Our aim is to improve the lives of disabled people in the UK by providing access consultancy, training, auditing and business support services. Working in partnership we take pride in guiding and supporting our clients to provide excellent information, skills and customer services which are accessible for all.
Married to Russell, having 3 wonderful children, life didn’t really go to plan… but who’s life does!
I’ve had a rich and wonderful life, full of so many challenges, but it has made me who I am today.
The ‘good’ that has come from these ‘challenges of life’ has been amazing,
As a qualified District Nursing Sister, in Derbyshrie, I knew the area like ‘the back of my hand’. A career of over 20 years as a health professional gave me a true understanding of the barriers and solutions that people with access needs require.
Two of my sons were born with disabilities. Sam, aged 24 had a stroke, has autism and learning difficulties. Thomas, sadly died aged 21 in 2017. He sustained severe brain damage in his first week of life. He was the golden thread that held our family together. Our family were Tom’s entourage! We promised we would give Thomas the best life possible and we did just that!
In caring for my children, we knew 24/7 the challenges faced by so many.
“I couldn’t make my children better… but I could make their everyday life better”
“From the moment they were born our lives took a very different path to the ones we had planned.”
In 2010 Gillian decided to create the Accessible Derbyshire website, bringing together the accessible tourism businesses, into one place, creating a ‘home’ for accessible tourism. In 2013, Gillian Scotford and Jane Cooper came together to create Accessible Derbyshire: a registered charity which improves the lives of disabled people in Derbyshire and the Peak District by providing information, facilities and services which improve accessibility.
Winning numerous awards, our unique charity works in partnership with key organisations in the area and has won the heart of the local community, enabling it to support worthy causes across the region.
In the same year, spurred on by countless requests for our knowledge and expertise, we established The Accessible Training Company, which became Access For All UK, augmenting our first-hand experience of accessibility by undertaking professional training in access auditing.
It is this combination of personal experience, technical expertise, and background in training and healthcare which makes our offering truly unique in the U.K.
Gillian has worked with a wide range of clients from a variety of sectors throughout the country providing services which support them in understanding, evaluating and improving their accessibility and providing inclusive excellence for all.
