Meet Our Experts

Phil

Phil, says he’s proud to be different. He’s spent years having various labels put on him and if your into that the one he feels most comfortable with ( apart from “Phil”!!!) is as someone with “learning difficulties “. Phil is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities rights and has won numerous awards for his work including the “Changing Communities” award given as a winner of the “Learning Disability and Autism Leaders list 2018” from Dimensions and the Guardian newspaper. Sega is still Phils favourite system and Sonic the Hedgehog is his favourite game. His other hobbies and interests include film making, kickboxing, socialising spending time with his wife and family and getting out and about. He also love games and comic conventions. Phil says he feels it’s vital that he’s allowed to have his own way of learning and doing things at a speed that suits him.

Adam

Adam has been gaming since he was 13 and is a big fan of first person shooters, especially the Call of Duty franchise.For him games offer him escapism and a great way to relax. He would love to see games become more inclusive . Adam is finds his dyslexia and anxiety give him a unique perspective on the world and would love to share this with the gaming industry. 

When he’s not gaming he loves rock music, cycling ,photography and the gym.

James-Andrew REID

James “Not your Average Console Player” but a specialist “IT Technical Geek”-Diagnosed in 2013 with Asperger’s and High Functioning Autism - Attempts to bring accessibility options, tech support and advice on a variety of devices Afternoons at Taunton Library Glassbox where possible- “Monday is also a perfect opportunity to relive my youth and learn the world of Console gaming- “It is a learning process for me Something I missed out on

20 years+ supporting the education and healthcare of the public, pupils, students, adults and people with disabilities. Committed to their welfare, safeguarding, and promotion A proven ability to encourage children, teens, and adults to achieve their potential by stimulating their enthusiasm for learning, making individual decisions and choices but also their determination to succeed.

Personally featured in the Times Educational Magazine · Was on the Somerset Board for the National Autistic Society (NAS) · Elected as a regional finalist in the Great British Care Awards for Creative and Innovative Approaches in 2017 · IT Champion at Somerset County Council ·

Hobbies and Extra-Curricular Activities include playing several instruments and enjoy digital photography. A keen fanatic of asymmetrical, logical, and strategic card games including Chess, Magic and Netrunner. CounterStrike and Syndicate are my favourite PC game Plan to build a Minecraft server. Wii Sports bowling is currently a favourite of mine.