Dr Mark Brookes MBE
Advocacy Lead, Dimensions UK
Mark has more than 30 years’ experience in advocating for people with learning disabilities and autism, which he has lived experience of. He is currently Advocacy Lead for Dimensions UK, where he regularly speaks publicly about disability hate crime and is an advocate for people with learning disabilities and autism being treated equally. Prior to joining Dimensions UK he worked for Values In to Action, where he was responsible for developing the organisation’s policy around hate crime, human rights and individual budgets.
Mark’s work has led him to work with bodies such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Crown Prosecution Service, Home Office and Police forces across the country.
Mark has spoken publicly at events in Spain, Austria, Greece, Canada, India and Australia. As well as many in the UK for organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service annual conference, Equality and Human Rights Commission hate crime event and de Montford University hate crime event. In addition, he has led various training events including for Police officers. He has also authored and co-authored multiple publications.
In 1993 Mark set up Havering People First and served as Chair for a decade. Since then he has served on boards, forums and advisory groups for Havering Partnership Board, Disability Rights Commission, National Development Team for Inclusion, Department for Employment and Crown Prosecution Service.
In 2019 Mark was awarded an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Kent. In 2020 Mark was made MBE for his services to people with learning disabilities and autism.
Useful links
“It’s important for people with learning disabilities to be as independent as possible; advocacy and being able to access the community is also vital.”