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February 2026 newsletter
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Welcome to the February edition of the Inclusion Barnet member newsletter!
It's full of information on developments at Inclusion Barnet, consultations, online resources, community events, access tips and ways to be heard. You'll also find some of the top national news affecting Disabled people including those with mental health issues and long-term conditions.
To find out more about each article, just click on its title.
Inclusion Barnet news
With January behind us, we’re heading into a busy month, starting with our next members’ meeting on 20 February. If you haven’t let us know whether you’re attending yet, please do, we’ll make sure you get the Zoom link.
Please also save the date for our AGM on 10 March from 4.00 - 5.30pm. Full details and invitations will be sent to members shortly, so keep an eye on your inbox, we’d love to see as many of you there as possible. And if you’re not yet a member, now’s a great time to sign up so you don’t miss out.
February is also National Heart Month, and our Healthy Heart team will be out and about at local events raising awareness. We’re also pleased to be supporting the Barnet Winter Reading Challenge for adults at the South Friern and New Barnet libraries that we run. You can find more on these activities, along with plenty of other updates, in the main newsletter below.
Finally, don’t forget to have your say on the latest Government consultation to review the law for powered mobility devices, scroll down to the consultation section for more information.
Thanks, as always for your continued support of Inclusion Barnet.
Kind regards,
Claire Fisher
Head of Communications and Engagement
Touchpoint has a new team member!
Exciting news from Touchpoint! We have a new Triage Caseworker for the Benefits Advice Service, Kate Dickinson. She’ll be handling all the new referrals and answering enquiries that come in. Kate has experience with welfare benefits and really cares about making sure Disabled people get the benefits they’re entitled to so they can get the support they need. We are hoping to reopen the Benefits Advice Service soon.
Healthy Heart team reach out for Heart Month
February is Heart Month from the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Check out our blog for the activities of our Healthy Heart team and what you can do with the BHF to promote heart health this month and beyond!
User Voice goes from strength to strength!
Our User Voice members meetings made a good start to the New Year in January! Yragael from Transport for All gave attendees valuable information about their helpline and also about Transport For London's mentoring scheme. Our CEO Caroline also gave a talk about Inclusion Barnet and what it offers Disabled people, and we had representatives from Barnet Council giving attendees information about People's Voice and the Involvement Board.
Would you like to get involved to share your experiences and ideas? Meetings are being held the third Friday of every month at 1.30pm - 3.00pm. Booking is essential by sending an email to uservoice@inclusionbarnet.org.uk stating whether you'd like to come along in person (at our Colindale Office) or attend via Zoom.
Not a member but would like to join? It's easy and free to join using the membership form.
Get reading with our libraries in the winter reading challenge
With the days still cold and dark, what better time to curl up with a good book, eBook, or eAudiobook? You may find it benefits your health too. Barnet libraries, including our own New Barnet and South Friern libraries, have launched the Winter Reading Challenge until 28 February to encourage adults to read two books in that time. Complete the challenge and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 retail voucher. Simply register at any Barnet Library in staffed opening times and read two library books before Saturday 28 February. Plus, submit a book review and you could win an additional £25 voucher.
Healthwatch Enfield championing and informing their local community!
Two initiatives from Healthwatch Enfield have resulted in valuable publications for the Enfield community. There is much to be gained and learnt from the publications for Barnet and elsewhere as well, in terms of issues and resources relevant more widely.
Investigating GP Support for Homeless People
This report explores the challenges homeless people face when registering with a GP and shares recommendations to make healthcare fair and accessible.
Read Investigating GP support for homeless people
Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Guide
The Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Guide is a comprehensive resource designed to connect Enfield residents with the services, crisis support, and community networks that can help them stay resilient and informed. Barnet residents may also find some national resources and services they don't know about. Take a look!
A warm welcome to Kate Dickinson who has joined Touchpoint as Triage Caseworker for the Benefits Advice Service.
Opportunities to create change
Visit our consultations and campaigns page on the Inclusion Barnet website for all the latest opportunities to have your say on local and national issues that impact Disabled people in Barnet.
It’s surprising, but some local consultations get as few as 14 responses*. Low numbers like these mean our community can help shape what happens in Barnet when we speak up together.
Here are opportunities to get involved in this month:
More ways to get involved
- Find all of Barnet Council's consultations on the Engage Barnet website.
- Visit our consultations and campaigns page on the Inclusion Barnet website.
*For example: Barnet Council's proposed Fees and Charges 2024-25 for services, which got 14 online responses.
Government consultation to review the law for powered mobility devices
The Government is seeking views on changing the rules for using powered mobility devices, including powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, on public roads and pavements. Give your views in this important consultation to make sure the needs of Disabled people in Barnet and beyond are met.
If you require alternative versions of this consultation, contact: mobilitydevices@dft.gov.uk
Closes 31 March 2026
UK National Screening Committee consultations
Give your views on the screening recommendations for a variety of health conditions. Currently open consultations include Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Type 2 diabetes in adults, Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy, Prostate cancer and Bladder cancer.
Local and London news and events
Dance Barnet - free ticketed event, Pentland Theatre, Friday 27 February, 11.30am
5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, London N12 0GA
This event is about making dance accessible to everyone, including Disabled people and people with long term health conditions. There will be a Strictly Come Dancing-style grand final. Katya Jones will be one of the judges.
Accessibility information:
- Step free access to stalls seating
- Four wheelchair spaces available
- Accessible toilets on stalls level
The Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, London N2 8LT
A free talk from neuroscientist Professor Catherine Loveday about how brain chemicals influence how we think, feel and behave.
Step free access, Disabled toilet.
Online and national resources
Independent Age offer a helpline which provides information and support on matters that affect older people such as money and benefits, care, support and housing options.
0800 319 6789, Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm
or email helpline@independentage.org
Disability daily podcast (from Katie Healey)
Podcast covering a new figure or event in Disability history every day.
National news - local impact
Access Tips
Warning: This section includes mentions of suicide.
An app designed to help neurodivergent people (especially autistic individuals and families) discover and rate sensory-friendly, inclusive places around the world.
A free app for finding and marking wheelchair accessible places.
Be My Eyes connects blind or low vision users who want assistance, with volunteers and companies across the world, through live video and AI.
Seeing AI is a free app that narrates the world around you. Designed with and for the blind and low vision community, this ongoing research project harnesses the power of AI to open up the visual world. Seeing AI assists with daily tasks from reading, to describing photos, to identifying products, and more.
This free app helps Disabled people find accessible places. Wherever you're going, get accessibility information on your smartphone.
British Transport Police 61016 texting service
A non-emergency texting service for contacting the British Transport Police discreetly. You can text 61016 when:
- You want to tell BTP about an incident that has already happened
- You want to tell BTP about issues affecting your rail journey or your local station
- You have a general police enquiry
Suicide Prevention Stay Alive App
The Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource, with information for those at risk of suicide and people worried about someone. It includes: strategies for staying safe, how to help a person thinking about suicide, and access to Barnet services and support.
Support with technology from Jewish Care
Jewish Care Explore offers support with technology to all adults within the Jewish community. Learn more about Jewish Care Explore's technology support.
Register for 999 text services
999 offers a text reporting service for members of the public who may be unable to call in an emergency. Text 'register' to 999, and then confirm 'yes' when you receive a response. Once this is complete, you will be able to text 999 in an emergency situation and the police will respond.
Be an inclusion champion
Did you know that if you are part of an African, Caribbean or South Asian community you have a higher risk of suffering from high blood pressure, hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
Did you know that you are more like to die from a cardiac arrest if you live in a disadvantaged area?
Each year over 40,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK. Less than 1 in 10 survive. Giving CPR promptly and using a defibrillator can more than double someone’s chance of survival.
As part of Heart Month, The British Heart Foundation have launched their online training, Learn CPR in 15 minutes for free.
Let's empower ourselves to save lives by learning CPR!
Join us
Share YOUR lived experience:
become a member of Inclusion Barnet
Individual membership is FREE and is for Disabled people, which may include long term conditions or mental health issues, and/or carers. Find out how being a member and sharing your lived experience can lead to positive change on our website.
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About Us
Inclusion Barnet is a Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation (DDPO), based in Barnet, North-West London. This means that all of our Trustees and most of our staff have lived experience of disability. Learning to use lived experience for social change is a skill. We use this understanding to design and deliver higher quality, more person-centred services.
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We're calling on the Government to work with organisations led by Disabled people to make employment easier to access and to improve social security so that everyone can live a decent life, whether they’re in work or not.
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Did you know we run libraries, Barnet Voice for Mental Health, community organisation support, and more? Find all our services and other newsletters you can subscribe to, below.
