Why I Joined For Brian CIC
I am proud to have joined For Brian CIC as a Director.
For Brian is a community of people living with dementia, their families, friends and supporters. Together, we co-produce meaningful support and create opportunities for people to stay connected, active and involved.
Joining the organisation felt personal to me because dementia has had a huge impact on my own family.
When my late grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, my family and I suddenly found ourselves trying to understand a condition we knew very little about. It was a confusing and emotional time. We struggled to understand the support available and how best to help both my grandmother and my grandfather, who was caring for her every day.
I also became aware of how little conversation there was around dementia within the asian community. There were misunderstandings and a lack of awareness that often left families feeling isolated.
That experience is one of the reasons I wanted to become involved in work that supports people living with dementia and raises awareness in a positive and inclusive way.
How I Met Clare
I first met Clare around two years ago during an all-ability cycling session run by Bikeworks CIC at Little Wormwood Scrubs.
I regularly attended the sessions because I enjoyed cycling, meeting new people and staying active. The atmosphere was welcoming and relaxed, and people of all abilities could take part.
During one session, Clare mentioned she was looking for support with For Brian CIC. At the time, I was going through a difficult period with my grandmother’s dementia diagnosis, and I spoke openly about some of the challenges my family was facing.
That conversation made a real difference to me. Clare understood the emotional and practical difficulties we were dealing with and helped point me towards useful support and contacts.
What started as a conversation at a cycling session eventually grew into ongoing collaboration and friendship.
Taking on a Leadership Role
When Clare later asked if I would consider becoming a Director, I was unsure at first.
I had never held a senior leadership role before, and I questioned whether I was ready for the responsibility. After taking time to think about it and speaking with Clare and a close friend, I realised this was an opportunity to grow and to use my lived experience in a meaningful way.
I understood that leadership is not only about qualifications or job titles. It is also about empathy, commitment and understanding people’s experiences.
Accepting the role felt like a positive challenge and an opportunity to help create change.
My Focus at For Brian CIC
Accepting the role felt like a positive challenge and an opportunity to help create change.
My work includes:
Supporting Inclusion
- I want to help ensure our activities and services are welcoming and accessible for people with different needs and experiences.
Welcoming New Members
- I will often be a first point of contact for people joining the For Brian community. I want people to feel supported, listened to and included from the beginning.
Supporting Community Activities
- I will continue to be involved in activities and events, meeting people directly and helping create positive experiences where everyone can take part.
Helping Shape the Future
- As part of the board, I will contribute ideas and help guide the future direction of the organisation so we continue responding to the needs of our community.
Sharing Stories and Raising Awareness
- I manage website and social media content to help share the impact of our work and raise awareness about dementia, disability and inclusion.
Connecting My Different Roles
My role at For Brian CIC connects naturally with my other work.
I am the founder of Access My Events, where I support organisations to improve accessibility and inclusion within the events industry.
I also co-host My Voice Podcast, which creates space for disabled people from ethnic minority backgrounds to talk about the everyday challenges they face. It’s a way to get conversations going and help to raise awareness
Across all of this work, my goal remains the same: helping people feel included and making sure accessibility is never treated as an afterthought.
Why Community Matters
One of the things I value most about For Brian CIC is the focus on connection.
Living with dementia can sometimes feel isolating, both for the person with dementia and for families around them. Community activities such as cycling, creative projects and social events help people stay connected and involved.
The organisation focuses on strengths, interests and relationships rather than limitations.
I believe this is important because dementia does not remove someone’s personality, skills, humour or value within their community.
Looking Ahead
I am excited about this new chapter and proud to be part of For Brian CIC.
I hope to continue helping build an organisation where people living with dementia and disabled people feel welcomed, respected and empowered.
Most importantly, I want people to know they do not have to face these experiences alone.
You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.
