Principal activities of the company

We run training courses for health and social care professionals, disabled people, partner carers, and parent carers We continue to respond to requests from researchers doing projects that are aligned with our mission of better health equity for disabled people. Increasingly, we are being approached by various sectors within the NHS, Universities, and VCSE/Third Sector organisations to share our opinions on policy and practice. Our CEO continues to be a public panel member for BASHH (British Association for Sexual Health and HIV), which is the professional body for Sexual Health staff in the NHS. This is on a voluntary basis on a quarterly schedule, and she takes part via web-conferencing from her office bed. She provides lived experience of pan-disability issues to the panel, as well as advocacy for our client base. BASHH guidelines and patient information leaflets that Lorraine was involved in reviewing: HSV & HSV in pregnancy guidelines; Patient Information leaflets on Ano-genital warts; Non-Fatal Strangulation; Online STI testing; Vulval conditions. In October 2023 Lorraine presented at the IUISTI Europe Congress in Malta. In December 2023 we started collaborating with The SAMEE Charity, using our CEO’s experience as a disabled person getting into self-employment, to develop partnerships with local and national organisations. This has significantly raised the profile of SWAD, and the work we do. Lorraine was a contributing author to: BASHH 2024 abstract: Disability and access to sexual and reproductive health services in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Britain: findings from Natsal-COVID wave 2 survey: Abstract category: Emerging Infections, COVID and Monkeypox. Natsal is among the largest and most detailed scientific studies of sexual behaviour in the world. In 2024 Lorraine received an Eminent Woman Community Impact Award for Dorset, and a national Learning and Autism Leaders’ List Award, which achieved national coverage, including in The Mirror newspaper. Activism: SWAD's "Better Access for Better Access" Campaign - the “Better Access for Better Access” campaign goal is to have at least one hoisting system, and a set of leg supports, on at least one examination couch, in every sexual health clinic and GP surgery in the UK ; 99% Organisation NHS Project team – continues to contribute a disability perspective. Chris Fry, Disability rights lawyer; Submitted comments on the government’s Disability Action Plan; contributed to the Government’s Lilac Review Focus Groups; Bournemouth BIG Sleep Easy event. Invited Speaker: Menopause Summit with Dr Claire Macaulay; English HIV and Sexual Health Commissioners’ Group Online Conference; BASHH National Conference 2024; White Rose Disability Network Conference. Feedback included: “Thank you for your time and presentation. Certainly an eye opener and loads of food for thought.” “Thank you for a very different presentation with new view on the services we provide. Lots of practical advice.” Mentoring sessions: Delivered one-to-one peer mentoring sessions nationwide via video link. Collaborative projects: Contributor to, and reviewer of resources for Task Force on Women’s Health in Dorset. Natsal; Community Voices Webinar with Bournemouth University; Disability section of the THT research CEG document; Terrence Higgins Trust - Update for Expert Advisory Group on Sexual Health Unmet Need; Talbot Campus at Bournemouth Uni. Filming of interview with BU; Contributor to “Barriers to cancer screening”; Dr Beattie Sturrock Public Health Registrar (ST3) and Academic Clinical Fellow Institute for Global Health, UCL; Coventry University project: Linking social determinants of health with sexual wellbeing: a spotlight on disability and intersectionality. Continuing Professional Development: Versus Arthritis: Supporter-centred communications, Digital Strategy. Disability and Journalism Conference; Inclusive Boards; Donor funding for SRHR advocacy; Being an ADHD Entrepreneur; Powerful Branding; Webinar Long-COVID: Myths, misconceptions and lived experiences; researching Learning Management Systems; Disability and the Arts: Access and Inclusion; SHADA meeting; Accessing the Right Support: A Neurodivergent Employees' Guide; Life after abuse what does it take to recover and rise; Networking For Relationships and Sex(uality) Experts; CRM for small charities: Getting the most from your data; Masking and the impact on mental health; Supported Loving Network; Sexperts Business Community; NHS Confederation – event management; Suicide First Aid Through Understanding Suicide Intervention; The Midlife Sex Festival; Unlearning Ableism; Understanding Autism & ADHD; Exploring Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and helpful approaches; BBC Academy Event - Podcast training. Celebrating Neurodivergent Women; Girl Unmasked: ‘How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life’; The Kings Fund – Health Inequalities conference; Networking: Trusted Voices sessions & Disability Inclusion Networking with CAN Dorset; Carer Support Dorset; Network for Supporting Disability and Community Action Network Champions Safeguarding Adults (Community Action Network Dorset); “15 Steps for Maternity” Poole Maternity unit access audit; National Voices; Disabled Entrepreneurs Networking with FSB (Federation of Small Businesses), NHS England, NHS Dorset Cancer awareness training; The Or Independent Creative Agency; Unltd; Sexual Health Dorset Team (including access audits) ; Dorchester DBCP SAB Community Engagement Group; Rural Health Matters; CQC; 'Routes to Power and Influence for Disabled Women’; NAIDEX & UK Care Week Exhibition. Raising profile of disability and sex health inequalities and the work we do: Dorset Women CIC; Dynamic Training; Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training; CRISP Carers Rights event; Soroptomists event tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG); Community Heroes in the Spotlight; SCOPE; Locality; Smallwood Trust; National Health Action Party AGM; VCS Forum; Health & Wellbeing Event (Dorset NHS & Council event); Women’s Networking events; VAWG Summit: Creating a new culture to end violence against women and girls (Bournemouth Uni); Unlocking Prevention within ICSs focus group; Critiquing medical papers; Chat Magazine article about SWAD (national magazine); Cancer Matters Wessex; NHS Confed Expo 2024; National Voices – Darzi Review meeting.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 26 May 2025
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Michael Ballard
Status: Director