Yvonne Owens – Knowsley Resident

I’m married to Stephen Owens and I have a grown up son called Marc and I have lived in Whiston for over 20 years. My hobbies are gardening, listening to talking books & the radio and spending time with my family. The person I admire most is my husband who has worked for the same company Glen Dimplex for nearly 4o years and my son for going to University.

I am involved in lots of organsiations and local charities across Knowsley. I am a trustee with Knowsley Disability Concern, a member of Knowsley Older Peoples Voice, Knowsley Carers Centre, Prescot & Whiston Health Forum, Healthwatch Knowsley and member of Bradbury Fields consulting group for blind people as well as a volunteer mentor around financial benefits for older people.

My biggest challenge or achievements are the 2 jobs that I have at present working with people with dementia in local nursing homes. My motto is ‘content is the finest weapon’. As a resident committee board member with the KULO I hope to help people to become more independent and to help people speak up for themselves. I would like to see KULO become more involved with Knowsley’s Centre for Independent Living (CIL) and I would dearly love to see more disabled people working in the CIL demonstrating equipment which is relevant to their disability as a paid member of staff.

My biggest gripe is discrimination and welfare changes, and I really would like to change things and see more job opportunities for Knowsley residents with disabilities.