Media

SWAD trains social services and health care professionals, in the private and public sectors (Service Providers), about the sexual health needs of people with disabilities. Lorraine Stanley (pictured above) is the Founder and CEO.

We provide guidance, support and signposting of services to disabled people, their partners, and carers, about accessing services relating to intimacy and sexuality. Where appropriate, we supply an advocacy service.

We see activism as key in championing the rights of disabled people to have the fulfilling sexual life of their choice.
SWAD stands for Sex With A Difference.

Lorraine presenting a session at Naidex Disability Exhibition 2022

Lifestyle and Mobility with Lorraine Stanley

I have multiple disabilities and am “unemployable” in a standard 9-5, commute there and back, type of job. I have been researching disability and sex since 2007 to date and found few training courses available.

I want to feel like I am making a difference in the world, and to feel useful. Yes, it might be using a slightly different manner due to my disabilities - but it is still a valid and valuable contribution.

(Pictured left) Lorraine presenting a session at Naidex Disability Exhibition 2022.

Download Full Factsheet

Lorraine Working From Her Office Bed

My professional background includes;

Training and Development within the NHS and Local Government; a Certificate in Training Practice awarded by the Institute of Personnel and Development (now CIPD).

I also hold qualifications in Facilitation Skills, One to One Counselling, BSL Stage 1 certificate, and Peer Support training.
(Pictured left) Lorraine working from her “Office bed”.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Many years of experience within both the NHS and local government. Able to work with health and scientific professionals at all levels; and with lay people. I can help to bridge the gap in understanding that can occur between the two groups. Passionate about inclusive sexual health information, and provision of services to people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. This is pan-disability, both visible and invisible. Personal lived experience of being a wheelchair user, neurological disease, episodes of paralysis, mental health issues and autism/neurodiversity. I ran a successful Diet and Fitness franchise for 3 years, before ME forced me to stop trading.

I have also presented at the annual BASHH (British Association for Sexual Health & HIV) Annual Conference, and volunteer on their Public Panel. In addition to the above, I am Co-Chair of the Love Abilities Festival, an international virtual festival on sexuality and disability. I’m about to publish an e-book on improving access to sexual health clinics for disabled people (Q1 2023).

Key Goal: To have at least one hoisting system, and a set of leg supports on at least one examination couch, in every sexual health clinic and GP surgery in the UK, by 31 December 2024.

At SWAD we work to a “triangle of care” model. This means we recognise that the individual with the health issue, their carers (where applicable) and the professionals all need to be part of the team effort for the best possible outcomes. We use a light-hearted approach to our training delivery and actively cater for neurodiverse audiences.

Organisations we have worked with include:

HIV Prevention England, Sexpression UK, Reading University students union, Bristol University OT students union, Supported Loving, The Action Group, the Terrence Higgins Trust, DISIRability (USA), Neatebox/WelcoME, MacIntyre Charity, Carers Support Dorset, SSAIL Research, SPOKZ, T6Talk (Canada), TLC Trust., The LGBT Foundation.

You can see me in action, and get a fuller flavour of what I’m about using the links below:

I was interviewed by Alex Sparrowhawk from the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) for the HIV Prevention England Conference 2022. The theme was 'Breaking Barriers'.HIV Prevention England Conference.

Artist of the Month September 2022. Outside In organisation.

Interview with Amanda O’Rourke – Are you a disruptor?