Raj Gill-Harrison
Nominee Profile
Location: Leicester
Thank you for taking time to read about me and my work. Here is a little summary for your perusal
Improving EDI, closing inequity gaps, enabling community cohesion, developing psychological safety, connections and belonging, and shaping improved service access, delivery and pathways to support better lives and wellbeing for all is my passion and purpose.
I am a female, disabled, Asian British, LGBTQIA + single parent . Born in London and living in the heart of England in Leicester. A multicultural city known in recent times for being the city in lockdown for over 2 years during the covid-19 pandemic. The city with the most multicultural street in the UK.
Being nominated for this award is extremely humbling and was a total surprise.
Winning the Lifetime Achiever Award would be the most amazing sense of validation and achievement to dedicate to my inspirational mother and children.
Recognition would show that someone like me does and can make a difference out there. And is visible as a diverse individual “just doing what I can” using my skills, learnings and experience for the benefit of vulnerable and diverse others too.
And would be a phenomenal way of celebrating and acknowledging the importance of my continuing to work hard collaboratively and unswervingly to constructively challenge inequalities and exclusive practices and systems, by contributing to bring about and shape change that enhances inclusion and equity in access to services and support and protection.
As part of my contributions in the fight for human rights for all, and for better social and individual justice and anti-discrimination policy, law and practices.
From being recognised as someone who is introverted and has huge Imposter Syndrome to being a positive role model, champion, changemaker, advocate and voice for others facing inequity and/or discrimination.
I have spent a lifetime dedicating time, energy and service personally, voluntarily and professionally for individuals and projects across the public sector and VCSE.
For better wellbeing and inclusion of all, to help develop collaborative networks, and to close gaps in services and support.
I strive to be an exemplary role model. A passionate, driven, fair, inclusive and dynamic critical friend.
I work as a nurturing, attentive, constructive, nonjudgemental individual, practitioner, leader, facilitator and assessor. As in the NHS, education, police and social care roles I hold. As a member of my community and as a global citizen.
I am an authentic, dedicated defender of rights. Breaking barriers calmly and sensitively to bring people and minds together.
My impact has helped lift numerous people out of isolation and despair, enabling them to be represented, supported and go on to live a more enhanced quality of life, and become better self empowered, self confident and resilient.
And by endeavouring to be a voice for those who often are not seen or heard, supported, included or accepted as well as they ought to be by “the powers that be” and wider society generally.
I have done/do this whilst overcoming personal barriers like isolation, poverty, discrimination, abuse; as an individual with many intersectional identities, and as unpaid carer for 50+ years.
As well as whilst battling with and managing multiple chronic disabilities myself. Including physical disabilities such as arthritis, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes and COPD, and mental health issues such as CPTSD, depression and anxiety. I am also neurodivergent with ADHD and ASD, and am also surviving with the effects of Long Covid Syndrome since 2022.
I am and have been a multi skilled practitioner supporting vulnerable, marginalised people through grassroots and strategic leadership levels. Encouraging and working in a collaborative way and with co-production and co-design as a key approach.
I trained as a psychologist and have worked as a community psychologist and project worker in many fields of support on the frontline and as a manager, trustee or director, or volunteer.
I have provided counselling, therapy, training, advocacy, mentoring and coaching to individuals and groups. And raised awareness as a Community Connector and Expert by Experience. To members of the public and to professionals alike, across sectors. I have also supported communities as a school governor for over 20 years.
The areas I've supported, developed and delivered services in, advocated and championed in, and led service improvement and inclusion for are varied. And i always consider and champion for the wellbeing and safety of all stakeholders.
My experience in working with, for and on behalf of people from all diversities includes people of all ages and abilities, and from all intersectional identities, protected characteristics and areas of vulnerability or isolation.
These include, but are not limited to - substance misuse individuals and their loved ones; adult and child survivors of childhood sexual abuse; survivors of domestic violence and abuse; those with selective mutism and their families, educators and clinicians; those with neurodivergent conditions and their loved ones; homeless families; victims of hate crime, especially mental health, disability and lgbtqia+/trans; those with physical, learning, mental or complex health conditions and their carers; bereaved; people at end of life and their loved ones; young and adult carers; people with hidden disabilities/invisible illness; people suffering trauma from all types of adversity and life challenges; people with burnout, including keyworkers and volunteers; vulnerable children and young people and their families; struggling families/parents with children under 5; senior leadership in schools; children with SEND and their parents.
My work and impact during and since the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns has been wide and varied. I was shielding myself throughout this.
Vulnerable and isolated individuals and families were supported through collaborative partnerships to help practically with food, medication and signposting; emotionally with befriending and coaching; by developing and sourcing avenues of support to help build sustainable connections to reduce loneliness and isolation. Locallyand further afield with my input as a partner and voice.
For example in 2020 I founded the Carers Health and Wellbeing Forum as a peer led community social prescriber model resource and group to provide support, information and a safe community space for unpaid carers who were struggling with emotional and social isolation and lack of information and wellbeing support.
Alongside this I also founded CarersCount2 to share information and raise awareness of unpaid carers needs, plight and struggle under the #carerscount2 #CarerChallenge #inthistogether #everyonematters #rgh4inclusion tags.
This is also to help raise awareness of any diverse or marginalised groups requiring raising awareness of and needing service improvement, and discrimination and inequities addressing.
I hope to develop this into an inclusion based not-for-profit CIC then CIO some day soon. Before my own health and abilities render me unable to continue to fight for equality, inclusion and social justice in all spheres of life.
In 2022 I was fortunate in being invited to talk about and represent carers/disability/families at Parliament with CoPOWer Consortium for ethnic communities and the impact of the pandemic on them, their lives, wellbeing and their inequitable access to services and support.
I also helped shape and share policy, practice, guidance and legislation recommendations through MoVe Consortium post lockdown following my work as a Mutual Aid Leicester Groups coordinator. Including sharing learnings and partnership successes and challenges to organisational leads, NCVO managers, legislative bodies and academics.
I have spoken and collaborated extensively internationally on wellbeing, isolation & loneliness and the importance of belonging and connection in individuals and communities. Such as with WHO, Social Health Labs, Campaign for Loneliness, the Togetherness Hub, WhatWorksforWellbeing, and with other partners locally and globally.
I have supported, campaigned, fought for and enabled self empowerment and personal development for 100’s with protected characteristics and intersectional identities through my work spanning 35+ years.
Including helping coordinate Leicester Mutual Aid during 2 years lockdown; founding the Carers Health and Wellbeing Forum, CarersCount2, SMIRA charity; envisioning & setting up Leicester DV and Quetzal Helplines.
The plethora of services I have initiated or collaborated in the community has enabled more effective, prompt, and vital support dissemination to many vulnerable, hard to reach people so they reduced suffering or isolationin some way.
I am an Advocate, Champion, Mentor, Trainer, Educator, Coach, Facilitator, Campaigner, Expert by Experience, NHS Community Connector and Quality Improvement Assessor. A dementia champion for Alzheimers Research UK. A research support to aid reduction in health inequalities.
I am an expert by experience and Co-production Lived Experience Partner across sectors including NHS LPT QI, Corporate and Enabling Services; and am a community volunteer.
I work cross sector driving improvement and meaningful developments in strategy, practice, policy for access, justice, education, employment, health and safety.
I am a Director of Leicester Community Advice and Law Service that supports people with debt, housing, immigration and other inequalities that impact wellbeing, life opportunities and status, and mental health.
I am Chair of the NHS LPT Mental Health Directorate co-production group; Chair of East Midlands ADASS/IMPACT Waiting Lists Steering Group, Police Independent Advisory Group; and a member of the local authority Social Care Carers Strategy Group; and other Partnership committees.
I am also an experienced school governor of 20+ years including our local 4 site Children’s Hospital Schools. As a governor I lead in several roles such as SEND, PHSCE, Wellbeing, community engagement and cohesion. And Chair of 2 schools and a member of the City of Leicester Governors Association Executive Board working with local authority Children’s Services Boards and committees.
As a member of the Young Carers Partnership Committee I worked with public and voluntary sector psrtners including Barnados to bring equity and support for young carers, the young carers passport and a partnership Memorandum of Understanding to develop and embed support for this vulnerable group.
My impact in EDI, service improvement and developments, and mental health and wellbeing work in the community has spread across a vast range of areas of diverse individuals and communities.
Impacting through delivering, improving or developing innovative projects that are inclusive, equitable and accessible contributes to better, sustainable support for all stakeholders.
I was listed as a national pandemic Unsung Hero; shortlisted for National Diversity Awards in disability and lifetime achiever; finalist for NHS Quality and Service Improvement in 2023, BBC Make a Difference Carer, VAL Awards Community Service; Leicestershire Individual Community Champion winner 2022.
I am a proud recipient of lhe prestigious Queens Platinum Award for Services to Community.
I am currently vice-president of Lions International Warwickshire Coaching Lions, continuing the vast voluntary work I pride myself on to serve vulnerable communities.
I have spearheaded help for survivors/ carers of many different experiences; been a trustee for a variety of charities including New Dawn New Day, Homestart Horizons, SMIRA, CALS
I have campaigned successfully for mental wellbeing to be a statutory part of the National Curriculum from 2020.
I work, and have worked, with many organisations and partners. Including SAHA, NIHR, University of Leicester, De Montfort University, CoPOWer and MoVe in addressing health and social care inequalities; LOROS hospice on End of Life Care research, practice and service improvement.
I coach and advocate for individuals, carers, disabled, victims of hate crime, abuse, discrimination.
Also professionals for personal and professional development. Including students in health care on building skills in professionalism and developing inclusive, meaningful relationships with peers, carers and service users.
I am working with Point of Care Foundation to develop training materials and courses for health clinicians on how to be aware of their own personal biases and beliefs and how these may impact relationships at work. And how to have sensitive, courageous conversations on difficult, taboo or challenging topics such as gender and sexuality, race, death snd dying, mental health and suicide, disability.
“Seva” is a key part of my upbringing as a Sikh - which recognises and instils the importance of equality and community service for all.
I believe in this wholeheartedly and live my life with a caring, open, kind, pragmatic, flexible mind and approach in life that supports, includes and encourages rather than being a bystander and observer to unnecessary pain, isolation, hardship, suffering and discrimination of both humans and animals.
After all #everyonematters and we are all #inthistogether.
Improving EDI, closing inequity gaps, enabling community cohesion, developing psychological safety, connections and belonging, and shaping improved service access, delivery and pathways to support better lives and wellbeing for all is my passion and purpose.
I am a female, disabled, Asian British, LGBTQIA + single parent . Born in London and living in the heart of England in Leicester. A multicultural city known in recent times for being the city in lockdown for over 2 years during the covid-19 pandemic. The city with the most multicultural street in the UK.
Being nominated for this award is extremely humbling and was a total surprise.
Winning the Lifetime Achiever Award would be the most amazing sense of validation and achievement to dedicate to my inspirational mother and children.
Recognition would show that someone like me does and can make a difference out there. And is visible as a diverse individual “just doing what I can” using my skills, learnings and experience for the benefit of vulnerable and diverse others too.
And would be a phenomenal way of celebrating and acknowledging the importance of my continuing to work hard collaboratively and unswervingly to constructively challenge inequalities and exclusive practices and systems, by contributing to bring about and shape change that enhances inclusion and equity in access to services and support and protection.
As part of my contributions in the fight for human rights for all, and for better social and individual justice and anti-discrimination policy, law and practices.
From being recognised as someone who is introverted and has huge Imposter Syndrome to being a positive role model, champion, changemaker, advocate and voice for others facing inequity and/or discrimination.
I have spent a lifetime dedicating time, energy and service personally, voluntarily and professionally for individuals and projects across the public sector and VCSE.
For better wellbeing and inclusion of all, to help develop collaborative networks, and to close gaps in services and support.
I strive to be an exemplary role model. A passionate, driven, fair, inclusive and dynamic critical friend.
I work as a nurturing, attentive, constructive, nonjudgemental individual, practitioner, leader, facilitator and assessor. As in the NHS, education, police and social care roles I hold. As a member of my community and as a global citizen.
I am an authentic, dedicated defender of rights. Breaking barriers calmly and sensitively to bring people and minds together.
My impact has helped lift numerous people out of isolation and despair, enabling them to be represented, supported and go on to live a more enhanced quality of life, and become better self empowered, self confident and resilient.
And by endeavouring to be a voice for those who often are not seen or heard, supported, included or accepted as well as they ought to be by “the powers that be” and wider society generally.
I have done/do this whilst overcoming personal barriers like isolation, poverty, discrimination, abuse; as an individual with many intersectional identities, and as unpaid carer for 50+ years.
As well as whilst battling with and managing multiple chronic disabilities myself. Including physical disabilities such as arthritis, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes and COPD, and mental health issues such as CPTSD, depression and anxiety. I am also neurodivergent with ADHD and ASD, and am also surviving with the effects of Long Covid Syndrome since 2022.
I am and have been a multi skilled practitioner supporting vulnerable, marginalised people through grassroots and strategic leadership levels. Encouraging and working in a collaborative way and with co-production and co-design as a key approach.
I trained as a psychologist and have worked as a community psychologist and project worker in many fields of support on the frontline and as a manager, trustee or director, or volunteer.
I have provided counselling, therapy, training, advocacy, mentoring and coaching to individuals and groups. And raised awareness as a Community Connector and Expert by Experience. To members of the public and to professionals alike, across sectors. I have also supported communities as a school governor for over 20 years.
The areas I've supported, developed and delivered services in, advocated and championed in, and led service improvement and inclusion for are varied. And i always consider and champion for the wellbeing and safety of all stakeholders.
My experience in working with, for and on behalf of people from all diversities includes people of all ages and abilities, and from all intersectional identities, protected characteristics and areas of vulnerability or isolation.
These include, but are not limited to - substance misuse individuals and their loved ones; adult and child survivors of childhood sexual abuse; survivors of domestic violence and abuse; those with selective mutism and their families, educators and clinicians; those with neurodivergent conditions and their loved ones; homeless families; victims of hate crime, especially mental health, disability and lgbtqia+/trans; those with physical, learning, mental or complex health conditions and their carers; bereaved; people at end of life and their loved ones; young and adult carers; people with hidden disabilities/invisible illness; people suffering trauma from all types of adversity and life challenges; people with burnout, including keyworkers and volunteers; vulnerable children and young people and their families; struggling families/parents with children under 5; senior leadership in schools; children with SEND and their parents.
My work and impact during and since the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns has been wide and varied. I was shielding myself throughout this.
Vulnerable and isolated individuals and families were supported through collaborative partnerships to help practically with food, medication and signposting; emotionally with befriending and coaching; by developing and sourcing avenues of support to help build sustainable connections to reduce loneliness and isolation. Locallyand further afield with my input as a partner and voice.
For example in 2020 I founded the Carers Health and Wellbeing Forum as a peer led community social prescriber model resource and group to provide support, information and a safe community space for unpaid carers who were struggling with emotional and social isolation and lack of information and wellbeing support.
Alongside this I also founded CarersCount2 to share information and raise awareness of unpaid carers needs, plight and struggle under the #carerscount2 #CarerChallenge #inthistogether #everyonematters #rgh4inclusion tags.
This is also to help raise awareness of any diverse or marginalised groups requiring raising awareness of and needing service improvement, and discrimination and inequities addressing.
I hope to develop this into an inclusion based not-for-profit CIC then CIO some day soon. Before my own health and abilities render me unable to continue to fight for equality, inclusion and social justice in all spheres of life.
In 2022 I was fortunate in being invited to talk about and represent carers/disability/families at Parliament with CoPOWer Consortium for ethnic communities and the impact of the pandemic on them, their lives, wellbeing and their inequitable access to services and support.
I also helped shape and share policy, practice, guidance and legislation recommendations through MoVe Consortium post lockdown following my work as a Mutual Aid Leicester Groups coordinator. Including sharing learnings and partnership successes and challenges to organisational leads, NCVO managers, legislative bodies and academics.
I have spoken and collaborated extensively internationally on wellbeing, isolation & loneliness and the importance of belonging and connection in individuals and communities. Such as with WHO, Social Health Labs, Campaign for Loneliness, the Togetherness Hub, WhatWorksforWellbeing, and with other partners locally and globally.
I have supported, campaigned, fought for and enabled self empowerment and personal development for 100’s with protected characteristics and intersectional identities through my work spanning 35+ years.
Including helping coordinate Leicester Mutual Aid during 2 years lockdown; founding the Carers Health and Wellbeing Forum, CarersCount2, SMIRA charity; envisioning & setting up Leicester DV and Quetzal Helplines.
The plethora of services I have initiated or collaborated in the community has enabled more effective, prompt, and vital support dissemination to many vulnerable, hard to reach people so they reduced suffering or isolationin some way.
I am an Advocate, Champion, Mentor, Trainer, Educator, Coach, Facilitator, Campaigner, Expert by Experience, NHS Community Connector and Quality Improvement Assessor. A dementia champion for Alzheimers Research UK. A research support to aid reduction in health inequalities.
I am an expert by experience and Co-production Lived Experience Partner across sectors including NHS LPT QI, Corporate and Enabling Services; and am a community volunteer.
I work cross sector driving improvement and meaningful developments in strategy, practice, policy for access, justice, education, employment, health and safety.
I am a Director of Leicester Community Advice and Law Service that supports people with debt, housing, immigration and other inequalities that impact wellbeing, life opportunities and status, and mental health.
I am Chair of the NHS LPT Mental Health Directorate co-production group; Chair of East Midlands ADASS/IMPACT Waiting Lists Steering Group, Police Independent Advisory Group; and a member of the local authority Social Care Carers Strategy Group; and other Partnership committees.
I am also an experienced school governor of 20+ years including our local 4 site Children’s Hospital Schools. As a governor I lead in several roles such as SEND, PHSCE, Wellbeing, community engagement and cohesion. And Chair of 2 schools and a member of the City of Leicester Governors Association Executive Board working with local authority Children’s Services Boards and committees.
As a member of the Young Carers Partnership Committee I worked with public and voluntary sector psrtners including Barnados to bring equity and support for young carers, the young carers passport and a partnership Memorandum of Understanding to develop and embed support for this vulnerable group.
My impact in EDI, service improvement and developments, and mental health and wellbeing work in the community has spread across a vast range of areas of diverse individuals and communities.
Impacting through delivering, improving or developing innovative projects that are inclusive, equitable and accessible contributes to better, sustainable support for all stakeholders.
I was listed as a national pandemic Unsung Hero; shortlisted for National Diversity Awards in disability and lifetime achiever; finalist for NHS Quality and Service Improvement in 2023, BBC Make a Difference Carer, VAL Awards Community Service; Leicestershire Individual Community Champion winner 2022.
I am a proud recipient of lhe prestigious Queens Platinum Award for Services to Community.
I am currently vice-president of Lions International Warwickshire Coaching Lions, continuing the vast voluntary work I pride myself on to serve vulnerable communities.
I have spearheaded help for survivors/ carers of many different experiences; been a trustee for a variety of charities including New Dawn New Day, Homestart Horizons, SMIRA, CALS
I have campaigned successfully for mental wellbeing to be a statutory part of the National Curriculum from 2020.
I work, and have worked, with many organisations and partners. Including SAHA, NIHR, University of Leicester, De Montfort University, CoPOWer and MoVe in addressing health and social care inequalities; LOROS hospice on End of Life Care research, practice and service improvement.
I coach and advocate for individuals, carers, disabled, victims of hate crime, abuse, discrimination.
Also professionals for personal and professional development. Including students in health care on building skills in professionalism and developing inclusive, meaningful relationships with peers, carers and service users.
I am working with Point of Care Foundation to develop training materials and courses for health clinicians on how to be aware of their own personal biases and beliefs and how these may impact relationships at work. And how to have sensitive, courageous conversations on difficult, taboo or challenging topics such as gender and sexuality, race, death snd dying, mental health and suicide, disability.
“Seva” is a key part of my upbringing as a Sikh - which recognises and instils the importance of equality and community service for all.
I believe in this wholeheartedly and live my life with a caring, open, kind, pragmatic, flexible mind and approach in life that supports, includes and encourages rather than being a bystander and observer to unnecessary pain, isolation, hardship, suffering and discrimination of both humans and animals.
After all #everyonematters and we are all #inthistogether.