A Seat at the Table: Turning Controversy into Inclusion

A warm-toned dining room scene featuring an oval stone table with five wooden chairs arranged around it. Four chairs have green seats, while one chair is upholstered in purple to symbolise inclusion and difference being welcomed. Small red Valentine’s hearts are scattered across the centre of the table, reinforcing the theme of belonging, equality and shared space. The image represents creating a seat at the table for everyone, including blind and partially sighted people.
The best tables are the inclusive ones — where everyone has a seat, and everyone belongs.

Seema received an unexpected Valentine this year — a message from Gregg Wallace.

Yes… that one.

It was sent in good humour. A light-hearted surprise. And we can absolutely smile at the irony, given recent headlines and the very public conversations that followed his departure from MasterChef.

But here’s the important part.

If a moment of notoriety can be redirected towards something positive, then surely that’s a plus.

In his message, Greg spoke about inclusion — about how the best tables are the inclusive ones. It’s a fitting metaphor. Because inclusion isn’t theoretical. It’s about who gets invited to a seat the table, who gets heard, and who gets given real opportunity.

Right now, 75% of visually impaired people in the UK are unemployed.

That figure represents talent untapped. Potential overlooked. Barriers that still exist in recruitment processes, workplace culture and employer confidence.

So yes — this started as a Valentine’s joke.

But if that joke can help us shine a light on employment inequality for blind and partially sighted people…
If it prompts even one employer to think differently…
If it sparks one conversation about inclusive hiring…

Then it has done something meaningful.

We believe inclusion and accountability can sit side by side. We believe humour and principle can coexist. And we will use every opportunity — expected or unexpected — to highlight the structural inequalities that still exist.

If even a moment of controversy can be repurposed into momentum for change, that is something worth embracing.

Because the best tables are inclusive ones.
And blind and partially sighted people deserve a seat.


Seema Flower Quote

“Inclusion is not a slogan — it’s about making sure blind and partially sighted people are not left standing outside the room.”

For clarity, Gregg Wallace has not been convicted of any criminal offence.