The reason I joined West Sussex Mind's equality, diversity and inclusion panel is to ensure I can contribute to effective change within the community. I am a white, able-bodied, straight-presenting and cisgender woman, who understands the responsibility I have to elevate the voices of others.
I firmly believe that quality mental health support should be accessible to everyone, regardless of attributes that may set an individual or group apart from the more privileged in our society.
Not only this, but I want to see authentic representation become the norm across all support platforms. Co-production is important to achieve these things, as real change feels possible using the voices of real under-represented people (and allies) in the community.