Paul Ridley
@paulridley5.bsky.social
Minnesota Vikings NFL is my passion, happily married & proud father of of my grown up children with Autism & Aspergers. Parent & Carer & campaigner @PaulRidley5on x/twitter
Pinned
Paul Ridley
@paulridley5.bsky.social
· Jan 4
'I gave up my job to care for my son and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy'
The toll on unpaid carers - one in eight adults in the UK - has been unending during the pandemic after a reduction in support from paid carers, day centres and respite care
www.mirror.co.uk
“Caring doesn’t stop, even when families need a break” Northampton care provider highlights lifeline of respite care for local families www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/health/carin...
www.northantstelegraph.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:42 PM
“Caring doesn’t stop, even when families need a break” Northampton care provider highlights lifeline of respite care for local families www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/health/carin...
Four in 10 kinship carers forced onto benefits without paid leave www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news...
Four in 10 kinship carers forced onto benefits without paid leave - HR Magazine
Four in 10 kinship carers claim benefits because they don't have access to paid leave, according to research findings published today (11 February).
www.hrmagazine.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Four in 10 kinship carers forced onto benefits without paid leave www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news...
What is SEND and why are councils struggling to pay for it? www.bbc.com/news/article...
What is SEND and how might the system change in England?
The government is due to publish plans to reform the special educational needs system in early 2026.
www.bbc.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
What is SEND and why are councils struggling to pay for it? www.bbc.com/news/article...
The Ripple Effects of Work: Learning Disabilities Symposium fraserofallander.org/the-ripple-e...
The Ripple Effects of Work: Learning Disabilities Symposium
This blog was written collaboratively by the Learning Disabilities Research Network at the University of Strathclyde.
fraserofallander.org
February 11, 2026 at 3:38 PM
The Ripple Effects of Work: Learning Disabilities Symposium fraserofallander.org/the-ripple-e...
End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living www.gov.uk/government/n...
End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living
Major telecoms providers sign new charter to end unexpected mid-contract price rises and make social tariffs easier to access, helping millions manage living costs.
www.gov.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:36 PM
End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living www.gov.uk/government/n...
Autistic people seem to feel joy differently – here’s what it can tell us about neurodivergence theconversation.com/autistic-peo...
Autistic people seem to feel joy differently – here’s what it can tell us about neurodivergence
It’s a common misperception that autistic people are always unemotional.
theconversation.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Autistic people seem to feel joy differently – here’s what it can tell us about neurodivergence theconversation.com/autistic-peo...
Closing autism charity is 'invaluable lifeline' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Closing autism charity is 'invaluable lifeline' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
MPs call on welfare bosses to speed up redress over carer’s allowance scandal www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM
MPs call on welfare bosses to speed up redress over carer’s allowance scandal www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Think tank urges more support for unpaid carers www.localgov.co.uk/Think-tank-u...
Think tank urges more support for unpaid carers | LocalGov
One in three people from poorer backgrounds are unable to work due to their unpaid caring responsibilities, research has found.
www.localgov.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Think tank urges more support for unpaid carers www.localgov.co.uk/Think-tank-u...
DWP chief quits after benefits scandal that plunged carers into debt www.gbnews.com/news/sir-pet...
DWP chief quits after benefits scandal that plunged carers into debt
Sir Peter Schofield told staff on Monday that he will leave his role in July due to personal reasons
www.gbnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
DWP chief quits after benefits scandal that plunged carers into debt www.gbnews.com/news/sir-pet...
Relief at Norfolk council at SEND children deficit write-off www.edp24.co.uk/news/2584037...
Relief as government agrees to write off millions of pounds in SEND debt
Relieved council leaders have welcomed a government decision which will see millions of pounds of SEND debt written off.
www.edp24.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Relief at Norfolk council at SEND children deficit write-off www.edp24.co.uk/news/2584037...
People with learning disabilities and autistic people locked away in Welsh hospitals nation.cymru/feature/peop...
nation.cymru
February 10, 2026 at 2:06 PM
People with learning disabilities and autistic people locked away in Welsh hospitals nation.cymru/feature/peop...
‘What I see in clinic is never a set of labels’: are we in danger of overdiagnosing mental illness? www.theguardian.com/news/2026/fe...
‘What I see in clinic is never a set of labels’: are we in danger of overdiagnosing mental illness?
Our current approach to mental health labelling and diagnosis has brought benefits. But as a practising doctor, I am concerned that it may be doing more harm than good
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:05 PM
‘What I see in clinic is never a set of labels’: are we in danger of overdiagnosing mental illness? www.theguardian.com/news/2026/fe...
'Suicide pact' teens had been arrested, inquest told www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Suicide pact' teens had been arrested, inquest told
The bodies of Jack Williams, 18, and Katherine Powell, 17, were found at Bothenhampton reservoir.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 2:03 PM
'Suicide pact' teens had been arrested, inquest told www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Britons ‘working harder for less’ as living standards see historic slowdown www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Britons ‘working harder for less’ as living standards see historic slowdown
More than half of households in poverty now contain a working person, report finds
www.independent.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Britons ‘working harder for less’ as living standards see historic slowdown www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Autism service set to close after nearly 50 years www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Oxfordshire autism service set to close after nearly 50 years
Autism Family Support Oxfordshire helps more than 4,000 families across the county.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Autism service set to close after nearly 50 years www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Why a £6bn black hole could mean fewer special educational needs schools news.sky.com/video/why-a-...
Why a £6bn black hole could mean fewer special educational needs schools
The government wants more children with special needs to attend mainstream schools as the spending required to give SEND pupils extra help, far exceeds the funding currently available.
news.sky.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Why a £6bn black hole could mean fewer special educational needs schools news.sky.com/video/why-a-...
LGA launches major consultation on adult social care www.local.gov.uk/about/news/l...
LGA launches major consultation on adult social care
We are launching a conversation and engagement series with councils, sector stakeholders and people with lived experience on the role of local government in a future reformed system of adult social ca...
www.local.gov.uk
February 9, 2026 at 4:01 PM
LGA launches major consultation on adult social care www.local.gov.uk/about/news/l...
Mental health charity struggles with rising demand www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mental health charity Response struggling with rise in demand
Oxfordshire charity Response says longer NHS waiting times is making the situation more difficult.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Mental health charity struggles with rising demand www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Social media companies are being sued for harming their users’ mental health – but are the platforms addictive? www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Social media companies are being sued for harming their users’ mental health – but are the platforms addictive?
Experts say the term ‘addiction’ is be overused and, for social media use, could be difficult to prove
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Social media companies are being sued for harming their users’ mental health – but are the platforms addictive? www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
'We must shine a light on issue of male suicide' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Liverpool man uses exhibition to highlight issue of male suicide
The Your Light Matters display of 4,300 lights will represent the men who died by suicide in a year.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 3:58 PM
'We must shine a light on issue of male suicide' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It’s official: Labour voters want Starmer to go further on the cost of living www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/ec...
It's official: Labour voters want Starmer to go further on the cost of living
New polling shows that the Labour 2024 voter base want action on the cost of living. Starmer shouldn’t U-turn on this.
www.newstatesman.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:57 PM
It’s official: Labour voters want Starmer to go further on the cost of living www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/ec...
Boy with autism calls for classroom sensory areas www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Dorset boy with autism calls for sensory areas in classrooms
Eleven-year-old Monty has started a petition calling for support for children with sensory needs.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Boy with autism calls for classroom sensory areas www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK’s ‘unsung army’ of full-time unpaid carers needs more support, report says www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
UK’s ‘unsung army’ of full-time unpaid carers needs more support, report says
Resolution Foundation finds one in three carers from poorer families unable to work because of responsibilities
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:27 PM
UK’s ‘unsung army’ of full-time unpaid carers needs more support, report says www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
