts and signs, and
through photoshoots.
Their achievements prove that people
with profound and multiple learning
disabilities can make their own choices,
be involved and be dedicated to a cause.
They demonstrate that having very
severe disabilities does not stop one
making a real difference and having a
meaningful life and goals. n
● Read all the winners’ stories at https://
Campaign 4 Change www.dimensions-uk.org/leaderslist2019

Duncan Bell is head of marketing and
external communications at Dimensions UK

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 33 No 3 | Spring 2020 17