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Stephen Unwin

@stephenunwin.bsky.social

Director, Writer, Teacher, Campaigner. Founded ETT. Opened the Rose. Laughing Boy, All Our Children, Poor Naked Wretches, Beautiful Lives. http://www.stephenunwin.uk/

2,163 Followers  |  1,231 Following  |  375 Posts  |  Joined: 28.11.2023
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Posts by Stephen Unwin (@stephenunwin.bsky.social)

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Book Launch: Annie Tyson and Stephen Unwin Join the authors to discuss the books, Shakespeare and Brecht 2025, by Stephen Unwin, and Shakespeare and Stanislavsky 2024 by Annie Tyson.

*Event alert*

Authors Annie Tyson & @stephenunwin.bsky.social will be at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama on Thu 19 March, 7–8:30pm for the launch of their Arden Performance Companion books on Shakespeare & Stanislavsky, and Shakespeare & Brecht.

Free tickets: https://bit.ly/4lmMVPB

06.03.2026 12:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Forgive the boasting but that’s the 47th five star review for my book and a very nice one it is too!

03.03.2026 19:44 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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BREAKING: Keir Starmer says his overhaul of special needs support is shaped by his late brother

'My brother Nick had difficulties learning at school, he was put to one side, he had to fight even to be seen'

The government is publishing its long-awaited Schools White Paper today

23.02.2026 09:45 β€” πŸ‘ 108    πŸ” 27    πŸ’¬ 21    πŸ“Œ 3

Hey, media, politicians and commentators:

Whatever happens with the SEND review next week, please be careful not to blame disabled children and their parents.

They’ve got enough on their plate already.

21.02.2026 13:07 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 8    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Peter Unwin (1932-2026) β€” Stephen Unwin My dad loved history. He read thrillers, spy stories and history books. The thicker the better. And in talking about him today I want to suggest the ways he reacted to the history he lived throughβ€”...

www.stephenunwin.uk/thoughts-and...

20.02.2026 13:27 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

All we are saying is that our disabled children have as much of a right to an education as their non-disabled brothers and sisters.

Not difficult really.

19.02.2026 17:35 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Cutting the numbers of kids with EHCPs doesn’t save money. They’re just a diagnostic tool which mandate essential support. To save money you need to spend less on lawyers, bureaucrats and private equity.

No child is ineducable.

19.02.2026 10:02 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
No Child is Ineducable β€” Stephen Unwin As the Education Secretary Bridget Philipson prepares to deliver the Government's long-awaited white paper on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the siren calls for something to be don...

Some thoughts on SEND. www.stephenunwin.uk/thoughts-and...

16.02.2026 15:47 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Please watch the Giselle Pelicot interview with @vicderbyshire.

Especially if you’re a man.

β€œShame must change sides”.

15.02.2026 22:59 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

You’d think that the child’s inalienable right to an education would be pretty incontroversial.

Not for disabled children apparently.

14.02.2026 18:52 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Who will defend the SEND kids?

A piece by me about SEND, behind a paywall I’m afraid. Basically: stop blaming the kids.

unherd.com/2026/02/who-...

13.02.2026 08:52 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Peter Unwin obituary Other lives: Diplomat who served as British ambassador to Hungary and Denmark

My obituary for my dear father who died on January 24th.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

09.02.2026 17:10 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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β€œA landmark book”.
John Harris in The Guardian

24.07.2025 09:39 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 10    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

There is no greater duty than to the silent, the vulnerable, the powerless, the dying.

22.01.2026 15:29 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Books in 2025 β€” Stephen Unwin Books in 2025 In January 2024 I started to do a thing I used to do when I was in my late teens: write down the title of every book that I read as I finished it.  I then posted the list in early...

Relief from the shit show?
Or some new perspectives?
Anyway, it might be intriguing.
www.stephenunwin.uk/thoughts-and...

11.01.2026 17:18 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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Farage: "I believe in vaccinations when they're vaccinations. I don't think what happened with Covid were vaccinations. You have to keep having them every 6 months."

Conspiratorial nonsense.

Some vaccinations like Covid shots require multiple/seasonal doses because immunity fades & viruses change.

07.01.2026 13:11 β€” πŸ‘ 798    πŸ” 241    πŸ’¬ 235    πŸ“Œ 121

Parents of disabled kids fighting for their child’s rights, grieving for their untimely (and often avoidable) deaths, just struggling through in an uncomprehending world.

Underestimate them at your peril.

28.12.2025 23:46 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Some good advice from a friend.

21.12.2025 23:54 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Perfect Christmas present!

20.12.2025 20:00 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Utterly monstrous. The GOP deserves to lose power for a generation.

18.12.2025 00:09 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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This autumn I've given more than 30 talks about my book and the issues that it raises to an amazing range of groups: health professionals, universities, charities, etc.

I've got some lined up in the Spring but am happy to do more if anyone is interested.

Tell me if you'd like to arrange one.

12.12.2025 23:36 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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So, responding to popular demand, but very much still reality-based, we've gone for something a bit more uplifting in our New Year edition of @BylineTimes

Subscribe to get it delivered to your box or on digital

subscribe.bylinetimes.com

10.12.2025 14:13 β€” πŸ‘ 60    πŸ” 26    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 2

We never stop hearing about how artists express themselves, but when an artist with learning disabilities wins a prize a critic says therapy and talent should not be confused.

I remember Tracey Emin winning the Turner Prize for her β€œunmade bed” and appearing drunk on Newsnight.

What art does.

10.12.2025 14:18 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
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It's the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

(Hint: this is for all of us)

03.12.2025 17:54 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Public pressure for an inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics is growing - and rightly so.

Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign πŸ‘‡
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe

28.11.2025 13:05 β€” πŸ‘ 60    πŸ” 32    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Off to Stoke on Trent to address the Challenge to Change Conference: Advancing Best Practice in Learning Disability and Autism Support.

Better not screw it up.

28.11.2025 08:47 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Quick analysis of The Times today:
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.

27.11.2025 08:22 β€” πŸ‘ 1467    πŸ” 425    πŸ’¬ 75    πŸ“Œ 13

As Ukraine marks Holodomor Remembrance Day, mourning millions of victims of Stalin's genocidal famine, it feels as though the Trump administration is happy to give Putin another chance to finish off what Stalin started. Europe should do everything in its power to help Ukraine & defeat Russia.

22.11.2025 14:36 β€” πŸ‘ 325    πŸ” 119    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 1
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Stephen Unwin- Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong Our December talk for the Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub is delivered by Stephen Unwin, featuring his recent book.

Thrilled that @stephenunwin.bsky.social is speaking at our Dec Wellbeing Hub webinar. He will be discussing themes from his latest book, Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong.

πŸ“…4th Dec
⏲️7-8.30pm
πŸ›œOnline
πŸ’·Free

Book here: bit.ly/4ihEROI

#disabilityhistorymonth

19.11.2025 15:43 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...

Pleae sign and share
petition.parliament.uk/signatures/1...

18.11.2025 21:32 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0