The husband and wife who have started the first all disabled company in the UK
That is because it is the UK's first agency staffed entirely by disabled people.
It is all the brainchild of married couple Imali and Cameron Chislett, who have overcome severe illness and setbacks to turn Inkfire into a trailblazing company for work equality.
When the pair met by complete chance at a teenage house party, little did they know the health and career challenges they would go through together.
First diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, Imali, 24, was rocked by more diagnosis of irritable bowel disease and severe ulcerative colitis.
Cameron, 24, on the other hand, was coming to terms with his severe autism and ADHD.
Imali told Metro: 'It's an unusual one because we both didn't realise how disabled we were when we met. https://www.instagram.com/p/DH2zKFHMcwX/
'We were actually more disabled than we thought we were.'
Just as they had to reckon with this, they had to reckon with a modern work culture which didn't accommodate their needs.
'We were both trying to attend corporate office jobs and trying to fit in.
'But there were all these rules stopping me from doing what I loved. There was counting toilet breaks.
'We were trying to fit in, but we were getting pushed further and further away – it was just not fair.
'I went freelance, but I was sick and tired of trying to find jobs at places,s and there were constantly being hurdles put in the way.'
So after years of frustration, that is when Imali and Cameron decided to act.
They got together and built Inkfire, which provides marketing, tech, website and virtual assistant services across the globe – but with a twist.
Their entire team of 14 people all have a lived experience of disability.
But it is not just that they have disabilities, but their unique way of working, so every one of them is included in the workplace.
They have remote working options, customised schedules to match individual needs and other personal adaptations for each of their staff.
The business has gone from strength to strength.
They just won the Disability Smart Award this year and are expanding their offering to clients.
Imali said: 'It was never meant to be what it is now, it's taken off more than we thought.
'To be able to have a team that can support each other and can provide the support that is missing in the disabled community and beyond.'
'Our goal is to keep making positive change to be a positive voice and to support ideas from an inclusion and accessibility point of view.'
They've been nominated for disability charity Scope's Inclusive Workplace award, celebrating the work the company has done to 'dismantle invisible barriers' and 'drive creativity and innovation.'
Metro is also the official media partner of 2025 Scope Awards that will take place next month.
The ceremony will celebrate the work disabled people and organisations are doing to bring about important change.
Hosted by the BAFTA-nominated actor Adam Pearson, unsung heroes, amazing achievements and the incredible accolades of the disabled community are all being honoured at the Kia Oval.
There are 38 nominees for the nine Scope Awards: Accessible Product, Celebrity Role Model, Community Group, Inclusive Workplace, Journalist, Marketing Campaign, Media Moment, Purple Pioneer and Social Media Influencer.
The company has gotten so much attention that even their postman knows who they are, but they are not complacent. More Trending
'We always take it one step at a time,' Imali added
'I think with everything, the disabled community has had to learn its progress not perfection.
'It's so empowering to see disabled people in media doing amazing things.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: London bus drivers refuse to put out ramp for disabled boy, 2
MORE: A friend asked a question about disability that stopped me in my tracks
MORE: 'ADHD bulldozes every part of your life – why would you make it up?'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
11 minutes ago
- Metro
GP reveals 5 common mistakes people make when stopping weight loss jabs
While treatments like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy can provide a helping hand, there's no magic bullet when it comes to losing weight. Given GLP-1 agonist medications have been shown to help people lose up to four times more than going it alone, it's no wonder they're popular. However, a proportion of the estimated 1.5 million people in the UK who are now on these jabs will struggle to keep the pounds off long-term — and some may even end up heavier than when they started. 'While it can differ depending on the individual, it's quite common for people to regain some of the weight lost once they stop taking the medication,' Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, tells Metro. There are a few factors behind this, from metabolism to appetite. But going back on your progress isn't inevitable, as long as you're careful to avoid these five common pitfalls. As these treatments work by suppressing appetite, Dr Grant warns that going cold turkey 'could increase it, leading to poor eating habits and potential weight gain.' If you're considering coming off your medication, he recommends speaking to your GP about doing so slowly and safely. 'A medical professional can advise further on a potential tapering plan, while also providing dietary advice and lifestyle habits that can help reduce weight gain,' he adds. According to a recent study of over 6,000 people by scientists at Oxford University, those who use GLP-1 drugs will put their weight back on within 10 months of stopping if they don't continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Dr Grant explains: 'When stopping weight loss injections, it's crucially important that individuals replace the treatment with another way to keep weight off.' Even 30 minutes of daily exercise can make all the difference, burning off some of those extra calories you're consuming and stopping you falling into a sedentary routine. Quick fixes and 'crash diets' rarely result in any lasting improvements — and the same is true for GLP-1 medications. 'Choosing to stop weight loss treatment too early is by far one of the most common errors people make,' says Dr Grant. 'These drugs are designed to be used long-term, but not doing so gives the body little time to adapt to the treatment.' It's a marathon, not a sprint, with many providers recommending a course of between 12 and 24 months. Unless you're prepared to make that commitment, you may not reap the full benefits of treatment. Making changes to your diet while taking Ozempic, Mounjaro or Wegovy is a vital step to maintaining your progress forward. In fact, Dr Grant claims failure to do so is a 'sure-fire way to regain weight lost'. 'It's important for people to draw up a dietary plan, including structured meal times to avoid overeating,' he explains. More Trending 'I also recommend a well-balanced diet including a variety of high-protein, fibre-rich and healthy fat foods.' 'While it's important not to create an unhealthy relationship with weight management, tracking weight closely once ending any treatments can help people adjust their routine to avoid losing progress,' says Dr Grant. It's easy to revert to old habits once you end a course of medication, but regular monitoring ensures you can get back on track before you lose too much progress. View More » Since you've put so much time, energy and potentially money into the progress you've made so far, just think of this as protecting your investment. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: 'I've tried jabs and pills to lose weight – but my latest attempt is the most extreme' MORE: Lives at risk because we've already forgotten a basic mantra MORE: The golden rule for how long it should take you to pee Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Metro
14 hours ago
- Metro
Unclench your jaw: Why everyone is grinding their teeth right now — including you
'You've worn your molars right down,' said my dentist, matter-of-factly, as she snapped the latex gloves from her hands. 'I can practically hear your jaw clicking.' I did my best not to feel offended. 'Sorry,' I mumbled, rubbing my aching massester muscles. I'm one of the 8 to 10% of the UK population that grinds their teeth in some way — and I'm betting, you are too. I'm not entirely sure when it started, but these days, I'm all-too-aware that I do it pretty much every night. I've woken myself up one-too-many times by accidentally biting down on my tongue (yes, it really hurts) and when my alarm goes off, I open my eyes with an aching jaw. The habit seeps into my waking hours too. I'll suddenly become aware that my jaw is clenched, as though that's its default position. I once heard (e.g. watched a TikTok video) that the three-finger test is a quick way to asses your jaw mobility. If you can fit three stacked fingers between your upper and lower reeth, you're in the normal range. I can only just about do it. But bruxism, the umbrella term for teeth-grinding or jaw clenching, does more than just make your jaw ache. In fact, it can cause a whole host of issues, from dental problems and headaches, to pain in the face, neck or shoulders, and TMJ disorders. To put it mildly, teeth grinding is no picnic — and it's even more annoying when you consider that you're most likely doing it subconciously. And while the current estimates would suggest that around 6.7 million Brits deal with condition, it seems to be on the rise. Post-pandemic, a USA-based 2021 survey among dentists found that 70% reported an increase in patients grinding and clenching their teeth. More recently, the hashtag #teethgrinding on TikTok has a staggering 262.9 million views, while #unclencyourjaw has 37.7 million. You can even buy tshirts and artwork on Etsy emblazoned with the phrase 'unclench your jaw'. And dentist Dr Sahil Patel, of London's Marylebone Smile Clinic, tells Metro that he's seeing an increasing number of patients displaying signs of bruxism. 'Well developed jaw muscles show as a squarer facial appearance or stronger jawline,' he explains. 'And, on the teeth themselves, bruxism causes accelerated tooth wear and breakage, making teeth look shorter, squarer and yellower. Tooth sensitivity and gum recession can also be a sign.' Why have we become a nation unable to relax our faces? While it's not always clear why people do it, stress and anxiety is a well-observed cause. 'Our patients are absoloutely more stressed than ever,' Dr Sahil says. 'They may not always disclose it to us, but we can sense when someone is stressed. We're seeing it more with younger people.' Mental Health UK's annual Burnout Report, released in January 2025, found that one in three adults either 'always or often' experience high or extreme levels of pressure or stress, while nine in 10 say they've experienced it at some point over the last year. Mind also found that women are more likely than men to experience common mental health problems (20.7% of women compared to 13.2% of men affected), with young women aged 16 to 24 at the highest risk. It's worth nothing that women are also more likely to experience bruxism, particularly when they're awake. Experts are pretty much in agreement that society is increasinly stressful. Chartered psychologist, Dr Manpreet Dhuffar-Pottiwal says we live an era of 'uncertainty and instability'. She tells Metro: 'Political unrest, economic fluctuations, and environmental crises result in an unpredictability which leaves people feeling out of control regarding their futures.' Our 'always-online' culture, particularly experienced by younger generations also doesn't help, as Dr Manpreet says we face 'technological overload.' 'Social media platforms promote curated representations of life, leading us to measure their worth against others. Additionally, urbanisation has contributed to a disconnection from nature. People confined to busy city lives miss out on the calming effects of the natural world.' Workplace pressures have changed too. 'The rise of remote work and gig economies has introduced ambiguity about job security and increased workloads,' says Dr Manpreet. 'Many young employees, striving for stability in uncertain times, experience burnout and chronic stress as they juggle multiple responsibilities. 'Rigid schedules and the lack of work-life balance lead many to neglect self-care practices.' And finally, as ever, the global pandemic plays a part. Dr Manpreet says: 'It heightened health-related anxieties, with individuals increasingly focused on personal safety. 'This ongoing concern can create a cycle of stress that affects various facets of life. 'It's no surprise that there's a growing prevalence of conditions like bruxism.' What are the options for treating jaw clenching? So, aside from taking an indefinite holiday to escape the stressors of daily life, what can we do to relieve all this tension? According to Dr Sahil, your dentist can help. 'We can't manage your stress, but we can do a few things to manage the symptoms,' he says. 'Night guards can cushion the contact between the teeth during the night, or reainers, which are thinner, are designed to keep the teeth in their position and protect from night grinding. 'They come in many different forms and materials, but the ballpark cost for these is between £250 and £500.' Alternatively, nurse prescriber and aesthetic trainer, Natalja Andrejeva, says that Botox is an 'emerging go-to solution' for teeth-grinding. 'Over the past few years, I've seen a noticeable rise in clicents seeking relief from bruxism using Botox, especially post-pandemic,' she tells Metro. 'Botox is injected into the masseter muscles to relax them. This reduces the intensity of clenching and grinding without affecting your ability to chew or speak.' The result? 'Less jaw tension, fewer headaches, and better sleep and quality of life. You'll also get a slightly slimmer jawline,' adds Natalja, founder of Face Code Aesthetic, where she offers the treatment, starting at £290. 'Typically, treatment would be required every three to six months, depending on muscle strength and individual response. 'But over time, some clients find they can space out treatments more as the habit and symptoms lessen.' Of course, the ultimate — and almost impossible solution — is to live a stress-free life. But until then, be safe in the knowledge that you're far from the only one — and don't forget to unclench your jaw. Do you have a story to share?
Metro
16 hours ago
- Metro
I've tried all sorts to lose weight - but my latest attempt is my most extreme
Miah Carter was just 10 years old when she was put on a waiting list for gastric surgery. The schoolgirl had struggled with emotional eating and a hormone imbalance from an early age, both of which had left her clinically obese. 'I was one of the first ten-year-olds on the waitlist for gastric surgery for severe obesity,' the 22 year old content creator from Reading, Berkshire, tells Metro. ' I was referred to King's College Hospital in London and had regular appointments – however, in the end, my family and I decided not to push it due to the severity of the operation.' Miah's decade-long battle to be at peace with her body – which she says is due to health concerns rather than body image – has seen her explore a rollercoaster of weightloss methods, from fad diets to supplements, and even a spell using semaglutide injections, which left her feeling like she was having a heart attack. 'I tried every diet you can think of from Slim Fast to Weight Watchers. I've bought fat metabolisers and weightloss pills, and even saw private dieticians in London,' she explains. 'We went back and forth with different approaches, but nothing helped. Being autistic, I don't absorb information the same way as others, so found it really hard to retain what the dietitians were telling me. Sticking to routines is also tough for me – that's part of why it didn't work. 'I did a lot of emotional eating – food gave me comfort and made me happy,' Miah adds. 'Because of the size of my stomach, I could eat and eat. My hormones also played a big role. I'd eat until I was full – or even sick – and 10 minutes later, I'd feel empty again. I'd keep eating until it became physically painful.' By 16, Miah's weight was spiralling and she was desperate for a solution. 'I remember going into the chemist to buy weight-loss tablets – the kind advertised on TV. I can't recall the exact name, but they didn't do anything,' she says. As years went by, she went on to make a name for herself as a body positivity influencer, calling herself 'your self love big sister', with posts reminding her followers about the importance of self-acceptance, while also being honest about her own struggles with her weight and body image. As Miah continued to search for new ways to lose weight, she began to read about jabs, such as Mounjaro and Ozempic, that were originally created to treat diabetes. Scrolling through Facebook groups, looking at miraculous before and after images, she began to feel hopeful. 'I was heavily influenced by people online who were taking it and seeing results,' Miah remembers. 'I thought 'this is the solution – I'm finally going to lose weight and change my life'.' So she decided to try them. 24 hours after filling in an online form for the Saxenda injection, Miah went to a high street chemist to collect it. There, staff checked her eligibility and she was assessed by a doctor, then handed the drug, which she was told to inject daily and expect her appetite to reduce. 'I was quite gobsmacked at how simple it was,' she adds, pointing out that the chemist didn't offer any follow-up support. With high hopes, Miah started her injections, however, like many who take weight loss jabs, she began to suffer from side effects. 'I had really bad pain in my heart and started to feel sick, like something wasn't right in my body. I felt so run down and it was just horrible,' she remembers. Miah says that her heart would sometimes race so fast it felt like it was going to explode out of her chest. 'It would hit me out of nowhere, sometimes multiple times a day and each episode lasted minutes – but felt like hours. 'I'd be lying in bed or just standing in the kitchen and suddenly feel dizzy, short of breath, and completely overwhelmed. There were moments I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack. 'After a really severe episode, my first thought was, 'I bet it was the weight loss injections'. I had only been on them for a few weeks – less than a month -soI decided to stop. A few weeks after that, I was completely fine.' After coming off the jabs, Miah realised it was time once again to reassess her weight loss plan. This time, she finally made the bold decision to have gastric surgery last October – more than a decade after she had been put on the waiting list as a child. 'This was the biggest operation I've ever had – there is no going back,' she admits. 'You're essentially having part of your body removed and I now only have about 20% of my stomach left. It's a huge decision – but knowing what I know now, I should have done it earlier, as it's changed my life.' Miah has documented her weight loss journey to her to her 3 million followers, including the surgery – which has seen her lose 11stone since getting the gastric sleeve. However some people have hit back at her decision to get surgery, deeming it contradictory to body positivity. Miah disagrees: 'I did it for my health, not to change how I look. I was 32 stone and nearly on my deathbed at 20. My legs were hanging and I was struggling to walk. It was a massive decision, but one of the best I've made in my life. 'Every day, every hour, every minute I get hateful comments, but I don't care. I want people to see what I go through. Those sorts of comments used to hurt, but they don't touch me anymore. Now I just think – you're pushing up my views and paying my bills.' While the injections may have had an adverse effect on her health, Miah knows that they may work well for others. 'I'm not judging anyone or telling anyone not to take it—everyone's journey is different. If it works for you and improves your quality of life, I respect that.' More Trending 'But for me, it wasn't the right solution because when it comes to weight loss – there isn't one size fits all.' In a statement to Metro, Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Saxenda wrote: 'At Novo Nordisk patient safety always comes first. An increased heart rate (tachycardia) is a known uncommon adverse reaction for Saxenda (liraglutide) and is listed in the medicine's official information. If a patient experiences a sustained and clinically relevant rise in their resting heart rate, it is recommended they contact their healthcare professional. Any decision to start, stop, continue or change treatment should be together with a healthcare professional, based on their professional judgment of what's right for that individual. View More » If you are taking any medication and believe you might be experiencing a side effect, please speak to your healthcare provider and report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. MORE: 'I used a fake profile to hunt my aunt's murderer' MORE: Vogue has started using AI models — what does it mean for beauty standards? MORE: Chloe Ayling: 'I can't believe I'm still talking about being kidnapped eight years later' Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
