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Our 15th birthday was a celebration of inclusion, community, and the people who’ve shaped both. As the evening drew to a close, we turned our attention to those whose dedication and vision have helped make Active Impact what it is today.
Through the presentation of two Lifetime Achievement Awards we recognised key individuals whose long-standing commitment to inclusion has changed not only the work of Active Impact, but also the way people across Gloucestershire think about and act on inclusion.
Our first recipient was Phillip Douch; writer, trainer, performer, co-founder of Active Impact, and, as many would say, one of the true cornerstones of our charity.
From the very beginning, Phillip’s influence has been profound. He co-founded Active Impact in 2010 alongside Jane Douch and James Brown, helping to shape the values and principles that continue to guide the organisation today. Thoughtful, wise, and unassuming, Phillip has always led with compassion, curiosity, and a quiet determination to make inclusion not just an idea, but a lived experience for everyone.
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Earlier in the evening we asked Philip to encapsulate why Active Impact was created, he shared that “we wanted to make it possible for the kids to do more interesting things whilst their parents got some much-needed time to themselves – the sort of things that non-disabled kids have access to without even a second thought. Fun, stimulating, confidence-building stuff – and wherever possible alongside their non-disabled peers – having a laugh together rather than ‘accessing a specialist service’.”
It was Phillip and James who first introduced lots of the (then) team to the Social Model of Disability – a framework that challenges barriers rather than people, and which sits at the heart of all of Active Impact’s work. That introduction has shaped countless careers, projects, and organisations, far beyond Active Impact itself.
Phillip’s writing, including the much-loved Busker’s Guide to Inclusion, has helped people across sectors understand inclusion in practical, human terms. His warmth and humour have made complex ideas feel accessible, and his storytelling has inspired others to reflect, challenge assumptions, and change practice.
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Over the years, Phillip has also shared his skills as a trainer and mentor, guiding others to take the lead in delivering our flagship training. His approach, “make them think, rather than talk at them”, continues to define how we work today. Those who have trained alongside him describe not only learning from him, but laughing with him, and always leaving with new insights and renewed confidence.
Phillip has been called many things over the years – captain, catalyst, ally, advocate – and perhaps all are true, but above all, he has been a steady, generous presence: someone who listens deeply, encourages others to grow, and reminds us that inclusion starts with empathy and connection.
As we presented him with his Lifetime Achievement Award, it was clear that his legacy runs through everything Active Impact has become and everything it will continue to be.
Thank you, Phillip, for your vision, your wisdom, and your unwavering belief in people.
