Our Practical Intervention fund's back! This time with a Mobility focus, we can't provide actual mobility aids but we have 8 great items we can gift to disabled people who aren't able to buy them. Simple application process, more here: www.touretteshero.com/2025/08/12/p... closes 03/09/25

I've not been able to do my job for the last 3 months because of a DWP decision to cut my #AccessToWork support. This week I received a letter reinstating my support, while this is good news for me there are many others still affected by cuts & delays touretteshero.com/safe/2025/07... 1/2

An important article by Andrew Miller in @ArtsPro please read and share: www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea... #ProtectAtW #TakingThePip

I’m so shocked this is happening, in 21st century Britain, under a Labour govt. - the words say “get people working “ the policies are causing the complete opposite!

I don't know Jess personally, but for pretty much the entire time I've been working professionally she has been widely regarded as a valued and respected figure in the British theatre sector. That it has taken a Labour government to force her out of work is an indelible mark of shame.

My Job Hasn’t Changed, My Disability Hasn’t Changed, So Why Has My Support Changed? www.touretteshero.com/2025/06/20/m...

Channel 4 news interviewing Jess Thom who cannot continue working due to cuts in Access to Work funding. It was Jess’ organisation, @touretteshero.bsky.social that enabled my learning disabled son, to perform at the Southbank in London. The cuts in support for #disabled people must stop.

A Tale of Two Pods, offering us two versions of the future, which would you choose? www.touretteshero.com/2025/06/25/a...

Making all self-driving pilot schemes accessible would be ‘counter-productive’ and slow us down, says minister www.disabilitynewsservice.com/making-all-s...

Sharing this in solidarity with all those who, like me, are deeply worried and concerned about the outcome of the #AssistedDying vote today: www.touretteshero.com/2025/06/20/l... #TakingThePip #ProtectAtW

I’ve been vocal about the impact the cuts to my Access To Work support have had on my job. I haven’t explained publicly my biggest fear - I’ve lost 45hrs of support a week and if this isn’t reinstated I’ll have to go back to #SocialCare & #NHS to cover these lost hours 1/3

The only thing preventing Jess from working is Keir Starmer.

Please watch the videos in this thread. It's unbelievable that a Labour government is forcing disabled people out of work #LabourIsn'tWorking

Keir Starmer says Labour is the party of work, equality and fairness, but less than a year after the election, changes at the Department for Work and Pensions have forced me to stop doing the job I love. The full video can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxpq... #AccessToWork

My urgent message to Keir Starmer's Labour government about the devastating impact of cuts to #AccessToWork funding for working disabled people. wearebap.co.uk/campaign 1/4 @tomryalls.bsky.social @disabilityarts.bsky.social

The start of my 3rd week not being able to work because of a decision by the DWP under Keir Starmer to cut my #AccessToWork support by 61%. With support I can work, without it I can't. The shock & sadness is still overwhelming: www.touretteshero.com/safe/2025/05... @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social

With the cut to my #AccessToWork support meaning I can’t do my job & impacting creative projects, it’s been a while since I felt excited & moved by theatre but experiencing the #RelaxedPerformance of #MatildaMusical with my niece this afternoon was the reminder I needed.

The fact this is a decision by #AccessToWork is shocking #Touretteshero artistic work gave many opportunities to other disabled artists, my son included. I am saddened and angered to read this.

I am deeply saddened to read this. I know how much the work means to you but also the impact it has had on other disabled artists. So sorry & what a sad world we live in

Calling all artists, creatives and cultural sector workers, there is an open letter about the changes to Access to Work which will be released on Monday, it’s been signed by almost 2000 people, please add your name if you can: airtable.com/appSbdVCnzZy...

Still can't get over how cruel and terrible this is. With decisions like this the Labour government is making the country spiritually, culturally and financially poorer.

As a #Disabled led business, we share @touretteshero.bsky.social deep concern about the impact of #AccessToWork cuts. They will have a devastating impact and prevent many of us from working

This is heartbreaking to read. The very real cost of removing support from those who need it to work.

This is devastating news! Jess has made an incredible contribution to the sector, both as an artist and as an activist and advocate, and I have spoken to many disabled artists who speak of her as a major inspiration for their own careers. I hope a suitable resolution can be found asap.

I don't know what those of us who need support to work are supposed to do. I doubt employers will cover the costs instead. Why would they when they could just employ a non-disabled person? And what are self-employed people supposed to do? The cuts are unfair, unjustifiable and very damaging.

'The party of work', not content with slashing benefits that help disabled people live (and work) independently, also actively pushing disabled people out of work. Including - a fun detail - by suggesting a support worker isn't entitled to minimum wage.

Jess Thom, co-artistic director of Touretteshero, can no longer do her job after a 61% cut to her #AccessToWork support. This is not a unique case - disabled people across the UK are being hit hard. Read @graeaetheatre.bsky.social here and consider writing to your MP: graeae.org/resource/gra...

Cutting access to work means putting brilliant disabled artists like @touretteshero.bsky.social out of work. Which is a stupid waste of talent, humanity and money.

I’ve had so much support in the last 36 hrs, thank you! It feels important to acknowledge it’s not just my job on the line but my support workers too & not an isolated case. I’m in touch with my MP @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social & @artscouncilengland.bsky.social

Labour government are so concerned about 'Getting disabled people into work' they are cutting all the support that makes it possible for us to actually do our jobs. My latest Access to work application has been sitting in the backlog since November. #BlueLabour #DisabilitySky #WelfareNotWarfare

Devastating. @rachelblakemp.bsky.social — this is exactly what I feared when we spoke about #AccessToWork cuts. You said you’d write to minister Stephen Timms. Please do. Disabled people deserve answers: how can slashing support be justified when the government claims it wants to help us into work?

Going to see Backstage in Biscuitland was my first experience of attending a relaxed performance as a disabled person and it meant so much to me. This is such a massive loss and makes me so angry.

"If the changes are introduced as planned many deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and chronically ill people will face losing their jobs, careers and livelihoods. The fact that this is happening under a Labour government is a shocking betrayal of everything they’ve ever stood for."

I'm gutted, Jess's Biscuitland play came to Bradford after the pandemic and I think it was a key part of my psychological healing from covid, and the first truly accessible theatre show I have seen. We're losing a leader, an encourager, a teacher, a star.

For fuck’s sake… I saw Jess’ show at the Barbican around a decade ago. No single work of art has informed my perspective upon making the arts accessible more. This is an avoidable disgrace, one perpetrated by a government who should - in name at least - support those who wish to work.

This is devastatingly awful - for Jess, personally, and for everyone pushed into a similar situation. Access to Work is vital funding and to cut it in this manner, without explanation, is just beyond words. Especially amid all the trumpeting around forcing disabled people back into employment.

We’re saddened and angry to hear that Jess Thom, founder of Touretteshero, can no longer work after a 61% cut to her Access to Work support. She's not alone—disabled artists across the UK are being hit hard. Learn more and take action: bit.ly/3E9g1kj

Every minister should read this. 👇 If the government actually cared about disabled people being in work, they would reform the chaos of Access to Work.

When we made Biscuitland for C4, Jess told me how important it was to show her character at work, with the support she needed. It was also about what it's like to have your whole life in the gift of these fucking bureaucrats. Jess, and thousands of others, need this support, and our support too.

So disappointing to hear- these cuts affect real people. Jess does such fantastic work.

This is absolutely devastating. This is what happens when you cut support for disabled people in work. They can’t, then, in fact, work!

This is the reality of what #AccessToWork cuts mean - Jess, who works and runs a company employing other people, can't do her job any more:

This is absolutely enraging and heartbreaking. Labour wants more people in work, yet they're cutting Access to Work payments, which supports disabled people to actually be able to go to work. Or in this case means a person who has been working for 15 years now can't.

This is terrible news, Jess is an incredibly talented and hard working force for good in the world. Under the Tories she received the funding she needs to be able to work, but under Labour that has been taken away. Please read her post linked below

This is Biscuitland, the sparkling, BAFTA award winning sitcom pilot by the wonderful @touretteshero.bsky.social Have a watch to get an idea of the struggles, joy, and sheer determination it takes to work in spite of our ableist culture. youtu.be/hLsW23c55d0?...

Tourette's Hero had a really influential role in my childhood, around when I first got diagnosed with Tourette's. I remember always writing her name on "who is your hero" questions and the like. And to see this now... Fuck this government. So much. The "party of work" preventing people from work.

😡 if you didn’t realise before, this is how you know that this government doesn’t give a single shit about ‘getting disabled people into work’. It’s cuts and ableism all the way down.

Shocking example of the impact govt chance have on people. (and thus on whose voices get heard in culture.)

When a leading artist, employer, trailblazer, activist with unquestionable complex support needs has to halt work bc #AccessToWork has been cut, it sadly looks like Labour Isn’t Working. Wonder if @bambosmp.bsky.social @francesryan.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social can make some noise?

I am really saddened and frankly, angered, to see this. Jess is incredible & this is just so unjust. They want to withdraw support & make everyone work more then this happens - a glaring example of how cutting support will cause far more problems for the govt down the line. Time for UBI?