Ali Gunn

Brilliant Vicky, much respect to you

Screenshot of Vicky's letter to the Prime Minister (page 1)

Screenshot of Vicky's letter to the Prime Minister (page 2)

(1/2) With a heavy heart, I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as a whip.

Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits.

Wahooo! We won! #MyVoteMyVoice

So incredibly proud of people we support and colleagues across @unitedresponse.bsky.social for making this project a reality!

What was in Rachel Reeves' historic spending review – and what was missing? Rachel Reeves splashed about the billions as she announced her spending review. But there were big absences.

Our CEO Kate Terroni’s response to today’s #SpendingReview was featured in the @bigissue.com ⬇️

www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

An image of the My Vote My Voice team stood outside parliament with overlapping text, including the SMK National Campaigner Awards logo, and text which reads "My Vote My Voice is on a mission to make voting accessible to everyone...shortlist, Amplifying Voices."

We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for the SMK National Campaigner Awards for our work on #MyVoteMyVoice!

Find out more ⬇️

buff.ly/HuOjmnv

So very proud of my lovely team and colleagues for an impactful and inspiring event

How United Response transformed their accessibility approach over a decade Lara Iyer from Alive with Ideas presents a case study of United Response, offering invaluable accessibility lessons for the sector and for charities who are wanting to push their practices even furthe...

Our latest blog from @alivewithideas.bsky.social shares how @unitedresponse.bsky.social has embraced accessibility over the past decade. Discover key lessons learned and the story behind Easy News, the UK’s first accessible news magazine dedicated to people with learning disabilities: bit.ly/4jGUbUx

What is a combined authority? A combined authority is a group of local councils working together in an area. The leader of a combined authority is often called a Mayor.

We’re sharing Easy Read Guides to the local elections.

Have you heard of a combined authority? A combined authority is a group of local councils working together in an area. The leader of a combined authority can be called a Mayor.

Find out more ⬇️

Kate smiles to the camera. She has dark hair and is wearing a dark burgundy top. Her picture is inside a dark blue frame. Text reads "A warm welcome to, Kate Terroni, our new CEO"

We are thrilled to welcome Kate Terroni to United Response as our new CEO.

www.unitedresponse.org.uk/news-item/ka...

What do councils do? Councils make decisions that affect your daily life. The council is in charge of important services in your area.

There are local elections coming up in lots of areas. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing some brand new Easy Read guides to help you, and anyone you support, get ready to vote.

First up we have an Easy Read guide to Councils ⬇️

www.myvotemyvoice.org.uk/resource/wha...

United Response responds to the Government’s welfare reform   - United Response We share our views on today’s announcement.

The last few weeks have been difficult, and often frightening, for disabled people. They have seen their disabilities, needs and livelihoods relentlessly debated, while they are left to worry about their future.

Read our response to today’s news ⬇️

Benefits cuts now? What’s the point of a Labour MP who votes for something so cruel, tin-eared and short-sighted? | John McDonnell Treating disabled and sick people callously flies in the face of all the party stands for – the government must rethink its plans, writes the MP John McDonnell

“The rise in young people claiming benefits for sickness and disability, especially related to mental health conditions, has to be understood in the context of this austerity generation coming on to the books.”

Exactly this.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Autistic teen says he was left feeling 'inhuman' after being rejected by NHS mental health services Damien, who contemplated suicide due to his experiences, says he believes NHS services think autistic people can't engage effectively with therapy.

As this Sky report shows disability benefits like PIP are a vital support for disabled people to address the barriers they face

news.sky.com/story/childr...

Our Director of Marketing and Communications, Ali Gunn, went on BBC 5 Live to talk about the potential changes to disability benefits. ⬇️

Autistic woman wrongly locked up in mental health hospital for 45 years “Kasibba”, who is non-verbal and had no family to speak for her, was one of hundreds wrongly detained.

These missed targets are a disgrace. There must be a renewed plan to guarantee that autistic people and those with a learning disability have suitable housing and tailored support within their community.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Mate crime: how friendship is being used as a weapon to steal and control A little-recognised form of abuse, it can lead to years of misery

This is a powerful read from the Guardian about mate crime. In the article Ali Gunn from United Response highlights some signs to look out for which might mean someone could be a victim of mate crime.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/03/mate-how-friendship-is-being-used-a…

Are buses the riskiest way to travel for disabled people? - United Response Our research reveals nearly 60% of all transport-related disability hate crimes occurred on buses. Is there something more dangerous about bus travel?

Our research reveals nearly 60% of all transport-related disability hate crimes occurred on buses. In our blog, we explore if there is something more dangerous about bus travel. Read more ⬇️

Raymond Hill’s life story interview - United Response Raymond HillDate: April and July 2024Age: 70Location: Merton, LondonInterviewed by: Alex Hughes The full recording will be stored in the records of the The British Library when the Our Life Stories pr...

You can listen to Raymond’s interview here: www.unitedresponse.org.uk/interview/ra...

Behind the scenes of Our Life Stories - United Response “When we first began planning the Our Life Stories project a couple of years ago, our initial aim was to gather stories about the progress of social care and the role United Response has played in it....

It was a privilege to listen to the conversations and shared experiences of interviewer and interviewee. This blog shares how important and unique this project is.

www.unitedresponse.org.uk/news-item/be...

#oralhistories #coproduction #heritage #learningdisability

I’ve been listening to the oral histories captured on project, Our Life Stories. Interviews with people we support, by people we support are capturing everything from childhood memories to painful traumatic experiences in secure hospitals and how it felt finally having a place to call home.

Who has joined My Vote My Voice Real change is achieved together; so we want as many organisations and groups to join our campaign and sign the My Vote My Voice charter.

Today we welcome Patti to the #MyVoteMyVoice team. If you want to make sure people with a learning disability and autistic people use their right to vote at the local elections, join our coalition:

www.myvotemyvoice.org.uk/about/who-ha...

@unitedresponse.bsky.social
@dimensionsuk.bsky.social

Thanks Jenny @unitedresponse.bsky.social would love to be added to the pack

Lots of wonderful new people added to 👇

If you believe in a better future for the UK, whether you yet know it or not, you believe in better social care.

Come follow 🦋

Now with @coproisaac.bsky.social @sharedlivesplus.bsky.social @vicrayner.bsky.social @ncfliz.bsky.social and many others included

Here's an independently published gem in my freelance mix - new stories on Friday. Goodwill, strong networks (Community Living's community!), lived experience and supporters like @certitude-support.bsky.social @unitedresponse.bsky.social communitylivingmagazine.com/our-sponsors/

#LearningDisability

Shrinking is lovely and heartwarming

Independent commission to transform social care launched An independent commission has been launched by the government to help rebuild the adult social care system to meet the current and future needs of the population.

"While long-term change with cross-party agreement is essential, it should not delay immediate action that could benefit people and our social care workforce now."

Our reaction to the commission on social care is in Learning Disability Today ⬇️

www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk/news/governm...

Independent commission to transform social care launched An independent commission has been launched by the government to help rebuild the adult social care system to meet the current and future needs of the population.

“A new year calls for a new outlook on social care, so it is seen as the irreplaceable asset that we know it to be. And one that we are proud of.”

www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk/news/governm...

Charitable providers like the ones mentioned in this piece don’t as they are non-profit.

Social care system facing collapse in UK say providers The social care system in England could be facing collapse, according to a group of six large providers.

Social care system facing collapse in UK say providers

www.channel4.com/news/social-...