Speaking Up Together - Self Advocacy Beyond Boundaries

22/10/2026

01/10/2026

Ann, Derek and Karen checking easyread documents.

29/09/2026

Today Ann, Peter and David. met with Talking Up LD:NorthEast new self advocacy group. We enjoyed talking about getting our voices heard. We enjoyed hearing about their work and are looking forward to the next session.

24/09/2026

🤝 We had a wonderful day at Journey Enterprises' Access Able event yesterday, connecting with people and organisations from across the North East.

Members of Speaking Up Together - Self Advocacy Beyond Boundaries shared how they have worked with the Cathedral to help visitors with learning disabilities and autism access our space. 📸 Joanne, Gary and Jess (pictured right to left) will discuss the importance of accessibility in an upcoming episode of The Lantern, our new video series. 🎙️ Find out more and subscribe here: newcastlecathedral.org.uk/lantern

18/09/2026

We all enjoyed taking part in a poetry writing workshop - "A Poet in Every Port". This is a nationwide tour bringing a specially designed mobile library to South Tyneside Libraries
Thanks to Rowan McCabe, Bea from Southbank Centre and our volunteer Jane.
The team will be at The Word tomorrow if you want to take part.

16/09/2026

As part of the NOVUM Festival Speaking Up Together and LD:NorthEast were lucky enough to work with the artist Chris Folwell at Newcastle Cathedral on the 'Secret Parade Art Trail'.
You can pick up a map and hunt down hidden ceramic artworks all around Newcastle City Centre.
The characters we made are not too far from Newcastle Cathedral!
You can get a map from
Laing Art Gallery
Newcastle Cathedral
Newcastle Libraries

29/08/2026

We were delighted to be invited the opening of the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour Mignard: The Power of Posing.
Pierre Mignard's painting 'The Marquise de Seignelay' (1691) will be in the gallery until 7th November.
We were able to explore what the portrait might feel, sound and even smell like using Julia's amazing sensory installation (Collar & Cuffs Co)
You can even talk to the Marquise in the painting by scanning a QR code on your phone!
We will definitely be visiting again soon!

19/08/2026

We had a great day - definitely well worth a visit.

19/08/2026

GOOD NEWS!

The Government has announced that, from 1 April 2027, disabled people across England will be able to use their concessionary bus passes at any time of day or night.

This is exactly the change Difference North East has been campaigning for.

Our members told us that the time restrictions were creating barriers to work, education, healthcare, caring responsibilities and everyday life.

Since then, we have taken disabled people’s experiences to MPs, councils, regional mayors and the Government. On 21 July, the day after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, we wrote directly to him and asked him to champion the change in the North East.

The Government has now gone further and introduced a nationally funded change that will end the postcode lottery across England.

Thank you to every member who shared their experiences.

13/08/2026

Ann G, Ann L and David spent today with Allison and Mathew from Difference North East They shared their stories as part of the 'Living Libraries.'
We'll let you know when the project is launched.