Pembrokeshire People First representatives, Lucy Hinksman and Sian Huntley, joined parliamentarians and peers at an event in Parliament (27 June) to celebrate ‘One Year of the RITES (Real-life, insights, tips, experiences and stories)’ Committee.
In a busy committee room in the House of Lords, in the company of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE well-known local campaigner, Lucy presented on the work that she has been engaged with at Pembrokeshire People First to promote disability rights.
The Committee is part of the British Institute of Human Rights and is made up of experts who have used the Human Rights Act to achieve change. The event gave representatives the opportunity to share lived experience perspectives on the importance of human rights in the UK, and the implications of leaving the European Council of Europe.
Pembrokeshire People First is an independently run charity based in Haverfordwest that focuses on engaging and supporting members of the local community with learning disabilities and/or autism by organising activities such as workshops and events.
As part of the visit Preseli MP, Stephen Crabb, provided the charity representatives with a personal tour of the House of Commons and Lords, as well as a chance for them to watch a Welsh Affairs Committee session, and a debate in the House of Commons Chamber.
Following the visit, MP Crabb added:
‘It was a pleasure to welcome Lucy and Sian to Parliament and to talk about the outstanding work of Pembrokeshire People First. Lucy and Sian are an integral part of the Pembrokeshire community and do a fantastic job supporting people with learning disabilities and autism locally. I am delighted that Lucy was given the opportunity to come to Parliament and present on this important topic.”
Sian and Lucy commented:
‘We have absolutely loved the experience, the opportunity to look around Parliament, learn about the history and, also about the day to day running of business there. We really look forward to sharing all that we have learned with the rest of our PPF Members and seeing and sharing social media posts’
‘Today was very interesting and it was good to see Stephen Crabb in action chairing the Select Committee and to have a general catch up about the work that he has been doing and also the work that we have been doing in Pembrokeshire Peoples First’
