We navigated barriers at Newcastle’s forum. Now we’re building accessible climate leadership.
“I advocated for disabled people on multiple fronts: now we’re scaling that impact” Our Newcastle experience: Turning barriers into momentum. Accessible climate leadership. At Newcastle’s Climate Change Forum, we encountered […]
Welcome Charlotte Hall: Joining Our Fight for Disability Justice in the North East!
We’re delighted to welcome Charlotte Hall to the Difference team as our new Policy Officer! Charlotte brings vital experience improving support systems, helping people navigate inaccessible services, and campaigning for […]
Reflecting On The Universal Credit Bill And Why We Now Must Rest To Resist
The Universal Credit Bill – What Happened and What’s Next
On Wednesday, 9 July 2025, MPs voted on changes to benefits. These changes will make life harder for many disabled people. Only 9 North East MPs voted against the changes.
This was upsetting. But we are proud of how disabled people came together to fight back.
The fight is not over. The Bill still has to go through more checks. More changes could happen.
We need to rest, take care of each other, and get ready for what’s next.
Because care is resistance. Rest is resistance. Community is resistance.
Join us. Together, we are a roar.
Ramping Up Rights: Disability Power in Teesside
Celebrate Wins & Keep Fighting: Ramping Up Rights Ignites Hope!
Rachel Charlton-Dailey’s “Ramping Up Rights” book launch in Stockton was powerful! We celebrated a huge win: community action forced the government to change harmful welfare plans. This proves together we win! This is important even if we’ve not got everything we want!
The book shows how understanding our history helps fight today’s battles. We heard moving stories, like Joy Dove’s fight for justice after losing her daughter Jodey to cruel benefit cuts. Sadly, while Joy spoke, her MP voted for more cuts.
The fight isn’t over. We need everyone! Join Difference North East to build community power, sustain the fight, and win more rights for disabled people. Get the book!
The Chairs Were Empty. The Issue Remains. Welfare Reform
18 North East politician didn’t come to the meeting we arranged – a chance for them to speak to Disabled people in the North East before they vote on PIP reform.
Disability Community Stockton-on-tees Teesside
People in Stockton-on-Tees met in May 2025 to share their experiences of disability and everyday life.
They talked about transport problems, with very few accessible taxis and buses that do not always provide clear information.
Shops and public places were often hard to use, with not enough Blue Badge parking or mobility equipment available.
Many people described stressful benefits assessments and systems that make them fight for support.
They also spoke about losing jobs, rebuilding confidence, and finding strength through community.
The group wants practical changes and to be involved in decisions, so access is designed with disabled people, not without them.
Not a Drill: Government Launches North East Consultation: But Only After We Created Our Own
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has just announced a ‘Pathways to Work’ consultation event in the North East: scheduled for Thursday 26 June, only 8 days’ notice before […]
“Pathways To Work” Ignores Disabled Voices: Here’s What’s Really At Stake
The government’s Pathways to Work plan ignores disabled people. It makes big changes to benefits (like PIP and Universal Credit) but won’t let people have a proper say.
❌ Key problems:
There were no meetings in the North East (only Leeds/Glasgow).
Online sessions filled up fast.
Easy Read versions came 3 weeks late.
💬 Disabled people say:
“I needed work adjustments but was ignored.”
“Train stations still aren’t accessible.”
“They said my cerebral palsy ‘wasn’t disabled enough’.”
We demand:
Stop the changes.
Listen to disabled voices first.
Fix the unfair system.
Act now! Sign our campaign or email hello@differencenortheast.org.uk.
“Nothing about us without us!”
Disabled voices shut out: why we left the government’s disability network
Disabled people were asked to give advice to the government. But they didn’t listen to us.
We were part of something called the Regional Stakeholder Network. It was meant to include our voices. Instead, we were ignored. No answers. No respect.
That’s why we left.
Now, we’re starting something new. A space for disabled people, run by disabled people. We will set the agenda. We will invite others in, on our terms.
We are not tokens. We are builders.
Read why we walked away, and how you can support what comes next.
“We Want What You’ve Got”: Hartlepool’s Rights Fight
Hartlepool disability rights – Direct summary of community experiences from transcript: From Everyday struggles in Hartlepool, an event held on May 13th 2025, “There’s a line in the disability rights movement: […]