We have been delighted to welcome five new members of staff to the Learning Disability Wales team recently. Over the past few weeks we have been introducing our new staff and asking them how their roles will help us to create a Wales that values and includes every child, young person and adult with a learning disability. Today, we welcome our new Policy Officer, Grace Krause.
“I am very excited to join an organisation that has such a proud history of campaigning for the rights of people with learning disabilities and that has made such a big difference to people’s lives. I am looking forward to playing my part in continuing this great work and supporting Learning Disability Wales members in creating a Wales that offers every person with a learning disability the chance to live a happy, dignified and fulfilled life.
“Before joining Learning Disability Wales I worked as a researcher and I am currently finishing my PhD in social sciences at Cardiff University. I have also worked as a support worker for people with learning disabilities, and as a project worker for Newport People First and Cardiff People First. I am also an active trade union member in the University and College Union (UCU) where I campaign for secure working conditions.
“Last year I was diagnosed with dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which has made me think differently about a lot of things. Mostly it has made me aware of how many of the bad experiences I have had in school and in higher education are because these places are not made for people whose brains work like mine. This has made me quite sad, but has also made me really want to change things so that everyone has the chance to develop into the best version of themselves.
“I am passionate about social change and about finding a way to make sure that everyone’s voice gets heard when it comes to creating the world we live in. I know that there are many barriers people with learning disabilities face in Wales and that things may become even tougher in the future. I hope that in my work here I can do something to safeguard the rights that have been won in the past and help people with learning disabilities campaign to make this a better place for everyone.
“In the next few months I will try to meet as many people with learning disabilities and other members of Learning Disability Wales to introduce myself and to find out what is important to you.
“If you have anything you would like me to know about or if you would like me to visit your group please get in contact at grace.krause@ldw.org.uk.
“You can follow me on Twitter at @LDWPolicy, and I will be writing regular updates on our Facebook page.”
Improving how we engage with the learning disability sector in Wales
You can read about the other members of staff who have recently joined our team here:
Lyndsey Richards – Projects Manager
Rebecca Chan – Accessible Information Officer
Angela Kenvyn – Engage to Change Project Manager
Rhobat Bryn Jones – Administrator
Zoe Richards, our Acting Chief Executive, has written about how our newly expanded team will have a significant impact on our work, and how we engage with the learning disability sector in Wales.
Our five new members of staff. (Clockwise from top left) Lyndsey, Angela, Grace, Rebecca and Rhobat
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