Martyn Sibley

For all the brands scared stiff of engaging with disabled people (so most of you!), we've got you covered 🙌 Let's practice what we preach in our vision mission statements, and truly include everybody! 🎉 https://www.instagram.com/p/CTwnQWmoJIU/?utm_medium=tumblr

Mum/Dad! I'm on TV!!! Yesterday our @linkedin Changemaker TV ad went live. I've just had loads of messages from people seeing me during the @spursofficial match (COYS). To learn more about #conversationsforchange head here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/im-linkedin-changemaker-martyn-sibley https://www.instagram.com/p/CTru2IboYFa/?utm_medium=tumblr

What would you change in the world of work? Here's my 5 wishes from my recent @LinkedIn post Read the full post here https://www.linkedin.com/posts/martyn-sibley-1227b411_conversationsforchange-leadership-diversity-activity-6841334128693129216-Vd2s https://www.instagram.com/p/CTj9jIvIIaM/?utm_medium=tumblr

Today we have the hard launch of the #conversationsforchange campaign with my fellow LinkedIn changemakers. We each have made a one minute spotlight video on the change we want to see in the workplace. I've shared mine here. Then, on Friday, we are all featured in a nationwide TV ad! Such a dream come true and very excited for the changes we're all going to drive in the economy. For the benefit of everybody! I'll share the ad on my channels on Friday, and also I'll share a written post on Wednesday about disability inclusion in the workplace. What do you think to the video and the campaign? What would you like to change in the work place? Can't wait to read your thoughts! https://www.instagram.com/p/CTetl2yI5r7/?utm_medium=tumblr

Today I turn another year older. Inspired by my good friend Sam, I want to share some thoughts on the past year. What a year it's been. I'm mostly struck with so much gratitude for having my and my loved ones health in check. It's been a scary year on that front. I'm also proud I've looked after my mental health, not just physical health, proactively. Particularly with my disability, my brain is one of my most important assets to nurture! Another retrospective thought is around how some things really don't change regarding living with a disability. The past year has soon huge effort on my part in maintaining my care needs, equipment (hoist/wheelchair/adapted car) and making adaptions to the house. It shouldn't be so hard, but unfortunately it's still life in 2021 with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Beyond health and independent living factors, I've had time for some fun. We had a beautiful trip to Norfolk in June and I've ensured I'm switching off better than past year's out of work. What's life without some crazy fun right? Finally work wise. Purple Goat is something I'm so proud of the past year. We now have a talented and dedicated team of world changers driving our progress. We're working with dream brands, smashing revenue targets, have been featured in big publications, and are up for awards. So it's been a year of new challenges, new lessons, new experiences, new achievements and most of all gratitude for whatever came. I've got big goals for the next year. Huge ones. But really health, my independence, fun times and career progression sum them up for now! Thanks for being on the journey with me 👊 https://www.instagram.com/p/CTWuTt5ov6Z/?utm_medium=tumblr

Exciting news! We have episode 100 of our xceptional leaders podcast. It's a deeply personal chat with @wheelsnoheels_ about disability and being a social media influencer. Here's the full episode https://www.xceptionalleaders.com/guests/gem-hubbard/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CTUvXnSojU4/?utm_medium=tumblr

How can humour change the world around disability inclusion, for both disabled people and global brands? https://www.instagram.com/p/CSroxzJIoR_/?utm_medium=tumblr

Something I do in the 26th hour of my day is run a podcast with my awesome podcast wifey @mailingchan called @xceptionalleaders. I'm really excited to share this episode. With no other than the brilliant Steven Woodgate talking hidden disabilities, marketing and superpowers! https://www.xceptionalleaders.com/neurodiversity-and-invisible-disabilities-as/ Let us know what you think to our chat! https://www.instagram.com/p/CSb9pvioq6X/?utm_medium=tumblr

With the Olympics coming to an end this weekend, and the Paralympics soon to begin, here's my thoughts on how brands engage with the games/disabled people https://www.instagram.com/p/CSPJRi7IouG/?utm_medium=tumblr

I'm a LinkedIn Changemaker! https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/im-linkedin-changemaker-martyn-sibley https://www.instagram.com/p/CSMHp7_oyKW/?utm_medium=tumblr

#Sponsored - Wearing shoes as a wheelchair user can be a strange one. You want style, but you need comfort and practicality. I'm really grateful to Friendlyshoes.com for sending me a couple of their all abilities shoes last week. Please do check them out! https://www.instagram.com/p/CSExVEXoFLq/?utm_medium=tumblr

My article published on @linkedin Today the government released their long anticipated disability strategy. Promised since 2019, it was said to be big and bold for the disability community. Having looked at it this morning, here's my take on it. Firstly the obligatory nod to the positives. The mention of improvement to housing, transport, education and employment is much needed. Indeed having a strategy for disabled people is in itself seldom and much needed. So credit where credits due. Now to the concerns I have. Firstly, I've heard from many parts of our community that disabled people were not properly consulted in this process. Our Purple Goat strapline, inspired by the amazing disability activists, is 'nothing about us without us'. This is so crucial for the success of any government policy, business product, and brand marketing campaign. How can a non disabled person make the right decision for disabled people and our families? Secondly, where is the mention of health and social care? We've seen through this pandemic how disproportionately disabled people have been effected (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57652173). Yet with an already struggling system, the means by which the most basic of human rights are enabled (health, wellbeing, sustenance, going to the toilet) are completely left out of the conversation. My final thought before you head off is around details. As much as the headlines look nice to the general public - £1.6bn on disabled people. How will that really get the job done within the mentioned parameters? Will disabled people get to lead the solution? Take the London underground as a transport example. With 2/3 of the stations inaccessible for wheelchair users, you could easily spend £1.6bn on sorting this one issue alone. So to conclude. It's great we have a disability strategy, and if anything it helps us have better conversations. But without disabled people leading the conversation, and with no real long term plan, I'm left with more questions than true hope. https://www.instagram.com/p/CR3j95qJyt2/?utm_medium=tumblr

Ever considered how the accessibility of immersive technologies is better for everyone? Here's our latest podcast episode on that very topic! https://www.xceptionalleaders.com/guests/liz-hyman/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CR1botlJ7tL/?utm_medium=tumblr

Brands are terrified. It's time for education, bridge building, compassion, and positive action! https://www.instagram.com/p/CRy6uZQpfBY/?utm_medium=tumblr

Our team is growing. We've even hired a new awesome member since filming this! After our shout out in the video, as to where we're all from, write in the comments where you're representing 😂 and have a bloody great weekend too! https://www.instagram.com/p/CRrAukWp8Mt/?utm_medium=tumblr

Our first in person Purple Goat meet up last Thursday (minus Chris who'd headed home for father duty). Was amazing to all get together and hang out away from a laptop camera. Video content from the day coming soon... Photo description: Martyn and Dom in their wheelchairs either side of Dani, Harriet, Gina and Jo; all in front of a bright and vibrant piece of graffiti by Kings Cross canal (which was behind the camera) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRlopP_Jgpc/?utm_medium=tumblr

If you've ever had a nightmare flying experience, join Dom and I in this crying counselling session of crazy memories 😂 https://www.instagram.com/p/CRURJLlpY57/?utm_medium=tumblr