Experts available for comment
We provide analysis and comment on a wide range of topics related to learning disabilities and autism. Some of our spokespeople have autism and/or learning disabilities and either work for us or are supported by us.
Our spokespeople
Dr Mark Brookes MBE – Advocacy Lead
Mark has a deeply powerful story and often speaks publicly about disability hate crime and is an advocate for people with learning disabilities and autism being treated equally. He is also employed by Dimensions as a Quality Auditor, a role that sees him visiting services to check people are supported in a personalised way.
Mark was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Kent for his work on Hate Crime, a huge accolade that has since been followed by an MBE, a place of the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list and membership of the Learning Disability Leaders List run by Dimensions in association with VODG and Learning Disability England.
Tracey Garcia – Involvement and Engagement Manager
Tracey is renowned for her determination to consult the community Dimensions support so they are at the very heart of our unique work.
She is dedicated to enabling them to have greater involvement and influence through their valued roles as family experts and quality consultants.
Paula Gledhill – Head of Public Affairs
Jordan Smith – Chair of the Dimensions Council and Health Equalities Lead
Jordan is a man with Cerebral Palsy who since being supported by Dimensions feels like his life has been transformed by the opportunities available to him – which he has embraced with enthusiasm. He is our lead spokesperson for #MyGPandMe
An advocate for others through his passion in local and national politics – a spokesperson against the barriers to voting because of his own past experiences and expertise – a true champion for LOVE YOUR VOTE
An ambassador for others supported by Dimensions as Chair of the Dimensions Council, Jordan brings others together to unite to find solutions, share stories and influence how Dimensions provides support to others.
A professional in the role of Quality Consultant, a champion for ‘GREAT’ support and a fierce challenger in his quality checking role, a tough critic and able interviewer when supporting business support interviews and a wonderful story teller when training new staff around their and Dimensions values.
Jordan is also a co-chair of Learning Disability England and thus plays a representative role for all people with learning disabilities in the UK.
Rachael Dodgson – Group Chief Executive
Rachael has worked in social care for over 30 years. She is a qualified social worker and has worked in a wide range of roles both in the voluntary and for profit sector. She began her career in social care as a support worker with people with learning disabilities and has also worked as a registered manager and as operations director in services for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
She worked for Birmingham People First (the self-advocacy organisation of people with learning disabilities) and then spent 13 years working for the social care regulator in a number of different posts. She began her time there as an inspector but her final post at CQC was as Head of Adult Social Care Policy leading on strategy, regulatory frameworks and policy. She joined Dimensions in 2019 as our Managing Director and in 2022 became our CEO.
Rachael is passionate about ensuring people have choice and control over their lives and delivering high quality support. She is strongly committed to involving and engaging the people we support and their families, to raising the profile of social care across government, and to enabling colleagues to have great careers at Dimensions.