Winter Newsletter '26 - Lewisham Speaking Up

Winter Newsletter ’26

20/01/2026
News

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Happy new year to all and welcome to our latest newsletter. Read on for news on our successful self-advocacy and 1-2-1 advocacy work.

We ended 2025 with a fantastic People’s Parliament on relationships and sexual health with guests including Dr. Claire Bates from Supported Loving and speakers from Turning Point. Relationships are important to all of us and it’s an area that can be neglected in the lives of people with learning disabilities. It was really good to hear people talking openly about what can be a difficult area.

We are excited to say that we are continuing our work linking up with other self-advocacy groups around England. We are aiming to look for funding that will help achieve a long-term change in the way people with learning disabilities are seen and valued. We want to see a cultural shift and changes to systems that mean people aren’t seen as someone different or less than other people. Sometimes it feels like we are moving forward, like seeing Ellie Goldstein on Strictly Come Dancing, while at other times it can still feel like we are stuck in the dark ages. Either way, self-advocates – people speaking up for themselves – is what we think will change things. Much like civil rights movements of the past. That’s the direction we want to head in and we are going to push on with that in 2026.

Finally, we’re hoping to make an announcement soon about some new funding, so watch this space!

Self-Advocacy

• Campaigns

Learning Disability Nurses

Our reps have been campaigning for better health for people with learning disabilities.

Some of us went to a meeting with Jonathan Beebee, Professional Lead for Learning Disabilities at the Royal College of Nursing, where we talked about learning disability nurses. Less people train to be learning disability nurses than they used to. We are worried that there are not enough learning disability nurses to help everyone with a learning disability have the right care and support.

We Can’t Wait

We have been working with different self advocacy groups around the country on the We Can’t Wait campaign. We are campaigning to get people with learning disabilities moved up NHS waiting lists to stop people dying before their time. We have spoken about the LEDER report and the latest news that the 2025 LEDER report won’t be published. We are going to speak to MPs and Lords, and we will tell them that they need to do more to help people with learning disabilities live a long life.

Reasonable Adjustments

We’ve also been working with the British Institute of Learning Disabilities and taking part in research on reasonable adjustments. We have worked with health professionals to share what reasonable adjustments need to be available, and how professionals should ask us what we need. We will be part of this research for a year.

For ways to get involved in making health and other things better for people with learning disabilities, see our regular events further down below.

• People's Parliament

In December we held a People’s Parliament about relationships and sexual health!

We were joined by Dr. Claire Bates from Supported Loving, who told us about the Sexuality and Relationships Rights Charter. She talked about the rights we have for romantic and sexual relationships, and what our responsibilities are to make sure everyone is safe.

Megan and Emily from Turning Point talked to us about sexual health and how we can get support and information.

Then we split up for workshops about sexual health, healthy relationships and relationships in the media.

• LSU Regular Events •

BIG GROUP

We meet every month, on the last Wednesday of the month at 10:30am-12pm at the Leemore Centre.

Our first meeting will be on 28 January where we will be making a Zine about what matters to us!

Our second meeting will be on 25 February. We will talk about what it is like going into hospital. If you have been to hospital, we’d like to hear from you!

ZOOM GROUP

We meet on Tuesdays at 4pm-5pm on Zoom, and talk about topics like health, hobbies, and the news.

MUSIC GROUP

Join our popular Music Group is on Fridays at 5pm-6:30pm where you can share your favourite songs and what they mean to you!

• Upcoming Events •

QUESTION TIME

Join us on Friday 30 January, 1pm-3pm at the Catford Civic Suite, for our Question Time.

We will have the chance to ask questions to a panel, including an MP, and people from Lewisham Council and the NHS.

PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT

Our next People’s Parliament will be on Friday 6 March

from 10.30 – 3.00 at the Catford Civic Suite.

The theme is Extremism and Hate.

Email Ellie at ellie.spirrett@lsup.org.uk or phone 020 8692 1862

1-2-1 Advocacy

• Finance Advocacy

Lots of good things have been occurring with the Finance Advocacy Service!

In November we successfully got someone their full PIP award (Personal Independence Payment). This was very important as this person has mobility issues and they were able to buy a scooter. They said:

“My scooter increased my independence when out and about. I don’t worry about falling over with my mobility. Also, I don’t have to worry about carrying heavy items because I have my scooter. I have been able to budget better because of Michelle and the support of the LSU finance advocate getting my PIP.”

In December we ran a money management session with Resources For Autism for six of their group members. It was great working in partnership with them to reach new people. The topic was about ‘needs and wants’ and we talked about do we need or want that item and can we afford it with our other outgoings. The workshop was a success and we will be running a follow-up session in February.

We are planning to hold an information workshop (date to be announced!) about the switchover to Universal Credit. We have had a lot of people come and ask us questions such as what is a Universal Credit journal? How can I use it? Can my rent be paid direct from my Universal Credit? Why am I still getting paid ESA if I am now on Universal Credit?

If you have questions like these, do come along to our workshop. We will send out flyers in due course.

• Community Advocacy

Hi guys

Do you remember I shared a story with you last summer about a gentleman who was unhappy where he was living and wished to move for several reasons? He would frequently call me, requesting our support to make that dream come true. The good news is, he is now living in his chosen accommodation, which is a new build!

However, when the Housing Association first told him he had been successful in getting his chosen flat it seemed that he became overwhelmed with the news. He would often call me and say things like ‘I have been living here for a long time, and I don’t have to move if I don’t want to’ or he would say ‘I think I’ve changed my mind.’

I explained to him that I understood that moving is a big decision and it is natural for anyone to feel nervous, anxious and stressed I gently reminded him that this had been his wish for a very long time and it had finally happened. One of the reasons he wanted to move was because he had lived where he was for over 20 years, but had made no friends and felt very isolated. He also had a neighbour that he described as hostile.

Moving to this new flat in an extra care scheme offered more socialisation and activities, as they had events that occurred weekly and he would have the opportunity to get involved. His new accommodation was a good size, and the scheme was safe as it offered a 24/7 warden. If he wanted it, the warden would call every morning to make sure he was well. Plus, ten minutes away from his flat there is a large park, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, cafes, restaurant, a doctor’s surgery and local transport.

I asked him to consider his decision carefully, and reminded him that we had all (including him) worked very hard to get this new flat. If he declined this opportunity, he may have to wait a considerable time before he gets another offer. I told him that whatever decision he came to, he had our support. After a few days he contacted me and said he had signed the tenancy agreement and moved in! He said to me, that he cannot wait to make friends and go on outings. I also contacted his family just before Christmas and they told me that he is happy and settling well in his new flat.

Supporting this gentleman to move took well over a year and it goes to show that sometimes even getting what you want can be daunting and difficult to cope with. I must admit my heart sank when he said he might change his mind, but that would have been his choice to make. I’m so pleased that he took up the offer and I hope that he thrives in his new home.