Changing Realities will be hosting a public-facing roundtable session from our mental health campaign

I have just returned home to Cornwall from London. Not on a trip to see the Queen as the rhyme goes but to see the Secretary of State. I was part of a crew of people who presented their lived experience of juggling poverty and being a parent of a child or children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) in response to the recent White Paper on SEND reforms.

I am writing this letter to apologise for failing you as a parent.

Exclusive: MPs say profit-making levels in England are ‘scandalous’ and call for cap on amount private companies can make from NHS Private firms providing services to the NHS including healthcare and consultancy have made £1.6bn in profits over the last two years, research reveals. The findings – on the basis of contracts worth £12bn – have prompted claims of “scandalous” profiteering, concern that the health service is being “taken for a ride” and calls for ministers to impose a cap on maximum profit levels. £2bn of the £12bn of contracts went to firms with owners based outside the UK. £533m of that £2bn went to companies owned by people living in tax havens such as Jersey and the Cayman Islands. Firms, especially those owned by private equity outfits, used £353m of their £12bn NHS income to pay interest on debts. Continue reading...

The Scottish parliament election takes place on the 7th May this year.

We're sick of it. Sick of the lies, sick of the greed, and sick of a system rigged against us. This is a scandal and this dirty business must end. For more than 30 years water companies have put corpo...

I've avoided all forms of media so that I could sit down and (skim) read through the two documents published by the Department of Education today and form my own opinions of the contents.

As an SEN parent, it can often feel as though the whole world is against you. Exhaustion and overwhelm are embedded deeply in daily life, and the navigation through school support is dark, fruitless and treacherous to say the least. The glimmering hope of light at the end of the tunnel started with the publication of the SEND White Paper a few days ago.

The Schools White Paper is a vital opportunity to reform school support so that it works for all children. Changing Realities parents, who are all raising children on a low income, have set out what they would like to see in the White Paper on SEND reforms, parental engagement, and on the government’s approach to enrichment. Parents want to work directly with government to deliver the ambitious changes needed. While we may not agree on everything, one thing on which we all – and we believe government too – do agree is that the current system of SEND support is completely broken, and requires urgent and radical reform.

Free and equal? The realities of lived experiences of food aid in the UK

On December 18, 2025, I stepped through the iconic black door of No. 10 Downing Street, carrying more than just a diary appointment. I brought with me hope, memories, and the quiet weight of every family whose story has intertwined with the mission we pursue at Changing Realities.

The BBC belongs to the British public, not to the Government. Licence payers, not Ministers, should determine it's future.

It was a lot. I didn’t realise I’d be placed all over social media. I thought it would be just a couple of pictures for something, but it is what it is now. I have thought about it a lot this morning and I had to put my thoughts down on paper.

Sam Richards, a mother and participant of the Changing Realities project, writes about why the two-child limit on benefits should be dropped.

This morning, I was invited to a meeting in The House of Lords, along with Changing Realities, two other participants and members from other organisations. The roundtable – chaired by Baroness Ruth Lister and Professor Ruth Patrick – was also attended by other Lords, senior civil servants and Changing Realities funders. We discussed the government’s Child Poverty Strategy, which will hopefully be announced shortly after the budget in November.

Talks over the battle to alleviate child poverty took place with John Swinney inside the walls of Bute House

Why have our politicians forgotten about the cost-of-living crisis?

On Thursday 18th September, parents and carers from Changing Realities met with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Philipson to discuss the forthcoming Schools White Paper. There was a focus on planned reforms to SEND,and parents and carers shared their hopes and fears for the White Paper. Parents also shared reflections on their recent experiences of SEND systems, and the ramifications of these everyday experiences for planned reforms. In this short policy note, we summarise reflections and priorities for change in this arena, including points raised by those at the meeting and by others who were unable to attend.

Jonny Roberts is a single parent with two children. He is speaking at a Child Poverty Action Group event at the Labour Party Conference.

Jonny Roberts has come to conference to share his experience of being a single dad - and call for Labour to take bold action on child poverty.

Jonny Roberts has come to conference to share his experience of being a single dad - and call for Labour to take bold action on child poverty.

Jonny Roberts has come to conference to share his experience of being a single dad - and call for Labour to take bold action on child poverty.

On Thursday 18th September, parents and carers from Changing Realities met with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Philipson to discuss the forthcoming Schools White Paper. There was a focus on planned reforms to SEND,and parents and carers shared their hopes and fears for the White Paper. Parents also shared reflections on their recent experiences of SEND systems, and the ramifications of these everyday experiences for planned reforms. In this short policy note, we summarise reflections and priorities for change in this arena, including points raised by those at the meeting and by others who were unable to attend.

I just signed the 38 Degrees petition calling on the Government to properly fund NHS dentistry. Millions of us are still struggling to access affordable dental care, so now the Government needs to stu...

It’s important for regular people, like me, to get their voices heard. Speaking out to encourage others to share their experiences. Together, we can push those with power to make changes to the system.

Tony Livesey with late night conversation and in-depth interviews.

A report says Rachel Reeves must raise taxes to cover £41bn gap.

Millie Light writes of the deep sorrow she feels for anyone who becomes sick or disabled with cancer after the universal credit cuts.