Testimonials
“The presentation from Toucan Diversity was exceptionally clear and professionally delivered. What truly stood out was hearing directly from a presenter with lived experience of an invisible disability — it brought authenticity and depth that deeply resonated with us. Colleagues and I were discussing it afterward, and we all agreed on how engaging and impactful the training was. A truly valuable session.”
Director
Warwick Arts Centre
April 2025
“The training was brilliant. It was thought-provoking, nuanced and provided lots of opportunities for us to think about (and discuss) the impact of our language, even when words are said with kind intentions. A special thank you to Pippa for delivering it so clearly and in such an engaging way. It was excellent to hear about your life and experiences which you generously shared and also think more broadly too about a wide range of people with invisible disabilities.”
Rosie Baron
SEND Teacher, Elmhurst Primary Trust
October 2024
Zoom Session
“I would highly recommend Toucan Diversity CIC, excellent training material, is flexible and adaptable to tailor course content, and extremely efficient to put together and roll out training, I am very much looking forward to continuing to work together on further projects.”
Amber McIvor – Main
Customer Service Manager, Condor Ferries
April 2024
““From the first contact I was hugely impressed with the professionalism, expertise and enthusiasm of the team at Toucan Diversity. The training was relevant, tailored and engaging which has supported our staff and our organisation to ensure we are reducing barriers to ensure our service users are able to access our services. The sessions have also supported us as an employer so we can be more inclusive and accessible for our team. I would highly recommend Toucan Diversity’s training to other agencies.”
Nicci King
CEO, Yellow Door
December 2024 – Southampton
“We were looking for a ‘Disability Awareness’ training course for our staff and volunteers. Toucan Diversity came highly recommended and I’m so grateful for that recommendation! Alexandra and Anne-Marie worked with us to design sessions that were specific to the Cathedral, expertly delivered by Alexandra, an accredited disabled trainer who was able to share her experience firsthand. The training had a really positive impact on our team, feedback after the sessions included: ‘Informative and thought provoking’; ‘opened my eyes’; ‘beautifully presented’. Thank you, Toucan Diversity, we look forward to working together on future projects. “
Carolyn Atkinson
Volunteer and HR Coordinator, Chichester Cathedral
May 2024
“We found the training very informative and engaging and we as an organisation certainly feel far more confident having expanded our knowledge.”
Matt Low
Cluster Manager – BH Live Portsmouth
October 2023
“Toucan diversity delivered disability equality and autism awareness training for our staff. The sessions were informative, engaging and thought provoking. The opportunity to hear first hand accounts from trainers with lived experience was invaluable. I would recommend Toucan Diversity’s training programs; it was a pleasure to work with them.”
Amanda Rogan
Museum and Tourist Information Centre Manager at The Novium,
August 2023
“The Disability Equality and Autism Awareness Training was very well delivered by presenters with first-hand experience of disability. This provided an invaluable insight into challenges faced on a daily basis and an increased understanding of how to offer support both in a professional and personal capacity. The content was interesting and the activities varied offering the opportunity for discussion and interaction.”
Jo Bussell
Head of UK Port Operations, Brittany Ferries
May 2023
“We are very pleased to be working with Toucan Diversity Training in the delivery of our disability awareness training to staff. The Toucan team are highly professional and knowledgeable in this area and the feedback from the staff attending has been very positive, rating highly both the delivery and content of the training provided.”
Dave Small
University of Portsmouth,
Equality & Diversity Manager
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Toucan Diversity on our disability awareness training. Novatech has a commitment to promote an inclusive culture for all – and to keep improving this, we recognised the need to equip our Managers and Supervisors with improved knowledge and understanding relating to disability inclusion. The training delivered was engaging, thought provoking and impactive, receiving positive feedback from all who attended. We definitely would recommend Toucan Diversity’s training programmes!”
Lyndsay McGuire
Head of HR – Novatech
October 2022
“After attending the Toucan Diversity training at the Gunwharf Quays Academy, I left with a better understanding of the current situations and difficulties that people with disabilities face every day of their lives. The training was extremely thorough and the Trainers were professional in explaining the information and I left feeling motivated to improve the accessibility across our shopping centres. I would highly recommend the training to all employees in any business.”
Jay Wood
Guest Services Manager
Gunwharf Quays
“Thank you for a really thought-provoking session. I know all the team found the session opened their minds and challenged some of the thoughts we have in our own experiences around how best to hear from and work effectively with people from the disabled community. Thank you again for taking the time to educate us and challenge our thinking!”
Sally Rickard (she / her)
Director, Wessex Cancer Alliance
November 2022
“Toucan Diversity Training CIC continues to be an outstanding provider of equality employment training, both for people within the workplace as well as for employers. The feedback from participants on their courses gives a shining example of quality training that is proactively inclusive, practicing what they advocate in others. We have been working with them to develop their social impact strategy and are constantly impressed, not just by their innovative and understanding approach, but also by their strong governance, the partnerships they develop, and their desire to constantly develop to be able to evidence that they are a leading provider championing disabled people in the workplace.”
Owl XL CIC
November 2022
“Yet another inspiring awareness workshop from Toucan Diversity. Both speakers were inspiring, passionate and informative, delivering their own personal stories to raise current awareness. Thank you all for the opportunity to attend!”
Gary Clark
Project and Development Manager
“A great training session run by young people who are able to share their experience first-hand. It reminded me of how attitudes and approaches to disability have changed only relatively recently, and that there is still a long way to go to having a really inclusive society. I will strive to make this happen as much as I can.”
Clair Lawrence
General Manager, Otakar Kraus Music Trust
“We highly recommend the training Toucan Diversity delivered to our parents. It gave them a real insight into the issues people with disability face. All parents got a lot out of it!”
Mark Griffiths
CEO of School and Family Works
“Toucan Diversity has delivered several Disability Equality & Inclusive Practice Training sessions in Richmond and Hampton. I personally believe that training delivered by people with personal insight will make a difference for disabled people in general. As the chair of Me too & Co I highly recommend this training for all as it gives attendees a unique experience and a greater understanding of the issues people with disabilities face on a daily basis. Our staff and volunteers found the training excellent and it had a lasting impact in their everyday attitudes toward disabled people.”
John Doherty
Chair of Skylarks Charity
“Toucan Diversity provided an excellent Disability Equality Training session for the Holly Lodge Centre volunteers. The training was informative and well presented, the exercises for the volunteers were thought provoking and impactful. I would recommend this training session for all.”
Anna King
Centre Manager, Holly Lodge Centre, Richmond Park
“I really enjoyed the equality and diversity training as well as autism awareness. I learnt so much in a short space of time. By the end of the sessions I had a better understanding of the challenges faced every day by people with diverse disabilities. Looking forward to attend more training sessions and would recommend it to family, friends and colleagues.”
Victor Agamasu
Managing Director, UCA
“Toucan is a really worthwhile charity that produces lots of work supporting equality in the workplace for people with disabilities. I would recommend people get in touch to find out more about what they do and how they can help you. Highly recommend.”
Gethin Jones
Participant
Portsmouth, 19 July 2017
“I was very impressed with the training I experienced with Madissa and David, I feel very motivated to consider now how we can make the Social Model of Disability a priority in our communities and I have so much more awareness of the issues faced by people with sight impairment. I recommend Toucan-Diversity because of the professional and motivating way they deliver their training.”
Tim Mason
Participant – Rotary Social Innovation SE Hampshire Portsmouth
11 July 2017
“Many thanks for inviting me to partake in the Disability Equality & Inclusive Practice training day. Hearing the real life experiences from Madissa and Tom, especially in regards to the education system provided an invaluable insight into the obstacles a person with a disability can encounter in mainstream schools, college, university and daily life. Having engaged in your training my attitude towards people who live with a disability remains unchanged, however my attitude towards societies perception and handling of disability related issues has changed. Although progress has been made there is still a lot more which can be done, and this training is a crucial tool in delivering such a message.”
Sports Development Department Participant
7th July, Richmond upon Thames
“I feel now equipped with the correct language and etiquette. This training has made me properly aware of my attitude and that I will work hard on this to be more inclusive when around disabled people.”