Maddi is autistic, ADHD, disabled and queer and brings this lived expertise to help organisations, individuals and communities to value lived expertise and embed lived experience leadership in their work. This deep personal understanding of marginalised people and communities fuels their passion for harnessing lived expertise to drive societal, systemic and organisational change. At the heart of all their work are principles of co-production, cooperation and collaborative working, ensuring that marginalised voices and organisations can work together to lead change.

With over two decades of experience, Maddi has designed and delivered impactful programmes, strategy design, and training aimed at including lived experience voices at the centre of organisational decision-making processes. Their approach blends lived experience, transformative EDI practices, and co-production offering a nuanced and innovative approach that enriches policy and practice and centres on culture change and organisational transformation. Through engagement with major UK and national charities, as well as governments and public sector clients, Maddi has partnered with boards and leaders with bold ambitions and who are looking for a radical way to reimagine the workplace in an inclusive way that embeds lived experience into workplace practice. Core to their approach is co-designing and co-producing in partnership with lived expertise to not only embrace EDI but also to deeply integrate lived experience leadership into organisational strategies, programmes, and service delivery.

Maddi’s work extends to enhancing organisational accessibility and inclusion, from recruitment processes to volunteer engagement and communication strategies. By centring lived expertise through inclusive and collaborative processes, organisations can ensure that services are aligned to and prioritise the needs of the people they serve and build a more equitable future. 

Previous work has included:

• Establishing and supporting Lived Experience panels working with a variety of organisations including Disabled People’s organisations, charities & Scottish Government
• Supporting boards and leadership teams to develop and co-design strategies for EDI and lived experience engagement and leadership, embedding Lived Experience and EDI in organisational strategy and delivery plans
• Advising organisations on accessibility and inclusion for recruitment, volunteering, communications, training and event delivery
• Designing and delivering campaigns and volunteer leadership training for lived experience campaigners
• Designing and delivering training for organisations and senior leaders to better engage with and support lived-experience campaigners, staff, and volunteers
• Designing and delivering workshops for professionals and volunteers in co-production, inclusive facilitation, and impact evaluation
• Consultancy for a wide range of third sector organisations in inclusive recruitment and retention, increasing board and leadership diversity, and developing inclusive policies and practices for staff
• Setting up and supporting networks for lived experience-led peer learning and support and staff and volunteer Diversity Networks

As a disabled and multiply neurodivergent (Autistic ADHDer+) Lived Experience Trainer & Consultant, Sumar brings a unique blend of professional knowledge and personal lived experience. She is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of communities she serves. Drawing upon her background in psychology and education, as well as her intersectional lived expertise, Sumar aims to lift the voices of those with lived experience of marginalisation.

With Sumar’s expertise and unwavering dedication, LEx Scotland aims to create a more inclusive and equitable society by empowering individuals with lived experience of marginalisation to develop the skills and confidence needed to affect meaningful change. Through her background in neurodiversity advocacy, she brings a wide range of perspectives and an understanding of the barriers and challenges faced by marginalised communities. She also brings lived expertise and specialist knowledge to training and workshops for a wide range of clients and stakeholders and helps them to listen to and understand voices of lived experience. 

Sumar designs and delivers bespoke learning and development programs for organisations, professionals and marginalised individuals with a focus on Disability Acceptance, Neurodivergency Acceptance, and Autism Inclusion. She also provides lived experience-led advice and support to organisations on inclusivity and accessibility, with a focus on neurodivergent voices. At the heart of her work are inclusively facilitated workshops and peer networks to empower marginalised people and communities to promote lived experience leadership.