Erin Outram LL.M
Erin is CHANGE’s Projects Manager and is responsible for the ongoing strategy and development of CHANGE. She also oversees all of the current national and international projects delivered by CHANGE. Erin previously worked within mental capacity and mental health law and has specific expertise in safeguarding adults with learning disabilities in inpatient psychiatric care. Erin holds a Masters degree in Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law.
Erin provides advice and expertise on a number of boards including as an expert advisor to the National Istitute for Clinical Care Excellence (NICE), and for the training of all health and social care professionals in the UK working with people with learning disabilities. Erin is a member of the Voluntary Sector Strategic Partnerships Board working in partnership with NHS England, Department of Health and Public Health England to reduce health inequalities within the UK.
Erin works internationally for the equal rights and inclusion of all people with disabilities within society.
Shaun Webster MBE
Shaun Webster MBE is an International Project Worker at CHANGE, where he has worked for 12 years. Shaun is a father, a grandfather and a person with a learning disability.
Shaun has extensive experience of training professionals in health and social care internationally on issues affecting people with disabilities, as well as experience of working as a mentor to adults and children with learning disabilities, promoting greater empowerment and confidence.
For the past three years Shaun has worked internationally. In particular, Shaun and his co-worker have worked in partnership with children’s rights charity Lumos on the deinstitutionalisation of children in Eastern Europe. Shaun’s role within this work is to act as a role model and mentor to young people leaving long-stay institutions. In January 2015 Shaun provided better communication training to 40 people in Bangkok, co-working with his colleague Catherine who also has a learning disability. Most recently Shaun spoke at the Zero Project Conference at the United Nations in Vienna. Shaun supported 7 young people from Eastern Europe who had previously lived in institutions to talk about their experiences. Shaun also delivered a presentation on the importance of being a role model to 500 delegates from 70 countries. In addition, Shaun is due to co-deliver training in the Czech Republic in April 2015 around Shared Decision Making and empowerment of people with learning disabilities.
Shaun believes that his experience at CHANGE has not only enabled him to build his expertise and confidence, but to give back to other people with learning disabilities by supporting them to be more empowered, through peer-to-peer support, mentoring, and educating professionals on adopting a more inclusive practice.
In June 2015 Shaun received an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of his long standing commitment and work to ensure that people with learning disabilities are included and empowered within society. Proof that people with learning disabilities really can make a huge contribution to our society.