Emma has worked in social care and community development. Previously trustee for community based charity Stepney City Farm, then working for major mental health charity Richmond Fellowship and advocacy charity VoiceAbility, she offers insight into how support services are designed, developed and commissioned. She saw that power over how services are delivered sits with commissioners and managers. It's rare for people on the front-line to be in charge. 

Emma is leading on setting up Equal Care Co-op.

Kate ran and transformed a small social enterprise (the Feel Good Bakery) working with ex-offenders getting back into work. She has  given front-line support in residential care settings. Kate has also had direct experience as a teen carer, being the main carer for her mum for several years before her death in 2007.

Fran runs Hebden Care, giving independent support working with older people. She managed the Moving into Work project for the learning disabilities social enterprise, Kerbside (Calderdale). She has also worked as Support Co-ordinator for social services. 

Fran is leading on mentoring and supporting 

independent workers and user-led service design. 

Amber leads a team of Personal Assistants and has designed digital tools to facilitate person-centred support. Her work with small employers (people with disabilities employing their own staff) is award-winning and she has deep experience in creating support perfectly shaped to fit the person.

Amber is leading on our work around co-operative membership and setting up our first worker-led circle team in Hebden Bridge. 

Kenny has completed an online course in Social Media Marketing, passing with distinction. He has worked at Mencap and has experience of both giving and receiving care and support. He is an activist for human and non-human rights and an equalities and rainbow campaigner. Kenny is a transgender man, having stopped living as female towards the end of 2014. He is receiving support for gender dysphoria, a number of serious physical health conditions and is neurodiverse. Kenny is a wheelchair user and uses various other mobility aids and adaptations.

Kenny is working on our social media. He is a peer supporter and all-round confidence-builder, using his experiences to mentor others.