“Experts by experience”, “Quality Checkers”, “Quality Consultants.”

“Experts by experience”, “Quality Checkers”, “Quality Consultants.” All good organisations that provide services for people with learning disabilities will be very familiar with terms such as these.

Quality Checkers are integral, for example, to how Dimensions improves the quality of our support. We know that people with learning disabilities see things, and have conversations, that other auditors simply can’t. At the last count, we now employ 56 people in this sort of role. Many other providers follow a similar pathway.

But a decade or so back, where did it all begin?

Suzie was perhaps the first ever Quality Checker and over the years she has encouraged many others to have the confidence to follow in her footsteps. She has trained hundreds of people with learning disabilities to work as Quality Checkers and is now the chair of the National Association of Quality Checkers.

Suzie is an inspirational woman and leader, and a mother of two. She also has learning disabilities. In her younger years, Suzie lived in institutions and experienced bad treatment. It was this dark time which inspired Suzie to work for justice for others, turning her bad experiences into something positive and inspiring people all over the country.

“Suzie is a great champion for people’s rights, and she is not deterred by titles or importance. The phrase ‘Speak truth to power’ could be made for Suzie. She is an inspiration to us all.” Senior Manager.

Suzie has suffered serious illness over recent years, but she continues in her hard work, without complaint, and with her usual love and humour. A new project, Mindfulness for Life, was the first programme of its kind helping people with learning disabilities to practise mindfulness: delivered in association with Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, it is changing lives!