Dear Reader,

Thank you for visiting this website. At The Blind Spot we strive to uncover the truth behind the headlines and to present the stories that are hidden from sight. This is an inclusive space where people can convey their experiences and ideas, support one another and talk about social, political, community and disability issues.

My co-founder Hatty Sampson and I hope that people will join us, not just as interview subjects, but as contributors. We want stories. Not only from people affected by social issues, but anyone connected to these issues. Carers. Social workers. Lawyers. Charities. Family members. Friends. Neighbours. Politicians. Doctors. Academics. Anyone who has something to say. You all have stories, and we want to hear them. You probably know a great deal more than me about these issues. Pass that information on. You might have questions. Ask them. There are no rules to this website. We’ve got ideas, sure, yet you probably have better ones. Together maybe, just maybe, we can create something that is worthwhile, that can actually help to improve people’s lives.

The inspiration for The Blind Spot came from a disability conference Hatty and I attended in 2014.  I work for people with disabilities and I was assisting Hatty at an event in London, one we had both been looking forward to. Yet as the day wore on, anticipation made way to boredom, boredom to disappointment, disappointment to apathy.

It wasn’t that the event was terrible or badly managed – it was that it seemed unnecessary. That it existed only to justify the organisation running it. Consensus was what the organisation was after. Disagreement was ignored, even suppressed on occasion. What was clear to see was the disconnect between the organisers and the disabled people attending. There was anger. There was frustration. There was disagreement. What was wanted by the organisers, however, was not the honesty but consensus. The conference was a mere box to tick for them.

Hatty and I left at the end of the day with a feeling of malaise. Disabled people and service users’ concerns had not been listened to. Their stories had been ignored. They were not being seen or heard. We thought there had to be a better way. One free of the interests of businesses and organisations. A place where disagreement is encouraged. Where truth is sought. And where support, in all its many forms, is given.

Maybe here, at The Blind Spot, we can attempt do something better. It’s a lofty aim, I know. An unrealistic one perhaps. But we are going to try.

Yours faithfully,

Rhys Bendix-Lewis
Director & Co-Founder | The Blind Spot