Stephen Unwin
@stephenunwin.bsky.social
Director, Writer, Teacher, Campaigner.
Founded ETT. Opened the Rose.
Laughing Boy, All Our Children, Poor Naked Wretches, Beautiful Lives.
http://www.stephenunwin.uk/
Founded ETT. Opened the Rose.
Laughing Boy, All Our Children, Poor Naked Wretches, Beautiful Lives.
http://www.stephenunwin.uk/
Pinned
Parents of disabled kids fighting for their child’s rights, grieving for their untimely (and often avoidable) deaths, just struggling through in an uncomprehending world.
Underestimate them at your peril.
Underestimate them at your peril.
December 28, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Parents of disabled kids fighting for their child’s rights, grieving for their untimely (and often avoidable) deaths, just struggling through in an uncomprehending world.
Underestimate them at your peril.
Underestimate them at your peril.
Some good advice from a friend.
December 21, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Some good advice from a friend.
Perfect Christmas present!
December 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Perfect Christmas present!
Utterly monstrous. The GOP deserves to lose power for a generation.
Federal ban on healthcare for trans youth passes the House. Horrific day, horrific precedent. We continue to hurtle toward genocide.
It Is Done
December 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Utterly monstrous. The GOP deserves to lose power for a generation.
This autumn I've given more than 30 talks about my book and the issues that it raises to an amazing range of groups: health professionals, universities, charities, etc.
I've got some lined up in the Spring but am happy to do more if anyone is interested.
Tell me if you'd like to arrange one.
I've got some lined up in the Spring but am happy to do more if anyone is interested.
Tell me if you'd like to arrange one.
December 12, 2025 at 11:36 PM
This autumn I've given more than 30 talks about my book and the issues that it raises to an amazing range of groups: health professionals, universities, charities, etc.
I've got some lined up in the Spring but am happy to do more if anyone is interested.
Tell me if you'd like to arrange one.
I've got some lined up in the Spring but am happy to do more if anyone is interested.
Tell me if you'd like to arrange one.
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
So, responding to popular demand, but very much still reality-based, we've gone for something a bit more uplifting in our New Year edition of @BylineTimes
Subscribe to get it delivered to your box or on digital
subscribe.bylinetimes.com
Subscribe to get it delivered to your box or on digital
subscribe.bylinetimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
So, responding to popular demand, but very much still reality-based, we've gone for something a bit more uplifting in our New Year edition of @BylineTimes
Subscribe to get it delivered to your box or on digital
subscribe.bylinetimes.com
Subscribe to get it delivered to your box or on digital
subscribe.bylinetimes.com
We never stop hearing about how artists express themselves, but when an artist with learning disabilities wins a prize a critic says therapy and talent should not be confused.
I remember Tracey Emin winning the Turner Prize for her “unmade bed” and appearing drunk on Newsnight.
What art does.
I remember Tracey Emin winning the Turner Prize for her “unmade bed” and appearing drunk on Newsnight.
What art does.
December 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM
We never stop hearing about how artists express themselves, but when an artist with learning disabilities wins a prize a critic says therapy and talent should not be confused.
I remember Tracey Emin winning the Turner Prize for her “unmade bed” and appearing drunk on Newsnight.
What art does.
I remember Tracey Emin winning the Turner Prize for her “unmade bed” and appearing drunk on Newsnight.
What art does.
It's the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
(Hint: this is for all of us)
(Hint: this is for all of us)
December 3, 2025 at 5:54 PM
It's the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
(Hint: this is for all of us)
(Hint: this is for all of us)
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
Public pressure for an inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics is growing - and rightly so.
Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign 👇
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe
Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign 👇
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe
🚨BOOM! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 80,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000 this weekend. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 28, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Public pressure for an inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics is growing - and rightly so.
Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign 👇
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe
Our legal case now in the Grand Chamber of Strasbourg demands what justice requires: the government must investigate. Follow our campaign 👇
citizensreunited.substack.com/subscribe
Off to Stoke on Trent to address the Challenge to Change Conference: Advancing Best Practice in Learning Disability and Autism Support.
Better not screw it up.
Better not screw it up.
November 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Off to Stoke on Trent to address the Challenge to Change Conference: Advancing Best Practice in Learning Disability and Autism Support.
Better not screw it up.
Better not screw it up.
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
Quick analysis of The Times today:
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Quick analysis of The Times today:
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
Wall to wall negative coverage of Labour’s budget. An editorial that tuts about lack of growth but takes no responsibility. And a double page ad to join Farage/Reform.
Absolutely no analysis on how rightwing ideology - including Brexit - has been utterly ruinous.
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
As Ukraine marks Holodomor Remembrance Day, mourning millions of victims of Stalin's genocidal famine, it feels as though the Trump administration is happy to give Putin another chance to finish off what Stalin started. Europe should do everything in its power to help Ukraine & defeat Russia.
November 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
As Ukraine marks Holodomor Remembrance Day, mourning millions of victims of Stalin's genocidal famine, it feels as though the Trump administration is happy to give Putin another chance to finish off what Stalin started. Europe should do everything in its power to help Ukraine & defeat Russia.
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
Thrilled that @stephenunwin.bsky.social is speaking at our Dec Wellbeing Hub webinar. He will be discussing themes from his latest book, Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong.
📅4th Dec
⏲️7-8.30pm
🛜Online
💷Free
Book here: bit.ly/4ihEROI
#disabilityhistorymonth
📅4th Dec
⏲️7-8.30pm
🛜Online
💷Free
Book here: bit.ly/4ihEROI
#disabilityhistorymonth
Stephen Unwin- Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong
Our December talk for the Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub is delivered by Stephen Unwin, featuring his recent book.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Thrilled that @stephenunwin.bsky.social is speaking at our Dec Wellbeing Hub webinar. He will be discussing themes from his latest book, Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong.
📅4th Dec
⏲️7-8.30pm
🛜Online
💷Free
Book here: bit.ly/4ihEROI
#disabilityhistorymonth
📅4th Dec
⏲️7-8.30pm
🛜Online
💷Free
Book here: bit.ly/4ihEROI
#disabilityhistorymonth
Pleae sign and share
petition.parliament.uk/signatures/1...
petition.parliament.uk/signatures/1...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Pleae sign and share
petition.parliament.uk/signatures/1...
petition.parliament.uk/signatures/1...
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
The Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children.
— The New Yorker
— The New Yorker
November 15, 2025 at 9:59 PM
The Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children.
— The New Yorker
— The New Yorker
Why are “SEND budgets” spoken about as something different from “education budgets”?
Children are children.
Children are children.
November 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Why are “SEND budgets” spoken about as something different from “education budgets”?
Children are children.
Children are children.
If you read one thing this weekend, read this. The way we treat young people who are a little 'different' is endlessly shocking. With thanks and respect to Kate Szymankiewicz.
From theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
From theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘The ward felt like a prison. What had I let them do?’: how my daughter was crushed by a health service meant to help her
Ruth was 14 years old and being treated for an eating disorder when she died after being detained under the Mental Health Act. She wasn’t allowed to see her family for more than a few hours a week. Ho...
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
If you read one thing this weekend, read this. The way we treat young people who are a little 'different' is endlessly shocking. With thanks and respect to Kate Szymankiewicz.
From theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
From theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
🔴 Follow the Money: How the Right Weaponises the Costs of Supporting Learning Disabled People
"Society should become more transparent about where the money is being spent. What we certainly should not do is blame learning disabled people and their families" @stephenunwin.bsky.social
"Society should become more transparent about where the money is being spent. What we certainly should not do is blame learning disabled people and their families" @stephenunwin.bsky.social
Follow the Money: How the Right Weaponises the Costs of Supporting Learning Disabled People
If politicians are worried about the costs of support for the learning disabled, society must become more transparent about where the money is being spent
bylinetimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:05 AM
🔴 Follow the Money: How the Right Weaponises the Costs of Supporting Learning Disabled People
"Society should become more transparent about where the money is being spent. What we certainly should not do is blame learning disabled people and their families" @stephenunwin.bsky.social
"Society should become more transparent about where the money is being spent. What we certainly should not do is blame learning disabled people and their families" @stephenunwin.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
New to our Arden Performance Companions series, 'Shakespeare and Brecht: A Practical Guide for Actors, Directors, Students and Teachers' by @stephenunwin.bsky.social is the first guide connecting the two playwrights, expanding staging & performing possibilities.
https://bit.ly/4pMQjoH
https://bit.ly/4pMQjoH
October 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
New to our Arden Performance Companions series, 'Shakespeare and Brecht: A Practical Guide for Actors, Directors, Students and Teachers' by @stephenunwin.bsky.social is the first guide connecting the two playwrights, expanding staging & performing possibilities.
https://bit.ly/4pMQjoH
https://bit.ly/4pMQjoH
Nearly 40 years later Tilda Swinton and I are having another go at Manfred Karge’s Man to Man.
Royal Court, Berliner Ensemble, Lucille Lortel, NYC.
Royal Court, Berliner Ensemble, Lucille Lortel, NYC.
October 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Nearly 40 years later Tilda Swinton and I are having another go at Manfred Karge’s Man to Man.
Royal Court, Berliner Ensemble, Lucille Lortel, NYC.
Royal Court, Berliner Ensemble, Lucille Lortel, NYC.
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
complete batshit insanity
October 26, 2025 at 8:26 PM
complete batshit insanity
Off to Cambridge University to talk about learning disabilities.
I relish the contradiction.
I relish the contradiction.
October 26, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Off to Cambridge University to talk about learning disabilities.
I relish the contradiction.
I relish the contradiction.
This is what fascism looks like.
Stephen Miller on Fox threatens to arrest JB Pritzker for "seditious conspiracy" and says, "to all ICE officers: you have federal immunity in the conduct of your duties. And anybody who lays a hand on you or tries to stop or obstruct you is committing a felony."
October 25, 2025 at 9:31 AM
This is what fascism looks like.
Reposted by Stephen Unwin
The people in Arizona’s 7th congressional district have been without representation in Congress for over 7 months.
Mike Johnson continues to deny them representation because their duly elected representative has pledged to sign the petition to release the Epstein files.
Mike Johnson continues to deny them representation because their duly elected representative has pledged to sign the petition to release the Epstein files.
October 25, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The people in Arizona’s 7th congressional district have been without representation in Congress for over 7 months.
Mike Johnson continues to deny them representation because their duly elected representative has pledged to sign the petition to release the Epstein files.
Mike Johnson continues to deny them representation because their duly elected representative has pledged to sign the petition to release the Epstein files.