Reflecting back on 2021, it can't be denied it has been another challenging year both personally and professionally and as this year is drawing to a close, early 2022 looks like the challenges will continue on both levels. However, if the last year has proven anything it's that however challenging things get I can deal with these as they come and although it might not feel like it at the time, it's just another storm I have to get through until it passes. One thing I know for sure is that I have the right people behind me to help me deal with these hurdles.
Like many businesses at the beginning of 2021 I didn't know what this year held. On many levels I feel bad for saying this because I know how challenging it has been for businesses with many having to close their doors completely, but this year has been one of the most productive since Y.O.U was established in 2015. Y.O.U has connected with new partners such as The Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) who I undertook a Lead Lived Experience Coordinator role with. The Change Maker Group is also one of Y.O.U's newest partners and we will be collaborating on hosting a strategic board for employers in 2022. This will be an exciting opportunity for employers to engage with us from a strategic level and to benefit from our collaborative expertise around inclusion and what this really means, as well as truly understanding what it means for them to be a disability confident employer.
Y.O.U also continues to engage with their long term partners In Control Scotland (ICS). At present Y.O.U is currently continuing to take on various roles for the organisations such as, a board member and most recently being part of the core team delivering their Scottish Government funded, Working Together for Change Programme. This started in October and will run until March 2022. We have taken a blended approach to delivering this programme, so that we can continue to do so throughout the pandemic. We have already had one residential session in October which also meant it was my first night away since the pandemic began, which on every level was good for me to be out with the confines of my home, were like most people who have been shielding and have been for the majority of the past 2 years. There are some new opportunities being explored with ICS for 2022, as well as with SUSE and The Public Social Partnership (PSP) that they host. So, it's undeniable that they have played a part in Y.O.U's progress to date.
Y.O.U as a business is also exploring many opportunities independently and has recently received work through the Independent Living Fund (ILF) supporting 2 young people through the person centred planning process who are applying to the ILF transition fund. Due to my lived experience of disability this is something that is particularly close to my heart, because I can see how beneficial this funding could be in assisting these young people to break down barriers and achieve their aspirations for their future, especially as we continue to live in challenging times.
Y.O.U is continuing to progress with our Embrace Your Own Identity project which has been a new branch to the support we can provide. If you follow Y.O.U's work to date you will know how important it is for us to encourage disabled people embracing their own identity whatever that may be. The Embrace Your Own Identity project takes this to another level and through our pilot and with the help of local businesses Y.O.U has now fundraised enough money to work with 4 wheelchair users and allow them the opportunity to produce their own personalised fabric, which they can then use to reflect their own identity on their wheelchair cushion cover and headrest or in any other way they can think of. This project also gives these wheelchair users a breathable alternative to their existing wheelchair seating. Some of you may know this is a bug bear of mine as existing seating is often black which becomes unbearable to sit on in hot weather due to absorbing the heat. It is thanks to our sponsors that we have been able to progress with the first stage of this project. The personalised fabric chosen by the 4 people involved in the first stage of the pilot, has now been ordered and is on it's way, so early in the New Year I am hopeful that the cushion covers will be in production.... it's a case of watch this space to see the end results.
Watch this space is the stance I am taking with the progression of all of Y.O.U's work as we move into 2022. I mentioned in last years reflection Blog that I am not normally a big believer in things happening for a reason, however being connected with RML Global and Ross Caven who has since then taken on the role of my business mentor definitely did. Lockdown would have been a completely different experience for me personally and for Y.O.U as a business if it wasn't for Ross's ongoing support. One phrase that has definitely been coined as part of the journey is "putting on my big girl pants" this is something I definitely have to do now on a regular basis as I have to go out my comfort zone to explore new opportunities. This is something I will continue to do in 2022, but with the support of Ross from RML Global and Y.O.U's existing partners, putting on "my big girl pants" doesn't phase me as much anymore.....I just might need to buy a new pair every so often because I am pretty sure the elastic will go eventually as I keep having to put them on.
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