At the time of writing this blog, I’ve been part of the People First team for 17 years, 6 months and 23 days- not that I’m counting! When I started in April 2008, I could never have imagined the journey that lay ahead. Over those years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredible people, learning, growing and being part of something that truly changes lives. As People First celebrates its 35th anniversary, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on what makes this organisation so special and why it still means so much to me today.
When I look back over my time at People First, I’m reminded of just how many life-changing projects I’ve had the privilege to be part of. Each one has taught me something new about resilience, inclusion and the power of giving people a voice.
I first joined People First through Cumbria Women First, the project that brought me here and, in many ways, shaped my career. At that time, I wasn’t feeling particularly confident myself but through the project, I grew alongside the women I was supporting. We built a network of women with learning disabilities across Cumbria, helping each other to find our voices, develop new skills and speak up with confidence. Watching those women grow in strength, independence and pride, while rediscovering my own confidence, was truly inspiring and something I’ll never forget.
Another project that stands out is Voices for the Voiceless, which supported people who communicate without using words. It broke down barriers to inclusion and reminded everyone that communication is about so much more than speech. Alongside that, our one-to-one advocacy work and campaigning for inclusion and change have given people real opportunities to be heard, influence decisions and live the lives they choose.
A real turning point came in 2012, when People First began to grow into the organisation it is today, one that supports anyone who needs our help. We expanded beyond our original focus on people with learning disabilities to welcome anyone who needs support to have their rights and choices valued and respected. This has included people experiencing severe mental illness, those facing multiple disadvantages, carers and people for whom English isn’t their first language.
That shift was about more than widening our services; it was about living our values. We recognised that the barriers people face are often shared, feeling unheard, unseen or left out of decisions that affect their lives. By bringing different groups together, we built new understanding, connection and solidarity. It is inspiring to see how people from very different walks of life can support each other, recognise common experiences of exclusion and find strength in shared purpose.
As People First grew and evolved, so did I. My work and home life often intertwined, and the lessons I learned through my role helped me to navigate challenges in my own family too. When I first became a carer, I didn’t even realise that’s what I was. I was just a mum doing my best to navigate a system that often didn’t understand or include us. People First helped me see my experiences differently, it gave me the skills and confidence to speak up and advocate for my family at a time when we were being excluded, judged and misunderstood. More than that, it gave me the space, support, love and understanding I needed to tend to my family’s needs and find my own voice again. That’s why I’m especially proud that we’ve since extended our services to provide support for carers too, recognising their strength, their challenges and the vital role they play. For that, and for everything People First has given me, I will always be deeply grateful.
As I look back over the years, I can see how closely my own values have come to reflect those of People First. It’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed so connected to the organisation for so long because what matters to me personally is exactly what sits at the heart of what we do. Fairness, Belonging, Rights, Courage, Kindness and Love aren’t just words for us; they guide how we work, how we treat people and how we make decisions. Fairness reminds me that everyone deserves the right support to thrive. Belonging is about making sure everyone feels they matter. Rights and Courage push us to keep challenging and speaking up, even when it’s uncomfortable. And Kindness and Love, they’re what keep us steady, especially when the work is hard or the world feels uncertain.
As People First marks 35 years, I’m proud to have played a part in its story and to keep being part of a team that believes in fairness, inclusion and the power of people’s voices.
I’m so grateful to everyone who’s been part of my journey so far, colleagues, friends and the people who’ve trusted me to walk alongside them. Here’s to continuing to listen, learn and stand alongside people, making sure every voice is heard and every person feels they belong. Here’s to the next chapter and to many more years of People First changing lives.