Who we are | Aticcersguidetolife

Our story

Founded by Lauren in 2019

After living in Brighton for a few years as a disabled student, I had made lots of friends, but I knew no other chronically ill or disabled people living in Brighton despite my university telling me one in five people in my lecture hall accessed their services. I was struggling with my degree as my health began to deteriorate rapidly and I began to need carers, as a nineteen year old living away from home, as a disabled student, I approached my university about setting up a disabled students society and was told there wasn't a need for one... I made the decision to do what lots of people may have done and take to social media to find other people like me. It was there that 'a little poorly' was formed.

Meet ups

Our first meet-up was just me myself and I and fast forward to now- I intermitted my degree, went back to education, graduated and we now have over seven hundred and fifty-five members and have built a little army of disabled people and their carers living in Brighton and Hove.

We organise craft meet-ups, help with admin and paperwork, art therapy, a range of skills. All our meet-ups are held in accessible locations for wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility and have a disabled toilet and we ensure we also offer a zoom alternative with a live transcript and closed captions. Carers, friends and family are welcome and we create a safe positive space to network and meet likeminded people in Brighton and hove. We arrange to meet fortnightly. throughout the pandemic we provided carepackages to the group and stayed connected online.

community

We partner with local small businesses such as art therapists, self defence practitioners, yoga instructors, British sign language teachers and chefs and use funding to teach our disability group life skills which could aid future employment, life skills, independent living and self esteem. We aim to print leaflets and send email campaigns to local universities, collages and places of worships in order to allow new members to become aware of our service.

Meet the team

"I know all too well the struggles of isolation with a disability and not knowing how to access support services."

Chair/ Founder

Lauren Perry

(SHE/ HER)

I'm a twenty three year old graduate living in what feels like a ninety year olds' body some days. After studying at university for a while, my pre- existing health conditions exacerbated and I found myself struggling more as a disabled student. I began to research local support services for young people and struggled to find much, it is here that I then decided to set up my facebook group 'A Little Poorly - Brighton.' In addition to this I started my blog. As a young person with a variety of chronic illnesses, I know all too well the struggles of isolation with a disability and not knowing how to access support services. I have so many plans and ambitions for my fabulous poorly people and their carers and would love to execute them all- some days my health holds me back and I've been struggling with a lack of care but hang on in there with me and we will keep our little community going.

"Our community has grown into a safe space for many, of varying situations to have the ability to find themselves with the support whenever they need, truly tackle isolation , even within these current tying times."

Head Moderator

Leanna Mercer

(SHE/ HER)

I am a student who moved to Brighton five years ago. A few years before attending university, I started noticing mulitiple health issues, but like many, went with undiagnosed disabilities for a long time. During this time I was struggling profoundly with not only my declining health, grieving my new diagnoses but also not being able to be a 'normal' student. My doctor suggested I searched for online groups. I joined a few and by chance on a local community board saw a link to ALPB by Lauren. The whole idea of this community group made for people like myself really helped me find my identity and not long after joining as a member, Lauren asked me to become a moderator. I was very passionate and excited about the role. I know that others also find the same comfort and confidence in the group.

"Living in a world that wasn’t designed to cater for people like me is challenging, but knowing that I’m not alone is one of the most powerful tools this community’s given me and I’m so grateful for that."

Admin Assistant

Alfie gow

(THEY/ THEM)

Hihihii, my name’s Alfie, my pronouns are they/them/theirs and I’m a Welsh music student living in Brighton. It’s lush to meet ya! I’ve received a few diagnoses Living in a world that wasn’t designed to cater for people like me is challenging, but knowing that I’m not alone is one of the most powerful tools this community’s given me and I’m so grateful for that. Since moving here eight years ago, I’ve discovered a whole bunch about myself, including things like I’m queer, pigs are my favourite animal on the whole damn planet (!!) and my goal is to become a music therapist. I love the sea and can’t imagine ever living somewhere without it, so I reckon I’ll be here for the foreseeable future.

"This group has given me a space to be young and exist in a city with people who understand my health limitations."

Moderator

Rosie Pryer- Vaz

(SHE/HER)

My Name is Rosie, I moved to Brighton from London and haven't looked back. I developed Narcolepsy in my second year of uni in London and that was pretty life changing, from working on film sets thirteen hours a day on now at best I may be able to do that in a week. This group has given me a space to be young and exist in a city with people who understand my health limitations. I want to help others in the group in the way they have helped me, always here to help if I can.

"I was so happy when I found ALPB through Facebook. As even though I have very understanding friends, it's nice to have others who understand what it's like to be disabled."

Moderator

Natasha berg

(SHE/HER)

Hi I'm Tasha,I've lived in Brighton for quite a few years now. I moved here after finishing university and don't plan to leave! I've spent a lot of my life by the sea and it makes me feel at peace. I was so happy when I found ALPB through Facebook. As even though I have very understanding friends, it's nice to have others who understand what it's like to be disabled. I like crochet, plants, video games and board games. I try to swim in the sea whenever I feel able to. I'm really excited to take a more active role within the group and look forward to meeting more of you.