State of our Nation

Andy McCabe and Kari Gerstheimer explore how social care shapes disabled people’s autonomy, identity, and everyday choices. They discuss the effects of underfunding, the importance of knowing your rights, and the need for support that helps people live the lives they choose.

Writer and disability rights activist Penny Pepper joins Andy McCabe to discuss representation, punk, creativity, and the realities of navigating systems that often fail disabled people. Penny shares why disabled stories need to move beyond stereotypes, and how autonomy and meaningful social care can change lives. A candid conversation about identity, power, and whose stories get heard.

In the third episode of State of our Nation: In Conversation, Kari Gerstheimer and Andy McCabe discuss Kari's recent conversation with Will Pike and why people need to know their rights before they reach crisis. They explore how to move from repeated assessments and “fight for it yourself” systems toward proactive support, accessible housing, and a society where everyone can live a good life.

Access Social Care: https://www.accesscharity.org.uk/

Social Care Future: https://socialcarefuture.org.uk/

Will Pike joins Kari to discuss disability, autonomy, and the systems that shape access to support. Drawing on his experience of spinal injury and his work as a disability rights campaigner, Will explains how bureaucracy, inaccessible environments, and decisions made without disabled people can undermine dignity and inclusion.

They explore why lived experience matters, how universal design can benefit everyone, and what it takes to build care and support systems that work for the people who rely on them.

Watch Will’s short film, Yes I Can, If: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjvYZ2jvvp8

Episode 2 of State of Our Nation in Conversation explores what the future of social care could look like, from the Casey Commission and pooled risk to the questions of fairness, dignity and who should pay. Kari Gerstheimer and Andy McCabe unpack the realities of navigating social care, disability-related costs and means-testing, while asking what it would take to build a system that works for people across generations and communities.

Access Social Care: https://www.accesscharity.org.uk/

Social Care Future: https://socialcarefuture.org.uk/

AccessAva: https://www.accessava.org.uk/

This episode of State of our Nation explores why social care in England is at breaking point, and why meaningful reform has proved so difficult. Sonia Sodha breaks down how the system works, why more than a million adults are going without the care they need, and how the current model places too much responsibility on families. The conversation also examines funding, the value of care work, and what a fairer national care service could look like — putting dignity, support and real lives at the centre of the debate.

In the first episode of series 4 In Conversation, Kari Gerstheimer and Andy McCabe reflect on Kari's conversation with comedian Ria Lina, exploring disability, neurodiversity and the future of social care.

They discuss the importance of co-production, designing services around people’s lives, greater choice and opportunity, and recognising social care as a right that enables people to live fulfilling, independent lives.

They also look ahead to the Big Conversation on Care, highlighting the importance of public engagement in shaping the future of social care and ensuring people’s rights are properly recognised and funded.

Find out more and take part in the Big Conversation:

The first episode of State of our Nation series 4 explores how society’s systems often exclude anyone who doesn’t fit an imagined “normal”—from disabled people to older adults and unpaid carers. Comedian Ria Lina challenges outdated approaches to education, social care and ageing, making the case for more accessible, visible and human-centred communities. The conversation also examines unpaid care, the value of humour in serious campaigns, and why we must design systems around real lives rather than forcing people to fit the system.

In this episode, Kari and Andy explore the evolving landscape of social care in the UK, emphasising the importance of language, human rights, and strategic framing in influencing policy and public perception. As Prime Minister Andy Burnham signals a potential turning point, the hosts discuss how thoughtful communication and systemic reforms can shape a more equitable future.

In our final episode of this series, we delve into a compelling discussion on social care with Adelina Comas Herrera. During our conversation, we explored the notion that social care should be viewed as an investment in our economy, rather than a mere expense. This post will unpack key insights from the interview and reflect on the broader themes we've encountered throughout this series.