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September 2026 newsletter
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Welcome to the September edition of the Inclusion Barnet member newsletter!
It's full of information on developments at Inclusion Barnet, 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
Whether you're into gardening or art, there's something for everyone in our latest edition, from sensory walks to BSL tours.
Closer to home, as the autumn rolls in, we have information about making the new school term more accessible, and free energy advice for Disabled people ahead of the winter months.
Finally, remember to book your place at our usual monthly User Voice get together, where we’ll be talking about social care in Barnet, from meals on wheels to home adaptations.
See you next month,
Cat Whitehouse, Campaign Manager
Campaign for Disability Justice update
Did you know that only 11% of news stories about Disabled people actually quote one of us? Without Disabled people's voices, newspaper stories rarely represent us. That’s why the Campaign for Disability Justice is training new Disabled media spokespeople, who can speak out, and share the thoughts of our community. Find out more about, and join the campaign if you’d like to join media training in future.
Putting Disabled people at the heart of news stories about us
Social care in Barnet - User Voice meeting September
Join us this September for a member meeting focused on social care, and tell us what you want Inclusion Barnet to tackle this autumn. User Voice is run by and for Disabled people who want answers about local and national issues, and a say in how things are run. We've got answers for members about neighbourhood health hubs, GP surgeries, and patient rights in appointment bookings, as well as shaping local climate change work.
When: Thursday 24 September, 5-6pm
Where: Online via Teams
Book on Eventbrite or email uservoice@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
What do young people really need from mental health services?
Tuesday 15 September 2026 – Imperial College London, South Kensington
Interested in improving mental health research and services for children and young people? The ARC Outreach Alliance is holding its final event to share what their latest research found, celebrate the contribution of young people and community partners, and explore what happens next.
The event is invite-only, so anyone interested should register in advance. Refreshments, a light dinner and networking drinks will be provided.
Touchpoint Welfare Benefits Advice Service remains paused to new referrals and enquiries. We continue to monitor this and will keep you informed of any changes. All existing customers will be contacted.
Touchpoint Peer Support remains open to new referrals and enquiries. Referrals can be made via our website or by calling 020 3475 1306.
We are sad to say goodbye to Lizzie Hendricks, Executive Assistant to CEO, and Kate Dickinson, Touchpoint Benefits Triage Worker, wishing them both every success in the future. A warm welcome back to Claire Parsons as Executive Assistant to CEO.
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.
Your words can shape what happens in Barnet. It’s surprising, but some local consultations get as few as 14 responses*. Low numbers like these mean every voice counts
*For example: Barnet Council's proposed Fees and Charges 2024-25 for services, which got 14 online responses.
Here are opportunities to get involved in this month:
Have your say on West Hendon Playing Fields
Barnet Council and the Football Foundation are seeking local people’s views on plans for a new 11-a-side 3G artificial grass football pitch with sports lighting at West Hendon Playing Fields, along with a modular toilet and catering facility. Let's make sure Disabled voices are heard.
Assisted dying: give your views on the bill
Disability Rights UK is urging MPs to oppose the Assisted Dying Bill, ahead of a planned Commons vote on 11 September. Disabled people cannot have a genuine choice about the end of their lives without equal access to social care, palliative care, accessible housing and other essential support.
How you can help
Join the demonstration
When: Friday 11th September, 8am-3pm
Where: Parliament Square and Old Palace Yard, Westminster
Have your say: experiences of muscle wasting conditions
Muscular Dystrophy UK and Claremont Communications are running a survey to better understand the experiences, needs and support journeys of people affected by muscle wasting conditions, as well as those around them. The survey is open to adults aged 18 and over and takes around 15 minutes; responses are anonymous, and participants can choose to enter a draw to win one of ten £50 vouchers.
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
Local and London news and events
Sensory guided walking tours at Kew Gardens
Visitors with a visual impairment and their carers can enjoy a free sensory guided walking tour at Kew Gardens, exploring the Gardens through touch, smell and description with a specially trained guide. The next tour takes place on Sunday 13 September, 2–3pm, at Victoria Gate, Kew Gardens. Places are limited and advance registration is required.
BSL Tour at the National Portrait Gallery
Join a free Deaf-led British Sign Language (BSL) tour exploring works from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection, with a social and informal atmosphere where group discussion is encouraged. The tour takes place on Friday 25 September, 6–7pm, at the National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE. Booking is essential, with places limited to 25 people.
Online and national resources
Free energy and water advice for Disabled people from Scope
Scope’s Disability Energy Support service offers free, specialist advice to Disabled people and households where someone is Disabled, including help with energy or water debt, bills, grants and benefits, and dealing with energy suppliers. BSL interpretation available.
Phone: 0808 801 0828 (Monday–Friday,
9.30am–4.30pm; lines close at 2.30pm on Tuesdays)
Email: Disability.EnergySupport@scope.org.uk
The Way We Roll – disability podcast
The Way We Roll, hosted by Simon Minty and Phil Friend, explores current issues affecting Disabled people, from employment and accessibility to neurodiversity, discrimination and disability rights
National news - local impact
Government admits Disabled people may face ‘subtle pressure’ to choose an assisted death, if bill passes (from Disability News Service)
Government removes time restrictions for Disabled Person’s Bus Pass - the clock is ticking for real system change (from Disability Rights UK)
Cartoon illustrates importance of inclusivity in schools with autistic lead character (from BBC)
Access Tips
Aidova – a free communication app
Aidova is a free communication tool for people who find speaking difficult, including some autistic people and people living with conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke or dementia. Users can tap words, phrases and symbols to build sentences that are spoken aloud.
Spokin: allergy support app
Spokin is an app designed to help people and families manage food allergies by providing information, reviews and resources to support everyday decisions. It can help users find allergy-friendly restaurants, products and recipes, connect with others who share similar experiences, and access guidance to make managing allergies easier.
Be an inclusion champion
Making back to school more accessible
As the new school year begins, small changes can make a big difference for Disabled pupils and those with SEND.
Parents, carers, pupils and community members can speak up about barriers, challenge assumptions about disability and encourage schools to consider accessibility in everything they do. If you are a governor, volunteer, teacher or member of a PTA, you can ask whether accessibility is considered when planning events, trips, activities and communications.
In Barnet, you can join the Barnet Parent Carer Forum which gives families a voice in decisions about SEND services and encourages people to get involved in shaping local provision.
Let's make schools as inclusive as possible in Barnet and elsewhere!
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.
Support our national campaign:
Every sign up counts
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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