Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 1d

Check out the latest issue of Care Talk, which features our CEO, Kate Terroni, who sat down for an insightful conversation about EDI at United Response, and what real inclusion means in practice.

Flip through to page 33 to read what she had to say!

Latest Issue - Care Talk

CLICK HERE to download the 2025 October Edition of Care Talk as a PDF

buff.ly

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 2d

Liv Quigley, who we support at York Media, is a talented songwriter and performer. And her recently-released track, Our Story, is extra special as it’s been written to be used for the ‘Our Life Stories’ project. Listen to it here:

Our Story

Provided to YouTube by DistroKid Our Story · Liv Quigley · Liv Quigley · Andy Bowen Our Story ℗ Liv Quigley Released on: 2025-08-29 Auto-generated by YouTube.

buff.ly

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 6d

Thanks to support from the Clothworkers’ Foundation, our redeveloped People’s Fund is back and better than ever. This funding helps people we support bring their own creative projects to life.

Read more about the People’s Fund in our latest blog here: buff.ly/OZQVuiO

The People's Fund - Grants making a big impact - United Response

At United Response, we believe everyone deserves the chance to live with independence, confidence and joy. Thanks to the Clothworker’s Foundation, our redeveloped People’s Fund is making this…

tinyurl.com

1

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 7d

Meet Robert from Ipswich. This year has been full of firsts – from his first holiday at Butlins to VR darts and even Nando’s hot wings. He’s also now a pub quiz regular, winning 1st and 2nd place several times! 🏆
Here’s to many more firsts!

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 13d

Jamie Wilkinson had a fantastic night out recently at Pictureville, enjoying newly restored silent Sherlock Holmes films with live music.
After the films, Jamie even got to thank the musicians & BFI’s Bryony Dixon personally! 👏

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 15d

It's apple pressing season at Boscawen Farm 🍎

Some of the people we support have been busy making 100% natural apple juice with our traditional fruit press, using apples that have fallen from the trees in our orchard!

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 16d

Last week, Sheila, Celia & Bill enjoyed a trip to the Aldingbourne Country Centre service users & staff get-together. They caught up with friends, watched sports, enjoyed a BBQ, explored arts & crafts, and Bill even discovered a potential new volunteering opportunity! 🎉

1

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 17d

Following a move to a new location our York service, The Boot Shop, has seen lots of positive outcomes.

Read the full article by clicking the link below.

We'd like to say a huge thank you to all members of The Boot Shop for embracing this change.

The Boot Shop - York - United Response

One of United Response’s York services, called The Boot Shop, provides support through daily activities such as music, sport, drama, baking and art. In April 2025 The Boot Shop moved to York after 30…

buff.ly

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 20d

Pete applied to our People’s Fund, to realise his ambition to take a boat trip. Using the money he was given he was able to share this experience with lots of his friends, making an unforgettable day

Big thanks to WetWheels Foundation for making the day possible, and making Pete's dream come true

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 21d

Welcome to The Old Eight Bells – our new Supported Living service/hub space in the heart of Mansfield

Officially opened on 16th September, The Old Eight Bells is a testament to community and partnership working leading to something truly incredible.

Click below to read more

buff.ly/57UCYOb

The Old Eight Bells – Opening celebration in Mansfield - United Response

The Old Eight Bells is a historic building in the centre of Mansfield, which has previously been a community meeting space, a pub and most recently a nightclub. Social impact investor Resonance has…

www.unitedresponse.org.uk

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 21d

We’re very proud to share that Abigail Stephenson has been shortlisted for Registered Manager of the Year at the Leaders in Care Awards! 🎉

Abigail manages four United Response services in the South Tyneside area as well as an outreach service.

Cast your vote for her here: buff.ly/poTJsOJ

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 22d

Our team at Café West in York are proud to announce they have retained their 5 star Food Hygiene Standards rating.

Team Manager Sarah Dixon said:

“The team is absolutely thrilled, and I’m especially proud of our small but dedicated group for maintaining high standards and achieving this award.”

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 23d

Our Mansfield team officially opened our new Supported Living service, The Old Eight Bells, yesterday (16th September) and the BBC were there as well.

Watch some highlights of a fantastic day by clicking the link (starting at 14:48)

buff.ly/7m91KBY

East Midlands Today - Evening News: 16/09/2025

The latest news, sport and weather for the East Midlands.

www.bbc.co.uk

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 24d

Our York services support people to learn media skills including music production, photography and in Luka’s case, video creation/editing.

Check out Luka’s YouTube channel where she posts regular new content including top ten countdowns and game reviews.

Luka Dekker-Turner

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

buff.ly

1

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · 27d

Did you catch our feature on @itvnews.bsky.social last month about our research on disability hate crime on public transport? We're calling for a new charter to help deal with the problem.

You can catch up here:

buff.ly

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Sep 10

Did you know we're also on TikTok?

Drop us a follow ➡️ @united_response

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Sep 5

Sameena and Omar, two of our job coaches from Bradford, launched a powerful 6-week programme aimed at boosting confidence and self-esteem for people we support. Hear more from Sameena and Kevin, one of the programme participants, about the course:

Helping others find the ‘Keys to Success’ - United Response

Sameena recognised that many individuals seeking work struggled with low self-worth, which impacted both their job prospects and everyday wellbeing. As a trained facilitator in the GOALS programme…

buff.ly

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Sep 3

A look back at a blog written by United Response Media Contributor, Ben Stone, giving his thoughts on the reduction of the voting age in the UK to 16. With some great points about increased voter accessibility and the future of elections.

Minimum voting age in UK elections reduced from 18 to 16 - United Response

Will you use your vote and does voting make a difference? On July 17, 2025, the UK Government announced that 16 and 17-year-olds would be given the right to vote in the next general election.…

buff.ly

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Sep 1

Are you interested in working for United Response one day?

Don't let your dream role pass you by! Sign up for job alerts ⬇️

buff.ly/9r5tRkP

A support worker supporting somebody in the kitchen.

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Aug 29

Did you know we have an online shop where you can buy personalised gifts and locally sourced crafts? Every purchase you make helps to create opportunities for young people and adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs.

Shop here:

Positively Unique

Creative Crafts and Personalised Gifts made by people with disabilities

buff.ly

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Aug 28

"It’s not just about delivering tasks, it’s about a sense of belonging, a sense of being a part of somebody else’s growth, sowing seeds every day."

That's what Ollie, one of our dedicated Service Managers, said about providing outstanding support. Read the blog here:

Ollie on making a 'real, lasting difference' through care work - United Response

We asked Ollie Loveridge, Service Manager at a United Response supported living service in Bristol, to share his insights on what good care looks like and what makes social care such invaluable and…

buff.ly

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Aug 26

Have you heard of Our Life Stories? We believe it's the first peer-to-peer oral history project in the learning disabilities space.

You can hear some abridged interviews from the project here:

Our stories - United Response

United Response

buff.ly

1

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Aug 21

The @electoralcommission.org.uk want to hear your views on updated guidance to support Returning Officers (the people that ensure that the election is administered effectively) in making accessibility arrangements that can have a positive impact for disabled voters.

Have your say:

Consultation on updated guidance for Returning Officers: Assistance with voting for disabled people

This consultation is open from 4 August 2025 until 26 October 2025.

buff.ly

1

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Aug 20

Kevin recently completed our 'Keys to Success' aimed at boosting confidence and self-esteem for people we support, and the best thing? Kevin will now be supporting others by becoming a tutor for the course!

Read the full story:

Helping others find the ‘Keys to Success’ - United Response

Sameena recognised that many individuals seeking work struggled with low self-worth, which impacted both their job prospects and everyday wellbeing. As a trained facilitator in the GOALS programme…

buff.ly

2

United Response @unitedresponse.bsky.social · Aug 15

United Response Media Contributor Ben Stone has written our latest blog, looking at the reduction of the UK voting age to 16 - the benefits for young people and some hopes for the future including increased accessibility to voting.

Read Ben's blog: buff.ly/XWZFOEP

#Elections #Blog #SocialCare

Minimum voting age in UK elections reduced from 18 to 16 - United Response

Will you use your vote and does voting make a difference? On July 17, 2025, the UK Government announced that 16 and 17-year-olds would be given the right to vote in the next general election.…

buff.ly