Since 1996, Katie has delivered training, run workshops, and facilitated focus groups nationwide on many issues for organisations including NHS England, Contact a Family and Council for Disabled Children.
She is proud of her years of work, fostering safe environments for disabled people and their families to come together, share experiences, listen and work together to improve and co-design services. At the heart of her work is wellbeing, compassion and teamwork, all grounded in collective learning, lived experience and supportive relationships.
Drawing inspiration from her own life and her daughter Nadia, Katie has led award-winning projects and founded two influential charities: 1Voice-Communicating Together which won the Guardian Charity Awards in 2006 for its innovative work with role models, and the Calderdale Parent and Carers Council, which drove parent participation across the UK. Today, she runs two social enterprises—Bringing Us Together and Visits Unlimited, which manages the Accessible Calderdale project.
Beyond her professional work, Katie is a mother of six grownup children, an active supporter of the pro-Palestinian movement, and a dedicated host to refugees and walk leader for the local Walk and Talk refugee walking group. In her free time, she enjoys hiking at sunrise, watching films, listening to music, and bringing her family together whenever possible.
