iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 20/06/2026

This was a fun evening, with my sister Raana and so many awesome people who influenced, supported and encouraged my book, Double Discrimination. At the brilliant inclusive, creative and collaborative @citylit.bsky.social

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 18/06/2026

The rise of populism means the line between ‘patriotism’ and racism is blurred. Right wing politicians and some left(ish) (remember the PM’s ‘island of strangers’?) chase votes by normalising language that drives division. Lots of voices being missed in debates on racism, heritage and inclusion👇🏽

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 15/06/2026

📢Why we need to talk about ‘race’ and learning disability - by the people who know. Paul Christian, a Black activist, historian and researcher who helped shape my new book, Double Discrimination, explains. Double Discrimination: a book on defiance, opportunity, possibility. #LearningDisabilityWeek

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 09/06/2026

Starting to line up book events, a few here, more to come!

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 17/05/2026

A heavy news weekend but this clip (and woman!) recharge me 🔽 My sister Raana, the only interviewee I've ever had who's refused to answer BEFORE I’ve finished the question and who WALKS OUT mid-interview. A woman of few words yes, but her story's worth telling. Double Discrimination: Thurs 21 May.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 12/05/2026

Anitdote to division? Some joy? Here you go🔽 30 seconds of fun, thanks to Harry Cartmill and @mumof3amigos.bsky.social in a mini-trailer for Double Discrimination, my book about (and with!) people with learning disabled people of colour tackling racism and ableism. Out 21 May geni.us/Double_Discr...

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 01/05/2026

Bank holiday reading? For a short time, my publisher has Double Discrimination available to review on Netgalley! Reviewers, booksellers or general readers, take a look here: lnkd.in/e73Bn_HA A quick look at the chapter breakdown🔽 And for pre-orders: geni.us/Double_Discr...

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 23/04/2026

Worked with brilliant people on this: a snapshot based on my upcoming book on racism and ableism, Double Discrimination geni.us/Double_Discr... TY Paul Christian, making Black history easy reads with @gpadmoreinstitute.bsky.social, Bollywood dancer Harry @mumof3amigos.bsky.social & pianist Chapman

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 08/04/2026

Happy news (I know… it exists!): my next book’s out 21 May, on the racism and ableism that’s being overlooked - and what we can do about it. Pre-orders are open! Big thanks to the many people who helped bring this to life, sharing their stories including my sister Raana, its driving force.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 16/03/2026

I'm just back from @sibs.org.uk Adult Sibling Day: an antidote to the grim news around. Sibs supports those who’ve grown up with disabled brothers/sisters, we heard diverse stories & practical tips like tackling health & care issues. V proud to chair this small but mighty UK charity www.sibs.org.uk

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 13/02/2026

Keen on human rights and learning disability issues, including SEND, care, health, jobs, housing and going out (er, life.. basically)? Try @communitylivingmagazine.com new Insta www.instagram.com/communityliv... An independent magazine about potential. And cool pics. I'm biased. And also right.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 22/12/2025

🔽just some of the people featured in 2025 in rights-based @communitylivingmagazine.com which I'm proud to edit. Next one's out in January, highlighting potential and calling out failure. Big thanks to our tiny editorial team, trustees, sponsors, subscribers, contributors & collaborators.

A range of positive images showing people from diverse backgrounds and ages, all taken from 2025 issues of Community Living.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 16/11/2025

'We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment...Don't let the bastards grind you down.' Alice Wong RIP.

This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes,
this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time. I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you. There are a few in progress that might come to fruition in a few years if things work out. I did not ever imagine I would live to this age and end up a writer, editor, activist, and more. As a kid riddled with insecurity and internalized ableism, I could not see a path forward. It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a
place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin.
We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment. Our wisdom is incisive and unflinching. I'm honored to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don't let the
bastards grind you down. I love you all.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 02/10/2025

Something good here: freelance editing @communitylivingmagazine.com is a highlight, not least as our small, charity-run, modestly-budgeted magazine makes a BIG effort with images. Thanks all who helped create the issue, live Fri 3 Oct: communitylivingmagazine.com @lesteph.com✨ #LearningDisability

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 03/09/2025

A new intro for a new term: I just finished book #2 (pub 2026) and started a new role at Private Eye. And I chair Sibs, for disabled people's siblings, edit Community Living, was a reporter, loc gov corr, housing ed and 20yrs a Guardian writer. 👉sabasalman.com My sister Raana's a big influence:

Raana, a young woman with dark hair wearing a teal top, smiles as she sits at a table, flicking through a magazine.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 06/07/2025

Late to post a father-son moment from @stephenunwin.bsky.social Beautiful Lives launch. Joey with his book and his dad. Pic says it all. A book driven by love, on the people overlooked in history, arts, politics (life!) and why that's wrong www.hachette.co.uk/titles/steph... #LearningDisability

Stephen and his son Joey hug while Joey holds a copy of Beautiful Lives in his hand and leans into his dad.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 04/07/2025

Labour plans to cut the help that enables people to live in and be a part of their communities. The writing here make the case for more support, not less: communitylivingmagazine.com/welfare-bill... By @maryohara1.bsky.social @hannahfearn.bsky.social @jopavlopoulou.bsky.social + more #WelfareReform

Front cover image with 'Community Living' in yellow font above a festival image of three people smiling at the camera with fairground rides in the background.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 19/06/2025

Sickle cell comparative review to inform policy report and graphic summary of findings: nhsrho.org/wp-content/u...

Graphic summary of findings from the report including facts about the 42% increased in admissions for sickle cell between 2013 and 2022 and median age of death for sickle cell (47) cystic fibrosis (48) and general population (84).

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 11/06/2025

So while the government's busy dehumanising disabled people with harsh rhetoric and undermining the essential support that helps people like my sister live her life, there's this: an illuminating, vital read, made with love by @stephenunwin.bsky.social www.hachette.co.uk/titles/steph...

Cover of the book Beautiful Lives: How we learning disabilities so wrong, by Stephen Unwin. Black title on orange background.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 10/04/2025

My #NationalSiblingsDay #ItsaSiblingThing is tea, my sister and me. Tea: -1st gift Raana got me when she shopped independently -central to her role as my family's leaf-brewer in chief -what she serves in the cafe where she’s learning new skills Teamaker in action: www.instagram.com/p/DIRmMbzoBOF/

Two women with dark hair smiling and drinking cups of tea in a cafe. Raana, left, wears a blue hoody and black baseball cap. Saba, right, wears a grey sweater.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 10/04/2025

Siblings who’ve grown up with a disabled brother or sister need to be acknowledged and celebrated. Check out the work of @sibs.org.uk on #NationalSiblingsDay2025 and share your #ItsaSiblingThing, childhood photo or story? I’ll share mine later. To all in our diverse sibling community, I see you💜

Purple text on yellow background with the words National Siblings Day and a rising sun above the text

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 04/04/2025

That told me. My 'summery lewk' plea is binned - shows why Michael @mylifemychoice1.bsky.social is a fearsome self-advocate. '..the editor would appreciate it if he removed a layer so the photo looks more seasonal. “Absolutely not. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to use it”' Coat stays on💪

Portrait of an older man smiling, he has brown hair and a white moustache wearing a green jumper and brown jacket.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 04/04/2025

New issue punches above its charity-run, freelance weight, making the case for at risk welfare, care, SEND, health & disability rights. Cover: @johnharris1969.bsky.social linktr.ee/maybeimamazed And: @hannahfearn.bsky.social @maryohara1.bsky.social @samcarlisle.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social

Cover of Community Living with title in yellow against a blue sky. Guitarist wearing sunglasses and dressed in black on an outdoor stage with trees behind him.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 03/04/2025

My work's been stolen and that of every author I know. As The Atlantic reported, Meta's used the LIbGen dataset of pirated content to train its AI. Creative industries need protecting. It's @societyofauthors.bsky.social day of action societyofauthors.org/2025/04/01/s... #DoTheWriteThing #MakeItFair

The words 'Stop thief!' above an illustration showing diverse people holding placards with slogans like 'Do the write thing' and 'Make it fair'.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 30/03/2025

From April 4: support's under threat so @communitylivingmagazine.com shows what's possible if people's potential is upheld - and what happens it's not. Incredible cover story @johnharris1969.bsky.social, linked to his new book Maybe I'm Amazed: linktr.ee/maybeimamazed #learningdisability #autism

Magazine cover with a young man playing guitar on an outdoor stage with a blue sky above him and the cover line 'The magic of music'

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 28/03/2025

This is about what people can do when their potential is supported, about the deep connections created by music and it’s a story that will resonate with many families (mine included): vital new reading just in time for the weekend. Bold, beautiful and timely book from @johnharris1969.bsky.social

Multicoloured cover of Maybe I’m Amazed a story of love and connection in 10 songs, in front of shelf of vinyl records

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 31/12/2024

Today was Pa Salman's birthday, first since he moved into dementia care. I was anxious but staff: -put up bunting -sang happy birthday as he passed them -made a HUGE cake -supported a resident to sing him Daydream Believer..backed by the choir AND -reduced a hard-nosed old hack to tears #socialcare

A whiteboard with the main words in green pen 'Tuesday 31 December New Year's Even Choir Session Happy Birthday Asad!!!'

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 31/12/2024

'There's no better way to show Sammy’s legacy and worth than by giving others opportunities he'd have excelled in' Patricia Alban tells @samcarlisle.bsky.social about her creative son @communitylivingmagazine.com - new articles next week. Also @maryohara1.bsky.social @georgejulian.bsky.social...

Cover of Community Living magazine with the title in yellow capital letters above a photo of Sammy

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 23/12/2024

So..almost 20 yrs since my sister Raana first did her Xmas shopping independently (ie with support staff) after her first term at a special college. My gift ('I know you like that') was a box of mint tea. I'm no softie but the memory (and any mint tea) makes me a bit wobbly. She's a legend. #sibling

Raana, a brown skinned woman with a dark bob hair cut, stands in front of a Christmas tree holding up a paper chain. She is smiling and wearing a blue hoodie with the word Basing on the front.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 12/12/2024

V happy my freelance colleague @seankellyphotos.bsky.social is now here. Before writing/shooting for charity-run Community Living, which I edit, Seán worked with people with #LearningDisabilities His Christian Raphael shoot is one of my favourites: communitylivingmagazine.com/a-day-in-the... #pmld

Cover of Community Living with a portrait of Christian Raphel a white man wearing a brown hat and brown and yellow scarf. Chris has a brown moustache and is staring straight into the camera. The headline is 'Eyes on a complex life'

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 10/12/2024

Your friendly neighbourhood freelance journalist-author here, diversifying feeds with unsolicited gift inspo: Made Possible, life stories by great people. All expenses spared on the festive photo shoot. A quid off at Blackwells btw, bargain: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro... #LearningDisability

Two copies of Made Possible in front of a Christmas tree which is decorated with fairy lights. One copy is horizontal, the other stands on top of it. The books are surrounded by Christmas decorations: a mini Santa, a red glittery bauble, a red felt star and a green felt tree.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 10/12/2024

Festive feline. You're welcome. Just filed my last piece of the year so of course I'm now treating myself by taking a photo of my cat for my kids* Her name is Bean btw. *the photo is for me

A black cat on a blue chair wearing a mini red and white santa hat

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 05/12/2024

Cool. They’ve brought the design team behind the Dallas opening credits out of retirement for this. #ukpolitics #labour www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cr...

Screenshot of a BBC live story showing the front cover of Labour’s new growth plan. The cover shows a series of vertical images of the PM and various cabinet ministers.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 28/11/2024

Happy, proud and v grateful to hear I've been awarded @societyofauthors.bsky.social grant to progress book #2. Freelancing doesn't fit with time off to research/write so it's a big relief. Can't share my work in progress but here's my sister Raana with a cheers from us #SoAGrants #LearningDisability

Close up of Raana, a brown skinned woman with dark hair in a bob haircut. She's smiling and holding up a cup of coffee in a white mug.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 27/11/2024

My dad has dementia. Recently his care broke down; great staff but not dementia specialist. If you've had similar, you'll know the stress and panic in finding new support. Nothing to celebrate, right? Wrong. My sister Raana sent Pa a genius, accurate, smile-inducing card. Bloody queen. #dementia

Close up of a white card with the words 'Congratulations on your move'. On the front right hand side of the card is a simple block drawing of a yellow coloured house with red roof and door, blue window. There is green and brown coloured grass under the house which stretches along the entire lower part of the card.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 26/11/2024

...we know workplaces aren't inclusive, despite the Equality Act and tons of resources, campaigns etc supporting employers to hire a diverse workforce. Reminded of this by @alicehewson.bsky.social (if you think the tips are obvious, they may be, but they still need saying) buff.ly/3ZpSa7C

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 21/11/2024

One bit I love about being freelance ed of Community Living is our revamped books pages. New year issue features two vital reads from campaigning journalists @johnpring.bsky.social and @maryohara1.bsky.social Reporting at its most powerful, with humans at the core. #poverty #welfare #disability

Two books face up next to each other on a sunny table. The one on the left has on the cover: Austerity Bites 10 Years On by Mary O’Hara. The word Austerity is in red text, the rest of the words are white. The cover features a red map of the UK with a bite mark taken from the right side.

The book on the right has on the cover The Department: How a violent government bureaucracy killed hundreds and hid the evidence. By John Pring.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 20/11/2024

A cast of thousands (in a good way) made Made Possible um, possible - because no one can really achieve without support. Alongside the book's storytellers, loads of people, families, campaigners, allies and organisations. And so, so much support via the other place, unthinkable now! #booksky

A page from Made Possible which reads: The true origins of Made Possible lie in an event that took place around thirty years ago; the arrival of my youngest sister, Raana. The idea for a book based on her achievements came from seeing her grow up and become more independent. I wanted to write about my sister’s potential and personality as a way to challenge society’s negative attitudes towards learning-disabled people.
What turned this initial concept into the more tangible book you have in front of you now is the niggling feeling I was left with after writing an article about learning disability. I could see how my deadlines and word counts meant that people’s stories simply didn’t have room to breathe. Their experiences were dramatic, moving, compelling and entertaining – and I was cutting them short. I was also aware that much of what I was doing was using my words to write stories about people when in fact their stories, in their words would be infinitely more powerful.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 20/11/2024

For new faces and #DisabilityHistoryMonth themes -livelihood/employment - here's Made Possible. Success stories by people with learning disabilities, defining success THEMSELVES. Choice, aspiration, independence, potential (ie regular life) bit.ly/48VNLwF #LearningDisability @unbounders.bsky.social

The left hand of a brown skinned woman holding a copy of paperback Made Possible with a white and orange cover. The cover words say: Edited by Saba Salman. Made Possible: Stories of success by people with learning disabilities in their own words.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 19/11/2024

Is it gloomy where you are (not just the weather)? Here's a Happy Art Gallery I dip into when I need to. Crowdsourced in Covid with brilliant people, it started with messaging my sister 'happy art' in lockdown. And 'is for free' to quote Raana. #LearningDisability sabasalman.com/happy-art-ga...

Close up of a textile artwork by Raana Salman. The fabric is white with spatters of paint in red, blue and green. A green and blue tree shape is in the middle of the fabric. Two wavy red lines stretch across the base of the tree, from the left side of the fabric to the right.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 17/11/2024

Seasonal arts & crafts at my sister's supported living yesterday: bunting, decorations and lanterns here (and fabrics on my Instagram if you want a glimpse). Raana's totally herself here, so much so, she refused to get anyone else a coffee at the cafe - while telling us how tasty it was🤔 #socialcare

A shelf display with a string of green leaves above it and, on the shelf three whicker sculptures and a small glass vase filled with leaves and ferns.

A sheet of white tissue paper inlaid with autumn leaves. The leaves are red, green and brown.

A red and white checked table cloth on which are three paper lanterns with tea lights inside. The lanterns are decorated with brown leaves.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 17/11/2024

We interrupt our regular doomcast to bring you some good news: here's my sister showing what’s possible when support meets preference. So Raana preferred a coffee over showing us the crafts made at her supported living. And told us as much😆Crafts: stunning - but the latte more so #LearningDisability

Raana, who has dark chin-length hair and is wearing a baseball cap, red jacket and blue trousers, is sitting at a picnic table holding a cup of coffee. She is looking at it and smiling.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 15/11/2024

Recap if you're new: I'm an ex-news reporter, social affairs corr, housing ed, 20yrs a Guardian writer. Now I write/edit freelance, mostly on #LearningDisability Book: Made Possible. New book, 2025. I chair Sibs, UK charity for disabled people's siblings. I parent teens and I'm Raana's sister⬇️

Raana, a brown skinned woman wearing a black baseball cap and green hoodie, is standing outside in the sun and smiling. The hoodie has the word 'Bazinga' on the front in yellow.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 02/10/2024

One of the freelance projects I have, and love, is helping produce this digital magazine on learning disability. New stories, free to view from Friday, include: - actions for Labour - human rights - social lives - transport - arts for good - health inequality Friday: communitylivingmagazine.com

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 24/09/2024

Reassuring to know the optics match some of the policies being mooted so far.

George Osborne mid speech, holding finger up while at lectern with slogan 'Britain can deliver'. Photo: REUTERS/Darren Staples

Keir Starmer mid speech, holding up a finger, standing at lectern with slogan 'Change begins'. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 23/09/2024

My political conference reporting days are long gone, so if you're after sharp comment on the Labour Party event, there's good analysis elsewhere...but this photo's giving me some awkward archive gameshow vibes. Like, if you're a UK child of the 80s, a bit Bullseye or 3-2-1 Ted Rogers/Dusty Bin.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 20/09/2024

Bye 200-yr-old Standard, ‘run by journalists – a mixture of the shrewd and battle-hardened and the young and keen to learn – who could cope with anything that “events” threw at them’. Words from ES ex-opinion ed James Hanning sum up my first daily news job, when I was one of those young keenies.

An old Evening Standard front page by me on, the memorial for Princess Diana. My old business card lies on top of the newspaper.

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 17/09/2024

Stuff that doesn't make headlines but deserves to #1001: I've been following disability rights/awareness in 'hard-to-reach' groups and just visited a joyful Ana Huna community group sewing club where family carers from diverse backgrounds sewed, talked, offered mutual support. And made these:

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 07/09/2024

Hello from London where I’m heading to the AGM and trustee meeting today for the beautiful charity Sibs. This cup’s well worn because it’s three years old but - fittingly - it’s still going strong, totally indispensable and reliable. V proud to chair this unique charity. www.sibs.org.uk

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Saba Salman @sabasalman.com · 13/11/2023

Big day in the effluent recycling sector today. And in other news, Thames Water.

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