United Response

23/06/2026

Applications for the People's Fund are now open! ✍️

Whether it's funding for a dream trip, a new opportunity, or something that could help you live more independently, the People's Fund is here to support people to achieve the goals that matter most to them.

The fund is open to anyone supported by United Response, and applications will be open throughout this week only.

Find out more and apply here:

People with learning disabilities have worked with the fundraising team to design the People’s Fund. It is kindly paid for by the Clothworkers Foundation. Who decides? Your application will be looked at by the People’s Forum. This is a group of people supported by United Response. They have live...

23/06/2026

You may have seen the news that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation. But what does that mean, and what comes next?

Our latest Easy News article explains the story, why it matters, and what could happen now in UK politics.

Read it here:

Read our Easy News article to find out about the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and what will happen next.

22/06/2026

With the sun shining again and summer underway, that can only mean one thing... ice cream season is here! 🍦

So join Dan and Dan from York Creative Hub as they put their taste buds to the test and share their reviews on a range of ice cream flavours.

Which flavour will come out on top? Take a look and find out.

When the day is hot, and you need to cool down, what's the best ice...

20/06/2026

Thanks to a grant from the People's Fund, in partnership with the Clothworkers Foundation, Donna was able to make her dream trip to Paris a reality 🥳

In this article, Donna shares what the experience meant to her and the difference the funding has made to her life.

Could the People's Fund help you achieve something that's important to you? Applications are open to anyone we support and reopen on Monday 22nd! Apply here: https://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/get-involved/peoples-fund/

Read Donna's story: https://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/news-item/donna-peoples-fund/

With a grant of £1,000 from the United Response People's Fund, Donna was able to take her dream trip to Paris, achieving a long held goal.

19/06/2026

To celebrate Learning Disability Week, people from across Devon came together recently at Torbay Leisure Centre for a special World Cup event. Organised by our Skills and Wellbeing team, the event saw six teams compete in a series of football games and activities ⚽️

The afternoon kicked off with an opening ceremony featuring an original football anthem written and performed by the Creative Hub Torbay Cabaret group, before a fantastic afternoon of footie-themed fun!

Read all about the day here: https://www.torbayweekly.co.uk/news/local-news/torbay-community-comes-together-for-world-cup-celebration-8742313
Or watch the football anthem video here: https://youtu.be/TvBdwmjAmNM?si=Ko_8N82n9StEE1S1

People from across Devon came together for an afternoon of football, music and friendship as United Response marked Learning Disability Week with a special World Cup-themed event.

18/06/2026

If you had £500 to £1,500 to improve your independence, what would you do? 💰️

From once-in-a-lifetime holidays to practical changes at home, the People's Fund is helping people we support to achieve their goals and make independent choices that matter to them.

No two grants are the same — and that's exactly the point. Every award is shaped by the person applying and focused on what will make the biggest difference to their life.

So far, the People's Fund has awarded more than £48,000. Could you be next?

Applications open on Monday the 22nd June, and anyone we support is eligible to apply, so find out more here: https://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/get-involved/peoples-fund/

17/06/2026

Could you be the one to take on the London Marathon alongside our CEO? 🏃

We're offering a unique opportunity for someone supported by United Response to run with Kate Terroni as she prepares for and runs her very first London Marathon in 2027.

You'll share the experience together while raising vital funds on behalf of United Response to support people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people with mental health needs.

If you're ready for this unforgettable challenge, we'd love to hear from you!

Find out more here: https://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/event/2027-marathon-ceo/

16/06/2026

Later this week, a team of people we support are taking on a sponsored walk to raise £1,000 to transform the communal garden behind their homes. Every donation, big or small, will help them turn it into a welcoming space where they can spend time with family, friends and neighbours. 🌱

If you'd like to support their fundraising challenge, you can read more about it and donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/vickie-bishop-2

16/06/2026

As part of Learning Disability Week, we're shining a spotlight on Matthew and Ted, two of United Response's fantastic Co-Trainers.

Matthew, a member of our Learning and Development team, and Ted, who we support, deliver Person-Centred Support training to new colleagues. Together, they bring professional expertise and lived experience that helps us shape the way we support disabled people and people with learning disabilities.

Find out more about their work and the difference they're making here:

Me and Ted have been co-delivering training together for some time, and we work really well together. We’re both firm believers in the power of lived experience to bring training to life and really embed the lessons we want our learners to understand and take away with them. United Response has co...

15/06/2026

We at United Response believe there is a need for accessible news in the UK. This means TV and radio news that use simple language everyone can understand.

We've signed a joint open letter to Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The letter explains that accessible news exists in many other countries, and says that we think the BBC should produce accessible news in the UK.

The letter is in Easy Read, which is an accessible format preferred by many people with a learning disability. Accessible news would help these same people, and many others.

You can read the full letter on the Disability Equality Scotland website: https://disabilityequality.scot/news/our-joint-open-letter-about-accessible-news-in-the-uk/

[ : Text: We want TV and radio news that everyone can understand. We signed a joint open letter to ask for this in the UK. Picture: 2 people being interviewed by a TV journalist, with a camera and a microphone. Words at the top of the picture say The News, in the style of a headline.]