Running a business is always demanding. However, it’s
become an even more complex challenge over recent
years, with the cost-of-living crisis taking its toll. While
global corporations have weathered the storm and
emerged relatively unscathed, the sad reality is that
many of the independent businesses in our communities
have had to close their doors for the last time. That is
why it is so heartening to hear about an independent
business that is bucking that trend and thriving despite
the challenging climate. This is precisely what health
representation and advocacy consultancy Normal-Like-
Me has achieved with quite remarkable consistency
since they were founded in 2015.
Continuing
our
long-standing
commitment
to
recognising the achievements of independent businesses
within our communities, we are delighted to announce
that Normal-Like-Me is the latest winner of one of our
2024 Awards of Excellence. The award is well deserved
and further cements their reputation as rising stars in
their field. In this edition of the magazine, we will give
you an insight into its services and the impact that its
work has had.
So, who exactly is Normal-Like-Me, and what does it do?
Founded by experienced professional Janet Willicott,
Normal-Like-Me provides high-quality, bespoke Health
Representation and Advocacy services, specialising in
Complex Public Health, Rare Diseases, Mental Health,
SEND, DME (Learning and Gifted), Special Education
Services, EHCPs, SEND Tribunal Representation, Appeals,
Child Protection, and Children in Need. They also
provide Advocacy for Mediation and Alternative Dispute
Resolution, with the latest service, Forensic Analysis for
Health Injustice.
They’ve been on quite a journey and have made a tangible
diference in the lives of many people they’ve worked
with. Janet was born and raised in Africa and moved to the
UK 30 years ago. She enjoyed a distinguished corporate
career that included working in Germany, but the birth of
her son proved to be the pivotal moment in the Normal-
Like-Me story. Her son was born with complex health
anomalies and disabilities, which aforded her a more
profound acumen of the challenges so many parents in
the UK face.
Describing the period in more detail, Janet says, “I had
to learn to navigate a system not geared toward a child
described as an enigma. I applied my qualifications,
skills, and sheer gumption and committed to fighting
for my child’s rights. I eventually secured appropriate
health, education, and social care provisions, through an
International Court, which aforded him a better way of
life. I secured expert genetic studies, health analysis and
efective support which led to him being diagnosed with
a rare disease (SETD 5).”
The difculty of navigating the flawed system led Janet
to set up Normal-Like-Me (NLM) in 2016. The standing
that she enjoys in her field is a testament to the work that
she has done. She also prepares Independent Researcher
for Environmental Public Health, Public Health Law,
Environmental Psychology, Rare Neurological Diseases
and Social Sciences within Education and is reading a
PhD. Over the years she has become a real champion
for those with SEND. She has successfully challenged
both the LA and the U.K. at an international court without
specialist legal representation based on a new model of
institutional need (suitable environment). In addition,
Janet has set up the first SETD 5 support organisation
connecting a small but growing global community. Janet
has utilised her knowledge, passion, and skills to create
wide-scale educational change, for which she deserves
tremendous credit.
What Janet has achieved with Normal-Like-Me is a
reminder that anything can be achieved with the right
mindset, knowledge, and determination to make a
diference. Janet embodies the spirit and actions of a
modern female business leader. The fact that she has
worked so efectively with such a diverse range of clients
over many years says a great deal about her unique skill
set. She’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime
soon, and it’s clear that many chapters are yet to be
written in the Normal-Like-Me story.
Normal Like Me wins
Award of Excellence 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
www.normal-like-me.com