Influencing & Speaking
Born at the Right Time is passionate about influencing policy makers and supporting providers in delivering services which meet the needs of families. Using the voice of lived experience and collaborative working, we drive research and pioneering initiatives to turn ideology into practice and a better reality for families.
Our Training and Consultancy packages can support organisations of any size to become more collaborative, efficient and cost effective.
ComplexUs
Born at the Right Time is proud to support ComplexUs which was co-founded by Rachel Wright. ComplexUs is a Think Tank focused on improving the lives of those affected by Complex Neurodisability. Lead by experts in the field, all of whom have lived experience in being primary caregivers of someone with a complex neurodisability, ComplexUs has an inside out approach to policy making. Starting with the lived experience, they promote and participate in robust research which helps develop creative solutions that add value and are economically viable.
Don’t Call Me Mum
The Don’t Call Me Mum initiative was pioneered in 2016 by Rachel Wright with the support of Simple Stuff Works. Don’t Call Me Mum is about humanising our conversations and centring people as a first step in #bridgingthegap between professionals and parents. It is founded on mutual respect and asks practitioners to demonstrate their passion for working co-productively with parents by simply using the parent’s name. Some research shows about half of parents would prefer not to be called ‘Mum’ or ‘Dad’ in meetings and appointments (Bayer et al, 2021) while other research suggested on 25% clinicians use a parent’s name (Amer and Fisher 2009).
Posture Positive
The Posture Positive Collective started as a joint collaboration with NHS England, NHS Improvement, Born at the Right Time and Simple Stuff Works. The Posture Positive 2020 report, written by Rachel Wright and Sarah Clayton, shares the reality and impact of postural care service provision for people with Learning disabilities amid the Covid-19 pandemic in England. It was written after surveying over 100 people; practitioners, families and people with learning disabilities.
2026 Summit
“Stories & Solutions: The Complex Needs Exchange” will cultivate an atmosphere of shared learning, empathy, and collective action. It will be a space where personal narratives inform professional practice, and where evidence-based solutions are grounded in the lived realities of families. The summit will inspire attendees to return to their communities equipped with new knowledge, practical skills, and a renewed commitment to improving the lives of people with complex needs, truly “bridging the gap” for a brighter future.
Speaking Events
“We believe in the power of story-telling“
Being real and honest about the joys and challenges of parenting a child with complex disabilities has had a profound impact. To date Rachel has spoken in Parliament, national and international conferences, private company events and for local churches and charities. Now Joanna Holmes joins the team as we endeavour to reach more people bringing humour, clinical evidence and the heart beat of family life into speaking events.
For policy makers, informing them to better understand the impact of their work.
For charities to center the lived experience of the families they support.
For commissioners, to connect the lived experience of the families they support with research and solutions to improve services
For practitioners, to shape their communication and co-productive practice through research and hearing the heart of a family’s story.
For parents, to feel connected and a little less alone.
For everyone else, understanding a little of what happens behind closed doors in order to stimulate kindness, understanding and a little more acceptance.
A Little Bit More About Rachel Wright…
“After writing, The Skies I’m Under, our story and my passion for effective communication, co-production and community has been shared in Parliament, local, national and international conferences. Whether on local or national radio, TV (TBN) or in person, I am passionate about going beyond the story-telling of lived experience into actionable solutions driven by research and evidence.
Every person has a story and those with profound learning disabilities rely on allies to share their story. People and services can be transformed by these stories when connected with data and delivered in a way which not only inspires change but equips practitioners to deliver it.”
Rachel Wright
Testimonials
People we have worked with:
