It’s been an incredible journey lately, and I wanted to take a moment to dive into my new role as Director at For Brian. In this post, I share why I decided to take on this leadership position and reflecting on some of my memorable achievements from the last few years, specifically those that have helped make a difference and raise awareness within the events industry.
I’m so excited to be sharing my very first post here on For Brian’s brand-new website.
Those that know me, will know I like to stay busy! I currently balance my time across three different areas, the Founder of Access My Events, Co host of My Voice Podcast and now my new role as a Director of For Brian.
How I met the CEO of For Brian
I regularly attend Bikeworks All Ability Cycling Club, and it’s something I enjoy. It’s also a great way to stay fit and active and a wonderful space to socialise and meet new people. It was during one of these sessions at Little Wormwood Scrubs park about two years ago when I first met Clare. We got to chatting, and she mentioned she was looking for some help with For Brian.
At the time, I was looking for work, but I was also going through a deeply personal challenge. My late Nan was living with Dementia, and as a family, we were finding it difficult with the of support she was receiving and understanding the impact it was having on my Nan and especially, my late Grandad, who was looking after her. The roles had completely reversed and the daily routines were changed with daily carers coming in.
I opened up to Clare about these hurdles. It was an incredibly difficult and heavy time for us. Speaking with someone who understood the challenges helped me to navigate the support that is available and the best people to contact through Clare’s connections. Shortly after our first meeting, we arranged a virtual chat to discuss the work she needed help with and since then we have been working together and keeping in touch. I’m grateful that a day of cycling allowed me to turn a challenging time into a way to help others going through a similar situation.
Taking on a New Challenge
When I was offered the role to become a Director, I was hesitant and started questioning myself because I had never held a senior position before at this level and the responsibilities that come with being a Director. I took a few days to think about it and I had a chat with the CEO, Clare and a close friend. Through that conversation I thought opportunities like this don’t come up often, so why not take it as a new challenge. I am always looking for ways to develop myself personally and professionally and this position is a great way to get out of my comfort zone and realise that I have the lived experience and commitment to lead and succeed in the role.
Driving Change In The Boardroom And Event Floor
This new chapter sits well alongside my work as the founder of Access My Events, where I have been driven by a mission to work with organisations and advise them on what they need to do to make their events more inclusive and accessible to the deaf and disabled community. Whether it’s at boardroom level or the event floor, the goal remains the same.
Shaping the Future of For Brian
As I step into my role as Director, my focus is on ensuring that For Brian remains a champion of inclusivity. My work will be a blend of being mission driven and hands-on support, including:
- Inclusive Advocacy: I will be working to ensure all our programs and services are accessible as possible to the diverse needs of our members.
- First Point of Contact: I will be handling new enquiries, welcoming new members and organisations into the For Brian community with the same empathy and understanding I received when I first met Clare.
- Mission Driven: Contributing to board meetings to help shape the future direction of the organisation and ensure we are making the best decisions for the community.
- Direct Community Support: I’ll be on the ground during our events and activities, supporting our community members.
Digital Presence: I will be managing our social media and website content on a regular basis so we can keep members informed of the work we are doing and the impact we are making.
Reflections on the Journey So Far
Stepping into this leadership role has made me reflect on how far I’ve come in terms of visibility and advocacy over the last few years. Some of the milestones that continue to energise my passion include:
- Breaking Barriers in Fashion: In November 2023, I was honoured to be the first person with a disability to model at Europe’s largest Asian wedding show.
- Small Business Achievement: In July 2023, Access My Events was named a winner of Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday (SBS).
- Community Presence: Exhibiting my business at the Disability Expo for the first time in July 2023.
- Amplifying Unheard Voices: Through my My Voice Podcast, I continue to provide a platform for disabled people from ethnic minority backgrounds to discuss overcoming cultural barriers and reaching their full potential.
I am excited to bring this energy to the For Brian community and continue driving change.
By Zubee Kibria