OUR IMPACT To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. About Us Finding Inspiration in Every Turn This is your About Page. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what you do and what your website has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. Our Story Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what your team does, and what your site has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers, and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery, or video for even more engagement. Meet The Team Jo Emmerson CO CEO Jon Salmon CO CEO jonny benjamin mbe NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kirsty BOOKINGS asif noorani NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Angela Samata NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Our Clients

Join Hope Conference 2026 in London on 11 November. A collaborative event for grassroots charities, community groups and lived-experience professionals. With the support from Hope Conference 2026 Call for Speakers & Sponsors CONTACT US The Hope Conference Is All About Collaboration Share best practice, learn from others and connect with your peers. Connection Get involved with roundtable discussions, workshops and panels. Community Come together to support each other within the community and workplace. GET INVOLVED Supporting Grassroots Changemakers & Lived-Experience Voices Now in its third year, the Hope Conference organised by Speakers Collective an intimate supportive event for small charities, grassroots organisations and lived-experience professionals committed to creating positive change. Our next Hope Conference will be on Wednesday 11 November, 2026 bringing people together for inspiring talks, practical discussions and meaningful connection in a space where you can truly engage with others. We are currently seeking speakers and sponsors who share our values and want to support and invest in grassroots-led impact. GET IN TOUCH Our last Hope Conference in Liverpool brought together grassroots organisations, charities and lived-experience professionals for a collaborative and inspiring day of connection and learning. The programme included a Welcome & Ice Breaker led by Jo Emmerson and Jon Salmon , followed by an Official Opening from Dr Aileen Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Liverpool John Moores University . Sessions included the Celebrating Community Action Panel with Jake Mills , Jane Boland and Emma Case ; TikTok and Beyond: Creating Viral Moments with Gamil Jassin and Travelling to Learn, Returning to Share with Marsha McAdam . Attendees also took part in the Man Hug Live podcast recording with Stephen Melling, Dean McShane, Dan Cooper and Ian Pierce Hayes , and Getting Your Voice Heard in the Media with Caroline Turner from BBC Breakfast and Angela Samata . The afternoon continued with The Power of Compassionate Leadership led by Dave James and Alison Blackler , followed by Roundtables: Sharing Together for Community Action , and Dance, Space and Consent workshop with Rob Glover. The day embodied the Hope Conference ethos of community, collaboration and empowering grassroots change. Getting Your Voice Heard in the Media: Insights from BBC Breakfast’s Caroline Turner & Speakers Collective’s Angela Samata Travelling to Learn, Returning to Share: Marsha McAdam’s Churchill Fellowship The Power of Compassionate Leadership: What We Learned from Dave James & Alison Blackler at the Hope Conference TikTok and Beyond: Creating Viral Moments Venue London United Kingdon Contact Event Organisers - Sponsorship & Speaker Enquires info@speakerscollective.org

members pledge Last updated: March 2026 Our Purpose At its core, Speakers Collective exists to: Challenge stigma Encourage more people to have important conversations Promote learning on a variety of social issues Our aim is to create a supportive community for those who work independently and share their lived experience across a range of settings. We also want to ensure that those seeking speakers can be confident that our members speak with integrity, care and professionalism. We recognise the responsibility that comes with sharing lived experience, and commit to doing so in a way that does not harm others. Member Commitments All members commit to: Continue to develop their knowledge, skills and competencies in their areas of expertise and public speaking Be open and honest about the limitations of their own knowledge and expertise Recognise the importance of sensitivity in their choice of language and imagery in all presentations, literature and on social media, particularly when discussing experiences involving other people Only signpost to good quality, balanced sources of support and advice Take care to ensure any statistics or studies cited are as reliable and up-to-date as possible Recognise that the participation of audience members is always consensual Adhere to any safeguarding protocols defined by the organisations they work with Where not qualified as a therapist or doctor, not provide diagnosis or clinical advice, and instead signpost appropriately Act in a way that prioritises the safety, dignity and wellbeing of others at all times, both within and outside Speakers Collective activity Ensure that any personal stories or lived experiences shared do not identify or harm others, and that appropriate consent has been obtained where relevant Handle sensitive topics, including trauma, abuse and loss, with care, accuracy and integrity Cooperate fully with any safeguarding, dignity and respect, or conduct review process carried out by Speakers Collective Our Values Integrity and honesty Compassion for ourselves and others Mutual respect and support Collaboration Professionalism Hope Group Community Rules Be kind and courteous. We are all working together to create a welcoming environment. Healthy debate is encouraged, but kindness and respect are essential. Respect everyone’s privacy. Being part of this community requires mutual trust. Discussions may be sensitive or personal what is shared within the group should remain confidential. No hate speech or bullying. We are committed to creating a safe space for all. Bullying, harassment, or degrading comments relating to race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated. Members are expected to uphold this pledge alongside the Speakers Collective Dignity and Respect Policy and Safeguarding Policy .

SPEAKERS COLLECTIVE DIGNITY AND RESPECT POLICY Last updated: March 2026 Context 1.1 There is no place for any form of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or sexual misconduct at the Speakers Collective. Such behaviour is contrary to the values and ideals of our shared community and diminishes the dignity and integrity of all parties. 1.2 At the Speakers Collective, we work together with a shared commitment to challenge stigma, facilitate important conversations and promote learning on a variety of social issues. We know that this requires us to be involved in difficult areas and at times challenge people and ideas but any member of the Speakers Collective must do that in line with this policy. Failure to do that puts their membership at risk. 1.3 The Speakers Collective consider members to be representing the Speakers Collective in all their interactions, whether acting on behalf of the Speakers Collective (e.g. speaking at a Speakers Collective event or introduced as a Speakers Collective member) or not. 1.4 Membership of Speakers Collective is a position of trust. Members must be suitable to represent the organisation and its values at all times. Speakers Collective reserves the right to suspend or remove membership where an individual’s behaviour (past or present), including behaviour outside of Speakers Collective activity, raises reasonable concerns about: the safety or wellbeing of others abuse, harassment, or exploitation reputational risk to the organisation This applies whether or not there has been a criminal conviction. Aims and objectives 1.5 The aims of this Dignity and Respect Policy are to: • Support and sustain a positive (thriving) working environment for all freelancers involved with the Speakers Collective and anyone we come into contact with through our work, free from any form of inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour; • Make it clear that discrimination and harassment are unacceptable and that all members of our Speakers Collective have a role to play in creating a thriving environment for everyone, free from discrimination and harassment; • Provide a framework for respect and good conduct to prevent and eliminate all forms of bullying and harassment, including racial and sexual harassment; • To highlight the options available to members and anyone who comes into contact with one of our members, who feel they are or have been subject to bullying, harassment, racial discrimination, sexual misconduct, or any other inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour; • Provide a mechanism by which complaints can, wherever possible, be addressed in a timely way. • Speakers Collective may receive concerns or complaints from individuals outside of the organisation, including members of the public. Such concerns will be taken seriously and considered in line with this policy. 1.6 The Speakers Collective expects all members to treat each other and any external stakeholders with respect, courtesy, compassion and consideration at all times, in line with our values and our pledge: https://www.speakerscollective.org/pledge 1.7 All members are expected to behave professionally and have the right to expect professional behaviour from others. 1.8 We recognise that all members are individuals and work as freelances (not as employees of the Speakers Collective) and that all members have personal responsibility for complying with this policy and demonstrate active commitment to it by: • Treating others with dignity and respect at all times. • Discouraging any form of discrimination and harassment by suitably challenging inappropriate behaviour, making it clear that such behaviour is unacceptable (and raising concerns in a sensitive, compassionate and appropriate way so these can be dealt with). • Supporting any member who feels they have been subject to discrimination and / or harassment. Eligibility 1.9 This policy applies to all members of the Speakers Collective and their interactions with each other and any external stakeholders, including on social media. th Statement of policy 1.10 The Speakers Collective is dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming, inclusive and diverse community that nurtures a healthy environment and culture of mutual respect and consideration, allowing all members and the stakeholders we interact with to thrive without fear of harassment, racial discrimination, bullying, sexual violence, abuse, coercive behaviour, sexual harassment or related misconduct. 1.11 This policy details this commitment and explains what actions can be taken if its principles are not observed. Where concerns relate to harm, abuse or risk to individuals, they may also be considered under the Speakers Collective Safeguarding Policy - https://www.speakerscollective.org/safeguarding. 1.12 The Speakers Collective expects all members to adhere to its values (set out below) in all their interactions, whether acting on behalf of the Speakers Collective or not. Members are bound by this policy whether they are speaking/working as members of the Speakers Collective or not in the activities they are undertaking which may give rise to a complaint – their membership is at risk if they fall below the standards we expect: • Integrity and honesty • Compassion for ourselves and others • Mutual respect and support • Collaboration • Professionalism • Hope 1.13 The Speakers Collective defines harassment as single or repeated incidents involving unwanted or unwarranted conduct towards another person which it is reasonable to think would have the effect of (i) violating that other’s dignity or (ii) creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for that person. Harassment may be verbal, psychological, or physical, in person or via a virtual platform, or through other methods of contact. Examples of behaviour which may amount to harassment under this policy include (but are not limited to) the following: • making sexually offensive comments about dress or appearance, the display or distribution of sexually explicit material, or demands for sexual favours; • engaging in harassment on the grounds of a person’s sexuality (or assumptions about a person’s sexuality) including making derogatory homophobic, transphobic, or biphobic remarks or jokes aimed at a particular person, offensive comments relating to a person’s sexuality, refusal to acknowledge a person’s gender or identity, or threats to disclose a person’s sexuality to others; • making offensive references to a person’s race, ethnicity, skin colour, religion or nationality, dress, culture, background or customs which have the effect of ridiculing or undermining an individual or fostering hatred and/or prejudice towards individuals or particular groups; • ignoring, disparaging, or ridiculing a person because of assumptions about their capabilities, including their mental health, or making offensive reference to an individual’s appearance which may or may not be in the context of their disability; • controlling or coercive behaviour, such as pressure to subscribe to a particular political or religious belief. 1.14 Use of Personal Stories and Case Studies, given the nature of Speakers Collective’s work, members often draw on lived experience in their speaking and content. This must be done with care, integrity and respect for others. Members must not: Share identifiable stories about other individuals without their consent Misrepresent or exploit personal experiences involving others Use sensitive experiences (including abuse, trauma or death) in a way that could cause harm Members are expected to consider the dignity, privacy and wellbeing of others at all times when sharing personal narratives. Breach of this may be treated as a serious matter and may result in suspension or removal from Speakers Collective. 1.15 The organisation is not required to determine criminal guilt and may take action where there is credible information or reasonable concern that a member’s behaviour poses a risk to others or is inconsistent with the values of Speakers Collective. 1.16 Online harassment may take the form of intimidating, offensive, or graphic posts or threats on social media sites or chat rooms, or communications by email, text, or instant messaging. They can also be interactions which lack compassion. 1.17 When a criminal offence may have been committed, the Dignity and Respect policy may not be appropriate. These cases include, but are not be limited to, serious assault or threat of serious assault. These matters will be referred to the appropriate authorities, such as the police. Procedure 1.18 At any stage, those involved in attempting a resolution or in considering or investigating a complaint against a member must act in accordance with certain principles: Natural justice Any person against whom a complaint has been made has the right to know the nature and sufficient details of the complaint in order to respond. It is important that no decision is taken until the complaint has been considered and/or investigated internally and the person against who the complaint has been made has had the opportunity to respond. Confidentiality In order to safeguard individuals, confidentiality must be strictly respected and information limited to those who have a need to know (and only to the extent necessary) for the purposes of the operation of these procedures and for maintenance of good order in the Speakers Collective. The Speakers Collective reserves the right to seek advice from or involve appropriate external authorities if it believes that it is under an obligation to do so. Any breach of confidentiality may result in disciplinary action being instigated. Support During and following the conclusion of a report and internal investigation it is important that support is given by the Speakers Collective to both parties and, if appropriate, other staff in the workplace to try and resume a working relationship and to encourage a dignity and respect at work ethos. Timescales A complaint should be made as soon as possible. However, we recognise that in cases involving trauma or abuse, individuals may not feel able to come forward immediately. Reports relating to historic concerns will still be considered where relevant. Once a complaint is made it must be considered/investigated promptly. While it is important that an internal investigation is thorough, a long-drawn out investigation is not in the interest of either party. However, there may be cases in which the internal investigation of a complaint is unavoidably delayed. In these circumstances, every effort will be made to keep all parties informed of progress. Malicious or vexatious complaints Deliberately false allegations made in bad faith may be subject to action. However, a complaint will not be considered malicious solely because it is not upheld or cannot be proven. Precautionary Action In some cases, Speakers Collective may take temporary or precautionary action (including suspension of membership or speaking activity) while a concern is being considered. This does not imply a finding of wrongdoing but is a measure to protect all parties. Action 1.19 Any complaint will be considered and investigated internally (as required) by the Speakers Collective’s membership panel. The panel will ask for input and representation from all parties involved and will make a determination in line with this policy and the values of the Speakers Collective. 1.20 The decision of the panel is final. 1.21 Every year, the Committee will report to all members on the numbers of complaints received and any action taken.

Lorna Collins, FHEA, FRSPH is an artist, filmmaker, writer, journalist and arts educator. Lorna Collins, FHEA, FRSPH is an artist, filmmaker, writer, journalist and arts educator. < Back Lorna Collins Specialisms: Brain injury, trauma, eating disorders, psychosis, self-harm, creativity, art, writing Lorna Collins, FHEA, FRSPH is an artist, filmmaker, writer, journalist and arts educator. Amongst other books, Lorna is the author of 'Making Sense: Art Practice and Transformative Therapeutics' (Bloomsbury) and a series of children’s fiction, beginning with 'Squawk: A Book of Bird Adventures' (Pegasus). She has written articles about mental health, the NHS, creativity and art in 'The Independent, 'The Guardian' and 'The British Medical Journal. When she was 18, Lorna had a severe traumatic brain injury and fell into a coma. She awoke with total amnesia and did not know who she was. This led Lorna to develop a number of psychiatric illnesses; she was locked away for nearly 2 decades. During this time, Lorna would paint to express the inexpressible, her sheer misery. Eventually, the doctors would look at her paintings to diagnose, medicate and treat her illnesses. Art provided Lorna with medicine. Lorna’s creativity helped her recover and continues to nourish her life. Lorna’s TEDx Talk, discussing all of the above, is called “How Creativity Revived Me". Latest film: "Writing the World Backwards" - (Lorna Collins & directed by Angela Robson) acclaimed in festivals across the globe, and is now released in the public domain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcyn2HTXzns TEDx talk: "How Creativity Revived Me" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smKOkjUfzHw info@speakerscollective.org BOOK A SPEAKER OR GET IN TOUCH FOR MORE INFORMATION Submit Thanks for your speaker request and we will be in touch soon.

Ruben Carol is a leading expert in disability equity, access, and inclusion, helping organisations remove barriers and build truly inclusive workplaces. Ruben Carol is a leading expert in disability equity, access, and inclusion, helping organisations remove barriers and build truly inclusive workplaces. < Back Ruben Carol Specialisms: Navigating Disability and how to create a work environment where people feel safe to share and ask for adjustments Ruben Carol is a leading expert in disability equity, access, and inclusion, helping organisations remove barriers and build truly inclusive workplaces. He has worked with organisations such as Transport for London, C2C Rail, Portsmouth University, and Uber. As a wheelchair user and amputee following a motorcycle accident and a stroke survivor, Ruben brings personal insight into the everyday barriers disabled people face. His engaging and interactive style ensures participants gain practical, actionable strategies for fostering accessibility and inclusion. Ruben is a columnist, actor, and public speaker, offering a unique and thought-provoking approach to disability equity and brings his knowledge and style bring the session to life. info@speakerscollective.org BOOK A SPEAKER OR GET IN TOUCH FOR MORE INFORMATION Submit Thanks for your speaker request and we will be in touch soon.

Mia is a childhood sexual abuse survivor and a lived-experience speaker with over 10 years of experience working alongside professionals, children, and young people. Mia is a childhood sexual abuse survivor and a lived-experience speaker with over 10 years of experience working alongside professionals, children, and young people. < Back Mia Lockley Specialisms: Childhood sexual abuse, Mental health, The CPS and how it is failing women and girl Mia is a childhood sexual abuse survivor and a lived-experience speaker with over 10 years of experience working alongside professionals, children, and young people. She lives with Bipolar Type II and complex PTSD, and uses her lived reality to bring honesty, depth, and challenge to conversations around mental health, trauma, and systems of care. Mia has delivered keynote speeches on mental health, including the realities of living with complex trauma and Bipolar Type II, mental health service failures, and the long-term impact of being unheard. She also speaks powerfully about the injustice system, sharing how she was failed twice by a system meant to provide justice, and offering critical insight into how children continue to be overlooked and let down. She has designed and delivered creative, unique workshops that support professionals working with children and young people, and has co-created resources with children to promote creativity and open conversations around feelings, worries, and emotional wellbeing. Mia has also developed resources specifically for young survivors of abuse. Mia talks about the childhood sexual abuse iceburg analogy that highlights how much of a child’s experience remains unseen, unrecognised, and unsupported, challenging adults and professionals to look beyond the surface. She is also the author of Tilly Tells, a children’s book developed with hopes of supporting children through understanding, expression, and safety. She hopes for Tilly tells to develop in 2026 and eventually become a free resource for children. In addition, Mia is a member of the Samaritans Lived Experience Advisory Board for self-harm and suicide prevention, contributing her insight to shape safer, more compassionate responses. Mia’s work centres on truth, creativity, and advocacy, amplifying the voices of children and survivors while challenging systems to do better and make the world a better place for survivors and those living with mental health challenges. info@speakerscollective.org BOOK A SPEAKER OR GET IN TOUCH FOR MORE INFORMATION Submit Thanks for your speaker request and we will be in touch soon.

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