Disability Unit Regional Stakeholder Network

The Regional Stakeholder Network (RSN) helps to ensure disabled people's views and voices across the regions of England are at the heart of what this government does.

Purpose of the RSN 

The RSN was set up in 2019 by the Disability Unit (DU). Its main purpose is to champion the rights of disabled people. It aims to make sure the voices and views of disabled people across England are at the heart of the work of the UK government.

The RSN ensures that disabled people have a routine route through which they can discuss the issues facing disabled people in their region. It provides a way in which they can share their insight into specific strands of government-led work.

Read more about the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010.

About the RSN

There are 9 regional networks across England. Each regional network consists of a chair and between 10 to 40 members. Members are made up of:

  • local disabled people
  • parents and carers of disabled people
  • disabled people’s representative organisations 

Each regional network’s chair is voluntary and independent of the government. They are responsible for attracting and appointing new members.

RSN chairs are appointed by the Minister for Social Security and Disability based on their: 

  • understanding of disability issues specific to their regions
  • expertise in disability policy, and its effects at grassroots level 

Many chairs are disabled people, while others work in disabled people’s organisations or organisations that support disabled people.

Meetings

Chairs meet with their regional networks on a regular basis, at least quarterly. The meetings give people an open forum to share their views and experiences of policies and services that affect disabled people.

Chairs meet with the Disability Unit monthly to compare issues within their regions and to hear information to cascade to the wider RSN membership. The Disability Unit also connects RSN chairs to other government departments.

RSN chairs meet with the Minister for Social Security and Disability Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP every 3 months to discuss issues faced by disabled people in the regions. These meetings are based on a particular theme.

You can read the summaries and actions from quarterly meetings between the Minister and RSN chairs.

Regions, areas covered, chairs and contact details

East Midlands

(Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire)

Greater London

(Inner London, Outer London)

  • RSN chair: Marc Goblot – Founder/Lead, Tech For Disability, British Computing Society NeurodiverseIT, We and AI, Ina Ciel Digital Disability
  • email: chair@rsngreaterlondon.org.uk

North East

(Tees Valley and Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear)

  • RSN chair: Elspeth McPherson – Chief Executive Officer, Journey Enterprises
  • email: neastrsn@gmail.com 

North West 

(Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside)

  • RSN chair: Ali Gunn – Director of Engagement and Development, United Response
  • email: rsnnwest@gmail.com 

South East

(Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Kent)

South West

(Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol and Bath area, Dorset and Somerset, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Devon)

West Midlands

(Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire, West Midlands)

  • RSN chair: Louise Mckiernan MBE – Chief Executive, Birmingham Disability Resource Centre
  • email: westmidlandsrsn@gmail.com 

East of England

(East Anglia, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, Essex)

  • RSN chair: Anne Wafula Strike MBE – Sports Ambassador, non-executive director of Princess Alexandra Trust, Harlow and British Paralympic Association
  • email: eastofenglandrsn@gmail.com 

Yorkshire and the Humber

(East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire)

  • RSN chair (interim): Ailith Harley-Roberts, Co-Founder and Head of Sunshine & Smiles – Leeds Down Syndrome Network. Member of the Leeds Parent Carer Forum
  • email: rsnyorksandthehumber@gmail.com

Get involved

Apply to join a Regional Stakeholder Network

If you want to join your regional network, please either:

  • contact your local regional chair
  • complete the application form and email it to your regional chair

You do not have to be a disabled person to become a member. You should be interested in the issues facing people with disabilities.

Please note: RSN chairs are not able to deal with individual issues or personal queries.

Members are not paid.

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