Meet Natalie: A quickfire Q&A with our Front Row Committee Member
9 September 2025
Meet Natalie:
- Visual artist
- E-commerce analyst for Office Shoes
- Member of our Front Row: Next Gen Committee
Natalie sustained a spinal cord injury in November 2020 when she was caught in the crossfire between two gangs. A bullet went through her neck resulting in a C4 injury and she became paralysed from the chest down.
Natalie first encountered Back Up while in hospital, when a member of the team introduced her to the charity’s services. During her rehabilitation, Natalie joined the Back Up Lounge and signed up for mentoring, which helped her achieve her number one goal of returning to work.
As we look ahead to Front Row: Next Gen, we caught up with Natalie who’s part of our Front Row: Next Gen Event Committee. We hear about Natalie’s experiences, her big recommendations, and why she’s so excited for our fabulous fashion show and fundraising event this September.
“Front Row is going to be super exciting this year. There’s inclusive fashion, sustainable style, and lots of fabulous models with and without spinal cord injuries. It’s a great place to come together, celebrate the disabled community and support an amazing charity.”
“I wanted to get involved with Front Row: Next Gen because Back Up helped me get back into work within the fashion industry, so I thought this would be a really great way for me to give back to the charity.”
“I’m most looking forward to the adaptive fashion. The inclusion of accessible fashion is so important because it shows what’s out there, what kind of adaptations are being made, and it helps support small businesses.”
“I’m also really excited about the pop-up stalls. I’m going to have my own stand selling my artwork, and I can’t wait to see all the other amazing pop-ups on offer too!”
The Rapid-Fire Report: Getting to know Natalie
We also asked Natalie to take part in our quickfire Q&A – here’s what she had to say.
📚 What are you reading?
“At the minute I’m revisiting George Orwell’s 1984. It’s been interesting reading it again and seeing the parallels that it has with modern day society. It’s a great book and I’d recommend it to anybody.”
🍴 Favourite place to eat?
“My new little find is Kricket in Shoreditch – they’ve recently opened, the interior is beautiful, and they also have a ramp, so bonus points for wheelchair users.”
🎧 Podcasts in your playlist?
“My favourite podcast is Kermode and Mayo’s Take. It’s a film review podcast and it’s been my favourite for a while because I usually agree with their opinions about things.”
🎬 Favourite film?
“I love anything by David Cronenberg – he’s my favourite director. I just love how he uses a fun and kind of gory way to tell stories of human nature. I would say Dead Ringers is up there as one of my ultimate favourite films from him.”
🧩 Current obsession?
“This is a really boring one, but my current obsession is Sudoku. I absolutely love playing it because it’s a great way for me to unwind and switch off.”
🏛️ What’s your big recommendation?
“My big recommendation is to go to the Design and Disability exhibition at the V&A. It’s a beautiful curation of accessible design, it tells the story of developments in the past 10 years, and it highlights why accessibility is so important.”
🍫 Go-to treat?
“I’m a big chocolate lover and I’m absolutely obsessed with the Tony’s Chocolonely white chocolate with raspberry bar.”
Join Natalie at Front Row: Next Gen
Front Row: Next Gen is bigger, bolder and more incredible than ever. We’re switching things up with a whole new vibe – more energy, more inclusion, and more reasons to be there.
Date: 17 September 2025
Time: 6:30–10:00 PM
Location: Battersea Arts Centre, London
