A Look Inside the Amazing 66 Year Journey of Phab: How a Rebrand is Set to Propel Phab into The Next Era

“Opportunity, not pity for disabled people”

Phab is celebrating its 66th year of existence. What initially began in 1957 as a small charity has now evolved into a national provider of services and initiatives. Our services were designed to work towards our founding ethos of bringing together disabled and non-disabled people on equal terms to make more of life together. 

A period of transition and change

The last few years has brought about a period of significant change for the organisation, a new era if you will. With the appointment of Mik Scarlet & Dawn Vickers as Co-CEOs came an exciting opportunity to assess where Phab stands in today’s world. Addressing the important question… how can we ensure that we’re meeting the needs of disabled people today, tomorrow and beyond?

“Working with Dawn is a real pleasure as we share the desire to create an inclusive world and to use Phab as an example to the charity sector and the wider society of what is possible. To be leading Phab together to take the legacy of Phab’s 65 years of providing inclusion into the 21st century is a pinnacle of my rather varied and exciting career.” Mik Scarlet

A new direction with the same core values

Phab’s decision to rebrand aims to reaffirm the mission and vision of Phab and reinvigorate its identity to be more in line with the needs of disabled people in today’s world.

Developed alongside industry experts, our rebrand is so much more than just a new logo. It has been a vital step forwards with changes reflecting the spirit, commitment and future goals of the organisation, whilst also acknowledging all that it has stood for over these past 66 years.

On the 6th and 7th July, we headed to the ExCeL London for the UK’s leading person-focused event for people with lived experience of disability; Disability Expo. This was a huge exhibition filled with lots of incredible charities, businesses and groups all networking, hosting performances, interviews, offering activities and so much more. 

Here we were very excited to finally unveil all our new branding, be that in person to a plethora of different organisations, but also virtually via social media, as well as showcasing our brand new website.

The rebrand is an opportunity for Phab to open up to new ideas and continue providing meaningful, more user-led services to work to build an inclusive world.

Thriving together. Stronger together.

Our promise is our blueprint for creating the inclusive society and leaders of tomorrow. 

We put The Social Model of Disability at the centre of everything we do. This is because every day, disabled people everywhere overcome barriers to participating in society and accessing many things that non-disabled people take for granted. By removing these barriers and working together, we believe that this benefits both disabled people and society more widely. We also put our experience and know-how to support other organisations to do the same.

“By placing the Social Model of Disability at the heart of everything Phab does, we will be developing a way of working that is adaptive and accessible for all, disabled or not.” Julia Giles, Chair

Learn, Thrive & Belong

These 3 pillars are at the heart of everything we do.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Mik and Team Phab to drive these exciting changes, which reflect what we all want to see in Society, where inclusion is the norm, where compassion and kindness are Superpowers and where there is no place EVER for discrimination.  Phab is a change-maker, enabling people of all ages to unlock their potential to learn, thrive and belong. To be leading that change alongside Mik and our colleagues is a true privilege and I’m so proud and excited to be involved”. Dawn Vickers

Phab Clubs – A space for everyone

We’re the UK’s favourite local members’ club network for disabled and non-disabled people. At Phab, being yourself is celebrated, it’s where everyone gets involved. We create a space where people feel safe, equal and valued.

Mini Phab – Relax and play 

We believe children should all have the chance to play together. Mini Phab is our inclusive parent and toddler group for disabled and non-disabled children aged 0 to 5 years. It’s a space of fun and friendship, where families of all kinds can relax together.

Phab Adventures – Boosting confidence and self-esteem

We’ve seen that with the right support around them, anyone can smash the expectations that have been set for them by society. Once people experience what they can achieve, with a little support, it has a huge knock-on effect. They get a big confidence and self-esteem boost that they carry forward into every aspect of their lives.

Phab Supporters – Work with us towards our mission of building an inclusive world

Together is how we change the world! Imagine a world where everyone is celebrated, everyone belongs and gets involved. Where everyone feels safe, accepted and valued for who they are. A world where no one is isolated or told ‘no’ or ‘never’ because of the barriers society puts in their way. That’s Phab! We are not just imagining this world, we’re building it! One friendship, one club at a time. Because a better world is a more inclusive world. 

Phab exists to break down barriers that exist in society and create opportunities for everyone to follow their dreams and aspirations! 

With the help of our amazing supporters, whether they are fundraising by taking part in our challenge events, donating directly, supporting and volunteering at your local Phab Clubs or at our Phab Adventures, we’ll build the inclusive society of tomorrow.

Want to find out more about Phab, your local Phab Club or any of the adventures Phab put on? Take a look through ur website, and follow our rebrand launch on social media.