03/07/2025

Meet the Lived Experience Advisory Board

A group photo from the first in-person meeting of ParalympicsGB’s Social Impact - Lived Experience Advisory Board (Cohort 2). Six advisory board members stand or sit in a meeting room alongside two ParalympicsGB staff members, with four others joining via video call displayed on a screen behind them. The two large screens shows a ParalympicsGB welcome slide and video call participants. The group is diverse in age, gender, ethnicity, and disability. The atmosphere is friendly and collaborative.

Introducing the New LAB (Lived Experience Advisory Board)

We’re pleased to announce the new cohort of the ParalympicsGB Social Impact – Lived Experience Advisory Board (LAB).

This refreshed group brings together experts by experience from a wide range of backgrounds, sectors, and communities. Their insights will help ensure disabled people’s voices continue to shape our work meaningfully and authentically.

Over the last three years, co-production has been firmly embedded across the Every Body Moves programme. Thanks to the passion and impact of our original LAB cohort, the Board’s remit is now growing - extending its influence across ParalympicsGB’s wider Social Impact strategy.

We’re hugely grateful to our outgoing members, whose contributions laid the foundation for this next phase. Their legacy lives on in the continued commitment to centring lived experience in everything we do.

We’re excited to introduce the new LAB members and the perspectives they’ll bring as we move forward together.

Meet LAB 2.0: Our New Advisory Board Members

Alice Evans

Alice, a young woman with long wavy light hair, smiles at the camera. She’s wearing a dark Activity Alliance t-shirt with the words “disability, inclusion, sport” printed on it.

I have always been interested in sport and continue to be very active despite no longer competing. Whilst I will always have a love for rowing and athletics, I will happily sit and watch any sport and try my hand at them. Nowadays, you'll find me more in the gym, than on the water, unless I’m soaking up the sun somewhere with a pool.

I have a background in community and system development supporting the sport and movement sector to become more accessible for disabled people. My biggest areas of interest are workforce, and how we can bring more disabled people and the unique skills and qualities we have into decision making roles in the sector, as well as ensuring genuine representation is shown across all levels of sport.

As I have spent some of my life as a non-disabled person, I am finding it an interesting journey navigating a different body to what I once had, and the attitudes, practices and opportunities that come with accessing activity as the person I am now.

Bethany Handley

Bethany, a young woman with long straight dark hair, smiles at the camera. She’s wearing a blue sleeveless top and sunglasses resting on her head. Behind her is a sunny riverside scene with trees, grass, and moored boats in the background.

Is an award-winning writer, poet, and disability activist from Monmouthshire, south Wales. Recognised by the Shaw Trust in 2024 as one of the UK’s ten most influential disabled people in politics, law, and media, she advocates for disability rights and access to nature.

Passionate about grassroots sports, Bethany was born with a visual impairment and became a full-time wheelchair user in her early twenties. Disability sports helped her to regain her independence and confidence, introduced her to her community and showed her the potential of sport to challenge some of the limitations placed on disabled people’s freedoms.

Bethany serves as an Ambassador for Country Living’s Access for All campaign, Wales Coast Path, and Ramblers Cymru. Her poetry pamphlet, Cling Film, published by Seren in 2025, explores the realities of living amid ableism. She also co-edited Beyond / Tu Hwnt, a bilingual anthology celebrating contemporary Welsh Deaf and Disabled writers. Bethany’s work has been featured by BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Wales, Country Living, and more.

Chris Hunt Skelley MBE

My name is Chris Hunt Skelley MBE, and I am former World Number 1 and Paralympic Judo Champion. I was diagnosed with Ocular Albinism at 18 years old which means I have a visual impairment. I’ve remained determined to turn my adversity into triumph and won a historic Paralympic gold medal in Tokyo and Bronze in Paris, meaning I now stand as one of the most decorated and successful athletes in my field. I love using my platform and story to inspire change and motivate others to reach their full potential. I believe your disability can be your biggest superpower, it just sometimes takes someone to show and support you to see what you can achieve. I really want to do this for others and use my experience to make a difference.

Ellie Tissingh

Ellie, a woman with long straight dark hair and a fringe, smiles at the camera. wearing a dark textured top.

Originally from further south, Ellie now enjoys living in Lancashire where she is mum to two teenage sons. She has a complex profile of physical and mental health conditions, and neurodiversity. Before her health conditions emerged, she enjoyed an active lifestyle and travelled extensively. Ellie’s health deteriorated as an adult, leaving her with limitations and chronic pain which had a devastating impact on her ability to engage with life in a way that felt meaningful. She became largely housebound, physically inactive and her mental health declined, resulting in a lengthy hospital admission. Hitting rock bottom forced Ellie to reevaluate life and what’s most important to her. It became apparent that she has an inbuilt drive to advocate for others, especially those who are overlooked or face barriers that could be removed by society becoming more disability and neurodiversity informed.

In the hospital, she campaigned to make the wards and the treatment more accommodating for those with neurodiversity and sensory sensitivities and raised awareness of the need for improved accessibility and opportunities for service users with cooccurring physical and mental health conditions. Ellie does not back down easily, even when met with resistance, and is determined to shine a light where change is needed. Ellie spent years thinking that her reduced mobility and physical health challenges meant being active was no longer an option, and her disabilities and pain left her frustrated and caused her to resent her body. She thought that sport was only for those whose bodies did not have limitations like hers. But she is now discovering that this need not be the case. Through the work of Access, the Dales and Forest of Bowland, Ellie has experienced the joy of All-Terrain Wheelchairs and how they make it possible for her to get out into nature with others again for the first time in years, which really boosts her mental wellbeing. In her quest to find creative ways to engage in activity, she’s also discovered that rifle shooting is not only great fun, but it also calms her mind and helps her focus - which she describes as “mindfulness for those with ADHD”!

Ellie is keen to use her position on the Every Body Moves Lived Experience Advisory Board to represent those with hidden disabilities, especially those living with chronic pain and ME. She has a drive to reach those who feel unseen and have written themselves off from engaging in physical activity due to their limitations. She hopes to use her experience of mental health challenges and neurodiversity to highlight unnecessary barriers that could be removed by raising awareness and making simple accommodations. Ellie loves new experiences and rising to a challenge and she is looking forward to contributing all she can as part of the LAB team.

Dr Kush Kanodia

Kush a man with short dark hair, is pictured whilst bearing the Paralympic torch from London 2012 in the ceremonial white outfit.

Is a distinguished disability rights and race equality champion, renowned for his unparalleled success in driving systemic change for the inclusion of disabled people. Dr. Kanodia’s lived experience of disability has fuelled his lifelong commitment to social justice. He transitioned from a successful investment banking career to focus on disability rights, co-founding a global diversity NGO and serving on numerous boards and committees dedicated to accessibility and inclusion.

Kush was a Torch Bearer for the Paralympic Games in London 2012. He was selected for his dedication to disability rights and his inspirational career. In 2018, Kush was cited as one of the top ten most influential BAME leaders in technology by the Financial Times. In 2019, he received the Asian Achievers Award for Entrepreneur of the Year, was included in the BAME 100 Business Leaders Index by Green Park, and he received the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award by TiE London. Kush was ranked second in the Disability Power 100, Shaw Trust list of most powerful and influential disabled people in the UK. As a Level Playing Field Trustee, Kush helped to gain a commitment from all Premier League football clubs to comply with accessibility guidelines of UEFA and Centre for Access to Football in Europe. In 2021, Kush led the #NoWheelChairTax campaign to success. Transforming the largest health system in the world - NHS England. Abolishing all disabled car parking charges from 206 NHS hospital trusts, helping 2.5 million disabled Blue Badges holders to access critical healthcare during the pandemic. In 2022, Kush was awarded with an Honorary degree for Doctor of Science, for having an inspirational career as a disability and rights champion and social entrepreneur with Kent University. The University of Kent acknowledged Kush’s system leadership of NHS England and stated the following: “This is by some margin the single largest and most impactful change in the treatment of disabled people in the history of the NHS." Kush’s new campaign focuses on climate justice and social justice for disabled people by providing reasonable adjustments and exemptions from the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) during the cost-of-living crisis. Kush has now also achieved success in transforming the whole of London for disability inclusion for ULEZ from January 2023.

Lorn Mayers

Lorn smiles at the camera, wearing a black polo shirt and jacket The background shows a blue digital display.

Former Professional Athlete & Para Athlete/Mentor/ Advocate for Inclusion. I'm a former professional athlete with experience in both American football and athletics.

As a para-athlete, I've experienced both the opportunities and the barriers within sport and it's those experiences that drive my passion to create change. Whether I'm mentoring others, speaking up in the workplace or pushing through personal challenges, I bring the same mindset, keep going, keep growing and always look to lift others up. My goal is to help make sure that disabled people are truly represented, valued and heard.

Mahomed Khatri

Has a passion to make society more inclusive for all people and has a history of working in the not-for-profit sector trying to make a positive social impact both in the UK and internationally.

Mahomed has been blind since 2005 and now is a guide dog user championing the right to independence and freedom for disabled people, especially those with visual impairments. Away from his professional work, Mahomed is a sports enthusiast regularly running and participating in races, plus representing England in blind cricket. He also enjoys travelling and exploring new cultures, which enables him to connect more deeply with individuals from all walks of life.

Phoebe Gibbons

Phoebe smiles warmly while seated in Westminster Hall at the UK Parliament. The historic hall’s arched ceiling and large stained-glass window create a dramatic backdrop.

Sat on the first Lived Experience Board and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn from others, share her own experiences and help to shape much needed change to ensure that all disabled people have the opportunity to be active in a way that works for them.

In her day job, Phoebe works as the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Co-ordinator at her local Active Partnership, Active Oxfordshire and is deeply passionate about removing barriers which exist to being physically active and promoting the many benefits being physically active has. Phoebe is also the Founder of 3DOM and Inclusion, working with organisations to support them on their journey to being full inclusive of those who are physically disabled through training which has lived experience at its heart. As a result of being an original member of the LAB, Phoebe now plays Wheelchair Rugby, and describes it as being 'life changing' and has had the privilege of representing Team GB. Phoebe is also an avid football fan.

Ree Young

Ree sits in front of a turquoise background, resting their chin on one hand and smiling. They wear a loose-fitting red shirt over a striped top, with short, wavy hair neatly styled.

Is a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, with a background in Politics from the University of Leeds and an exchange year at Northern Arizona University. Their work focuses on social issues, inclusion, and intersectionality, shaped by experience in both rural and urban outreach. They’ve previously worked for Scope on the Leeds Community Engagement programme, as well as in research and political volunteering. Currently they work for Leeds MIND, creating internal training for disability and mental health. Born in Lincoln, Ree leads on youth voice at Young Epilepsy, drawing on their own diagnosis to raise awareness of medication, ableism, and barriers to work and leisure.

They came out as non-binary in 2020, their storytelling spans personal projects—like a history piece on the working women in their family—and published articles for Pink Times and QueerAF, where they spotlight disabled and trans+ experiences. Ree enjoys true crime documentaries in their personal time, along with walks in nature and facetiming family. They joined the LAB as an opportunity to learn from others and shape real change together.

Stacey Denyer

Stacey smiles at the camera wearing a red Invictus Games polo shirt with Union Jack flags on the chest. She has light brown hair tied back and tattoos on her right arm, pictured standing against a plain light background.

RAF Veteran | Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Consultant: At Ease Inclusion | Invictus Games 2023 Medallist | Para Indoor Rowing British Record holder | Everyone Active Sporting Champion An advocate for adaptive sports and how they enhance her own wellbeing, Stacey plays wheelchair basketball for Police UK Disability Sport and is an ambassador & coach for indoor rowing with them. She's a former member of the Every Body Moves lived experience advisory board, which led her to some exciting opportunities such as being part of the Paralympic Torch Relay and visiting Clichy ahead of the games.

Stacey is a casual blogger, predominantly about living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Osteoarthritis, ADHD, and how she uses sport and physical activity to manage herself, both physically and mentally. Following medical discharge from the RAF, she worked as the D&I Officer for the Royal British Legion, then became the Communication & Engagement Officer for the Female Veterans Transformation Programme part-time, whilst juggling At Ease Inclusion on the side. In a nutshell, she says “I’m stubborn and want to do everything I can, whilst I still can and want to inspire and empower others to do the same. Participation in physical activity should be about asking the question 'how can I do that?' and not thinking 'I can't do that.'"