Support dog Alfred’s a Great help for arthritis patient Leah
Leah Marshall was just 13 when she became unwell from arthritis and got her support dog. While most teenagers were enjoying fun activities like shopping and cinema trips, Leah was often sleeping. Not only was she battling the painful condition, which causes stiffness in joints, she also had chronic fatigue. Now aged 37 and on five different types of medication, her illness has impacted her everyday life. That’s where her support dog, Alfred, comes in. Leah and her loveable Australian Labradoodle have just graduated as a Support Dogs partnership.The four-year-old support dog has been trained by the national charity to pick up items Leah drops, load and unload the washing machine, fill a basket with clothes, pass clothes for Leah to put on the washing line and to help her to get undressed. He can also find Leah’s mobile phone and keys, fetch help, empty shopping bags, take groceries from supermarket shelves, fill up shopping baskets and pass items to Leah at waist level. “I’m always in pain, so for Alfred to be able to pick things up for me, it’s an instant relief,” said Leah, who lives in Christchurch, near Bournemouth. “Because of the arthritis, I struggle with exercise. I do exercise but the exercise I’ve done over the last 20 years has been limited, so I’ve not got my core strength like I used to, and I struggle with my back. “My arthritis can be different from one day to the next – one day Alfred can help me take my socks off, if my back is really bad, or if my hands or ankles are really sore. “Just being able to pick stuff up off the floor for me, where I would normally struggle, and having Alfred trained is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” And Alfred has helped to take some of the strain from Leah’s husband, Rob, helping her to take her socks, jacket or shoes off, picking things up and helping with the laundry. As a youngster, it was difficult for Leah to understand what was wrong, as medics initially assumed it was just growing pains. As she left school for college, she couldn’t get out of bed due to the pain, but with sheer determination, she got to class. Leah was eventually diagnosed at 17 and she was prescribed medication, but the pain wouldn’t shift. “I couldn’t even stand on my own two feet without being in horrific pain,” said Leah. “I didn’t have the typical teenage years of spending time with friends and socialising, that was harder than anything else. I spent most of those years at home sleeping because of the level of pain.”Aged 19, she started her job at Dulux Decorator Centre, where she still works as a cluster manager. But she needed to sleep in her lunch breaks as she was so exhausted, and she struggled to walk and stand for long periods of time. But as her condition prevailed and it impacted her mental health, she looked up Support Dogs. Leah assumed the charity only helped wheelchair users, and later got Alfred as a pet dog. When she discovered Support Dogs’ help extended beyond wheelchair users, she applied for training. Fast forward two years and the pair are thriving together. Support Dogs trains and provides assistance dogs to help people with a range of debilitating conditions, including autism in children, and epilepsy or physical disability in adults. To find out more about the charity’s incredible work, please visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.
National award goes to Northampton teacher
National award goes to Northampton teacher for inspiring children with severe mental conditions A special education needs (SEN) teacher who has dedicated his entire career to helping inspire young people with severe mental health conditions has won a national teaching award. Ian Bradley has worked at the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) College based at St Andrew’s Healthcare for 18 years. Chosen from thousands of nominees, Ian has been named a silver winner at the Pearson National Teaching Awards, within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusive Practice category. Now, the 53-year-old will go through to the next stage where he is in with the chance of winning the prestigious Gold Award. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in London and on BBC One’s The One Show later this year. Ian was recognised for introducing the young patients at St Andrew’s to many outdoor activities, such as climbing, horse riding, mountain walking and camping, which they may not have had access to at mainstream schools or hospitals. St Andrew’s CAMHS College Headteacher Peter Rainford said: “Many of our students are grappling with complex mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or attachment disorder, additionally many of them will have a history of suicide, extreme self-harm and trauma. They will all have struggled in mainstream school, and by the time they come to us, they are done with being educated. “But Ian doesn’t just create an inclusive and hopeful classroom—he creates a space that transforms lives. His maths lessons are built on therapeutic trust, high expectations, and joyful discovery. “Beyond the classroom, Ian champions learning through experience. Whether it’s an expedition, a climbing session, or a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award challenge, he uses these as stepping stones for personal growth. These activities help students develop resilience, self-belief, and life skills that reach far beyond their time at the College. For these young people, Ian gives them the same chances as others their age.” Ian is one of 94 teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff and institutions recognised as a silver winner in this year’s National award for the lasting impact they have on shaping the lives of young people. The announcement follows tributes from celebrities, students and schools across the UK as they say thank you to all those who work in education to mark National Thank a Teacher Day. On receiving the award, Ian said: “I am extremely honoured and humbled to receive this silver prize. I’m proud of the work I’ve done and the students tell me I’ve made a difference to their lives, which is enough of a reward for me. It’s a privilege working with the young people in our care and hopefully we’ll have more adventures in the future.” Celebrating the whole education community, National Thank a Teacher Day and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established more than 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day. Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable. Their influence extends well beyond the classroom – offering encouragement, inspiration, and unwavering support that can shape lives for years to come. That’s why National Thank a Teacher Day is an important opportunity to pause and celebrate all that they do. “I’m also delighted to be able to congratulate this year’s Silver Award winners. Your passion and commitment to shaping the next generation is extraordinary. Thank you for the difference you make every single day.” Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, said: “Every day, educators across the UK go above and beyond to inspire, support, and shape the future generation. Today, we proudly recognise those making an extraordinary impact. Our Silver Award winners represent the very best of the profession, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their dedication and achievements. Congratulations to all of this year’s Silver winners!” Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said “On Thank a Teacher Day, I want to celebrate the remarkable professionals who are the backbone of our education system. Brilliant teachers make the single biggest difference to a child’s education. “I’ve experienced first-hand how a great teacher can make all the difference. Teachers don’t just deliver lessons – they transform lives, inspire curiosity, and build the confidence our children need to succeed. For this incredible commitment to our nation’s future, we owe our teachers our deepest gratitude.” https://www.stah.org
Tom Marsland, at Sense, said:
Sense said : “The lack of focus on social care in the spending review will come as a huge disappointment to the 1.6 million disabled people with complex needs across the country and their families. “The social care system should be a lifeline for disabled people. It should be working alongside the NHS to deliver vital services. But for years it has been underfunded, left to lag behind until now it is utterly broken. “Sense has welcomed and will work with the Casey Commission as it makes recommendations to transform social care in the long term. But there will be no big changes until at least 2028. “Social care is in crisis – disabled people can’t wait that long for change. Urgent investment in social care is needed now. https://www.sense.org.uk/
Designing Inclusive Soundscapes for deafblind
Unlocking the Power of Outdoor Musical Play for the Visually and Hearing Impaired To mark Deafblind Awareness Week starting on the 23rd June, Percussion Play is highlighting how outdoor music therapy can benefit those who are Deafblind. Deafblindness is a combined impairment of sight and hearing that affects over 450,000 people in the UK. While it doesn’t always mean a complete loss of vision or hearing, it can in some cases. The impact of deafblindness varies widely from person to person, for some, it may require only minor adjustments to daily routines. In contrast, others may depend on support from others for communication and mobility. Percussion Play, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of outdoor musical instruments, has long been advocating the benefits deafblind individuals can receive through music therapy, supporting clients create outdoor music gardens to be used as therapy for those with sensory impairments. One such client is a School in Western Pennsylvania who is using outdoor music therapy to enhance the lives of its students- all through sound and vibration. The Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, which has over 190 students, an adult day program for graduates of the school, as well as a child care center for the employees of the school, has created outdoor music areas for everyone to enjoy with Percussion Play instruments, A generous donor, Ray Wojszynski, funds a program named the Creative Arts Series, where performers visit the school and introduce music and the arts to students. Mr. Wojszynski has donated a range of outdoor musical instruments to give current and future students something tangible, lasting, and permanent to enjoy. The instruments chosen by the school and Sue Wiedder, Director of Development and Communications, include the Harmony Flowers, the Sunflower Petal Drum, and the Tubular Bells, which are a firm favorite. All the instruments are perfect for the students who use wheelchairs (75% of students use one for mobility) based on the varying heights of all the selected instruments. Sue Wiedder comments on how they chose the instruments; “The students that attend our school are visually impaired or blind with additional medial complexities and physical and cognitive disabilities. Some of the children have residual vision, but all are legally blind. In addition, we do have students that are non-verbal and rely on adaptive communication devices to express their thoughts and feelings. Therefore, we had to take our time deciding which instruments would be best for our special population of students. We originally had some items chosen, but when I talked to Robin, the Co-Founder of Percussion Play, he told me about the Tubular Bells and a story of how a student who was deaf and blind enjoyed ringing the bells because they could feel the vibrations of the chimes.” The school has 5.5 acres of land within an urban city and decided to create multiple areas for the students to play with the instruments. All of the instruments were installed by the school’s buildings and grounds staff after the lockdowns due to COVID were finished. Sue Wiedder says, “Each student has a whole educational team including a teacher of the visually impaired, speech and language pathologist, physical and occupational therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, a school psychologist and case managers. All of the teachers can see how much they have enhanced our students’ lives.” Kelly Welsh, Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) at the school, says about one of her students; “Isaiah is primarily a tactile learner meaning he accesses his environment and surroundings by touch. He does have some light perception in one eye, hence him soaking up the sun in one of the pictures. Due to his profound hearing and visual loss, he needs to use his other senses such as touch and smell, to better understand what is going on around him. Within the classroom, he uses sign language for core vocabulary words such as eat, drink, go, more, finished. He uses tactile symbols and physical prompts to help him throughout his school day. As for the Tubular Bells, Isaiah is probably feeling the movement of the bells as they are played as well as the vibrations that come from striking the bells. Isaiah loves movement and gross motor activities so it’s not a surprise that he enjoyed the bells as much as he did.” Sue Wiedder concludes; “I can’t say enough positive things about the installations. It’s such a great asset for our school, especially for the population of students that we have. The big thing is accessibility. But when you see a student with the mallets in their hands and they’re banging on the Tubular Bells, seeing the smiles on their faces and their reaction, that makes it all worth it – music is amazing. All I heard was such calming and pleasant sounds.” Jody Ashfield, CEO of Percussion Play comments; “Ultimately, we support the campaign for systemic changes in musical instrument design, public space accessibility, educational practices, and mental health support to enable people who are deafblind to reap the benefits of creating music in the great outdoors. By rethinking how we structure musical play environments, especially outdoors, we can better serve blind and hearing-impaired individuals, tapping into their potential and improving their quality of life through equitable access to music and play.” Percussion Play has seen growing global demand for its inclusive outdoor instruments, which are found in schools, community centres, places of worship, libraries, hospitals, and senior living communities. Designed to bring people together through the universal language of music, these instruments promote curiosity, creativity, and collaboration across all age groups. https://mail.webfx.co/t/i-l-fklkyht-tjsjlkkky-s
New Inclusive Fitness Programme
Edinburgh Leisure Launches New Inclusive Fitness Programme for Adults with Additional Support Needs Edinburgh Leisure has expanded its commitment to inclusive fitness by launching a comprehensive new programme of gym sessions and exercise classes specifically designed for adults with additional support needs. The new “Fit and Active” initiative offers a diverse range of weekly activities across two venues, with all sessions free to attend for cardholders. Classes include seated strength training, danceability sessions, gymability workouts, inclusive circuits, retro dance, and seated cardio options. “We’re delighted to introduce these new classes that provide accessible fitness opportunities for adults with additional support needs,” said Sara Kemp, Community Development Officer (Equalities) at Edinburgh Leisure. “Our goal is to ensure everyone in our community has the chance to stay active and healthy in a supportive, welcoming environment.” The programme runs throughout the week at both Meadowbank Sport Centre and Leith Victoria Swim Centre, with sessions carefully scheduled to provide regular opportunities for participants. Activities range from traditional gym-based workouts to creative movement classes like danceability and retro dance. Weekly Schedule: All sessions are included free of charge with a Fit and Active card. Interested participants can apply for their card by emailing fitandactive@edinburghleisure.co.uk. The programme represents Edinburgh Leisure’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive recreational opportunities for all members of the Edinburgh community, ensuring that fitness and wellbeing services are accessible to people of all abilities. For more information about the Fit and Active programme or to apply for a membership card, contact Edinburgh Leisure at fitandactive@edinburghleisure.co.uk.
Mobility in Motion Launches New EV Accessibility Product
Mobility in Motion, winner of the Disability Smart Customer Experience Award (Small Org) at the Business Disability Forum Awards, is proud to unveil a new innovative mobility device loading solution designed with disabled electric vehicle (EV) users in mind. With an estimated 1.35 million disabled people in the UK relying on public charging for their EVs or hybrids, and a 28% increase in trips made by disabled adult drivers since 2021(1), demand for accessible, EV-compatible mobility solutions is higher than ever. While not an EV charging product, Mobility in Motion’s latest innovation responds to a different but equally critical accessibility challenge; enabling disabled drivers to easily load and stow mobility devices (such as wheelchairs), using a powered hoist that is specifically designed to be compatible with EVs. Smart Lifter Power Pack: Video After speaking with customers and understanding their specific needs, Mobility in Motion created the Smart Lifter Power Pack – a game-changing battery pack upgrade for the Smart Lifter range of boot hoists, enabling: Industry Recognition for Innovation and Inclusivity Mobility in Motion was recognised at the Disability Smart Awards 2025 for its commitment to truly inclusive customer service and for breaking down barriers faced by disabled people. This recognition reflects the company’s broader approach to accessibility, demonstrated by innovative products, such as the Smart Lifter Power Pack. The Business Disability Forum judging panel commended Mobility in Motion on their Customer Experience Award win, saying: “Their commitment to making car travel accessible is clear. The positive impact on customers is evident through the enthusiastic reviews. Independent travel is life-changing, and Mobility in Motion is making that a reality for many.” Driving Change “We’re thrilled to not only receive recognition for our efforts but to continue driving change among the disabled driving community with the launch of this innovative product,” said Bruce Lauder, Head of Sales & Marketing at Mobility in Motion. “Solutions like our latest Power Pack are purpose-built for modern electric vehicles – combining responsive performance, clean design, and accessibility to support the EV transition for all drivers.”
Employment for autistic people
Employment for autistic people and delivery of NHS and local authority services On Monday, the House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee will be holding two evidence sessions as part of its inquiry into the Act. During the first session the committee will hear further evidence on key barriers to enabling autistic people to find and stay in work and effective ways to overcome those barriers. The second session will look at the commissioning and delivery of NHS and local authority services for autistic people in the context of the Autism Act 2009. Giving evidence at 14:45 will be: Questions the committee is likely to ask include: Giving evidence at 15:50 will be: Questions the committee is likely to ask include: The sessions will take place on Monday 2 June and can be followed live on parliamentlive.tv
Teaching new tricks so support dog Essi can cater to Kym’s needs
Kym Stretton’s progressive health conditions mean that lately she has found it difficult to dress and undress herself. But thanks to newly-qualified support dog Essi, Kym doesn’t have to lean on her family for help – the super-clever Red Fox Labrador helps her to take off her clothes. The 62-year-old was born with hypophosphatemic rickets, or osteoamalacia, meaning she cannot absorb calcium and is resistant to Vitamin D. In recent years, wheelchair user Kym has also developed spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, and she has now lost 50 per cent of movement in her neck and shoulders. “She gets my coat off, or any tops I wear,” said Kym, who lives in Forest Town, Mansfield with husband Ray, 68. “That’s one of the big things she does for me. “It’s fantastic that each dog is individually trained for the client’s needs, and if anything changes, you can contact Support Dogs and say ‘I need this…’. Essi, who can also load and unload the washing machine and open doors, is the sixth support dog Kym has had from the national Support Dogs charity, which trains and provides specialist assistance dogs to help autistic children, as well as adults with epilepsy or a physical disability, to live safer, more independent lives. The pooch follows in the pawprints of Kym’s previous support dogs, after the charity trained her pet dog Zeta in 1997, then pet Zoe, and provided and trained her third and fourth, Baxter and Marley – who could help her up and down stairs, and her fifth, Blade, who retired. And it seems sixth dog Essi has a ‘sixth sense’ – she intuitively helps Kym, often before Kym even realises she needs help. “She loves to be doing something – she’s really focused on work,” she said. “She’s just like Baxter. I always say Baxter sent her. “When I come in from outside and need to take my shoes off, I don’t have to ask her for help. “There are a lot of things I don’t have to ask her to do – I didn’t know I had dropped my keys in the supermarket, I looked down and she was holding them.” Essi and Kym’s recent graduation as a successful Support Dogs partnership marks 28 years of the charity’s life-changing aid for Kym. And it’s not just a benefit for her – it has massively impacted Ray, a retired PAT tester. “Before I had my first support dog, he used to phone me all the time from work, asking if I was okay,” said Kym. “It was like he relaxed. Before having support dogs, I’d had falls where I’d had to phone him and say ‘I’m on the floor’.” But Kym’s support dogs have helped her with her balance, or could fetch help from her parents, Iris and Alf Greene, who are her next-door neighbours. Kym was a Support Dogs trustee for 12 years and chairman of trustees for six. She has seen the charity grow beyond recognition. She said there was no fundraising manager when she first got involved, and she and a band of other clients helped to raise vital cash. She has made some good friends over the years, including fellow client Toni Brown-Griffin, whose dual epilepsy seizure alert/guide dog was trained by the charity, and Kym is godmother to one of Toni’s daughters. Kym can’t wait to see Support Dogs move into its new national centre of excellence, at Hillsborough, ahead of a capital funding appeal. “This charity has meant everything to me for so many years,” said Kym. “I’ve watched it grow so much, it’s lovely to see. It’s been a big part of my life. The charity means a lot not only to me but also the difference I’ve seen it make to other people – Toni’s daughters are 25 and 19 and have never seen her have a seizure. “I can also remember the first autism dog we trained, thanks to Rita Howson, the chief executive pushing the idea – that young client was non-verbal, but now he can speak two languages.” To find out more about the life-changing work of Support Dogs, please visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.
Parking warning issued to Blue Badge holders
For example, if you are travelling to London, there are different local regulations to follow when it comes to specific boroughs, including: Outside of London, there are also different regulations that Blue Badge holders must check before parking at popular holiday destinations: It is crucial that you check first where you can park on the government website to prevent a parking ticket, or on the local council’s website if you’re parking in Scotland.” “Private land (like airports or hospital car parks) often have their own rules. Some car parks or town centres may offer free parking for blue badge holders, but you should always check local signage or the council website before relying on this. Ultimately, you still have to abide by the Highway Code. For example, blue badge holders cannot park: “Blue badge holders can park on double yellow lines for up to 3 hours if there are no other restrictions, such as a loading ban. However, you should never forget to display your parking clock clearly showing your 15-minute arrival time. Once drivers leave the spot, they must wait at least 1 hour before parking in the same place again. Failing to do these things can result in fines of up to £80.” “Make sure that the blue badge is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. It is important to remember that the front-side of the badge should permanently be on show, not the photo side. An incorrectly displayed badge can result in a parking fine, even if the driver is entitled to be there – costing UK drivers up to £130, if they’re parking in London.” Important note: Police officers, traffic wardens and some other people may ask to see your blue badge at any point. This also includes Civil Enforcement Officers, who may be in plain clothes. While you do have to show the badge to these members of authority upon request, you do also have the right to ask them for their ID first.”