Join us on 12 May for Scope’s 15th members event!

We’ll come together to mark Mental Health Awareness Week by exploring the intersection of disability and mental health, and why mental health matters. We’ll talk about the different aspects of mental health, what good support looks like, and how we can all help create a more understanding and inclusive society.

Hear from people with lived experience, and learn about the changes they’re leading to improve mental health support.

• Date: Monday 12 May 2025
• Time: From 6.30pm to 8pm
• Location: Online via Zoom

Members who attend the event will enter a raffle to win a £20 voucher! 

About the event

6.30pm: Welcome from Giovanni Gaetani, Scope’s Membership Programme Lead

6.35pm: the chair introduces the theme of the event and the speakers

6.45pm to 7.30pm: Speakers panel with Blossom, Molly Lane, Jaide Armstrong and Jaabir Ramlugon 

7.30pm to 7.55pm: Roundtable discussion with members

8pm: Event ends

Speakers

Darren Cryer

Darren is the deputy chair of Scope Assembly. He has left-side hemiplegia cerebral palsy. He holds a degree in International Politics and Policy Formulation, as well as a Master’s degree in Disability Studies. He works full-time as a Civil Servant.

Darren has been involved with Scope for over 25 years as a volunteer, supporting many projects. This includes improving building accessibility, shaping Scope’s policy on cerebral palsy, and working as a Scope Role Model. He has visited schools and workplaces to talk about being disabled, coping with bullying, and navigating education and work. Darren has also contributed to Scope’s Research Panel.

Outside of Scope, Darren has volunteered as a researcher for Epilepsy Action and Hemihelp. He is currently Vice-Chair of a national disabled staff network within the Civil Service. In this role, he influences the Cabinet Office Inclusion Team on policies that support disabled Civil Servants. His work covers areas such as reasonable adjustments, return-to-work policies, mental health, special leave, neurodiversity, and improving promotion opportunities for disabled staff.

Blossom

Blossom (HB) is a 24 year old disabled writer and founder of Tea with HB which empowers a growing international community of disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent people. Her podcasts, videos, art, and consultancy are also appreciated by businesses and individuals looking to learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

In 2022, she co-founded Poetry Orchard, an intersectional community led by queer, Black, Asian, and disabled people, to uplift marginalised creatives. Blossom provides inclusive, educational, online events and workshops that, in the words of multiple attendees, make people feel 'safe', 'healed', and 'inspired'.  

As the youngest Green Party councillor in the UK from 2021 - 2023, she is also a passionate advocate for climate action, social justice, and revolutionizing the education system. 

Molly Lane

Molly Lane is an Assembly member of Scope and a passionate advocate for disability rights. Through five years of volunteering at a SEND school, she developed strong communication skills and built meaningful connections with people with a wide range of disabilities. This experience helped her understand the barriers disabled people face and how these challenges affect both individuals and the wider community.

Molly has cerebral palsy and is preparing to volunteer in paediatrics at her local hospital, with the long-term goal of becoming a play therapy assistant.

Her work has focused on giving young people the life skills and confidence to make their own choices and speak up for themselves. She also gained advocacy experience through her role on the college Student Union, where she took part in disability campaigns.

In her free time, Molly enjoys horse riding, skiing, going to the beach, attending gigs, and spending time with family and friends. As a part-time wheelchair user who also uses a walking stick, she has personal experience of living with complex health conditions. This has shaped her strong self-advocacy skills and deepened her understanding of disability.

Jaide Armstrong

Jaide is an Assembly member of Scope who lives with a complex hormone condition. She is passionate about raising awareness of the impact bullying and poor support can have on young people’s mental health.

In both primary and secondary school, Jaide experienced bullying and a lack of understanding from staff. These difficult experiences had a lasting effect on her mental health and left her with trauma and anxiety.

Jaide encourages parents and carers to let young people access mental health support as early as possible. She wasn’t allowed to use helplines until a doctor gave permission, and wishes she had been able to reach out for help sooner. She now uses these services when she needs support and wants others to know they are not alone.

Jaabir Ramlugon

Jaabir is the Database Admin at Scope. His pronouns are he/him. He has been a campaigner for mental health as a Mind media volunteer and has taken part in various news items and documentaries about mental health. This includes appearing on BBC News as part of the Stevenson/Farmer report about mental health in the workplace and taking part in a Scottish documentary about men and suicide.

Jaabir has worked in the charity sector since being off sick with mental health issues in 2016. Initially as a volunteer and then as an employee working at Mind and now Scope. After a break from the technical world, Jaabir has found his stride in the charity sector and regained his love for programming and data in a more inclusive environment!

When Jaabir’s not working, he loves video games and music (DJing, learning to play the piano, sings in the UK’s only “nerdy” choir (songs from movies and video games)). He streams a lot of this live on Twitch too! 

He lives with his partner Paul, in Bow, East London.