UK Charity Week: Meet the Euan's Guide Team

UK Charity Week is a time to celebrate the teams driving change across the charity sector. At Euan’s Guide, our passionate and dedicated team is at the heart of our mission to improve accessibility and make life easier for disabled people.

Euan’s Guide is more than a disabled access review platform; it’s a community, a resource, and a mission. Whether it’s creating safer toilets with our Red Cord Cards or amplifying voices through accessibility reviews, our team shares a passion for breaking down barriers. This year, our CEO Antonia Lee-Bapty honoured our late co-founder Euan MacDonald at the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, paying tribute to his legacy:

“Euan believed in making the world more accessible, one review at a time, and if he were here, he would encourage you to join him in sharing your experiences of disabled access. And whilst we are heartbroken at Euan’s loss, we are determined to continue his legacy, making the world a better place.”

In this UK Charity Week blog, we’re spotlighting the stories, motivations, and milestones of the incredible individuals driving Euan’s Guide forward.

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Antonia Lee-Bapty, CEO

Antonia Lee-Bapty, CEO of Euan’s Guide, has been a driving force behind the charity since its inception. Antonia’s leadership combines strategic vision with a deep passion for creating a more inclusive world, ensuring Euan’s Guide continues to grow as a vital resource for disabled access information and community support.

Q: Share a memorable moment or milestone from your time here!
I’m going to go with one from the very beginning of Euan’s Guide… Before the first version of the website launched in November 2013, we had a simple “holding page” with a basic web form to test out the review process. I remember the very first review that came in—a 5-star review of the National Museum of Scotland. I was having dinner with a friend, and they said that one day I would stop being excited when a review came in—that hasn’t happened yet!

Q: Is there something about your work or the charity you wish more people knew?
I wish people knew how important and valuable each and every bit of disabled access information is! We regularly hear that just one review can give someone the confidence to visit somewhere new. Many people use Euan’s Guide for research but haven’t reviewed themselves. If that’s you, check out “Why I Didn’t Review–But Now I Do!” by Haneul, our new Comms Intern, and get reviewing!

Q: What are your hopes or goals for Euan’s Guide in the next year?
Bigger, better, faster! I’m an impatient person and can’t wait to show off some of the new things happening next year. We’re going to make it much easier to search for and share disabled access information. As always, our changes are guided by feedback from our community, so if you’ve got suggestions, let us know!

2024 has been a tough year—we were devastated by the loss of Euan after his long fight with Motor Neuron Disease. I worked with him for over a decade, and he was one of my best friends. While I’m heartbroken, I’m determined to continue his legacy and make the world more accessible.

Steve Ensor – Moderation & Website Manager

As the first person in the office each morning, Steve plays a vital role in Euan’s Guide, ensuring the quality and accuracy of reviews. He’s been with the charity since its inception, managing everything from moderating reviews to overseeing website operations.

Q: What inspired you to work in the field of accessibility/disabled access?I was working with a well-known survey company right before I discovered Euan’s Guide through a friend. It was completely out of the blue, I began by inputting places to Euan’s Guide before the website went live. Then we started getting reviews and my job as Moderation Manager began.

Q: Share a memorable moment or milestone from your time here!

I was there the day Red Cord Cards were invented. I remember everyone standing with a piece of paper sketching out how it could be attached to a red cord. There were a lot of questions about how the finished card would stay attached. To test the design, we cut out the sketch on cardboard and tried it out on a piece of string. It worked.

Q: Is there something about your work or the charity you wish more people knew?

I’m almost always the first person to start – about 7am I’m catching up on last night’s reviews. Some days there are reviews of castles, cafes and a hotel, but later there could be boats, supermarkets or sports stadiums! Museum reviews are the best. I enjoy an odd museum collection, like the Pen Museum.

Claire D’All, Volunteer Coordinator

Claire has a rich history with Euan’s Guide, starting as a volunteer in 2017 before becoming a Volunteer Coordinator in November 2019. Her dedication to accessibility shines through her commitment to empowering volunteers and fostering meaningful connections.

Q: What inspired you to work in the field of accessibility/disabled access?

I have lived in the field of accessibility/disabled access my whole life. I was born with Congenital Myopathy and have been a powered wheelchair user since I was 3 years old. Throughout my life I have seen so many changes, mostly good but some changes that aren’t as good in the world of accessibility and disability access so, I have always been inspired to make a change. Working with Euan’s Guide has opened my eyes to a lot more issues that disabled people face though, and hearing how Euan’s Guide has helped so many people is what motivates me.

Q: Share a memorable moment or milestone from your time here!

There are so many different moments that I have experienced whilst being involved with Euan’s Guide, that it is hard to pick a favourite one. Traveling to Shetland by overnight ferry to review different venues, various trips to the different festivals in Edinburgh, review days in different cities in Scotland and talking to the public at different events about the vital work we do at Euan’s Guide. What all these events have in common is the sense of community I feel Euan’s Guide brings to everyone, our volunteers and our small but mighty team of staff.

Q: How do you think Euan’s Guide has impacted the accessibility landscape in the UK?

I feel Euan’s Guide has made an impact on how people who may not need accessibility features see accessibility. For example, I feel more and more venues are wanting to talk about what accessibility features they have at their venue by registering on our website. I also feel we are continuing to hear from our volunteers how reviews are giving them much more confidence to visit new places and enjoy time with friends and family. With our Access Survey too it gives people the chance to have their voices heard on important accessibility topics that may not be spoken about elsewhere.

Zoe Macclean, Volunteer Coordinator

Zoe works to empower Euan’s Guide’s vibrant community of contributors, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to make their voices heard and expand the impact of the Euan’s Guide network.

Q: What inspired you to work in the field of accessibility/disabled access?
I am and always have been very passionate about disabled access and about addressing the everyday obstacles that affect disabled people. Through my work, I hope to empower other disabled individuals to speak up and share their experiences–both good and bad–about accessibility.

Q: Share a memorable moment or milestone from your time here!
One of my favourite moments was in May 2023, when I organised a ‘come and try’ day in partnership with the volunteer staff at North Berwick Beach Wheelchairs. It was really great to see everyone enjoying an accessible day at the beach and knowing I played a part in making that possible.

Q: Have you faced any challenges in your role, and if so, how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced at Euan’s Guide has been securing enough care support to spend time in the Edinburgh office with the team. Since the pandemic, the care support industry has changed dramatically, which has meant working primarily from home. While I haven’t overcome this challenge yet, I’m hopeful that things will improve in the New Year, and I look forward to spending more time with my workmates in person!

Joe Logue, Community Manager

Having joined Euan’s Guide in May 2024 as Community Manager, Joe’s role involves traveling across the UK to review accessibility at various locations. His firsthand experience with disability adds a unique perspective to his work, making a real difference in the accessibility landscape.

Q: What inspired you to work in the field of accessibility/disabled access?
As a disabled person, accessibility affects how I live my life and the places I can go. I’ve long been involved in disability and accessibility networks, and I write about life with a disability as Dystrophy Dad. I love that the work I do makes a real and lasting difference.

Q: Share a memorable moment or milestone from your time here!
In July of this year, three months into my role, I produced a TikTok documenting the day I spent with the mobility assistance team at Glasgow Central. Set to an old Sheena Easton song, it gained 40,000 views and a great deal of interest.

Q: Is there something about your work or the charity you wish more people knew?
I encounter challenges on every trip I take, such as issues with assistance, complications on my route, or unexpected events—just like any other disabled traveller. As for Euan’s Guide, I'd like people to know we’re far more than a website. We work to make accessible toilets safer, our annual accessibility survey inspires change across the UK, and we’re a source of support and information.

Christina Miller, Communications Manager

Since she started at the organisation in May 2022, Christina has been the storyteller of Euan’s Guide, ensuring the charity’s campaigns and reviews make an impact far and wide. As Communications Manager, she has a passion for doing work that has a positive impact on people.

Q: What inspired you to work in the field of accessibility/disabled access?
Post lockdown and after having two babies, I felt the need to do something more meaningful in my work. I was looking for a role that would fit my skills and experience while allowing me to do a job that felt meaningful. 

Also, having suffered a really bad time with Ulcerative Colitis in my teens, when I frequently and urgently needed to use a loo, I could understand to some degree how many people in Euan’s Guide’s community felt about accessible toilets. I kind of wanted to give something back to accessible loos, for what they had provided for me at a time in my life when I was all consumed by where the closest toilet was. 

Q: How do you think Euan’s Guide has impacted the accessibility landscape in the UK?
Well, the website was groundbreaking when it launched – as far as I know, there was nothing else like it and it was lifechanging for many people in being able to find disabled access information – ten years later and it’s still as valuable as ever. 

The Access Survey has also been an incredibly important piece of work in terms of data sharing and insights into how disabled people really feel about disabled access, and with the support of Motability Operations we’ve reached even more people to become the UK’s largest Access Survey, with results and participants being featured across mainstream media, raising awareness of the issues faced by disabled people every day. 

Of course, our Safer Toilets campaign and Red Cord Cards have had a huge impact on the world of accessibility. 150,000 accessible toilets have been made safer for disabled people, an incredible achievement for a small charity and its volunteers.

Q: What are your hopes or goals for Euan’s Guide in the next year?

In terms of communications, it’s to make sure everyone knows about our charity! To continue our amazing work in making the world more accessible to everyone, and to share our exciting tech news that is currently in the early stages of development. It would also be amazing to reach more people with our Access Survey, and reach 200,000 Red Cord Cards for 2025.

Julie van den Driesche, Head of Development and Partnerships

Julie joined Euan’s Guide earlier this year as the Head of Development and Partnerships. She focuses on expanding the charity’s impact through fundraising and collaborations. With a passion for accessibility and a personal connection to the charity’s work, Julie is committed to ensuring Euan’s Guide continues to grow and support the disabled community.

Q: What inspired you to work in the field of accessibility/disabled access?
I first heard about Euan’s Guide about 10 years ago when I found emergency pull cords knotted up at the Royal Commonwealth Pool. After untangling them I hung my first Euan’s Guide red cord cards up (and many more since) and have always thought the work done by the charity is so important. I have so many friends and family who have used Euan’s Guide to plan accessible days out.

Q: Share a memorable moment or milestone from your time here!
I’m really proud of helping get Baillie Gifford to vote for us as their Charity of the Year – we’ve never been a charity-of-the-year for a corporation before and we’ve received so much support from them – both financially and through their shared expertise in so many areas that will help strengthen our impact.

Q: How do you think Euan’s Guide has impacted the accessibility landscape in the UK?
Time and time again I hear our community say that they go to www.EuansGuide.com before visiting a new venue to find out if it will be accessible to them. I also hear disabled people say how motivated and good they feel when they can do a disabled access review to help other people. There are over 13,000 reviews of UK venues on Euan’s Guide. We might not be able to force venues to become more accessible, but we sure can help disabled people find and share the good places to go!

Laura Crielly, Project Manager for Tech Development

Laura joined Euan’s Guide in May 2024 as Project Manager for Tech Development, focusing on the charity’s new website and app. As a carer and tech enthusiast, Laura combines her personal experience with her professional expertise to improve accessibility through digital innovation.

Q: What inspired you to work in the field of accessibility/disabled access?
I’ve always wanted to work for an organisation that makes a real impact, and Euan’s Guide perfectly aligns with my values. As someone who is a carer for both my father and daughter, I understand the importance of flexibility in a job. Euan's Guide offers not just a role that meets my professional ambitions but also one that respects my personal life and caregiving responsibilities. The opportunity to work on a project that removes barriers and opens up new experiences for disabled people and their carers is incredibly rewarding.

Q: Share a memorable moment or milestone from your time here!
One of the most memorable moments so far was seeing the team’s excitement and passion as we began work on the new website and app. It’s such a tangible way to improve accessibility and help people with disabilities experience the world in a more inclusive way. I’m incredibly proud of the difference this project will make!

Q: Do you have any advice for someone considering a role in the charity or accessibility sector?
If you’re considering a career in the accessibility or charity sector, my advice would be to get involved in organisations that truly care about making a difference. The work can be challenging but incredibly fulfilling. Don’t be afraid to bring your own personal experience and passion into your role—it’s what will drive you to succeed and make a real impact.

Haneul Lee, Communications Intern

Haneul joined Euan’s Guide in October 2024 as the Communications Intern, combining her passion for storytelling with her lived experience as a disabled person. Coming from a background of creative and access facilitation, she is passionate about amplifying voices and showcasing the charity's vital work through creative communications.

Q: What inspired you to work in the field of accessibility/disabled access?
As a powerchair user, accessibility is a daily consideration for me. Over the years, I’ve encountered barriers that go beyond just physical obstacles—like a lack of information or understanding. Euan’s Guide has been an invaluable resource in my life, helping me as a young person to explore the world independently and continuing to support me now as a young adult. Interning here allows me to combine my passion for writing, storytelling, and advocacy with my lived experience to create real, tangible change.

Q: How do you think Euan’s Guide has impacted the accessibility landscape in the UK?
Euan’s Guide has made accessibility information more visible and accessible, empowering disabled people to explore new places with confidence. I first started using Euan’s Guide as a young person wanting to explore the world in my own right, and have continued using it as a young adult now. Being disabled often means you have to be your own advocate, but with Euan’s Guide, it’s like you already have a community of people who advocate for you by inputting their own experiences. It makes being physically disabled a lot less isolating! It has also encouraged venues to think about accessibility more proactively. The site isn’t just a directory—it’s a space where disabled people’s voices are amplified and celebrated, creating a cultural and societal shift toward inclusion.

Q: What are your hopes or goals for Euan’s Guide in the next year?
I hope to see even more reviews from a diverse range of voices—whether that’s long-term contributors or new reviewers discovering how impactful their input can be. I also want to see more people using Red Cord Cards! Since starting the role, I’ve taken so many selfies in toilets and always have a bundle of cards in my bag. It makes going to public loos feel a lot more exciting! Personally, I’m excited to continue growing as a narrator, highlighting the remarkable achievements of Euan’s Guide, and playing my part in making the world more accessible and inclusive.

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As we celebrate UK Charity Week, we’re reminded of the profound impact a dedicated and passionate team can have on the world. At Euan’s Guide, our mission to break down accessibility barriers is powered by the experiences, skills, and unwavering commitment of each individual. Whether through creating safer spaces, amplifying disabled voices, or innovating accessible tech, our team works tirelessly to honor Euan’s legacy and build a more inclusive world.

In Antonia’s words, “Euan’s Guide is here to make life easier, safer and less stressful for disabled people everywhere. And we are committed to helping many millions more.” We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but there’s always more to do. If our work resonates with you, we’d love for you to get involved—whether by sharing your own access reviews or spreading the word about what we do. Together, we’re shaping a future where everyone can explore confidently, contribute meaningfully, and thrive equally.

Tags: disabled acccess, charity week, uk charity week, 2024, euan's guide, meet the team