Jason Eade: Championing inclusion through creativity

With a passion for music, arts and culture, Jason has become a key figure and important role model for sharing his varied interests with his local community in Brighton and Hove.

Jason has been an active member of learning disability-led arts organisation Carousel since 2011, pouring his creativity and ideas into making films, writing and producing radio dramas and even helping to run video game festivals. He is now the co-host of the award-winning Carousel Radio show, a segment-based spoken word show, which airs once a month.

Jason not only lights up the airwaves with his warmth and enthusiasm but has taken the lead on planning the structure of each show and introduced a brand-new feature where the hosts discuss a wide range of topics. In the past, these have included the anatomy of an octopus, school dinners, pointless, gimmicky products and even how to rebuild Atlantis.

Jason’s influence extends beyond the studio, as he plays a pivotal role in the organising and running of the organisation’s Blue Camel Club events, which provide a safe space where people with learning disabilities can come together, make friends and let loose. The nightclub event has been running since the late 90s and saw approximately 350 people attend one of their biggest events last year. Jason is the host of the night and loves getting involved in some karaoke throughout the evening.

“Having an event designed especially for people with autism and learning disabilities is so important because often going to a regular pub can be too much. It can be overcrowded, noisy and often, the atmosphere is just too high energy to be enjoyable. The Blue Camel Club allows people to have fun while also providing that calmer, more supportive atmosphere that many need.”

Jason has also helped enrich the film industry with diverse voices as a member of the Oska Bright Film Festival, the world’s leading festival for films made by or featuring people with learning disabilities or autism. He was part of the screening process, supporting on the selection of which films would be aired, while also hosting screenings and interviewing guests and award winners during the festival in 2019.

Jason was surprised to learn that he’d been selected to be part of the Dimensions Leaders’ List 2024 but is over the moon to be involved.