Yesterday, for the International Day of Disabled People, I had the privilege of a very busy and memorable day attending multiple events—all celebrations of progress and calls to action for the work we still have ahead of us.
One of the highlights was meeting the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. It’s always an honor to meet someone serving our country. In our brief conversation, I shared my personal journey as a disabled person, which is why I gifted him a copy of my travel book. My hope was to convey not only my story but also to represent the diverse lived experiences of disabled people who deserve to be heard. Particularly around social care. Most importantly, I wanted to show how the work we’re doing at Purple Goat, connecting brands with disabled communities, can inspire both micro and macro-level government policies.
Naturally, there wasn’t enough time to discuss everything, but I thoroughly enjoyed the exchange. I also managed to speak with Rachel Reeves about my Disability Inclusion Manifesto, and I’m looking forward to a more in-depth conversation with her team soon.
It’s hard to encapsulate everything that happened yesterday in one post. The day began with a breakfast meeting at Downing Street, thanks to Small Business Britain and Michelle Ovens. It continued with a lunch reception at the House of Lords for the launch of the Disability Finance Code with (see my post from yesterday for more details), and it concluded with an unforgettable Purple Goat event, set against the stunning backdrop of The Shard and the River Thames.
This year has been remarkable on many levels. In a world that feels tumultuous, it’s my hope that 2025 will bring more meaningful conversations across society about how solving social challenges benefits everyone—and, contrary to some narratives, is also good for the economy.
A massive thank you to the Purple Goat team for their tireless work in changing the world every day. Here’s to keeping the momentum going and to continuing to create a future that works for everyone.
#DisabilityInclusion #PurpleGoat #InternationalDayOfDisabledPeople #InclusionMatters #DisabilityFinanceCode #SocietyAndEconomy
