Who are we?
Lucy Mager (she/her)
What’s one creative passion you had as a kid that still shows up in your life today?
I have always had a creative mind since I was very young. I think in images and have always had a strong link to the subconscious through very intense, lucid dreams. This manifested itself in an early interest in film, I think I tried to make my first when I was around 7 or 8.
I was introduced to David Lynch and it really clicked for me. I distinctly remember watching Eraserhead when I was 11 and I’d never felt such a connection to anything before. I knew that if someone could put something as insane as that out into the world, there was absolutely no reason that I shouldn’t!
I was introduced to David Lynch and it really clicked for me. I distinctly remember watching Eraserhead when I was 11 and I’d never felt such a connection to anything before. I knew that if someone could put something as insane as that out into the world, there was absolutely no reason that I shouldn’t!
Which part of championing ‘othered’ creatives feels most meaningful to you?
Every aspect of pursuing a career in the arts can be challenging, particularly for individuals facing barriers such as disabilities, neurodivergence, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Paradoxically, the most impactful art often emerges from these varied life experiences. In my opinion, it is essential to champion diverse voices in the arts.
It holds particular meaning for me due to my experiences pursuing a creative career as an autistic, and at times mentally ill, woman. It has taken me until my 40s to start getting to where I want to be. Nothing makes me happier than helping others realise their potential in a way that is both meaningful and accessible to them. What do you enjoy most about the people we work alongside?
There is nothing better than being around people who are able to be their genuine and authentic selves. I always appreciate those who are unique and don’t conform!
What disability barriers do you think are most important to challenge this year?
The biggest barrier I see is the need for proper support. This is especially important in a creative context, as much of our work involves communicating with others who often lack an understanding of our perspective and needs.Steve Foulkes (he/him)
Music, I have always loved music. I am not even close to having the coordination required to play instruments myself but my love for the art form is an ever present.
From my first love of American rap music of the 1970's right up to present day indie, rock, folk, rap, baseline, drum and bass, prog rock, spoken word artists, and the list could go on.
Which part of championing 'othered' creatives feels most meaningful to you?
The lack of accessible opportunities for people who are othered is just staggering.
We are 100% doing things the wrong way round, instead of creating opportunities seperatly for engagement of people considered outside the social norm, that should be the minimum we do and therefore those who have little problem engaging will and can find their own place for acceptance.
What do you enjoy most about the people we work alongside?
The lack of inhibition is truely beautiful to observe. I find the neurotypical people very standoffish, reserved, judgemental. The people we work alongside are just amazing when provided with environments that are comfortable for them, they are representing their own passions, loves, feelings so congruently and freely that it is so refreshing.
What disability barriers do you think are most important to challenge this year?
The percieved need to be in possession of a diagnostic label to be seen as worthy of having support provided. Support is needs based, not diagnosis led.
It is too easy to simply slap a label on people and move on without meaningful assistance.
Rosemarie Cawkwell (they/them)
What’s one creative passion you had as a kid that still shows up in your life today?
Writing. I've been writing stories since I was small, although back then (about 30 -35 years ago) they were Famous Five and Swallows and Amazons rip-offs. These days I write spec fic - mainly sci fi and fantasy.
Which part of championing ‘othered’ creatives feels most meaningful to you?
Amplifying the voices and talents of those who have the talent or potential but need the support to get seen, heard, read. I know how confusing the creative world can be, how convoluted the funding systems are (not my speciality!) and the sheer snobbery of those already and traditionally embedded in it.
The publishing world, for example, is really not built for the neurodivergent or the disabled, so people are building networks outside of that, like Spondylux Press Neurodivergent Editing and Mentoring | SPONDYLUX PRESS and Divergent Paths Divergent Paths: Supporting Neurodivergent Creatives Navigating the Publishing Industry – The British Fantasy Society, and I want to be part of that. I think we can be, in our own small and regional way.
What do you enjoy most about the people we work alongside?
Their madness! It's so much fun, talking about everything that interests people and making new connections, seeing what comes from such diverse experiences and minds. How can I not love that connection?
What disability barriers do you think are most important to challenge this year?
Many! We have existential barriers:
- Just surviving financially in a climate where our inability to conform to capitalist expectations of working 40+ hours a week, taking orders, and not using our real abilities, like little cogs in a machine, means we're generally dependant on state support to survive. Even those who manage to find their niche end up forced out or working themselves into greater illness, and they don't have options to step back, or stay where they're comfortable.
- The government blaming disabled people for being disabled, being a burden, finding ways to make existence harder. We're once again being scapegoated. I thought getting rid of the Tories would improve things but the government are trying to out-Tory the Tories, and out-Reform Reform, which means attacking the vulnerable, whether we're disabled, Trans, fat, or any other identity.
- The general fucked upness of the world - I'm particularly worried about global warming - it's already killing people, disabling people, displacing people, there will be even more resource wars than there are now - and there's very little in place to support those disabled and displaced people. Will that come to Britain? Well, despite the best efforts of various governments, we still have international legal obligations and those people coming here as asylum seekers and refugees from various terrible events will need help for PTSD, medical help for recovery from torture and abuse, etc. It's already here and we have a duty to other humans to help them, but with funding artificially tight for citizens, I fear for those non-citizens coming to us for help.
There are practical barriers that flow from the existential barriers
- Lack of social care funding means lack of support workers and centres - places to go for information, social contact and support generally. Many groups are volunteer run and lack funding or access to statutory services or referral abilities. Centre4 on the Nunsthorpe estate in Grimsby is a fine example of a centre that tries to provide community services and a base for organisations, but they are limited by finding, time and space.
- Lack of funding for the NHS means lack of diagnosis, continuous care, and treatment - for example the NHS is severely lacking in supporting ADHD medication provision. There was a report in June 2025 about the improvements needed, but the Health Secretary decided to have another report done because it didn't say what he wanted it to say.
- Scapegoating by the government and political actors, such as the press, means the general public are less willing to give grace and support to disabled people, because (sarcasm incoming) obviously we're all lying about not being able to work and are living high on the hog on the money tax payers give us (insert massive eye-roll here - we pay taxes, we work, we barely survive on the pittance the government provides)
- Lack of adaptations to help - making changes to help disabled people helps everyone!