Sounddelivery Media

10/10/2026

Today marks World Mental Health Day 2026, and this year’s theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change” goes straight to the heart of our mission at Sounddelivery Media.

At Sounddelivery Media, we believe that true, systemic change can only happen when we centre and value the voices of those who have navigated the realities themselves.
In the lead-up to today, we asked members of our 2026 Spokesperson Leadership Programme a vital question: “What does being genuinely heard mean to you?”
Today, we're sharing content from Elsy Gomez Campos.

Elsy has over 25 years of experience as an NHS and independent sector pharmacist, author of Racism in Pharmacy: Deprescribing a Hushed Reality, and founder of the UK Black Pharmacists Association (UKBPA). She is a leading voice on racism within healthcare.

Here is what Elsy shared:
"To me, being genuinely heard means seeing racial discrimination within the pharmacy workforce recognised and addressed through decisive action. It requires leaders and organisations to listen to lived experiences, acknowledge shortcomings, take responsibility, and be held accountable for meaningful change, including addressing discriminatory behaviour, enforcing consequences, and creating a safer, equitable, and inclusive profession."

Elsy’s reflection is a vital reminder that listening is an active practice. When we create spaces where lived experience is truly respected and acted upon.

Find out more about how we empower lived-experience voices via Sounddelivery.org.uk

09/10/2026

Ahead of World Mental Health Day tomorrow, we are continuing to reflect on this year’s theme: “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”

Today, we feature 2026 cohort member Deborah Jones, Founder & CEO of Resolute Women’s Support Services.

As an expert by experience, campaigner, and frontline leader, Deborah uses her lived experience to challenge systems, educate professionals, and create meaningful support for women and children affected by domestic abuse.

Here is what being genuinely heard means to Deborah:
"To me, being genuinely heard means lived experience being valued as expertise, not simply listened to and forgotten. It means survivors having a meaningful place at the tables where decisions are made, influencing policy, services and systems so that our experiences lead to real, lasting change."

We are privileged to amplify Deborah’s vital work and leadership!

Please follow Resolute Women’s Support Services to find out how you can support them.

09/10/2026

World Mental Health Day is tomorrow, and ahead of the day, we are reflecting on this year’s theme: “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”

Today, we are proud to showcase Amy Thompson, Founder of MS Together , an award-winning advocate for people with disabilities, and a member of our 2026 Spokesperson Leadership Programme!

Read Amy’s quote below;
"To me, being genuinely heard means knowing that sharing your lived experience can lead to something. It’s not just being invited into the room or asked to tell your story – it’s seeing your experiences valued as expertise and used to shape decisions, services and change."

We are so proud of Amy and the achievements and progress of this year's cohort. Look out for the final quotes of the series today and tomorrow!

08/10/2026

World Mental Health Day 2026 is just a few days away. This year’s theme is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”

True systemic change happens when we centre the voices of those who have navigated the realities themselves. Today, we're focusing on Claire Simmons, who is the proud mother of Isaac Winfield, founder of Friends of Isaac’s Food Bank.

Claire supports the day-to-day running of the organisation and its incredible team. What started as Isaac’s idea has grown into a vital community service, and Claire is passionate about ensuring it continues to make a meaningful difference for families in need.

Here is what Claire shared with us on what being genuinely heard means to her:

"To me, being genuinely heard means being listened to without judgement, believed without having to prove your experience, and seeing your voice lead to real change. Lived experience shouldn’t just be collected and acknowledged; it should be valued as expertise and have a genuine influence on the decisions that affect people’s lives."

Support us and find out more about our programme via www.sounddelivery.org.uk

08/10/2026

We're continuing to celebrate ! To spotlight this year's theme, , we’re sharing content from members of our raising awareness about Kinship Care.

JohannaBernard, co-founder of Families In Harmony has shared this powerful quote that encapsulates her passion for Kinship care and the work behind supporting Global Majority families on this journey.

“Honouring our communities in kinship care means celebrating the strength of extended families and networks who keep children connected to their roots, culture, identity, and sense of belonging. We are proud to be a part of the amazing work done by Kinship families.”
Let’s keep amplifying, supporting, and celebrating our lived-experience champions and our diverse communities.

06/10/2026

As we approach World Mental Health Day this Saturday, we are reflecting on this year’s powerful theme: “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”

At Sounddelivery Media, this message is at the core of our mission. We believe that true, systemic change can only happen when we centre and value the voices of those who have navigated the realities themselves.

In the lead-up to the day, we asked members of our 2026 Spokesperson Leadership Programme a vital question: “What does being genuinely heard mean to you?”

Today, we are proud to spotlight Asma Ajaz-Ali, Interim CEO of the Muslim Sports Foundation. Asma leads critical work to tackle inequalities in sport and physical activity across Muslim communities in the UK, advocating for inclusion, representation, and systemic change.

Here is what she shared:
"To me, being genuinely heard means more than having a voice. It means knowing that your voice carries value, that your experience is respected, and that what you share has the power to influence decisions and create real change."

Asma’s reflection is a vital reminder that listening is an active practice. When we create spaces where lived experience is truly respected, we don't just hear, empower and embolden people, we empower real and impactful change.
Stay tuned throughout the week as we share more quotes from the SDM Network!

Please also feel free to share your thoughts below. What does being genuinely heard mean to you?

Let us know in the comments. 👇

05/10/2026

This Saturday is World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change” goes straight to the heart of our mission at Sounddelivery Media. True change only happens when we centre the voices of those who have lived the realities themselves.

In the lead-up to the day, we asked members of our 2026 Spokesperson Leadership Programme: “What does being genuinely heard mean to you?”
Today we are kicking things off with Oksana Kalala, Founder and Managing Director of New Arrivals Support CIC, who leads critical work supporting refugees and migrant families in London:

"To me, being genuinely heard means being given the space to share openly, without fear of judgement or discrimination. It means being listened to with compassion, having my lived experience, opinions and voice respected, while still allowing room for healthy debate. It means my vulnerability is met with openness, not weakness."

Stay tuned all week as we share more powerful reflections from our network!

03/10/2026

We're celebrating ! To spotlight this year's theme, , we’re spotlighting members of our who are raising awareness about Kinship Care.

Today, we're spotlighting Sharon McPherson and her colleague Johanna Bernard, co-founders of Families In Harmony.

In her previous blog, Sharon reflects on their Churchill Fellowship research trip to Jamaica. Together, they explored the cultural context of informal kinship care, highlighting the urgent need for UK systems to understand and value Black African and Caribbean cultural practices rather than marginalising families seeking support.

Read Sharon's reflections and their vision for lived-experience-driven change: https://www.sounddelivery.org.uk/2024/04/from-england-to-jamaica-fresh-insights-into-family-support-for-black-kinship-carers/

Sharon Mcpherson is a passionate campaigner for racial equity in policy and practice and investment in race related kinship care research. A mother and grandmother, British born, of Jamaican parentage. Sharon is also a kinship carer who currently has two grandsons growing up in her care. A kinship c...

01/10/2026

Did you know that for many disabled people in the UK, getting married means facing financial punishment?

Under current UK rules, a married couple is treated as a single household for means-tested benefits. This means a non-disabled partner’s income and savings are factored in, forcing many disabled individuals to risk losing their financial independence, support, or ability to marry at all.

Marriage equality isn't truly equal until disabled people are free to marry without penalty.

Read Hope Lightowler’s full article on the 'marriage penalty' and why this system needs to change: https://www.sounddelivery.org.uk/2026/10/marriage-is-equal-unless-youre-disabled/

Hope Lightowler discusses how disabled people are often not able to get married because they would be financially penalised if they were.

22/09/2026

TOMORROW: We are thrilled to welcome Emma Harrison for an empowering session on Lobbying and Influencing for Social Justice on Sept 23rd!

Learn how much easier it can be than you think to get the Government to listen to the solutions you, as a lived-experience advocate, know best.

Book today to secure your free spot: https://lnkd.in/d3w6DXVM