Accessible Wrexham

26/08/2026

🌟 Exciting news for Accessible Wrexham! 🌟

I had a really positive and successful meeting today with Morgan Thomas and Liz Price from the Wrecsam2029 City of Culture Bid, where we discussed the Accessible Wrexham Accessibility Guide project and opportunities for working together.

One of the exciting opportunities we discussed was the possibility of Accessible Wrexham becoming an official Ambassador for the Wrecsam2029 City of Culture Bid.

I personally feel this could be a fantastic opportunity for Accessible Wrexham, giving the project even more momentum and a stronger voice in conversations around accessibility across Wrexham. It could also help ensure that the lived experiences and practical needs of disabled people are represented as Wrexham moves towards 2029.

📧 Can all members of Accessible Wrexham please check your emails for more information.

There are some really exciting possibilities ahead, and I’m looking forward to exploring them together! 💜

Samantha
Project Lead for Accessible Wrexham

21/08/2026

21/08/2026

🚌 Have your say on the future of bus services in North Wales

A big thank you to Andrew Ranger - MP for Wrexham for sharing the consultation link on his page, and thank you to one of our Accessible Wrexham members, Sylvia, for bringing this to my attention. 💜

I’ll be completing the consultation form myself and will be raising awareness of the importance of additional wheelchair spaces on buses.

Unfortunately, this is something I have experienced myself on many occasions. When a bus has only one designated wheelchair space and it is already occupied, another wheelchair user can be left unable to board.

This isn't just an inconvenience. It can mean missing appointments, being late for work or activities, having to wait for the next bus or, in some cases, having to abandon the journey altogether.

If we are serious about creating a more accessible and inclusive public transport network across North Wales, accessibility needs to be considered from the outset.

We need buses that recognise the reality of disabled people travelling independently, with family, friends, support workers and other wheelchair users.

I would encourage disabled people, families, carers and anyone who relies on accessible public transport to take the opportunity to have their say.

💜 Our experiences matter. Our voices matter. And our accessibility needs must be part of the conversation when designing the future of public transport.

https://haveyoursay.tfw.wales/future-bus-services-in-north-wales?fbclid=IwdGRjcAT1dDdjbGNrBPV0M3Bkb2YBZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEevqkq9m5clpE-UvSCC6FbP1ddsSGzr0TvOiWLJl7yh1fUqkmnBEfz4mNFB30_aem_DjZvFZCTyIIekjbdu63Qbw

- Samantha, Project Lead for Accessible Wrexham

Help shape the future of bus services in North Wales Transport for Wales, working with local authorities across North Wales, is developing proposals for a new bus network, in preparation for bus reform. We're inviting people who live, work and travel in North Wales to

19/08/2026

This morning I had the pleasure of joining the North Wales Access Panel online, where I was invited to speak about the Accessible Wrexham Accessibility Guide project. 💜

It was a fantastic opportunity to share more about what we are working towards and, most importantly, why this project matters.

The Accessible Wrexham Accessibility Guide is about bringing together local businesses, organisations, public services and people with lived experience to create a more accessible and inclusive Wrexham. It is rooted in the social model of disability — recognising that it is often barriers within society, rather than a person’s impairment, that create disability.

I spoke about our plans for the guide, including practical accessibility information, lived-experience familiarisation videos, BSL-accessible content, neurodiversity and sensory considerations, and ways for organisations and businesses to become involved.

The aim is to make accessibility information easier to find and understand, initially through QR codes, while developing additional ways for people to access the information so that nobody is excluded by the way the guide is delivered.

A huge thank you to the North Wales Access Panel for inviting me to speak, and to everyone who contributed to such a positive and thoughtful discussion. It was brilliant to share the vision for Accessible Wrexham and hear different perspectives and ideas.

Accessible Wrexham is about accessibility being everyone's responsibility — and creating change together. ♿️💜

- Samantha, Project Lead for Accessible Wrexham

08/08/2026

It was an absolute honour to attend Andrew Ranger’s Voice of Wrexham meeting this morning. 💜

Such a valuable and engaging session, with lots of fantastic ideas, conversations and opportunities to help shape a more inclusive Wrexham.

Thank you, Andrew Ranger - MP for Wrexham , for inviting myself and members of Accessible Wrexham to be part of such an important discussion. It was wonderful to share our perspectives, listen to others and contribute to the conversation.

There are some really exciting ideas coming forward, and I’m looking forward to seeing where these discussions lead. 🏙️💜

Samantha, Project Lead for Accessible Wrexham

07/08/2026

Press Play on Wrexham.

Today marks a significant milestone as the Wrecsam2029 City of Culture Bid has officially been submitted.

I am incredibly proud to continue serving as an Official Ambassador for the Wrecsam2029 City of Culture Bid and am so honoured to have been asked to appear in the bid film, You Came for the Name.

The film beautifully captures the heart of our city—our heritage, creativity, culture and, most importantly, our people. It celebrates the communities, organisations, volunteers, artists, businesses and individuals who make Wrexham such a vibrant and inspiring place to live, work and visit.

Press Play on Wrexham perfectly reflects the ambition behind the bid. It's an invitation to discover a city full of creativity, innovation, history and opportunity, while celebrating the people whose stories make Wrexham unique.

As an author, I have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire change, challenge perceptions and bring people together. My books are a key part of that mission, helping to share lived experience, amplify disabled voices and encourage greater understanding and empathy. Alongside this, my work on the Accessibility Guide for the bid has been especially important, ensuring that inclusion is not an afterthought but a foundation—so that everyone, regardless of ability, can fully experience and enjoy everything Wrexham has to offer. Through my disability advocacy and my work as Project Lead for Accessible Wrexham, I am passionate about helping to create a city where everyone feels welcome and where accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. I believe those values are an important part of the Wrecsam2029 vision, ensuring that culture can be experienced and enjoyed by everyone.

Being invited to appear in You Came for the Name was a real honour, and I'm proud to help share the story of our city as we look ahead to 2029.

The bid has now been submitted, but the journey continues, and I look forward to continuing to support Wrecsam2029 as an Official Ambassador.

Whatever the outcome, this campaign has already demonstrated what can be achieved when a city comes together with a shared vision. I couldn't be prouder to represent Wrexham and to play a small part in helping showcase everything that makes our city so special.

- Samantha, Project Lead for Accessible Wrexham


https://youtu.be/57MzI_uzBcs?is=Z3nu7qECk81Uu98z

05/08/2026

📣To all Accessible Wrexham members!📣

Please check your email regarding an important AVOW meeting I had today.

Thank you! 💜💛🖤

- Samantha, Project Lead for Accessible Wrexham

02/08/2026

I'm incredibly proud to see the work taking place at both Ysgol Bryn Alyn and Ysgol Clywedog recognised following my recent school visits.

Over the past few months, I've had the privilege of visiting both schools as an author to talk about my books CP Isn't Me, Disabling Ableism and SILENCED. My aim has always been to encourage conversations around disability, accessibility and inclusion while inspiring young people to realise that everyone has the power to make a positive difference.

At Ysgol Bryn Alyn, what began as an author talk has grown into something truly special, with the creation of Wrexham's first Accessibility Ambassadors. The pupils have shown outstanding commitment by exploring accessibility within their school, identifying barriers and learning how small changes can make a big difference. Their passion and enthusiasm give me great hope for the future.

At Ysgol Clywedog, alongside my publisher, Allan, I had the opportunity to speak with students about my journey as an author, the inspiration behind my books and my experiences of living with Mild Cerebral Palsy. We discussed the publishing process, disability awareness and how storytelling can challenge misconceptions, encourage empathy and inspire positive change.

It was fantastic to meet so many engaged and thoughtful students across both schools. They asked insightful questions about writing, overcoming challenges and how we can all play a part in creating a more accessible and inclusive society.

These visits remind me exactly why I continue to share my story. If my experiences inspire even one young person to follow their dreams, challenge stereotypes or think differently about accessibility and inclusion, then every visit has been worthwhile.

A huge thank you to Heidi Hardman-Welsh for writing such a wonderful article and helping to highlight the incredible work taking place in our schools. Thank you also to everyone at Ysgol Bryn Alyn and Ysgol Clywedog for the warm welcome and for embracing the message that accessibility benefits everyone.

If any schools or colleges across Wrexham would be interested in booking an author event this autumn, or would like to find out more about joining Accessible Wrexham, I'd love to hear from you. Please email [email protected].

Together, we're building a more accessible, inclusive and understanding Wrexham—one conversation at a time. 💜

- Samantha, Project Lead for Accessible Wrexham

Well done Samantha!👏