On Tuesday 8^th April some of the Link members, Michaela, Eileen, Janet, myself and Rita with Becky, Sally and Ginny met the MP Steve McCabe and the person that works with him Dan. It was Eileen’s first Link group.

I thought would I be really nervous meeting someone from parliament, as I wasn’t sure how they would be, but I felt comfortable straight away which is good for me. I find it difficult meeting new people and trusting them.

We did an introduction of who we are, and I explained that Sally and I first set up the group in August 2022 and started planning Link’s vision, where we were going to meet and what the name of the group would be etc.

After the introductions I got the Link presentation from the AGM, and I presented what Link have done in the last year.

Rita then did her presentation that she did for the West Midland self advocacy network on transport.

Steve was very interested in everything that we said and was a great support to the group, offering advice on our transport problems, being happy to meet up with us again if we manage get a meeting with the mayor after the election about the problems of transport.

Steve and Dan were really lovely people, and I did google Steve after because I didn’t know how to politely ask who he was because I could tell he didn’t have Birmingham accent. I was really surprised he’s from Scotland. I find it really difficult to lip read Scottish people but I was fine with Steve.

Rita quickly explained our banner as Dan and Steve needed to get to their next meeting and we had a picture.

After the picture Dan had noticed my cup and we were having a conversation about Aston Villa, but Steve politely said they needed to get going.

They are really lovely gentleman so polite and makes every one feel comfortable straight away and had the time to listen and support us. Thank you so much for taking the time out to come and hear what we needed to say and to find out more about Link. I hope we can work together in the future.

Jennifer Brown