The decision to go to Wilderness Festival did not happen quickly. It was not one of my usual impulsive moments where I announce something wild and Peter, my husband and carer, sighs, and accepts his fate. This time, we had to take proper stock of the situation. Real stock. The kind where you sit together and ask, “Is this actually possible?” and “Will we regret this before we even leave the driveway?”

By the time we reached the point of saying yes, the house already looked like it had been taken over by festival preparation. The kitchen smelled faintly of antiseptic wipes and musty camping gear. Medication boxes were stacked beside the kettle like a strange new tea selection. The hallway had become a camping equipment triage centre, with piles of gear waiting to be inspected for mould, missing parts or signs of rodent activity. Even the bathroom had a stack of wipes, catheter supplies and emergency hygiene kits arranged like we were preparing for a small-scale apocalypse.

It felt as if Wilderness Festival had already arrived and was quietly unpacking itself in every corner of the house.

In the middle of it all, Peter stood holding a mug of tea, looking at me with the expression of a man who knows he is about to be dragged into something complicated. He is used to me coming up with ideas that range from mildly chaotic to outright questionable, but this one was different. This one mattered to him.

“Scissor Sisters are playing,” I said, trying to sound casual, as if I had not been sitting on this information for a week.

He froze. He blinked. He looked at me, then at the mug, then back at me. He did not say it, but I could see how much he wanted to go. He deserves a weekend where he is not just my carer. A weekend where he can be Peter, the man who loves music, laughs easily and lights up when something fun is on the horizon.

We sat down together and talked it through properly. The logistics, the accessibility, the sheer amount of stuff we would need to take, and the fact that Festival Spirit, the charity that made our last Wilderness experience possible, could not attend this year. Without them, everything would be harder.

Even so, we still wanted to go. Life is short, and sometimes you have to say yes even when the sensible answer is no. So we booked the tickets. And the house sighed and accepted its fate.

The Ghosts of Camping Trips Past

It has been so long since we last camped that our equipment has apparently taken early retirement. The sleeping bags have vanished. The camping kettle has gone missing. The electric cool box has given up. The deluxe bed is a menace, deflating on one side and gently tipping its victim towards the tent door like a slow, determined shove.

Peter had to empty much of the garage to reach the camping gear. This is the same gear the children borrowed for the Medieval Festival with Flora, the Singleton Giant, so everything had to be checked for nibble marks, mould and medieval debris.

The camping lights had to be thrown away because someone, definitely us, left the batteries in and they had leaked themselves into oblivion. The gas oven was ruled out immediately because it requires the enormous patio gas tank, and unless we strap it to the roof like a bizarre festival mascot, there is no room in the car. The rubber mallet was found in a completely different part of the garage, as if it had been on its own private holiday.

Peter muttered through the entire process. He will continue muttering until Monday.

Festival Spirit: The Gold Standard

We have been to Wilderness before, but we were exceptionally lucky to go with Festival Spirit. They are a charity that transforms festivals for disabled people. They set up a large marquee with private areas, an electric profiling bed, a proper camp bed for the carer, temperature control, electricity, charging points, breakfast and an urn that never stops. Most importantly, they are staffed by volunteers who are funny, warm, kind and genuinely invested in making festivals accessible.

This year, they cannot attend. We were gutted. They make festivals possible for people like me. They also give Peter the chance to relax, watch music, eat, drink and be merry without worrying about whether I am about to be catapulted out of a tent.

But Scissor Sisters are calling. And we still wanted to go. So we are doing it ourselves.

The Accessibility Gauntlet

Navigating festival accessibility without Festival Spirit is not impossible, but it is fiddly. I have had to apply for a Nimbus Access Card, then accessible wristbands, viewing platform access, accessible toilets, camping and parking. Wilderness is known for being helpful, but it is still a lot of admin when you are doing it last minute.

What It Means for Me

Our tent has a built-in groundsheet, which means a raised lip at the entrance. A small lip, but a lip nonetheless, the sort of obstacle that looks harmless until you try to step over it with limited mobility. It also requires bending down to open and close the door. I suspect the tent will win.

Peter, who is both my husband and my carer, has to do all the lifting. Into the car, out of the car, across the field, and back again on Monday. He is already muttering. He will continue muttering. This is simply part of the festival soundtrack.

We need to be close enough to the toilets to be practical, but not so close that we hear the door banging all night. I self-catheterise, so hygiene is essential. Portaloos are not the easiest places for this. Add to that my bowel issues, which can appear without warning, and we need a plan for changing me, showering me and washing clothes.

Charging my powerchair is vital. If it dies, I am stuck. Wilderness usually has a charging tent, but if anything goes wrong, I will be moving at the speed of a Victorian chaise longue.

My new month of medication needs to arrive before we leave. With over thirty-two tablets a day, this is not something we can improvise.

Food is another challenge. I have to be careful what I eat, and I currently have a temporary bridge spanning five teeth, making biting impossible. Festival food is not known for its softness. I may be living on mac and cheese and hope.

Packing as a disabled person is not simply throwing things into a bag. The boot will contain my powerchair and its enormous charger. The back seat will contain the tent, cool box, bed, bedding, clothing for all weathers and whatever camping paraphernalia we can squeeze in. I also need my journalist kit: notebook, pens, power bank, phone.

And So, We Go

Despite the packing, the medication panic, the tent lip, the missing kettle, the broken cool box and the bed with a vendetta, we are going. Festivals are not just about logistics. They are about atmosphere, music, people and freedom.

And this year, they are also about Scissor Sisters. Peter deserves to see them. He deserves a weekend where he is not just my carer. He deserves to laugh, to relax, to enjoy something that is entirely his.

I want that for him. I want that for us.

Even if we arrive with half our equipment missing, a tent that requires acrobatics and a bed that may or may not fling us into the night sky, we are going. We are doing it. We are embracing the chaos.

If all else fails, we will sleep in the car and call it camping with ambition.

Wilderness Festival: wildernessfestival.com

True Colours ISSN 2977 6120

Share

Leave a comment

As term draws to a close in the first year of Chilmington Green Secondary School being fully open on site, families are still facing an unsafe walking route and a daily burden no parent should be expected to carry. Outside the school, parents and councillors stood together handing out leaflets to parents and passers-by. Their message was simple. The designated walking route between Singleton and Chilmington is not safe, and families cannot keep carrying the five-hour daily burden it creates. Kent County Council insists the route meets national guidance. The people who actually walk it know otherwise. What happened was not a protest. It was a community saying enough is enough.

The campaign outside the school was calm, organised and determined. Parents handed out leaflets, councillors spoke with families, and children walked past the very route Kent County Council insists is safe. The contrast was impossible to ignore. On one side, a community asking for a basic level of safety. On the other, a policy built on post-war walking rules that no longer match the roads, traffic or realities of modern family life.

None of this arrived as a surprise. It did not creep up quietly. For more than five years, long before any school was occupied, Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council warned Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council that the new schools were being built with no safe walking routes to reach them. KCC managed to create some access via Public Rights of Way for other directions, but the link from Singleton and Great Chart was not considered because it fell outside the red line of the development boundary. The schools opened. The safe routes still never came.

Construction began in 2019, but progress stalled when the lead developer, Hodson Development (Chilmington), entered administration. With work paused and no clear timeline for resumption, the full build-out is now significantly delayed. Families are living with the consequences of a development that opened its schools before it built the infrastructure needed to reach them.

When parents raise concerns now, KCC officers fall back on post-war legislation that allows children over eight to walk up to three miles to school if the route is judged safe. These rules originate in the Education Act 1944 and were carried forward through the Children Act 1948 and later Education Acts written for a country with very different roads, traffic levels and expectations of child safety.

The 2026 national statutory guidance sets a far higher bar. A walking route is only considered safe if a child could use it in reasonable safety, even if unaccompanied by a parent. KCC says it follows national guidance and relies on the recognised walked route assessment criteria used by councils across the country to judge hazards such as traffic speed, visibility, verges, crossings and lighting. However, the Assessment of Walked Routes to School Guidelines, if applied properly, show the Singleton to Chilmington route fails on multiple criteria.

Despite this, KCC officers argue that because a parent could accompany a secondary school child, the route is safe. This interpretation ignores the reality of modern family life. It requires parents to spend a significant part of the day walking back and forth. It leaves women walking alone on isolated field paths or beside fast traffic on the A28. It does not reflect the safety standards families expect in 2026.

Andrea Taylor-Harris, one of the parents organising Transport for Singleton, describes the route plainly. “It is our closest secondary school, and from our home in Singleton the walking route is just under three miles and takes over an hour each way. The route is not safe. It includes unlit, secluded areas, grass verges that flood and busy roads including the A28. Parents do not believe it is safe for children and themselves to use every day.”

KCC’s own Active Travel Strategy promises accessible, safer and well-planned walking routes. It commits the council to making active travel an attractive and realistic choice for short journeys, improving safety, reducing traffic danger and creating routes people can use confidently. None of those commitments has been applied here. The designated route may meet the historic distance requirement, but it does not meet the safety expectations of modern families. Councillors have said openly that they do not believe it is safe for children to use independently.

In a letter to parent David Naughton, KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Peter Osborne acknowledged the limitations of the surrounding infrastructure. He confirmed that the developer was expected to introduce a regular bus service, but regrettably this has not come forward. He also noted that the turning facility within the school site is not suitable for full-size buses, limiting what can be delivered in the short term. The letter recognises the problem. It does not solve it.

Kent County Council has submitted a planning application to spend £100,000 on a short section of path at the entrance to Great Chart. On paper, this would help children avoid walking on the grass verge. In reality, it is the wrong solution in the wrong place. The area floods frequently. It is the entrance to the village and forms part of the street scene that residents have maintained for many years. It is not where the only danger lies. It is not where the route becomes impossible. It is not where children are forced into multiple lanes of fast traffic.

We also do not know how many children are actually using this part of the route. At present, it cannot be many, if any at all, because the journey is so long and demanding. Families are driving or finding lifts where possible because the designated route is not practical.

The proposed £100,000 path does not address the missing link between Singleton and Chilmington. It does not create a continuous, accessible footpath. It is not where the main dangers lie, and it is not where the children and parents are being forced into multiple lanes of traffic.

This is not just a school route. It is the missing link between Chilmington and the established communities of Singleton and Great Chart. A continuous footway along Mock Lane would serve both sides of the community. It would give Chilmington residents a safe walking link to Singleton’s GP surgery, dentist, post office and shops, and give Singleton and Great Chart families a safe route into the new schools. A cosmetic fix at the wrong end of the village distracts from the real issue. The community needs a safe, continuous route.

For families, the impact is immediate and exhausting. The journey adds up to an impossible daily burden. The route they walk takes over an hour each way. Because Kent County Council expects parents to accompany children, that becomes a five-hour ordeal every school day. For families with more than one child, working, caring responsibilities or mobility needs, this is unachievable and unsafe. Parents have come together under the campaign group Transport for Chilmington and launched a petition calling for a parent-paid school bus service. Many families are not eligible for free transport, including those who have chosen not to send their children to the nearest school because it is a faith school. They are asking for a bus service they can pay for or, preferably, a direct, continuous walking route that connects Chilmington to the existing community facilities at Singleton and Great Chart without requiring children to take risks.

For Adele and David Naughton, the lack of transport has turned daily life into a logistical battle. “This service is desperately needed to ensure the safety of our daughter,” Adele says. “Expecting a parent to spend five hours every day walking back and forth to a secondary school is impossible. The route is completely inaccessible for our disabled son who attends a different school.” Her experience exposes a deeper problem. The 1948 guidance assumes parents have unlimited time, perfect mobility and no caring responsibilities. It does not reflect modern family life.

As a wheelchair user who can no longer drive, I feel this exclusion personally. I would love to be able to collect my grandson from Chilmington Primary School. I miss those magical chats on the way home that I used to have with his Dad and Uncle. Without continuous, accessible footways, disabled residents are cut off from their own community.

Kent County Councillors Nick Wibberley and Bill Barrett, who is also an Ashford Borough Councillor, have stepped forward to support families calling for a temporary bus service. Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council has raised concerns about the route for over five years, with success for families on the Chilmington site itself but still struggling with the main route to and from the development.

When challenged, authorities often point to planning boundaries. They say the missing footpath falls outside the red line of the development parcel or that progress stalled when developers went into administration. Families do not live inside red lines on planning maps. When private development models fail, public authorities still have a duty of care. KCC already owns a significant portion of the land needed for a permanent footpath aside to Mock Lane.

This path is not only a school route. It is a vital link between two communities. Until Chilmington’s commercial centre is built, residents need a safe way to reach Singleton’s GP surgery, dentist, post office and shops.

The Transport for Chilmington petition has forced the issue into public view. A temporary bus service is essential, but it cannot be the long-term solution. Immediate action is needed. KCC must provide transport relief now so children are not forced onto fast rural lanes next term. An extra year group of children will be attempting to get to school. Permanent infrastructure must follow. KCC should commit to building a continuous, accessible footpath on the land it already owns.

Families have waited long enough. The warnings have been clear for years, and the consequences are now visible every morning on narrow rural lanes. A temporary bus service is the only immediate solution, and a continuous, accessible footway is the only long-term fix. Kent County Council must act. Children should not be walking beside fast traffic, and parents should not be carrying an exhausting daily burden. The community has spoken. It is time for the council to listen.

The choice facing Kent County Council is now simple: act immediately or continue exposing children to unacceptable risks.

The Transport for Chilmington petition calling for a paid bus service can be found here.

_{Disclosure: I am an NCTJ-qualified journalist who also serves as a parish councillor on Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council, where I am Chair of the Planning Committee. This article has been written independently in my capacity as a journalist and is not an official council communication.}

True Colours ISSN 2977 6120

Leave a comment

Over the last decade, SEND education has been stretched to breaking point. Children have gone through school without the right diagnosis, without specialist teaching, without therapy, and without the stability they need to thrive. Those unmet needs don’t magically disappear at eighteen. They follow people into adulthood, into the workplace, and eventually into crisis.

At the same time, the NHS is struggling to diagnose people early enough. And when people are diagnosed, the ongoing support just isn’t there. Long waits, short interventions, early discharges. People deteriorate until daily life becomes unmanageable. Conditions that could have been supported, stabilised, or treated early on are left to worsen.

So when we look at the sharp rise in PIP spending, we’re not seeing a benefits issue. We’re seeing the long shadow of underfunding in SEND, the strain on the NHS, and the gaps in social care. PIP is rising because it’s picking up the pieces of everything else.

The data shows the fastest growth in PIP claims isn’t among older people; it’s among young adults and people in their thirties and forties. That alone tells the story. These are the children who didn’t get the support they needed. These are the adults who couldn’t get the diagnosis or treatment early enough. These are the people living with the consequences of systems that weren’t able to meet their needs.

PIP isn’t the problem.
PIP is the symptom.

And until we fix what comes before it — SEND, the NHS, social care — we will keep seeing the same pattern.

For anyone who wants to see the evidence behind this, the interim report is here.

As Volunteer Week 2026 draws to a close, I would like to share the article I wrote for Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council

Singleton WI is full of women at every stage of life: mums rushing in after putting kids to bed, women juggling work and family, newly retired women rediscovering their time, and older ladies with more va-va-voom than most twenty-somethings. If you’ve ever seen a theatre full of WI women giving Burlesque a go, and yes, we did, you’ll know exactly what I mean. We’re a group that tries things, laughs loudly, and supports each other through it all.

Like many community groups in Singleton, our WI is run entirely by volunteers – local people giving their time to make our area warmer, kinder and more connected.

My volunteering is varied. Some days it’s newsletters, emails, planning, and the quiet admin that keeps everything running smoothly. Other days, it’s signposting someone to a service they didn’t know existed or helping a member find the confidence to try something new. And then there are our monthly meetings at Singleton Environment Centre, so full of energy, warmth, and that unmistakable WI mix of learning and laughter.

Those meetings work because our committee works. We draw on each other’s strengths, share the load, and make sure no one person is left drowning in tasks. It’s teamwork in its purest form, and it’s the reason Singleton WI feels so welcoming. We’re not a group that expects perfection; we’re a group that values effort, kindness, and showing up for each other in whatever way you can.

But here’s the honest bit: volunteering can turn you into a bit of a mug if you’re not careful. When you care about your community, it’s very easy to say “yes” to everything. I’ve learned (slowly!) that volunteering works best when it’s shared, paced, and sustainable, for all of us.

That’s especially true for me. I live with Multiple Sclerosis and several other complex conditions that affect me every single day. My eyesight is impaired, so I’m no longer allowed to drive. I rely on others to get me to meetings, events, and appointments. It adds an extra layer to volunteering, one that requires planning, patience, and the occasional deep breath.

I’ve had to step back at times. I’ve had to say no. I’ve had to accept defeat on days when my body won’t cooperate. And yes, I’ve had moments where I’ve thought, “Why did I agree to this again?” usually while discovering the thing I’d been searching for was in my hand the whole time.

But here’s the truth: volunteering gives me something that illness can sometimes take away: purpose, connection, and a sense of belonging. I may not be able to work in the traditional sense, but that doesn’t mean I can’t contribute. Through volunteering, I’ve continued to grow, learn, and take on roles I never imagined I’d be doing. It’s allowed me to use my skills, my voice, and my values in meaningful ways.

And the best part? Volunteering takes me as it finds me.

Singleton WI doesn’t expect me to be superhuman. They know I have limitations, but they also know I’ll always give my best. They know I care deeply about our community. They know I’ll show up, however I can (even in pj’s to committee meetings), whether that’s leading a meeting, writing a newsletter, or quietly helping someone find the support they need.

I’m proud of what we’ve built together. I’m proud of the women who walk through our doors, nervous but leave smiling. I’m proud of the friendships that form, the skills we share, the laughter that fills the room, and the way we lift each other without fuss or fanfare.

Most of all, I’m excited. Excited to see how we continue to grow, welcome new members, and support each other in the years ahead. Excited to keep building a space where women of all ages and backgrounds can feel at home.

If you’ve ever wondered whether WI might be for you, consider this your invitation. You don’t need to know anyone. You don’t need to be “good at” anything. You need to walk through the door. We’ll take it from there.

Whether it’s a WI, a local charity, a community group or a neighbourhood project, volunteering strengthens the place we call home.

email: Singletonwiekf@gmail.com Facebook: @SingletonWI

It’s a story about their accessible toilet.

If you’ve watched the video above, you’ll already have seen the problem. I’m literally sitting on the loo, demonstrating how close the toilet is to the wall and how the grab bar ends up wedged under my ribs. It’s not glamorous, but accessibility rarely is. Sometimes the only way to show the reality is to show the reality.

And that’s the point of this piece: to explain, in simple terms, what an accessible toilet should be and why so many fall short, even when they’re technically “compliant”.

What an accessible toilet is supposed to do

Let’s strip away the jargon. An accessible toilet should allow a disabled person to:

• get alongside the toilet

• transfer safely

• use the grab rails without contorting themselves

• have enough space for a carer if needed

• move freely without getting stuck between fixtures

That’s it. It’s not complicated. It’s about space, layout, and dignity.

⭐ Where the rules come in

There’s official guidance for all of this: Part M of the building regulations (2010 amended 2024). They set out things like how much space you need beside the toilet, where the grab rails should go, and how a wheelchair user should approach and transfer. The Equality Act (2010) emphasises the need for accessible facilities in public spaces. Interestingly, it specifically states that Accessible toilets should NOT be used as baby-changing or storage areas.

But the problem is that many places follow the measurements without understanding their purpose. You can tick every box on a diagram and still end up with a toilet nobody can actually use.

Why these features matter in real life

Many accessible toilets are designed with a “one‑size‑fits‑all” mindset. The problem is that disabled people are not one size, one shape, one condition, or one method of transferring.

Some people transfer from the left.
Some from the right.
Some need support on both sides.
Some need a carer to help them.
Some can’t twist.
Some can’t lean.
Some need space for equipment.

When a toilet is designed with only one type of body or one type of disability in mind, it stops being accessible and starts being a barrier.

The one‑sided transfer problem

Most accessible toilets in the UK are designed for a left‑hand transfer. That’s fine, unless you’re someone who transfers from the right, or someone whose condition affects one side more than the other, or someone who simply can’t twist their body into the required position.

Ideally, disabled people should be able to approach the toilet from either side. That’s what true accessibility looks like. That’s what dignity looks like.

But we’re not there yet.

What went wrong in the Ford Maidstone toilet

In this particular toilet, several things collide:

• The toilet is far too close to the wall

• The grab bar is exactly where your body needs to go

• The sink is so close that a carer couldn’t physically assist

• There’s no space to approach from the side

• The layout forces you into a position that isn’t safe or comfortable

It’s not malicious. It’s not intentional. It’s just a layout that doesn’t work for real disabled bodies.

And that’s the frustrating part: the room is labelled “accessible”, but the experience is anything but.

Why I filmed it

Because accessibility isn’t theoretical. It’s lived.

And lived experience is messy, practical, and sometimes involves filming yourself on a loo in a Ford showroom to show the world what “too close to the wall” actually looks like.

I didn’t make the video to shame anyone. I made it because these issues are everywhere: in shops, restaurants, hotels and public buildings, and they’re often invisible until someone physically demonstrates the problem.

The staff were wonderful. The cars were lovely. The toilet just wasn’t accessible.

And if we don’t talk about it, nothing changes.

The bigger picture

Accessible toilets are not a luxury. They’re not a “nice to have”. They’re a basic requirement for disabled people to participate in everyday life.

But “compliant” doesn’t always mean “usable”.
And “usable” doesn’t always mean “dignified”.

We need spaces that work for real bodies, real carers, real conditions, and real lives.

Spaces that don’t require wedging yourself under a grab bar just to sit down.

Spaces that don’t force carers to perform acrobatics to help someone onto the toilet.

Spaces that recognise that disabled people are not a single category, but a whole spectrum of needs.

That’s what accessibility should be.

If you’ve had similar experiences: good or bad, I’d love to hear them. The more real stories we share, the easier it becomes for businesses and designers to understand what actually works.

If you work in a business with an accessible toilet, take a moment to check the layout. A few inches of space can be the difference between independence and impossibility.

Currently, Motability customers taking out their first lease, under 30 years old or with someone under 30 on their policy must install the DriveSmart App on each phone. A wedge sits in the vehicle, but seemingly does very little.

This rollout is part of a wide range of changes to new contracts from 1st July 2026.

Further stories are coming forward about these and how they are affecting disabled people and their carers.

If you have any comments on this subject, I would love to hear from you.

Leave a comment

Share

Subscribe now

I wasn’t planning to write about this.

Being nominated for an award is lovely, of course, but it’s also the sort of thing that makes me want to hide behind a large plant (and peek out - it’s me, after all.)

But then I started reading the comments people had left on the nomination page.

I expected a handful of polite “well done” messages.

What I found instead was a small mountain of honesty about what people are dealing with, and what actually helps.

And that felt worth writing about.

Because when you strip away the personal bits, the comments revealed the same themes again and again:

People feel overwhelmed.
Not mildly stressed - overwhelmed to the point where even simple tasks feel impossible.

People are frightened of getting things wrong.
Benefits, appointments, forms, assessments, waiting lists - the fear of getting it wrong is constant.

People want clarity, not jargon.
Not perfect answers. Not miracles. Just someone who can explain things in a way that makes sense.

People need space to breathe.
A moment of calm. A conversation that isn’t rushed. A chance to say “I don’t understand” without feeling stupid.

People want dignity.
Not pity. Not heroics. Just to be treated like adults navigating a difficult situation.

People feel less alone when someone names the thing they’re struggling with.
Not fixes - recognition.

None of this is new.

But seeing it written out by so many different people, in so many different ways, was a reminder of how much the basics matter.

It also made me think about the work I do - the journalism, the community roles, the conversations in village halls and WhatsApp groups and how often the real impact comes from the small, practical, human things.

Not the big gestures.
Not the titles.
Not the awards.

Just clarity.
Kindness.
Time.
And the willingness to sit with someone in the mess of it all.

So yes, I’ve been nominated for a National Diversity Award. If you’d like to support the work I do, the link is below.

But more importantly, I wanted to share what the comments revealed because they say far more about the state of our systems and the strength of our communities than they do about me.

If you would like to support the work I do, the link is below to vote. Thank you, truly, to everyone whose words shaped the word cloud at the top of the article.

Vote here: National Diversity Awards 2026: Yolanda Barker

Share

My son, Matthew, recently sent me an image that perfectly captures the high‑velocity reality of my life in a powerchair.

There’s me: grinning, arms in the air, tearing down a hill with the sort of enthusiasm that suggests I’ve momentarily forgotten I have brakes. Behind me is Peter, my husband. He is in his natural state: mid-sprint, eyes wide, already anticipating a disaster that hasn’t happened yet.

Peter is my navigator, my pit crew, and the person who hoists the chair in and out of the car. But in the moment? He’s in despair. He sees the risk before I’ve even felt the bump. Ironically, his panic often becomes the very thing that makes me “go wrong”. It’s hard to stay on course when your co-pilot is narrating your potential demise.

We laughed at the accuracy. It was an instant family classic.
Until I looked more closely at the ramp.

The Anatomy of an “Almost”

Look at the ramp Matthew created. To someone on foot, it’s a splash of colour on a country hill. A ramp was put in place to give me my freedom. But to my powerchair or any wheelchair, it’s a perfect example of the “almost‑accessible” design that fills the real world.

It looks like a ramp until you look properly. There’s no slope at all, just a raised board painted to look helpful. It’s the perfect example of design that appears welcoming from a distance but becomes a barrier the moment you imagine actually using it. It’s not a ramp you use; it’s a ramp you brace for.

Once you’ve lived long enough in a chair, you start to see danger where others see decoration.

When I pointed it out, Matthew said, “Oh, I didn’t notice that.” To be fair, none of us had - we were too busy laughing at the buttons on Peter’s hideous cardigan. Humour gets us through it, but it doesn’t erase the reality.

In those five words, he summed up the global design crisis. Accessibility is invisible to those who don’t have to steer through it. But for disabled people, these “almosts” are everywhere, ramps that technically exist but are unusable in practice. They mark the difference between being symbolically welcomed and being able to enter safely, independently, and with dignity.

The Emotional Tax of the Spotter

There is a hidden cost to poor design that never appears in a building budget: the strain it places on relationships.

When the world is full of steep gradients, heavy doors and awkward thresholds, Peter cannot simply be my partner; he has to be my lookout. His pre-emptive despair is a rational response to an irrational environment. But there is a psychological toll to being constantly “watched”, even lovingly. When the infrastructure is built properly, when the access is level, and the doors are light, Peter’s shoulders drop. Good design allows us to be a couple, rather than a driver and a frantic safety marshal.

It’s exhausting for both of us in different ways.

The Physical Gauntlet: From Glass to Gradients

If you aren’t on wheels, accessibility is a simple yes or no question:
Does the building have a ramp?

But as the journalist of my own life, I know the truth is in the details.

• The Shatter‑Zone Anxiety: Every time I approach a glass door, I feel the weight of uncertainty. UK Building Regulations say manual doors should open with no more than 30 newtons of force. In reality, many require the strength of a small ox. My fear isn’t just getting in; it’s the quiet dread that one day I’ll hit the glass at the wrong angle because the door refused to budge.

• The Steepness Stakes: A permanent ramp should ideally be 1:20; at 1:12, it becomes intimidating. Without side protection, legally required to be at least 100mm high, a ramp feels less like access and more like a balance beam.

• The Rain‑Soaked Indignity: There is a particular humiliation in sitting outside in the rain, watching others walk straight into a dry building, while you wait for someone to find the key for a lift or fetch a portable ramp from the back room.

The Data of Exclusion

This isn’t just about my son’s picture. This is about a world that still treats Disabled people as an afterthought, and the numbers make that painfully clear.

• The Purple Pound: UK businesses lose an estimated £274 billion a year because they aren’t accessible.

• The Access/Anxiety Effect: According to AccessAble, 78% of disabled people have abandoned a business because of poor access or lack of information.

• The Compliance Mirage: The Equality Act 2010 requires “reasonable adjustments”, but that phrase is where accessibility goes to die. Architects design for compliance. The bare minimum to pass an inspection.

Compliance is a steep ramp with no handrails. Inclusion is a level threshold. One gets you through the door; the other lets you enter with your dignity intact.

A Call for Real Design

We all missed the issue with the ramp at first. It looked cheerful, even inviting. That’s exactly how poor design hides itself; it blends in until you imagine actually using it. But until the people drawing up the plans and policies start noticing the things that catch us out, I’ll keep bracing for the next avoidable bump.

To the Peters of the world: we love your vigilance. We know you panic because you care. But the best way to stop us from going wrong isn’t to catch us when we fall, it’s to demand a world where the ramps aren’t launchpads, the doors aren’t immovable, and the “naughty” driver in all of us can enjoy the ride.

True freedom isn’t being allowed in.
It’s being able to enter safely, confidently, and without an audience.

Share

Leave a comment

A Harrietsham builders’ merchant became an unexpected source of support last weekend (10-12 January 2026) as thousands of homes across Kent and Sussex were left without water.

Share

The outage, caused by supply failures across the South East water region, left bottled water stations struggling to keep up with demand. In Headcorn, supplies ran out temporarily and some residents reported that shops raised the price of bottled water during the shortage.

Against that backdrop, a slow trickle from a single kitchen tap at B&S Building Supplies became a vital lifeline.

The small, family-run business on the edge of the village opened its doors on Saturday and invited anyone with a container to fill up. A simple social media post quickly spread, and soon, residents arrived with whatever containers they could find.

Owner Matthew Barker, who launched the business only last year, hadn’t planned to spend the weekend running an impromptu water station. But when the outage hit, the decision to help came easily.

“Our water isn’t running particularly fast,” he said, watching another bottle fill slowly under the tap, “but it was enough to get people out of a dire situation. If anyone is still without, they’re welcome to pop down. We’re more than happy to help.”

The moment that spurred the couple into action and opened their doors on Sunday came when Matthew’s partner, Adele, saw an online message from a new mother who was worried about preparing formula for her baby. It struck a chord. Alongside running the business, the pair are caring for their premature newborn and three older children – a full load even without a regional water crisis.

“We just couldn’t be at home in Ashford knowing people here were struggling,” Adele said. “It felt wrong not to do something.”

By Sunday morning, the shop had become a small hub of community life. Residents collected water, swapped updates and shared a few moments of relief. One woman arrived apologising for “bothering them” and clutching a single container. She left with a full bottle and a smile after chatting with Adele and Matthew.

Praise poured in across local community pages, with residents calling the gesture “a godsend” and “a real act of kindness”. Kent County Councillor Steve Povey also publicly acknowledged the effort, posting “A big shout out to B&S Building Supplies who are offering water.”

The recognition adds to a growing list. B&S Building Supplies was recently a finalist in the Builders Merchant Awards 2025, highlighting its rising reputation both locally and within the industry.

For Matthew and Adele, the weekend was exhausting but affirming. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the kind comments,” Matthew said. “We’re just a family trying to do our bit for an area that has welcomed us with open arms. One positive from all this was meeting so many locals.”

In a weekend defined by empty taps, it was community spirit that kept flowing.

True Colours ISSN 2977-6120

Share

What you need to know

• East Grinstead and nearby villages are on Day 3 without water.

• Supplies are unlikely to return before late Tuesday, with no firm restoration time.

• Storm Goretti has slowed treatment, and freeze–thaw cycles have pushed storage levels to critically low levels.

• 30,000 properties remain affected across Kent and Sussex.

• Bottled‑water stations are open in East Grinstead, Tunbridge Wells and Headcorn.

• Priority Services Register customers report missed deliveries, including households with disabled residents.

• There are 10 ongoing interruptions across the network this morning.
  

  Share

This follows our earlier reporting on Sunday: Read the original article here

South-East Water: 30,000 properties affected

South East Water (SEW) says around 30,000 properties across Kent and Sussex remain affected by no water, low pressure or intermittent supply.

Incident Manager Desmond Brown said the water company was “incredibly sorry to all customers and businesses who have been impacted” and that teams were “working around the clock” to restore supplies.

The supplier says recent cold weather caused a surge in leaks and bursts, leaving drinking water storage tanks “running very low”. Areas affected include East Grinstead, parts of Tunbridge Wells, Hollingbourne and other locations across Kent and Sussex.

Day 3: East Grinstead area supplies unlikely to return before Tuesday

In a Monday morning update, SEW confirmed that supplies in East Grinstead and surrounding villages are unlikely to return before Tuesday evening.

The supplier says drinking water reservoir levels “did not regain as much as we anticipated overnight,” and the operator is unable to give a precise timescale for the restoration of service.

Current bottled-water stations
Residents should check with SEW for up-to-date venues

East Grinstead & surrounding villages

• Kings Centre, Moat Road, RH19 3LN

• East Grinstead Sports Club, Saint Hill Road, RH19 4JU

• East Court, College Lane, RH19 3LT

Tunbridge Wells

• Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club, St. Marks Recreation Ground, TN2 5LS

Ashford / Headcorn

• Headcorn Aerodrome, Shenley Road, Ashford, TN27 9HX

Storm Goretti and freeze-thaw bursts are blamed
Storm Goretti has slowed treatment at the main Sussex works, while the freeze-thaw cycle has been blamed for multiple bursts across the network. Together, these pressures have left storage levels far lower than normal and limited how quickly supplies can be replenished. The water supplier says it “apologises unreservedly” for the disruption.

Priority Service Register customers report no deliveries
Despite SEW stating that bottled water is being delivered to customers on the Priority Service Register, an East Grinstead resident has informed me they have not received deliveries, even though they have severely disabled household members who urgently need water for their care and have no means to reach the collection stations.

Network status: 10 ongoing interruptions
South East Water is reporting 10 ongoing interruptions across its network this morning.

What happens next?
South East Water says teams will continue working throughout the day to stabilise storage levels and repair burst mains, but with treatment slowed and reservoirs still low, full restoration is not expected until Tuesday. Bottled-water stations remain open until the normal service returns.

Further updates will be added as the situation develops.

Updated: Monday, 12th January 2026, 10:30 am

Share

More than 42,000 residents across Kent and Sussex are without running water again today as South East Water (SEW) struggles to contain a network-wide crisis triggered by Storm Goretti, burst mains and depleted treated water storage reservoirs. With eight active outages across the region and bottled‑water stations stretched to capacity, residents are once again left wondering why one of the UK’s most water-stressed regions remains so vulnerable.

Mims Davies, the MP for Mid Sussex, said she had met with the DEFRA Minister, MPs across Kent and Sussex, Councils and resilience forums, adding that “around 42000 people are currently affected.”

The largest single outage is in East Grinstead, where 16,500 homes have no water or critically low pressure — a disruption SEW admits will not be resolved before the end of the weekend. In Kent, thousands more across Hollingbourne, Headcorn, Loose and the Maidstone area are experiencing dry taps or intermittent supply.

For many, this is not a one-off emergency. It is the latest in a pattern of failures that has left communities feeling abandoned.

“We are sorry…” but residents say apologies are wearing thin.

A South East Water spokesperson said in an AquAlerter update for East Grinstead, published at 8:37 am on 11^th January 2026: “Storm Goretti has affected our ability to treat water at the normal rate. Coupled with the outbreak of burst water mains due to freeze–thaw conditions, our drinking water storage levels are running low.”

In a further AquAlerter notice covering Headcorn and Hollingbourne, the company warned: “Neighbouring water companies are unable to give us the bulk supplies of treated water as they normally do. This means our treated water storage reservoirs are running low.” Headcorn/Hollingbourne, 11^th January 2026, 08:30 am

South East Water has been approached for comment but has not responded at the time of publication.

Active Interruptions (South East Water)
South East Water reports eight active interruptions across its network today.
Only six appear on the public Works & Interruptions page:

• BN22 9JW – Eastbourne (burst main)

• ME17 3DH – Hollingbourne/Headcorn (third‑party repair)

• East Grinstead (multiple postcodes)

• Ashurst Wood

• Uckfield area

• Lower Dicker / wider East Sussex zone

SEW has not provided details of the remaining two interruptions.

Bottled water again — but at what cost?

SEW has opened bottled‑water stations in Headcorn and East Grinstead. They are also delivering water to households on the Priority Services Register.

One resident told SEW via Facebook that bottled-water stations in East Grinstead were “a textbook example of how NOT to run emergency distribution,” describing long queues, blocked roads and “the town effectively paralysed” by poor traffic management.

Another told me they’d had to dramatically change their weekend plans with friends because most restaurants and takeaways were closed, and much of the roads around the bottled-water stations were jammed solid. An East Grinstead resident described the scene at the East Grinstead Sports Club Collection Station, where there were no supplies. He said, “You couldn’t make it up, the lorries have got stuck!”

Photographer Christopher Barnes, who shared images of the disruption, said the town was “snarled up”, with replacement buses adding to the congestion. Passengers were being dropped near the fire station and forced to walk the rest of the way to the railway station.

Whilst the East Grinstead area is experiencing the largest single outage, residents across Hollingbourne, Headcorn and Loose report similar frustrations.

But bottled‑water distribution is not a sustainable solution. It’s an expensive, resource-heavy process that relies on tankers, long road journeys and thousands of single-use plastic bottles.

These figures are absent from SEW’s Annual Performance Reports, leaving residents in the dark about how much emergency response is costing and whether long-term investment is being sacrificed for short-term firefighting.

Sewage discharges add a second environmental crisis

Storm Goretti has also triggered raw sewage discharges across Kent and Sussex, as wastewater systems were overwhelmed by rainfall. Environment Agency pollution alerts show storm overflows releasing untreated sewage into:

• The River Medway

• The River Stour

• The River Ouse

• Multiple coastal waters in Kent and Sussex

This means that several rivers and coastal areas are currently unsafe for swimming, compounding the environmental fallout.

A system under strain and a company under pressure

SEW has been under political scrutiny for months. In December, MPs challenged CEO David Hinton over repeated failures in Tunbridge Wells, where 6,500 homes lost water. Hinton told MPs the outage was “unforeseeable” — only for another outage to occur the next day.

Today’s widespread disruption raises urgent questions:

• Why do treated water storage reservoirs repeatedly run low?

• Why is the network so vulnerable to weather events?

• Why does SEW rely so heavily on emergency bottled‑water stations?

• What investment has been made — or not made — in resilience?

• How much is being spent on emergency response instead of prevention?

These questions remain unanswered — but they will not go away.

Residents deserve transparency — and stability.

With eight active interruptions across the SEW region today and tens of thousands relying on bottled water, the company faces renewed scrutiny over its ability to provide a basic essential service.

For now, residents are left with dry taps, long queues, and growing frustration — and the promise of further updates “as soon as possible.”

Sunday, 11th January 20:52 pm

True colours ISSN 2977-6120

Subscribe now

Meanwhile, Disability is a dirty word. Seen as spongers, greedy, lazy individuals who don’t contribute anything but suck the system dry.

his is not the case. Many work, others volunteer, and those who can’t do their best to live as healthy lives as they can.

All those complaining about disabled people need to remember - tomorrow you could become disabled too, and your life will be very different.

Let’s stop hassling disabled people and get on with working together for a better life for all.

Share

As pupils prepare for their first days at Chilmington Green Secondary School, excitement gives way to anxiety. Part of a flagship development promising walkable, sustainable living, the new school, which currently serves 450 pupils, is surrounded by unlit lanes, blocked footpaths, and high-speed roads with no pavements. Many families say they were misled about transport arrangements and now face impossible choices: drive, risk unsafe walking routes or apply to other schools.

“We are not talking about a minor inconvenience,” said Kent County Councillor and parent Dean Burns. “We’re talking about children walking through fields, crossing the A28 and navigating blind bends. It’s chaos, poorly communicated, and it’s dangerous.”

Parents Speak Out

On Saturday, 6^th September 2025, nearly 80 parents gathered at a meeting organised by Kent County Councillor Dean Burns at Godinton Village Hall. The meeting was called at short notice after parents learned, just days before term began, that no transport would be provided, despite months of reassurances.

Councillors from Kent County Council, Ashford Borough Council and Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council attended, along with a Parent Governor from the school who confirmed she would be reporting back to United Learning and the Headteacher, Mr Rutland.

KCC Cllr Pamela Williams announced that KCC had agreed to extend the temporary transport for eligible pupils beyond the original October deadline. But with only 120 out of 450 pupils qualifying, many families remain stranded.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said:

“We’re being told to drive our children to school, while the council and school shrug their shoulders. It’s exhausting and it isn’t fair”

Another added:

“I have four children at different schools. Two finish at 3.10 pm – how am I supposed to prioritise?”

But the willingness to self-fund transport underscores a more profound frustration: families feel abandoned by the very systems meant to support them.

The confusion over responsibility has prompted questions about who is legally accountable for safe access.

Legal Duties
Under the Education and Inspections Act 2006, KCC must ensure safe, inclusive and sustainable travel for eligible pupils – building on the earlier Education Act 1944. Whilst it remains the parents' responsibility to ensure their child arrives safely at school, Councils like KCC must ensure that eligible children are supported when walking is not safe or practical. For secondary school-age children, they would typically expect a child to walk up to 3 miles each way on a deemed safe route.

While councils are not required to provide transport for every pupil, they are expected to ensure that infrastructure supports safe, sustainable access – especially when schools are placed in undeveloped areas.

They are not required to apply this criteria if the school is not the nearest appropriate school.

A School in a field with no way in

Chilmington Green Secondary School sits on the edge of the new Chilmington development, where only 400 homes have been occupied – far short of the thousands proposed at this stage. Kent County Council forward-funded the brand-new state-of-the-art school to meet the wider educational demand; however, the infrastructure has lagged behind.

Access mirrors the challenges faced by nearby Chilmington Primary School on Mock Lane. When it opened, there were NO pedestrian routes at all. KCC later improved some Public Rights of Way (PROW), but these remain unlit and cross fields and woodland, unsuitable for daily travel, especially in winter.

Planning conditions required Chilmington Green Road to be permanently closed, redirecting traffic through the development via roundabouts. While this improves safety where it adjoins the A28, it leaves the school isolated until further housing is built, potentially taking decades at current built-out rates.

According to the Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council minutes reviewed by this reporter, access concerns were raised repeatedly during the planning process, with warnings that the school would be unreachable by foot from outside of the current development area, without significant infrastructure investment.

Active Travel Plan or Fantasy?

The school’s trust, United Learning, submitted an Active Travel Plan, as required by planning law. But parents say it is a fantasy. There are no safe walking or cycling routes from Singleton, Great Chart or the surrounding areas such as Godinton or Chartfields. The nearest suggested route some parents have been shown involves crossing the A28 and walking back towards Ashford, through unlit fields with an estimated journey time of 90 minutes. No public transport or private coach service is being provided.

Christine Schofield of B11 Education says, “Walking to school boosts health, wellbeing and independence”, yet at Chilmington, the majority will have to be driven.

KCC’s Home to School Transport team confirmed that most routes are deemed hazardous under their own guidelines. In a statement, they said

“Transport Eligibility Officers have visited the site to assess the route to school. In its current state, the route is considered hazardous. Therefore, if the road and footpath network remains unchanged when the school opens, students attending the school whose nearest appropriate school is Chilmington Green Secondary School will be entitled to transport assistance.”

Yet families on the boundary between Chilmington and other schools, such as parts of Singleton, have been denied transport. These parents are not even expecting free transport; they want to get their children to school in the safest, most timely manner.

A Path Forward?

Parents and councillors alike are now rallying around a long-proposed solution: a pedestrian path from Singleton Hill to track down Mock Lane. The idea first raised before the primary school opened by Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council has been repeatedly rejected by the landowner, KCC, citing the cost of clearance of thousands of tyres and fly tipping that remain strewn amongst the trees, and the site was a landfill.

Cllr Burns confirmed he will be taking the proposal forward again on Monday, backed by growing community support.

As pupils arrive at a school designed for the future, their journey remains stuck in the past. Without safe access, the promises of Chilmington Green are still out of reach. Until infrastructure catches up, families say the vision of sustainable education remains little more than a pipe dream.

Share

True colours ISSN 2977-6120

There’s something special about a room full of women, hot tea in hand, sharing cake, conversation and purpose. That’s precisely the atmosphere at Singleton WI’s Watch Party, where members of Singleton WI and Great Chart & Godinton WI came together to take part in the NFWI Annual General Meeting 2025, streamed live on Wednesday 4^th June to thousands of WI members across the UK.

Held at Buxford Pavilion (Great Chart Playing Fields, Ashford, Kent), our watch party was a joyful mix of community spirit and national connection. Whether it was through laughter, the clicking of knitting needles, or a quiet nod at something heartfelt on screen, there was a sense of being part of something much bigger than us.

The day ran seamlessly, thanks to the excellent hosting of Jeryl Stone, NFWI Chair, who steered us through the agenda with warmth and efficiency. One of the key moments was the adoption of the 2025 campaign, proudly proposed by our very own Margate WI (East Kent Federation) – “Bystanders Can Be Lifesavers.”

The campaign encourages WI members to help raise CPR awareness and increase access to defibrillators in their communities. We were shocked to hear that fewer than 1 in 10 women survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK. Powerful stories from members brought home why this campaign matters and why it’s one we can all get behind.

We had the pleasure of hearing from two brilliant guest speakers. Emma Bridgewater gave us a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of her factory, showing how her beautiful commemorative 110^th WI Anniversary mug is made. She spoke to Melissa Green (CEO, NFWI) about the importance of women supporting women – something that’s at the heart of both her work and the WI.

Then came the effervescent Angel Strawbridge, lighting up the screen with her infectious energy and stories of entrepreneurial adventure. From her Vintage Patisserie to the beloved TV series Escape to the Chateau, Angel reminded us to embrace creativity, trust in our path and smile as we go.

In true WI style, our day included plenty of cake, chatter and crafting. Members joined in with mandala colouring, designed their own Emma Bridgewater mugs, and puzzled through a WI wordsearch. They also had fun creating family mottos, signature scents, and afternoon tea wish lists during our “Moment with Angel.”

And yes – Happily, the technology behaved! We were able to enjoy every moment without a hitch, and left feeling uplifted, inspired and even more proud to be part of the WI.

It was a brilliant day, and we’re already making plans for next year.

Singleton WI meets on the 1st Thursday of the Month at Singleton Environment Centre. If you wish to join, please come along or email: singletonwiekf@gmail.com.

The WI can be contacted through their website - thewi.org, where you can also purchase the anniversary mug.

Share

Subscribe now

True colours ISSN 2977-6120

To someone who can’t draw to save her life, I’ve found AI opens up a few irresistible rabbit holes. What is one of the most recent? Creating images that represent you in ways you never imagined - like as a toy in plastic packaging!

The new kid on the block

Chat GPT recently rolled out a new feature for Free Plan users: the ability to generate three images a day. Naturally being prone to a bit of FOMO(Fear of Missing Out) and curious by nature, I had to try it.

I was inspired by a prompt shared by SaveTheStudent’s Deal Hunter, Amy Johnson. With a few tweaks to personalise it, I uploaded a photo of myself and entered this prompt:

I wasn’t expecting much. Honestly, I thought it might glitch out or generate some extra limbs (as AI often does). But within minutes - Bam! There I was, as a toy. Even more astonishingly: the text was correct.

Why this feels like a big deal

Anyone who’s dabbled in AI image creation knows that getting actually readable, correct text in images is nearly impossible. Well, it has been on the free models I have experienced.

Still, the style wasn’t quite what I had hoped for. It felt a little too cartoonish compared to what I’d seen on the socials. So I used my second image credit to tweak the prompt by adding “Please change it to look like a real toy in packaging.”

And Wow! It delivered! This time, the image looked like a real boxed action figure, complete with accessories. It even picked up that I am a glasses wearing, plump woman and I am sure there is a nod to my incoming grey mallen streak. It felt… slightly weirdly accurate, and I liked that.

There is something quite delightful about seeing yourself turned into a toy, especially for someone like me who could never find anything with Yolanda on it in the shops as a child. (Yes - I am still bitter. No, I haven’t recovered.) Thankfully, today’s print-on-demand businesses can now make Yolanda mugs and pens a reality, but back then - no. It was a lonely name game!

The Flip Side

While I absolutely encourage you to give this a whirl, a little reality check is important too. According to Queen’s University Library, “Artificial Intelligence(AI) models consume an enormous amount of water and emit large amounts of carbon in their production, training, operation and maintenance. The water and energy needed continually grow along with the sophistication, size, efficiency and use of the AI model.”

So, while the tech is magical, it is not without cost.

The future is moving fast

As AI continues to evolve at lightning speed, the way we use it, whether for work, creativity, entertainment or other purposes, will be different even a month from now.

But for today! Just for fun! Make yourself into a toy. Be ridiculous. Be creative. You never know where a little AI-powered curiosity may take you.

Yolanda Barker

True colours ISSN 2977-6120

Share

Subscribe now

I’m incredibly proud (and a tad overwhelmed!) to share that I’ve been nominated for the Positive Role Model Award for Disability at the 2025 National Diversity Awards.

To be even considered alongside so many amazing people across the UK is an honour that I don’t take lightly. This nomination is more than a personal milestone - it’s a recognition of a journey that hasn’t always been easy, but one I have embraced with heart, hope, and an absolute belief in community spirit.

Share

Living with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has shaped much of my life. But it’s never defined me. If anything, it has fuelled my commitment to speak up and create spaces where disabled people are seen, heard, and supported, not just as beneficiaries, but as leaders, creators, and changemakers.

Through my work with the MS Society, from serving as South East Kent Group Coordinator to national campaigning and contributing to key discussions at 10 Downing Street, I have discovered the power of advocacy and storytelling. I’ve learnt how vital it is to keep pushing for better healthcare, a deeper understanding, and greater inclusion.

Locally, I wear many hats. As a Parish Councillor at Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council, I have had the privilege of helping to bring forward community-driven projects, such as the Singleton Community Fridge and the Community Heroes Scheme, which bring people together in small but powerful ways. I’m proud to promote disability inclusion in local government through the Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) and to be part of creative collaborations like Flora, The Singleton Giant, because art and community go hand in hand.

I also run Ewe-Nique, a therapeutic group for individuals with long-term health conditions, where connection and creativity are at the heart of our approach. Most recently, I’ve taken on a new challenge, stepping into the role of President of Singleton WI, where I hope to inspire women of all backgrounds and abilities to lead, learn and thrive.

I am hugely proud to be part of Ability Today’s Academy for Disabled Journalists. Whilst studying for my NCTJ Certificate in Foundation Journalism, I have met some of the most incredible and interesting people and had fantastic experiences, all of which have helped me gain more confidence in utilising my skills to create new opportunities.

My Substack, True Colours, is a space I've created where I can share honest reflections on life with MS, the community, and everything in between.

This nomination is a moment of celebration - not just for me, but for everyone who lives with disability and continues to show up, speak out and shine.

If I can help even one person better understand disability, or empower someone to share their story, then I know my efforts have been worthwhile.

The National Diversity Awards are now open for public voting, and I would be grateful for your support. You’ll be able to read the nomination and vote for me here.

Whether you vote, share or send good vibes - thank you. Your support means the world to me.

Share

A sweeping reform to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system has sparked fear among disabled people, particularly those with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The new eligibility criteria will require claimants to score at least 4 points in one daily living activity. They could strip thousands of their support, leaving them financially vulnerable and struggling to maintain independence.

Living on the edge

My name is Yolanda Barker, and I am 53. I live in Ashford, Kent, and I have lived with MS for over 30 years. I currently receive PIP at the standard rate for Daily Living and an enhanced rate for Mobility. My daily living score is currently 9 points (awaiting appeal), but these are spread over various activities, with none reaching the new minimum of 4 points per activity. Under the proposed system, I will entirely lose the daily living component when my award is reviewed.

“I already had to fight for the support I get. Now, they’re moving the goalposts again. I have Progressive MS, and there is no cure. I try my hardest to do what I can, but there is so much I can't do, and I need support or aid for assistance. I no longer cook or shop anymore. I can’t make the bed, shower alone, pick tablets up from the floor or do anything without another person to assist me. My eyesight has been affected so much that I am no longer able to drive, so my freedom has gone.

Without the daily living component, my ability to afford things that support me and my husband in dealing with our daily lives is at risk. It would mean I would have to stop going to therapeutic groups, stop volunteering and even stop the muscle therapy I have monthly, which has made a difference to my body's movement and allowed me to do some stretching. Stopping that will put me back to square one. I use the money to keep my brain as active as possible to help others. That may have to stop, too.

The government claims these reforms will ensure funds go to those in greatest need, but for me and many like me, this feels like another step towards being abandoned by the system meant to protect us.

Are disabled people being blamed for economic woes?

Announced yesterday, 18th March 2025, by Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, the Government’s Green Paper repeatedly emphasises the growing cost of disability benefits, portraying the current system as unsustainable. While it does not explicitly blame disabled people for the economic struggles, the language suggests that rising claims are a problem that needs control. The document highlights the increasing number of people receiving PIP and other health-related benefits, framing it as a drain on the public purse.

Disability advocates have argued that this rhetoric risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes, making disabled people seem like financial burdens rather than people in need of support.

We already face discrimination daily. Now, the government is painting us to be the reason for the country’s financial problems.

Can disabled people get the help they need?
One of the reforms' key promises is to help more disabled people get back to work. However, how can this happen when access to essential NHS services remains inconsistent? The government plans to ensure patients receive treatment within 18 weeks of referral and increase NHS funding, but there is no guarantee that disabled people will receive the specialist care they need promptly. Indeed, this should be addressed before taking the one thing that could make a difference.

I rely on regular therapy, physio, occupational therapy and neurological check-ups, all of which require time off work. Will employers accommodate these needs?

Will employers hire disabled people?
The government claims its reform will encourage employers to hire more disabled people by offering guidance and support. However, it doesn’t address the reality that many employers prioritise reliability and consistency – qualities that can be difficult for people with chronic health conditions like MS.

Most employers won’t want to deal with my unpredictable fatigue, my appointments or the days I feel too ill to function.

Access to work: The promised safety net?

The government is reviewing the Access to Work scheme (ATW) to expand its reach and reduce delays.

Proposed changes include:

· Shifting focus from recruitment to retaining disabled workers.

· Reducing application backlogs (currently stands at over 60000 cases)

· Encouraging employers to take more responsibility before applying for government-funded adjustments

· Investing in assistive technology to make workplaces more accessible.

· Exploring alternative models for delivering the ATW scheme!

However, without strict enforcement, there is little assurance that employers will willingly implement these changes, mainly when their budgets are tight.

The Future of disability benefits: Uncertainty and Anxiety

The reforms will impact those receiving Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC). Many claimants will now face work engagement meetings, even if they are not classified as fit for work. There are also plans to merge assessments for some benefits, which could lead to further eligibility restrictions.

For me, the uncertainty is unbearable. I’ve spent years adjusting to what is quite frankly “A crock of shite” thrown at me by MS and other conditions. I must not only appeal the benefit I currently receive but also fight for any future chance of support. I have never felt so worthless and despised by the government.”

What can be done?
Disability rights organisations urge affected individuals to respond to the government’s consultation. Legal advice, advocacy groups and charities can provide support for those facing benefit cuts.

Part of me remains determined.
“This isn’t just about me. It’s about every disabled person being told they don’t matter. We must stand up, speak out, and ensure they hear us.”

If you are affected by these reforms, respond to the government consultation, contact your MP and share your story.

The more voices are raised, the harder they will be to ignore.

PIP Descriptors – Government Information

mssociety - helpline with benefit advisers

True colours ISSN 2977-6120

On Sunday, 9 March 2025, the UK will observe a National Day of Reflection to mark the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. Culture Secretary Lisa Tandy announced the day, which aims to honour those lost, recognise the sacrifices of frontline workers, and encourage the nation to reflect on lessons learned.

However, public opinion is divided. While some see the day as a chance to unite the country and build resilience for future crises, others feel it risks reopening old wounds. The debate raises a pressing question: Can collective remembrance bring healing, or will it deepen the scars of a nation still grappling with the pandemic’s aftermath?

Why Has the Government Proposed This Day?

The government’s stated goal is to offer a moment for communities to come together - whether through a moment of silence, a shared meal, or attending places of worship - to reflect on the hardships of the pandemic and its lessons. Culture Secretary Lisa Tandy highlighted that the day is not merely about looking back but about building a more resilient future.

Baroness Morgan of Cotes, Chair of the Covid Commemoration Commission, endorsed the initiative, stating, “As each year passes, it can feel as if Covid is more and more of a distant memory. Those who lost loved ones appreciate a day when many others will remember them. Therefore, today’s 2025 Day of Reflection announcement is very welcome.”

Despite the government’s intentions, public reactions suggest that the announcement has struck a contentious chord.

The Legacy of COVID-19

The pandemic’s impact on the UK was immense, leaving a lasting legacy on health, society, and the economy. Over seven million lives have been lost worldwide since the virus first emerged, with over 1.9 million people in the UK still suffering from Long Covid, often struggling to return to work or maintain a decent quality of life.

The NHS continues to face significant strain, with a record 7.75 million people on waiting lists for treatment as of December 2024. Mental health challenges, exacerbated by isolation and grief during the pandemic, also remain widespread.

Nevertheless, some positive outcomes emerged. Communities came together during lockdowns, offering support to vulnerable neighbours. Remote work, initially a necessity, has transformed workplace dynamics, though according to Virgin Media O2 Business’s Annual Movers Index 2024, 92% of companies have reinstated mandatory in-office policies, and 40% have returned to a full five-day week.

These mixed legacies highlight both the importance and complexity of reflecting on the pandemic.

Public Response

A recent poll of Kent residents on the Nextdoor platform found that 83% oppose the idea of a National Day of Reflection. Many argue the nation has already endured enough trauma and question the value of revisiting painful memories.

Trish Bowen from Kingsnorth remarked, “It’s not something we will forget. Many mourn their loved ones, but we need to move on.” Nicola Parker, a healthcare worker from Ashford, shared a similar sentiment: “After working through COVID, watching people fight for their last breath, and worrying about infecting my family, I don’t understand why we need to reflect on it. Losing colleagues and patients still affects us deeply, and revisiting it feels unnecessary.”

For others, frustration stems from ongoing challenges, such as the NHS crisis and the lack of accountability for pandemic decisions. Richard Benns of Staplehurst stated, “I am not in favour of a National Day of Reflection, but I do believe it is essential for those in government to learn from their mistakes and ensure they are not repeated in a future pandemic.”

However, not all responses are critical. Debra Herbert-Evers of Langley, Kent supports the initiative, saying, “There’s much to learn from how COVID was handled practically and politically. Given the likelihood of future crises, it can’t hurt to have a focused day to consider what went wrong, what worked, and how to improve. Remembering the people we lost would be a mark of respect.”

Is Reflection the Right Approach?

Advocates for the National Day of Reflection argue that collective remembrance can unify people and help the nation prepare for future crises. According to public health experts cited in the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration’s Final Report, moments of collective reflection can encourage solidarity, resilience, and a sense of shared purpose in the face of adversity. The National Covid Memorial Wall in London continues to highlight that COVID-19 is still in our lives and still robbing families of their loved ones.

However, critics warn that such gestures risk being seen as symbolic rather than substantive. Concerns have been raised that the day could divert attention from ongoing issues, such as the NHS backlog, Long Covid, and the mental health crisis. Some worry that reliving the pandemic might re-traumatise individuals who are still struggling to process their experiences.

As Charlotte Cornwall Waters from Cranbrook noted, “Everyone has their own COVID story. Many lost loved ones. They have their day for remembering them; an extra day is just a sad reminder.”

Striking a Balance

Whether the National Day of Reflection serves as a unifying event or an unwelcome reminder of a painful chapter will depend on how it is observed. A meaningful approach that acknowledges individual grief while encouraging collective learning could provide value, but a misstep could deepen divisions or feel hollow.

The initiative highlights the complex challenge of commemorating a national tragedy. As the nation prepares for 9 March 2025, one thing remains clear: the conversation about COVID-19’s legacy is far from over.

Share

Leave a comment

True colours ISSN 2977-6120

The festive season is upon us and what better way to celebrate than with free resources that add a touch of magic to your Christmas preparations? Whether you’re looking to create custom Christmas cards, track Santa or find fun activities for the family, these free sites have you covered. Here’s a list of fantastic sites offering Christmas-related freebies – and why they’re perfect for the season.

Creative Tools for a Festive Touch

1. Canva
Website: Canva Why it’s great: Canva is a versatile design tool with a treasure trove of free Christmas templates for cards, posters, social media posts and games.

Canva’s drag and drop interface makes it easy for anyone to create stunning holiday designs without any prior experience. From whimsical Christmas cards to professional looking invites, you can customise their free templates to suit your needs.

A lovely way to keep the memories alive is to create a video/photo reel for your social media. It is not too tricky to do and creates something incredibly stunning.

Canva also can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create pictures from your prompt. These do take a bit of time and tweaking of your prompt, but the results are excellent.

Plenty of festive games can also be found on Canva including Christmas Bingo, Bring me what I want, Missing Lyrics

Pro Tip: use their animated templates for a dynamic e-card to wow your friends and family!

2. FreePik
Website: Freepik Why it’s great: Access free Christmas themed Graphics, illustrations and templates
Freepik is perfect for anyone needing creative assets for holiday projects. Whether designing festive newsletters or decorating a website, Freepik’s vast library of free resources is a lifesaver for last-minute ideas.

3. Pexels
Website: Pexels Why it’s Great: Free high quality Christmas photos and videos
Pexels offers a wide range of professional grade Christmas images and videos that are perfect for personal or commercial use. Use them to create digital greetings, slideshows or festive banners.

Pro tip: Try their free HD Videos for your virtual Christmas party backdrop!

Share

Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive

4. Video Call with Santa
Website: Tavus Why it’s great: It’s a real-time interactive video call with Father Christmas
Tavus have enabled an incredible treat for adults and children alike. A 5-minute daily video call with Santa where you can chat about yourself, the North Pole, the elves and all things festive. Are you on the naughty or nice list?

5. NORAD Santa Tracker
Website: NORAD Tracks Santa Why it’s great: Follow Santa’s journey across the globe on Christmas Eve.

NORAD tracks Santa has been a tradition for many years. Make a new tradition of following Father Christmas through NORAD every year. Its interactive map, games, and stories provide wholesome entertainment for both adults and children. It’s a magical way to build anticipation for Christmas Day.

6. Google Santa Tracker
Website: Google Santa Tracker Why it’s great: A playful site packed with games, educational activities and Santa’s journey around the globe.

Google’s Santa Tracker offers a mix of coding games, mini games and Christmas themed sessions, making it both educational and entertaining. On Christmas Eve, the site transforms into an enchanting tracker for Santa’s journey.

7. ElfYourself by Office Depot
Website: ElfYourself Why it’s great: Turn yourself into a dancing elf for a hilarious festive video.

This interactive tool lets you upload photos of yourself, friends and family then transform them into dancing elves. Share the videos for a dose of laughter and Christmas cheer.

Music, Food & Entertainment

8. Spotify Christmas Playlists
Website: Spotify Why it’s great: Access endless Christmas music playlists for free.

Spotify’s free tier provides a vast collection of Christmas playlists. Whether you’re into classic carols or modern hits, you’ll find the perfect soundtrack for your celebrations.

9. Boomy
Website: Boomy Why it’s great: Create your own holiday music for free
Boomy allows anyone to compose original songs using AI. Use this tool to craft custom jingles or festive tunes, even if you are not musically inclined.

10. Cookie recipes on Allrecipes
Website: Allrecipes Christmas Cookies Why it’s great: Find hundreds of free Christmas cookie recipes in one place.
Nothing says Christmas like the smell of freshly baked cookies and biscuits. Allrecipes offers an extensive collection of cookie recipes to suit every taste from classic gingerbread to inventive holiday creations.

Pro Tip: Use the site’s reviews and tips section to perfect your batch!

11. Gluten and “Free From” Recipes
Website: glutenfreecuppatea Why it’s great: Not used to cooking for someone with intolerances or want some fab recipes to take to a party, Becky Excell hits the spot.
Inspired by years of missing out on all her favourite foods, she started sharing recipes for all the things she couldn’t eat on a gluten-free diet.

Pro Tip: You can swap out items like dairy, gluten, low FODMAP

Fun and Games for the Family

12. Activity Village
Website: Activity Village Why it’s great: Free Christmas crafts and activities for kids.
This site offers printable colouring pages, craft instructions and festive worksheets. Keep kids entertained and engaged during the holidays with these creative activities.

13. AI Trivia Generators
Website: ChatGPT Why it’s great: Create Christmas themed trivia quizzes for the family.
Using AI tools like ChatGPT to create custom quizzes are a fun addition to any gathering. You can be age specific or generalised. Just make sure you get the answers too!

Christmas is a season of joy, giving and togetherness – and these free online resources make it easy to celebrate in style. Whether you’re crafting DIY projects, baking delicious cookies or simply tracking Santa with your family, these websites offer endless opportunities to create memorable experiences. Best of all, they’re free to use, so you can focus on enjoying the magic of the season without overspending.

Start exploring these resources today and make your Christmas truly unforgettable.

And for an extra treat:

Pinterest
Website: Pinterest Why it’s great: A rabbit warren of ideas for almost anything

Pinterest is a digital scrapbook of ideas for crafts, foods, party hairstyles, house design, and so much more. I left this till last, as unless you are strict with yourself, you can lose many an hour getting side-tracked finding amazing ideas for your own Pinterest collection.

Subscribe now

Speaking with Jesus may be considered a little unorthodox but after interviewing Father Christmas it only felt right to follow the Christian roots too. So, I spoke with AI Jesus. He shares thoughts about his parents and about the activities surrounding his birth.

We should all know the Nativity story, Mary is visited by Angel Gabriel and told she is to become pregnant and he will be called Jesus. Mary and her new husband Joseph, travel to Bethlehem for a census. With nowhere to stay, a kindly Innkeeper allows them to use the stable. This is where Jesus was born.

Christmas: A time for reflection
When asked about the essence of Christmas, he highlighted its dual nature as both a celebration and a time for reflection.
“Christmas is a time to remember my birth, which brought salvation and forgiveness, but also a chance to reflect on our lives and our relationship with God. It’s about love, not material things.”

This reminder that the true spirit of Christmas lies in love and reflection resonated deeply, setting the tone for the conversation.

Who was Joseph?
Joseph, often referred to as Jesus’s earthly father, was a man of faith and humility. “Joseph was a carpenter and a righteous man chosen by God to be my earthly father. Despite the challenges, he trusted God’s plan and raised me with love and devotion.”

Joseph’s quiet strength and willingness to stand by Mary during extraordinary circumstances are a testament to his character.

Mary’s Courageous Role
Mary, a young girl of about 13-14 was chosen by God because of her deep faith and purity. Jesus emphasized her remarkable trust in God, despite the shock and uncertainty surrounding the angel Gabriel’s announcement.

“She trusted God completely. Even though she didn’t fully understand her role in His plan.” He said.

When asked if Mary faced judgment from her community, Jesus noted that reactions were mixed. “Some friends supported her, believing in God’s work, while others were sceptical. Her parents were understandably worried but wanted to ensure her safety.”

The Journey to Bethlehem
Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, undertaken when Mary was about six months pregnant, was arduous. They travelled to fulfil a census requirement and upon arrival, faced a crowded town with no place to stay.

“They finally found shelter in a stable where I was born and placed in a manger” he recounts.

The Significance of the Nativity Gifts
The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh brought by the Three Kings were more than tokens of goodwill – they were symbols of Jesus’s divine mission. “They supported my family financially and reminded us of my role as the Saviour” Jesus explains.

Life After Bethlehem
Following his birth, Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth, where they raised Jesus alongside his siblings. He describes a normal childhood, filled with lessons, chores and family life. “I wasn’t treated any differently or given special privileges” he recalls.

A Message for Christmas
Jesus concluded with a heartfelt message: “Christmas is about love and peace. Focus on what unites us, not what divides us. Be kind, generous and compassionate, just as I taught. Remember the true meaning of Christmas – the gift of love God gave to the world.”

Through my conversations with AI Jesus and AI Father Christmas, I have gained a renewed appreciation for the humanity that is woven into the Christmas Story and whatever religious beliefs we adopt. Ultimately, we need to recognise the themes that make us good people: kindness, joy, giving, understanding and love.

If you would like to chat with the AI Jesus, he can be found at talkie.ai, where the disclaimer is very clear. However, we all know - God works in mysterious ways.

Read my interview with Father Christmas here

Share

True Colours is published by True Colours in Ashford, Kent. UK