Enhance the UK was founded by Jennie Williams and James O'Driscoll.
James lost his eyesight to LHN when he was 26 years old. One eye went over night and the other one went six weeks later. Jennie (who is hard of hearing with a degenerative hearing loss) met James when he was taking a drama course at the London met University, run by the Graeae Theatre Company where Jennie was working at the time.
James had always been very fit and active before losing his sight. He wanted to get back to shape but didn’t have the confidence to go to the gym on his own. Jennie at the time was looking to go the gym with someone, so it worked out nicely.
The staff at the gym were very nervous and unsure how to react to a blind man running on the treadmill with his guide dog sitting next to him watching his every move! Jennie and James not only felt that sensory and disability awareness training was needed for the staff at the gym but also free access volunteers to disabled people to take part in different activities. With this in mind Enhance the UK was born….
Our aim is to break down barriers and stigmas surrounding disability!
Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
Our mission is to break down social barriers faced by people with sensory and physical impairments. We aim to do this by challenging the attitudes, perceptions and expectations of society as a whole.
Vision
Our vision is a society where all aspects of life are equally accessible to all people irrespective of whether they have a disability or not.
Values
Passion
We believe that passion is the key to change.
Independence
We believe promoting independent lifestyles for disabled people with sensory and physical disabilities is integral to the work of Enhance the UK.
Integration
We believe disabled people with sensory and physical impairments should have the same rights to access as the rest of society.
Opportunity
We believe in promoting opportunities for disabled people with sensory and physical impairments.
