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
Justin Donne
Greater London
- Inner London
- Outer London
Marc Goblot – Founder/Lead, Tech For Disability, British Computing Society NeurodiverseIT, We and AI, Ina Ciel Digital Disability
North East (interim)
- Tees Valley and Durham
- Northumberland and Tyne and Wear
John McDonald, Disability Business Consultant, Eagles Wings Consultancy Ltd
North West
- Cumbria
- Cheshire
- Greater Manchester
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
Ali Gunn – Interim Director of Communications and Marketing, United Response
South East
- Berkshire
- Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
- Surrey
- East and West Sussex
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- Kent
Chloe Plummer – Programme Co-ordinator, MOVE Europe
South West
- Gloucestershire
- Wiltshire
- Bristol and Bath area
- Dorset and Somerset
- Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
- Devon
Samantha Everard – Founder, the SAMEE charity
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Worcestershire and Warwickshire
- Shropshire and Staffordshire
- West Midlands
Louise Mckiernan – Chief Executive, Birmingham Disability Resource Centre
East of England
- East Anglia
- Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
- Essex
Anne Wafula Strike MBE – Sports Ambassador, non-executive director of Princess Alexandra Trust, Harlow and British Paralympic Association
Yorkshire and the Humber
- East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
Karen Hoe OBE – Changing Places Toilets National Development Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, Family Disability Associate at Contact, Chair of Trustees at Cudox
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.
Members are not paid.