Equality and inclusion have been at the heart of United Response since we were established in 1973. Our vision of a society where everyone has equal access to the same rights and opportunities is as true now as it was then.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary and kick off our two-year oral history project ‘Our Life Stories‘, we’re excited to look back on the journeys of people we support, many who moved from institutional care settings back to their local community.

This is our legacy of the first 50 years, but there’s still more work to be done, so what will be the legacy from the next 50 years

United communities

Our mission is to ensure that people we support have the opportunity to live their lives to the full. Our Big Plan sets out several goals, focusing on how can we best support disabled and autistic people, and those with mental health needs, to play an active part in and contribute to their chosen communities.

This work is already happening at our Potter’s Den allotment in Bristol. Local teams have taken a disused allotment space and – with support from funders and volunteers – transformed it into a thriving, accessible green space where people we support grow food and plants.

Some of the produce they’ve grown has been donated to local schools and food projects like the Amazing Grace Soup Kitchen. Deepening local community connections and supporting people to ‘give back’ in this way is a really important part of Our Big Plan.

United Response actively challenges the old and worn-out narrative that portrays people we support as ‘vulnerable’ and recipients of others’ help. We are passionate members of the Social Care Future movement, working to promote a different way of describing social care and those who access support services.

We’re working creatively with partners, nourishing integrated communities, so people get support in every aspect of their lives.

United people

Together, we’re cultivating a stronger collective voice. Through engaging, widespread collaborative campaigns like My Vote My Voice, we’re taking action together to improve rights and opportunities for people we support, putting their voices front and centre and making sure their voices are heard.

We want to support our staff teams to feel valued and listened to, and enable them to progress in their careers, and we’re embracing digital transformation, using improved systems and more efficient technology to improve the way we work.

Growth and development

We’re investing for the future, growing our fundraising and developing our housing, education and employment offers so we can support more people into work, volunteering and lifelong learning.

As a charity, we’ll become better known for the work we do well, and continue our legacy for the next 50 years, so the communities and people we support can say:

“I am connected” – I am actively present and involved, with others, in the life of the communities of which I am part, my local neighbourhood, cultural/social groups of like-minded people.

“I am respected” – I am valued for being me and able to exercise full citizenship.

“I have strengths” – I can increase my competence, learn new skills and participate in meaningful activities with whatever assistance is required.

“I have choices” – I can make choices, both large and small, in my life, including choices about where to live and who I live with.

“I have relationships” – I have mutually valued relationships with both disabled and non-disabled people and the opportunity for loving relationships.

Our impact will not only be felt by individuals, but we’ll see more united communities and, we hope, will create a more inclusive society for years to come.

The illustrated map below is an engaging and creative visual that helps to explore Our Big Plan and our goals in more detail.

I look forward to sharing more updates soon. In the meantime, make sure you’re following us on social media @UnitedResponse.

  • Tim Cooper is Chief Executive for United Response.