Ali Gunn, interim director of communications for United Response, a national disability charity and social care provider, is “delighted” to join the Disability Unit’s Regional Stakeholder Network.
Gunn has worked across the third, private, and cultural sectors. She has spent the last seven years in social care and has led ambitious communications, marketing, policy, and fundraising teams. She also chairs the My Vote My Voice campaign, which aims to ensure people with learning disabilities are aware of their right to vote and have accessible information to make an informed decision.
The Regional Stakeholder Network (RSN) advises the government on how to break down the barriers disabled people face and create a society that works for everyone, where all can participate fully. The network’s main purpose is to enable disabled people and disability organisations in England to share their lived experience and insight with the UK Government.
In the role as chair Gunn will continue the work to tackle issues faced by many disabled people through an ongoing dialogue with the government.
As a fierce disability ally and advocate, she is determined to ensure disabled people’s lived experience guides and shapes her work.
“I am passionate about ensuring disabled people’s lived experience leads my work. My godson is autistic and has complex needs. He has spent most of his childhood in specialist residential provision; now, he is 18 and has moved into adult social care.
“He and his family have faced significant challenges because of his disability but they have also experienced many positives as a result of policy change. It has had a profound impact on my life and career. I’m delighted to be able to chair the North West network and ensure that disabled people across the region feed into the important work of the disability unit.”
