Kate Monaghan has been isolating with her wife Holly and daughter Scout since March. Kate has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and endometriosis and Holly is the recipient of a kidney transplant and falls within the 'high risk' category. They shielded during lockdown and kept an audio diary for BBC Ouch. In this highlights episode, we hear why they suddenly disappeared from your podcast feeds, (Spoiler: It's good news!) and recall some of the best bits. And remember back in April when the supermarket shelves were empty and everyone was stockpiling toilet roll? Or the fear and confusion of that dreaded government text advising strict shielding for 12 weeks? Kate and Holly have been refreshingly honest throughout and many have found this podcast both comforting and laugh out loud funny. Produced and Presented by Amy Elizabeth. Subscribe to this podcast on BBC Sounds or ask 'Ask the BBC for Ouch' to your smart speaker.

'Remember when we were stockpiling toilet roll'

Weekly podcast about mental health, wellbeing and disabled people.  
Life stories and solutions with a friendly touch – for listeners around the world.

News

Emma Tracey speaks to the mother of a 35 year old woman with learning disabilities who she says has been living “unnecessarily” in a mental health facility for 10 years. She says there is no reason for her to be living there and that it's due to lack of appropriate housing and care in the community
We also hear from autistic author Alexis Quinn who also feels let down by the system but is living in her own home now.
Dan Scorer from Mencap shines some light on the situation as the government misses its own target to bring down the numbers. Mencap analysis shows almost 1500 learning disabled or autistic people are inappropriately leading restricted lives in hospital.
 
Last week prime minister Rishi Sunak outlined the Conservative's plans to change work and Personal Independent Payments (PIP) benefits if they win the pending general election. Talk of benefits change is always concerning and Drew Hyndman from the Access All team combs through what he said and puts it in perspective.
 
Activist Shani Dhanda is presently the number one most influential disabled person in the UK according to Shaw Trust's Power 100 list. As the proud Brummy starts a new programme on the BBC's Asian Network, she talks to us about her journey to understanding what being disabled means.
 
Access All was made by Niamh Hughes, Alex Collins, Drew Hyndman, and edited by Damon Rose and Alex Lewis. Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill. The Senior Editor is Sam Bonham.
 
"Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All" to play the latest episode. Or subscribe on BBC Sounds app or website.

Life in a mental health unit when you shouldn't be there

It's Access All's 100th edition! To mark the occasion we’ve provided a bumper episode – including an interview with Rose Ayling-Ellis talking about how she is changing the conversation around British Sign Language. Also on the show:  A glimpse behind the scenes – what really goes on when making Access All.  Plus celebs give their advice on how to live your best disabled life. Presenter Emma Tracey. The episode was made by Drew Hyndman, Niamh Hughes and Alex Collins
Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill 
The editors were Damon Rose and Alex Lewis.  To get in touch with the team email accessall@bbc.co.uk or find us on X, @bbcaccessall. Don’t forget to subscribe by finding us on BBC Sounds.

Access All’s 100th episode

Disability activist and commentator Samantha Renke says the law on disability hate speech needs to be strengthened after a podcast discussion about dating someone in a wheelchair goes viral.
 
Also on the show: Actress and comedian Ashley Storrie talks about the autistic character she plays in the new BBC Three comedy drama Dinosaur.
 
The episode was made by Daniel Gordon with Drew Hyndman and Alexander Collins 
Recorded and mixed by Michael Regaard
The editor is Alex Lewis

Outrage at ableist ‘prejudice’

Tom Shakespeare is Access All presenter Emma Tracey's special guest for an Easter spectacular edition of the podcast. He talks about becoming a novelist for the first time in his 50s, and why he created a disabled character to be the hero of his first non-fiction book.  He also discusses the work he is better known for - a lifetime of disability activism and research - and his profile as a commentator on issues that affect disabled people.  The episode was made by Daniel Gordon, with Niamh Hughes and Emma Tracey. The editor is Alex Lewis. Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill. To get in touch with the team, email accessall@bbc.co.uk or find us on X, @bbcaccessall .

Disability academic Tom Shakespeare: Why I've started writing novels with a disabled hero

Heartstopper star Bradley Riches lifts the lid on how he coped with having autism as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother.  Also on the show: the inventor of a new dating app which he says is fully neuro-diverse friendly. The episode was made by Daniel Gordon with Niamh Hughes and Emma Tracey. 
Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill. 
The editor is Alex Lewis.  To get in touch with the team email accessall@bbc.co..uk or find us on X, @bbcaccessall.

'Remember when we were stockpiling toilet roll'

Download our free app to listen on your phone