Our Rights, Our Community
What is ‘Our Rights, Our Community’?
‘Our Rights, Our Community’ is a book that get2gether has written in partnership with Napier University. On the 24th June 2025 we will celebrate the book launch of ‘Our Rights, Our Community’ at Edinburgh Napier University! This project has seen 10 get2gether members sharing their stories and lived experience. These stories highlight the importance of having YOUR voices heard and YOUR human rights respected. We can’t wait to celebrate this huge achievement with you!
In November 2024, we launched the e-copy of Our Rights Our Community at our AGM. We invited members to get involved in talking about Human Rights at our first book club on 28th January.
We hosted three Book Clubs, which were spaces for members to talk about their stories and what’s important to them, as well as the importance of Human Rights. We hosted Book Clubs at Thistle Foundation and at McDonald Road Library and they were all hybrid meetings
At our Book Club, we asked members ‘What do human rights mean to you?’ and here are some of their answers:
Willam: “Human Right are when you stick up for yourself”
Lawrence: “people helping people”
Kieran: “Clean water, community, housing. If you can’t help yourself, lots of people can’t help themselves. Human Rights are fulfilling the very minimum of human needs.”
Keoki: “To be able access services just like everyone else! That’s what we’re entitled to as people with disabilities.”
Davey: “Human Rights are making your own choices
Jodi: “Human rights for us as disabled people are very important to me, as they mean that we are being seen, heard, and valued not in spite of our disabilities, but with them. Without human rights, disabled people are deprived of the dignity and freedom they are entitled to.”
Philip: “Choices! Being able to go to bed whenever you want. Your own choices, exercising your human rights and also respecting other people’s rights!! Equal opportunities to live a good life.”
Andrew: “Respect. Human Rights are strong things, real positive feelings. The right to be listened to and not on your own.”
Kevin: “I have a job. Article 19&20, the right to live independently and to move around”
Jason: “If you’re getting bullied or mistreated, Human Rights are there to help you.”
We also asked members ‘how did it feel to write down your story?’
Our Ambassador Natalie said: “The experience of telling my story was powerful…and nerve wracking. People read personal details to me. It’s important to get our stories out there so people understand what life is like for people with a disability. It means a lot to me, and reading everyone’s stories impacted me too. I’m proud to have been a part of it and proud of everyone else too!”
Our member Jodi said: “Sharing my story was an emotional journey. It brought up some painful memories, but it was also a healing experience. Reflecting on the challenges I’ve faced and the achievements I’ve made reminded me of how far I’ve come. Life is a journey, and it’s easy to forget that our experiences – both good and bad, shape who we are and drive us. Even though what I went through was incredibly difficult and unfair, those experiences now give me the strength to take part in projects like this and try to make a positive impact in my community. I know there’s someone out there going through something similar right now, and they might need to hear a story like mine – to know they’re not alone, and that things can and do get better.”
Do you want to come and celebrate this amazing achievement with get2gether?
Join us on Friday May 23rd at Hibs Sunnyside AND/OR Tuesday 24th June at Napier Sighthill – we would LOVE to see you. Please let us know you are coming so we can look out for you!