About Me
My name is Ceri Davies, I am a disabled woman and permanently in a wheelchair. I was |
In the year of 2007, age 17, I won an award from a well-known multi-international retailer of soft toys, (Build-a-Bear). The award was aimed at young people who had served their community in a voluntary capacity. As part of the award, I travelled to USA visiting the states of St Louis in Missouri and Washington DC.
Build a bear (the company that I won the award with) have their own mascots. That was when I realised what fun mascots are for children and how enjoyable they are to all ages. I am also a big kid and I absolutely love mascots. After winning this award, I gained a place at Wolverhampton University studying Early Childhood Studies and Sociology. During this time, I began running More Mascots Please CIC, which I started as a way of coping with my disability. My disability means I am not able walk at all and I rely on people to do most things for me. I often feel trapped because intellectually I am bright but physically I am unable to complete tasks for myself. Dealing with such a lack of control over myself can feel mentally debilitating at times and therefore I needed a distraction in life. This is why I have decided to get involved in the Disability Rights Movement so I can meet similar people both physically and those that are like minded. The stereotypes that disabled people are needy, unintelligent and passive really annoy me. This is why I advocate the social model of disability. I have experienced a lot of discrimination and I would like to prevent this for future generations.
Key Skills
- Excellent leadership and teamwork capabilities having managed tasks and projects quickly and efficiently
- Demonstrated competent communication skills having spoken to a wide range of audiences on many different topics
- Highly organised individual who has managed many teams, projects and workloads
My Likes and Interests
Since the age of 5, I have always liked the Pink Power Ranger. She solves problems, is extremely able both physically and mentally. Everything she does comes from her heart and she stands up for those that need extra support.
I like going out for country rallies in my wheelchair and walks. I like supporting people to achieve goals and developing their talents. I like helping and representing those that are unable to do it themselves. I believe everybody should have a voice and that they should live the life they wish to lead. I hate being told what to do if I don’t feel it is right for me. I intensely dislike people being deliberately rude and those that bully others. I believe that a job should be seen through to its conclusion. I passionately believe in equality and fairness.
I like music such as Kings of Leon. I have a pair of their signed drumsticks. I also like Nickelback, John Legend, Kanye West and Eminem. I am an Aston Villa Fan, hence my claret and blue logo
Qualifications, Work Experience and Employment
The qualifications I have are:
2012- 2015 Masters in Youth and Community Work
2008-2011 2:1 in Early Childhood Studies joint with Sociology
2006-2008 3.5 A levels (Sociology B, English Literature D, Psychology, D, AS Government and Politics C).
2014/15 Level 2 BTEC in Peer Facilitation
2011/12 Level 2 QCF Silver Arts Award
2009 Level 2 Two AQA Qualifications from Timebank in Mentoring & Building Community Projects
2008 Level 3 City & Guilds from Participation Works in Introduction to Training & Skills
2008 Level 2 National Open College Network Qualification from Participation Works in Governance
Employment History
Peer facilitator O2 Think Big and UK Youth March 2014-Dec 2015
Key Responsibilities
- Making sure that 02 Think Big Projects that were supposed to be completed in a year at the Level 2 stage were at an end.
- Moving young people onto the Level 3 stage if appropriate.
- Recording case notes on each young person and project.
- Attending O2 Think Big days to encourage young people to start Level 2 O2 Think Big projects.
- Working within a team of other facilitators.
- Taking instruction from management and the lead peer facilitator on how they wanted my role to evolve.
- The skill I used the most was working on my own initiative.
Play worker Busy Big Hands CIC Feb 2012-2014
Key Responsibilities
- Interacting and playing with children
- Working with other play workers at community fun days
- Facilitating children’s private party
Regional Coordinator O2 Think Big Aug 2012-Dec 2012
Key Responsibilities
- Promotion of O2 Think Big
- Taking part in conference calls and actively giving advice and feedback about my role
- Producing leaflets, flyers and e-mails to raise awareness
- Write and deliver an assembly to a large audience of secondary school pupils regarding Think Big
- Collating final evidence and delivering a final report
Trainer and Consultant The National Children’s Bureau Apr 2007 - Jan 2011
Key Responsibilities
- Trained youth workers and managers to better involve young people in their service planning
- Worked with The Children’s Rights Alliance for England to deliver their material nationally
- The role involved effective teamwork, organisational and presentation skills.
Voluntary Work
Mentor Princess Diana Award March 2013-2014
Delegate Speaker One Young World Global Health Plenary Oct 2012
Governor Birmingham Children’s Hospital Oct 2006 - Oct 2008
Media Officer Dudley Youth Council Oct 2004 - May 2008
Fund Raising
- Set up and run a Social Enterprise called ‘More Mascots Please’ (MMP). This project raises money for children in the West Midlands with disabilities, disadvantaged and life limited illnesses and has been supported by Unltd and the Think Big O2 Programme for Young People.
- MMP has raised a total of £35,000 for charities so far.
- Independently campaigned to get Pudsey Bear into Build a Bear stores, which has raised well over £100,000 plus for Children in Need since 2008.
AwardsBritish Empire Medal - 2020 Aston Villa Community Champion Award - 2020 West Midlands Woman of the Year Award, Founders Choice Justice Williams MBE - 2016 The High Sheriff of Birmingham Award - 2016 Community and Voluntary Group Sycamore Adventure Young Volunteers-2013 Golden Princess Diana Award – 2009 Dudley Council for Voluntary Service - 2009 Wonder Kid For Sunday Mercury and Drayton Manor -2008 Build-A-Bear Huggable Hero Award- 2007 The Heart of the Community -2007 Frank Foley Award for Community Sprit -2006 Princess Diana Award – 2005 |
Hi everybody! I'm campaigning with my fellow disability rights campaigners and I am part of the movement which is Social Care Futures. Here are the key enquiry outcome suggestions:
- Promote a new story of change to inspire the wider public to support the future we seek
- Underpin this story with examples of the approaches that exemplify this future and working with others to grow and to spread them
- Challenge and change the present through action at all levels to close the gap between the positive ambition of the Care Act 2014 and reality on the ground
- Develop the practical solutions to move us towards our vision, navigated by people whose experience and insight comes from drawing on care and support to live their lives
- Build a social movement for change
We are all working hard to make these a reality in adult social care.
I am also a member of IMPACT, which is improving adult care together. This is the new research centre. The professional in charge is Jon Glasby, please see below the link:
https://more.bham.ac.uk/impact/