Toucan-Diversity

10/09/2025

10/09/2025

Making History Accessible!

We’re proud to have played a role in shaping 'Hurrah for Shippam’s' at The Novium Museum, , a free exhibition celebrating the story of one of West Sussex’s most iconic food brands.

From the initial design stages right through to ongoing improvements, our pan-disabled team worked alongside The Novium Museum to ensure accessibility was at the heart of the visitor experience. Together, we’ve helped create a space where everyone can explore Shippam’s fascinating history with some great original advertising, factory objects, oral histories from past employees, and interactive displays, in a way that’s inclusive and engaging for all.

The Novium Museum’s commitment to welcoming disabled visitors has been inspiring, and we’re delighted to support their journey in getting accessibility right.

If you’re a or organisation looking to make your more inclusive, we’d love to work with you. Our team offers lived-experience insight, practical advice, and creative solutions to make sure your stories reach every visitor.
https://lnkd.in/dq5amRE
Clarke Reynolds David Shervill Fiona Et Al Simon Eddy an Brookes JB Accessibility Paul Carter Rebecca Butler Amanda Rogan Rachel N. Chris Lynch 🎥 The Mary Rose National Museum of the Royal Navy

Image Description: The image shows five of Toucans team members plus Olly the assistance dog looking at the camera. The team are standing in front of a display cabinet and in the middle of the image is a design of Shippams Fish Paste jar. It was a great day for some of our team to be involved in

05/09/2025

In 1915, a German princess was born with Down syndrome—and unlike many children of her time, she was never hidden away.
Her name was Princess Alexandrine Irene of Prussia, the oldest daughter of Wilhelm, German Crown Prince, and Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. At a time when disability was often met with silence and secrecy, her family chose love and openness.
Nicknamed Adini, she was adored by her parents and siblings. They ensured she was educated, included in family life, and present at public events. To see her standing alongside royals at official gatherings was extraordinary for her era.
Many aristocratic families of the early 20th century concealed relatives with disabilities, shielding them from the public eye. But Alexandrine’s life was different. She was not only visible but valued. Her mother in particular devoted herself to ensuring her daughter’s dignity and inclusion.
She lived with her mother until 1954, remaining closely tied to her family. She enjoyed a life of affection, stability, and respect that defied the conventions of her time. When she passed away in 1980 at the age of 65, she left behind a quiet but powerful legacy of acceptance.
Her story is rarely told, yet it reminds us that even in rigid royal courts, compassion sometimes triumphed over custom.
Had you ever heard of a royal family breaking tradition in this way? Do you think history might have been different if more families had followed their example?

31/08/2025

Goodbye August, hello September!

It’s hard to believe summer is drawing to a close, with children heading back to school and our team preparing for a busy autumn ahead.
August was a month of strengthening our partnerships with valued customers including Brittany Ferries, Yellow Door and the University of Portsmouth Alumni University of Portsmouth where we were fortunate to take part in the MBA Consultancy Project.

Our team has been busy developing toolkits, blogs, and new ways to bring our new Understanding Autism course to life for families and carers. Like all of our online courses, these courses continue to evolve with ongoing updates and enhancements.

We’re especially proud of our collaboration with the brilliant team at Room One, the autism support network in Portsmouth City Council who are working on finding more ways to make this course relevant and authentic to the people they support and we support.

If you like what you read, and would like to get involved, why don't you get in touch and book some time with us.

https://lnkd.in/dgpbEtt

Rob Trent Chris Lynch Abigail Aoc Ronnie Wang PhD Derrick Mason MSET Simon Eddy Hadiza Sani David Shervill David Shervill Paul SmithOBE Paul Carter Carter (he/him) Fiona Et Al

Image description: The picture shows a scene on a sunny day but already feeling the chill in the air. In the foreground, there are terracotta pots filled with vibrant flowers, including red, pink, and white blossoms, set among large green leafy plants and ferns. A stone path curves away from the patio area on the left and extends straight through the lawn toward the background. On the right side, there is a tall tree with a broad leafy canopy, while other smaller trees and bushes add texture and depth to the scene. The sky above is light blue with a few faint clouds, giving the garden a calm and inviting atmosphere.

29/08/2025

Job opportunity!

We’re hiring! 💛

We're looking for a Coordinator to support the development and delivery of a Disabilities Hub in the city.

If you have a passion for quality customer service and an understanding of the emotional, physical, and social challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, we want to hear from you.

📍 Portsmouth
🕐 Apply by 5pm, 17 Sept
📩 Send your CV & cover letter to workwith@hiveportsmouth.org.uk

Find out more: https://hiveportsmouth.org.uk/node/2614

Join us and help make Portsmouth a city where everyone can thrive!

24/08/2025

Toucan’s Sunday Read!

We’ve been knee deep in writing fundraising bids and putting together another toolkit to help organisations take their first step towards becoming Disability Confident.

📅 On Thursday, we also hosted an in-person session at the Innovation Connect, - Yes, we are back! Several fantastic volunteers dropped by to say hello. Always great to see our community in action.

👉 Want to learn more about how we can support you on your Disability Confident journey?
Please get in touch to find out more
https://toucan-diversity.org.uk/

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Video description: First image is on a yellow background showing an image of some members of Toucan's team. With toucan's logo on the left hand top saying Toucan Diversity and on the right is the tagline - Goodbye Awkward, Hello Different with a text saying Toucan's Toolkit to becoming Disability Confident. The second image show the the Mission, Vision and Core Values of Toucan Diversity. The 3rd image as the three logo's of the the Disability Confident Scheme and on the forth image there are further description.

22/08/2025

🌟 Trainer Highlight Series 🌟
At Toucan Diversity Training CIC, our trainers are the heart of what we do. Each brings unique experiences, insights, and passion for building a more inclusive world.

Today, we’re highlighting:
David Shervill – Sight Impairment Awareness Trainer

David shares his lived experience as someone who is sight impaired, leading powerful discussions that encourage people to think about practical changes they can make in their daily and work lives. His sessions inspire reflection, empathy, and action.

🙌 Join us NOW as a volunteer, attend a training session, or enrol in our Academy to become an accredited trainer.
https://toucan-diversity.org.uk/index.php/contact/



Image Description: the first image shows the Toucan Team sitting on a brown sofa others are in wheelchairs and Segway chair. The second image is of David Shervill smiling into the camera.

20/08/2025

🌟 Shout-Out to Our Volunteers! 🌟

At Toucan, no one stands alone. Every volunteer is part of a family that celebrates difference, values lived experience, and turns it into strength.

Join our close, supportive community and help shape a future where inclusion is not just a goal, but a lived reality.

Leave a comment below or explore more inspiring volunteering stories on our website!
https://lnkd.in/es2vam6u

18/08/2025

Today is Teddy Bears Picnic day!
It is a day to encourage children, parents and those who work with them, to explore poetry and stories and to promote literacy through play.
Toucan Diversity has an inclusive children's booklist for use in schools and in your own home. Please get in touch to be given a link to this free resource.
https://toucan-diversity.org.uk/index.php/contact/

Will you go down to the woods today?
Let us know if you spot any toucans!




Image description: Teddy bears in a wicker picnic basket, a red and white blanket on grass, studded with yellow flowers. The Toucan Diversity logo of an orange beak and black writing saying "Toucan Diversity" in the bottom left hand corner.

17/08/2025

Toucan's Sunday Read!

This week has been all about strengthening our partnership with the University of Portsmouth, Business and Law.

At Toucan Diversity, we’ve been delivering disability training to staff of the University of Portsmouth since 2017. Choosing a local, disabled-led training provider makes sense — not just for sustainability, but also for the depth of local disability history and lived experience we bring.

As part of the MBA programme, we had the opportunity to attend a Consultancy Pitch with Derrick Mason and Ali Zairb, who selected Toucan Diversity as their project. We truly value their recommendation and look forward to taking it to our board of directors for discussion.

Every year, we’re fortunate to welcome students into our work — each bringing fresh ideas, energy, and perspectives that enrich our organisation and in return they become part of our Toucan family. It’s a privilege to not only deliver training for the university but also explore new ways we can support them further through lived experience and collaborative co-production learning.

If you like what you are reading and want to find out more about our work, please check us out and get in touch.
www.toucan-diversity.org.uk
Gunwharf Quays University of Portsmouth Alumni
-led

Image Description: The first image shows Ali and Derrick presenting their findings and recommendations for Toucan's future. The second and third image show several people including lectures standing in front of a large screen smiling into the camera.