Gina Perryman, Community Development Officer at HIVE Portsmouth, has been appointed as South East representative on The Wheelchair Collective, the UK's first national advisory network of wheelchair users, launched by the Wheelchair Alliance.
Selected from applicants with a combined reach of over 30,000 wheelchair users, The Wheelchair Collective brings together representatives from all ten UK regions to use their lived experience to influence how wheelchair services are designed, delivered and improved across the country.
Gina, who has been a wheelchair user for over 30 years, said: "I joined The Wheelchair Collective because I believe meaningful, lasting change is driven by those with direct experience, alongside the sharing of best practices to achieve the best possible outcomes for wheelchair users. I am proud to contribute to a group that places lived experience at the heart of its work."
"Alongside this role, I am involved in a Disability Advisory Group led by disabled people, which focuses on addressing everyday challenges, with particular attention to improving wheelchair services and accessible transport."
As South East representative, Gina will act as a conduit between local communities, organisations and the national advisory network, bringing forward insights, challenges and priorities from the region to ensure that wheelchair users' lived experience informs national strategy, policy and service delivery.
The Wheelchair Collective is led by the Wheelchair Alliance and backed by funding from the RFU Injured Players Foundation, an independent charity that supports players who have sustained an acute life-changing injury whilst playing rugby union in England.