Difference North East - Changing Perceptions of Disability
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Author: diffneteam

How a Proposed NHS Change Shows the True Cost of Gluten-Free Living

True Cost of Gluten-Free Living. Collage of images from the BBC segment about the NHS consultation. Image is colourise yellow, blue and purple.

The NHS might stop giving gluten-free food on prescription. This is bad news for people with coeliac disease. Gluten-free food costs a lot more than regular food. Without help, many people will struggle to pay for safe food. This is not fair. It creates a big problem for disabled people. We believe everyone should get the food they need to stay healthy. Join us to fight this change. Your voice matters. Together, we can make sure everyone is treated fairly.

Your Voice Shapes Change: North East Disability Survey Open Until August 31st

Your Voice Shapes Change - Disability Survey, A stylized graphic featuring a hand holding a marker and ticking a checkbox next to a smiling face on a feedback survey with three options: happy, neutral, and sad faces. The background is a purple grid overlay with a faint image of disabled activists in wheelchairs, smiling and raising their hands. In the bottom left corner, text reads: “Do you want to fight for disability rights? Join!” and “Difference NE.”

Share your story in our survey!
We want to hear from disabled people in the North East.
Tell us about your daily life:
Places you go
Services you use
How people treat you
Your answers will help us:
Show leaders what needs changing
Protect good services
Make our region fairer
The survey takes 10-15 minutes.
You can do it online now.
Need help? Ask for:
Phone interview
Large print version
Email form
Contact Charlotte at:
charlotte@differencenortheast.org.uk
Closes August 31st.
Your voice makes a difference!

Reflecting On The Universal Credit Bill And Why We Now Must Rest To Resist

Collage of disabled activists and disabled people protesting welfare reforms and gathering in Difference NE community events, overlaid with the words "Department for Work & Pensions" in bold black letters. Some protest signs read “THESE CUTS WILL KILL” and “PIP = 0% FRAUD”. The image is tinted purple and promotes solidarity and resistance in response to the Universal Credit Bill.

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

Ramping Up Rights: Teesside. Three disabled speakers sit in armchairs during the “Ramping Up Rights” event at Stockton Library. The person in the centre holds a microphone and wears a T-shirt that reads “#TakingThePIP.” A Joy Division bag is on the floor nearby. The setting is relaxed and informal, with bookshelves in the background and water glasses on a table in front. The image is tinted purple.

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!

Disability Community Stockton-on-tees Teesside

Disability Community Stockton-on-tees, Graphic promoting Stockton health challenges discussion. Blue slice of cake on a purple background. NeuroKey and Difference NE logo visible in the top right.

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.