PGP / SPD My story:

I Emailed the Prime Minister to Demand Action on Systemic Ableism I emailed our Prime Minister because I can already see disabled people being targeted. Our community deserves to be supported—not blamed, punished or harmed further. Disabled people face entrenched barriers in employment, higher living costs and persistent discrimination, yet public debate too often treats us as the problem. This is what I sent: " Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to urge your government to take meaningful action against systemic ableism and create stronger incentives for employers to recruit, retain and promote disabled people. Disabled people continue to encounter significant barriers to employment, including inaccessible recruitment processes, discrimination, inadequate workplace adjustments and assumptions about our abilities. Even when disabled people secure paid employment, many experience lower pay and fewer opportunities for progression. Disability also brings substantial additional living c...

Disabled people are being failed again and again. Stop removing support from disabled constituents. Stop the hateful misinformation in the media. Stop ignoring systemic ableism. Many disabled people want to work and contribute, but accessible, fairly paid opportunities are still being denied to us. And even when disabled people do get into paid work, the UK disability pay gap was 12.7% in 2023 according to the ONS.  That is not fairness. That is discrimination built into the system. Some of us are already doing huge amounts of unpaid labour — advocacy, care, community work, creative work, emotional labour — while also managing the extra daily costs that come with disability. Those extra costs are real, and cutting support only pushes disabled people further into hardship. Around 5 million people were receiving either PIP or DLA under DWP policy ownership at February 2025, showing how many people rely on disability-related support.  Disabled people deserve dignity. We deserve a...

DCC Update - employment support and podcast: I’ve just been informed that Andrew Husband has offered to personally look into my situation. I’m honestly a little shocked to finally be getting access to someone who can help — but I’m also hopeful. If this is handled properly, it could resolve everything that has happened, including: • Having the podcast reinstated • Ensuring my images are shared as originally intended (not cropped) • Regaining access to the employment support I should never have lost This should never have become a fight. It has taken so much energy and unnecessary distress. Once this is resolved, I truly hope we can move towards a more positive working relationship with the council — especially given the volunteer safeguarding and youth work I already do with them. Fingers crossed 🤞 Sarah Wingfield Independent Disability Advocate #disabilityinclusion #disabilityrights #disabilityawareness #communitymatters #strongertogether #inclusion #advocacy

Unfortunately after waiting until yesterday when my initial complaint was made in July 2025 I have had no choice but to escalate the discrimination I received and sabotage by Durham County Council and DurhamEnable to an ombudsman. No accountability received as of yet. Sarah Wingfield  Independent Disability Advocate  #disabilityinclusion #strongertogether #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilitysupport #disabilityrights #autismacceptance #autismawareness