New organisation aims to support chronically ill, disabled and neurodivergent residents

Cllr Nooria Sayani attended I Am IChronic's first wellbeing and engagement event on Friday (10 July), offering her support to the community interest company (CIC) by helping to facilitate new partnerships across Rugby. 

Founded by Rugby resident Stevie-Jayne Farrell, I Am IChronic aims to support chronically ill, disabled and neurodivergent residents through self-advocacy, while reducing isolation, improving wellbeing and working collaboratively with organisations to improve accessibility, communication and inclusion.

The CIC also works to break down stigma and tackle the harmful impact of misinformation on residents with chronic illness, disability and neurodivergence.
Stevie-Jayne said: "Living with chronic illness and disability can be incredibly isolating and too many people feel unheard when navigating healthcare, employment and everyday life.

"I created I Am IChronic to build the kind of community I wish had existed when I needed it most.

"Society can sometimes feel frightening and inaccessible when there is so much misunderstanding and misinformation around disability. 

"Part of our mission is to break down those barriers and challenge stigma, so people feel safer, understood and included."

Community interest companies (CICs) work to benefit the community rather than generate private profit, with money made pumped back into the services the company provides.

Cllr Sayani said: "Stevie-Jayne has both lived experience and expertise in this field, and wants I Am IChronic to work alongside healthcare providers and organisations to improve communication and experience on all sides.

"This new provision in Rugby will expand capacity and resources for the future, and enable us to help some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

"It's about an inclusive vision, helping to break down barriers and build a more compassionate, collaborative approach, rather than the usual 'us vs. them' dynamic - a perfect demonstration of the pluralism I have made the theme of my Mayoral year.

"The wellbeing and connection event attracted interest from across the borough and beyond, highlighting the clear and growing need for spaces which offer understanding, connection and support," Cllr Sayani added.

For more information about I Am IChronic, visit www.iamichronic.org