WARRINGTON’S leading disability campaigner Dave Thompson will launch this year’s Public Lecture series at the Warrington Campus of the University of Chester.
The founder and chair of Warrington Disability Partnership, who received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chester in November 2011 for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of disability awareness, will talk about Disability Equality Matters during the free lecture on Tuesday October 18.
The lecture in the Lance Dobson Hall at 6.30pm will look at one man’s 27 year journey as a patient, service influencer and policy maker.
Dave was born and raised in Warrington. A keen sportsman, he took part in many sporting events until he was injured in a game of American football in 1989, sustaining a life changing spinal cord injury and in 1999 Dave battled cancer.
Dave was the founder and chair of Warrington Disability Information Service and the Chair of the Warrington Committee for Disabled People. He was the founder and a trustee of Shopmobility Warrington and the founder and Vice-Chair of Warrington Disability Sports Forum before all four organisations joined to form Warrington Disability Partnership. In 2010, Dave led the development of the charities’ social enterprise, the Disability Trading Company, and, more recently, of the Phoenix Project that will supply mobility and independent living aids across Egypt and Sudan.
He is the founder and current Event Co-ordinator of the North West Disability Awareness Day, the world’s largest and longest running pan disability, voluntary-led independent living exhibition, and was a founder and past Chair of the Cheshire Disabilities Federation and the founder of the North West Positive Action Awards. Dave has travelled widely across the UK and Europe promoting the development and sustainability of partnerships involving disabled people and carers. Until his retirement in 2015, Dave was the Assistant Director of Inclusion and Partnerships at the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust, where he led its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit, covering patient and public involvement, equality and diversity, and social inclusion.
In June 2001 Dave received an MBE for services to disabled people and the NHS; in 2004 he received the Paul Harris Fellowship, an International award from the Rotary Foundation. In 2006 he was commissioned a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Cheshire and the same year the Disability Awareness Day received a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services. After 21 years as a trustee, Dave is now a patron of the Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace, he is the Honorary President of Warrington Sea Cadets and a Trustee/Director of nationally acclaimed Ella Together, an integrated drama group.
Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP) celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year.
Dave is a regular speaker at conferences across the UK, and he is a visiting lecturer at various Universities. He has presented disability equality training to over 36,000 people.
Professor Annette McIntosh-Scott, Provost of the Warrington Campus, said: “We’re really looking forward to hearing this lecture from such an inspirational speaker. We hope as many members of the public, staff and students will join us on the evening.”
This is the first in a series of free lectures throughout the year reflecting the work of the Warrington Campus. The full list is in the University’s Public Events programme – http://tinyurl.com/gs7goxg
Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. Visit http://tinyurl.com/DisabilityEqualityMatters
