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November 2025 newsletter
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Welcome to the November edition of the Inclusion Barnet member newsletter!
It's full of information on work we're doing at Inclusion Barnet, consultations, online resources, community events, access tips and ways to be heard. You'll also find some of the top local and 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
From project updates to changes in the political world, there’s plenty to catch up on in this bumper issue.
Our Healthy Heart team joined local Black History Month celebrations, a new book club has been started at the New Barnet Library we run in partnership with Barnet Libraries and Keely, our Director of Peer Services took part in the London Halloween Walk raising £200 for Inclusion Barnet!
Meanwhile Keely and I also attended the Advice Saves UK briefing in parliament to raise awareness of the urgent need to recruit and retain advisers.
There are ways get involved too as we launch a series of monthly member meetings starting on 21 November and our Grange Big local project is looking for people to join a lived experience panel.
More on all these updates in the main newsletter.
On the political front, the Government announced it will not go ahead with its white paper, which would have outlined plans for future disability benefit changes. Instead, there will be various separate announcements. While we hope there won’t be any more cuts, we will stay alert and be ready to tackle any policy changes, large or small, that might otherwise slip through without proper scrutiny and challenge.
Finally, look out for a special email coming soon. We will be running a snap survey asking what you think about the Government’s plans to put Employment Coaches into GP surgeries and community Mental Health services over the next five years.
Kind regards,
Claire Fisher
Head of Communications and Engagement
User Voice monthly members' meetings starting in November!
Are you a Disabled person / carer in Barnet who wants to be more involved in the decisions that affect our lives? On the third Friday of every month we're going to be holding monthly user voice meetings to tackle and discuss issues most important to you. The first meeting will be on:-
Friday 21 November, 1.30 - 3.00pm.
We’ll share experiences and ideas and talk about changes in policy and services that impact Disabled people in Barnet.
You can attend either in person:-
Inclusion Barnet Offices, Independent Living Centre, c/o Barnet & Southgate College, 7 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4BR
or online via Zoom (link will be sent to you on booking).
Accessibility:-
- If you require a BSL interpreter, please let us know as soon as possible so this can be booked.
- Live captions will be switched on via the Zoom call.
- The venue is wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets.
- A changing place is also available.
Detailed accessibility information
To book, please email uservoice@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Not a member of Inclusion Barnet but would like to join?
It's easy and free to join using the membership form.
Advice saves!
Our Director of Peer Services, Keely Parnaby and Head of Communications, Claire Fisher attended the Advice Saves UK briefing in parliament last month. Organised by Advice UK, the event was attended by many national and local organisations like ours who provide vital advice services. It helped to raise awareness to MPs and funders who attended about the urgent need to recruit and retain advisers. We were able to share the important work of the people behind the services and show how funding small advice agencies not only saves lives but makes practical sense for the wider public services too. People are less likely to need crisis support if they receive good advice earlier.
Keely, dressed as Ursula the Witch at the finish line of the London Halloween Walk
Over £200 raised for Inclusion Barnet!
Our Director of Peer Services, Keely Parnaby did a great job of raising some funds for Inclusion Barnet last month – dressed as Ursula The Sea Witch from Disney’s Little Mermaid! Keely raised £205 plus £46.25 in gift aid taking part in the London Halloween Walk, walking 10 kilometres through central London. The funds will be used toward our Touchpoint Peer services.
Grange Big Local reaches an exciting conclusion
Grange Big Local (GBL) is now nearing the end of its 10-year community action plan, and we are excited to share news of some research GBL and Northumbria University are doing on the health benefits of a basic income. We need 20 people of different ages and backgrounds to join a lived experience panel.
Date: 27 November at 6.30pm
Venue: Archer Academy School, Eagans Close, N2 8GA.
We would like at least 20% of our panel to be Disabled people. The meeting will last two hours, and, as a thank you, people who take part will receive a £50 Love2Shop voucher.
Please apply by 10 November:-
Lived Experience Panel Application
To let us know of access requirements, please email:- info@grangebiglocal.org
In other news, GBL's longest planned project, the refurbishment of the Underpass between Manor Park Road and Trinity Road is well underway. Local artists, schools, poets and residents have been involved in creating the design elements, including art and poetry and reflectors and these will be installed along the pathways to the underpass.
All build elements are expected to be completed by December 2025. We are looking forward to inviting the community to the underpass opening and celebrating – what will be an amazing transformation! Details to be publicised nearer the time.
Healthy Heart building on their excellent work in the community
Our Healthy Heart team has continued to reach out to residents of the African, Caribbean and South Asian communities who are more likely to have high blood pressure. Of particular note in October were the Black History Month celebratory events at West Hendon Hub and the Centre of Excellence in Colindale, attended by Peer Engagement Officers, Salna and Riffat. As well as blood pressure monitoring, hypertension information and discussions about self-management, there were opportunities for children to engage with fun and creative offerings.
At Healthy Heart events, participants consistently report back how much they get out of the sessions. From one previous event at Everglades Medical Practice, an attendee said 'the course was clear and helped me increase my health and lifestyle awareness, especially in the area of my daily diet and exercises required to help my health condition to get better." So good to hear such feedback and huge thanks to the team for the excellent work they do!
Book Club at New Barnet Library
Our New Barnet and South Friern libraries are fantastic local community hubs, and we are pleased to announce that to add to our services, New Barnet Library now has a Book Club, meeting every few weeks on Thursdays, 4-5pm. For more information, please email nick@inclusionbarnet.org.uk.
If you are interested in volunteering at either library, Nick is also the one to email for more information.
See our library pages for more details of services offered and accessibility.
In October, we were sad to see the departure of Tess Wilderspin, Senior Communications Officer and Holly Smith, our Healthwatch Enfield volunteer co-ordinator who left to take up a new role. Both have made a valuable contribution to Inclusion Barnet and we wish them every success in future.
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.
Did you know? Some local consultations receive as few as 14 online responses*. With just 15 members like you we can sway decisions on accessibility, support, and resources in Barnet.
Here is an opportunity to get involved in this month:
Unlock Transport Access from Transport for All
As Disabled people, we are being let down by the transport system. Transport for All are running a campaign to make transport easily accessible to all Disabled people at all times for every journey that is needed.
Barnet Council Fees and Charges 2026/27 consultation
Let's make sure the voices of Disabled people in Barnet are listened to about Barnet Council's proposed fees and charges for 2026/27. This includes charges ranging from leisure to commercial waste services and highways to planning services.
More information and have your say.
Closes 31 December 2025
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.
Local and London news and events
Barnet Friends is a free telephone befriending service under the charity, CB Plus. Whether you want someone to talk to, or need some extra motivation to access local wellbeing activities, Barnet Friends can provide a listening ear.
They can support adults aged 18-55 who either live, work or study in Barnet.
You can self refer here, or be referred through local charities and Social Prescribing Link Workers.
You can also reach them by telephone on 0208 016 0016
Email: befriending@cbplus.org.uk
Wednesday 26 November 2025, 11am
The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
Disabled adults and those who support them: celebrate accessible music-making with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Drake Music.
Free BSL tour: the National Portrait Gallery Collection
Friday 28 November, 6.00 - 7.00pm
National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE
A free Deaf-led British Sign-Language (BSL) tour for D/deaf and hard of hearing visitors to explore spotlighted works in the Collection.
Free Inclusive SEND basketball sessions, ages 11 - 19
Every Tuesday 5.00 - 6.00pm
Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre, NW4 1PX
Sessions are designed to be fun, supportive, and engaging, with a focus on developing coordination, teamwork, and confidence through sport
Contact: info@bulldogsbasketball.club
Online and national resources
Support Line confidential emotional support
SupportLine provides a confidential helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue who resides in the UK. The Helpline is primarily a preventative service and aims to support people before they reach the point of crisis. It is particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse.
Helpline: 01708 765200
Telephone Helpline is currently open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm
Email Support: info@supportline.org.uk
Email support service is open every day
They aim to respond to emails within forty eight hours, and try where possible to respond the same day.
Disabled and proud (podcast from Brooke Millhouse)
Brought to you by adaptive athlete Brooke Millhouse, bringing a different perspective on disability through discussions with Disabled guests.
National news - local impact
Access Tips
Warning: This section includes mentions of suicide.
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
Accessibility and inclusion in online meetings
These days with so many meetings held online, there are many ways of making them as accessible and inclusive as possible to all attendees. Whether it be offering alternative methods of accessing presented material, or allowing individuals plenty of thinking time to prepare their contributions in the meeting, accommodations such as this can make all the difference to a happy and productive meeting where everyone's presence is valued. A resource like this one from Wake Forest University can help you to think about steps to take, but above all ask individuals what they need!
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.
