A WHILE AGO Central Devon MP Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, had promised to meet the people of The Turning Tides Project at Crediton. 

On Friday morning, February 10, Mel did so, going to the Station Tea Rooms at Crediton Railway Station to meet many of the people who are part of The Turning Tides Project and listen to their music. 

Everyone had the opportunity to share their individual views. These included comments about the limitations of the concessionary bus passes, the inaccessibility of rail replacement buses, lack of equal access for Disabled People to education and the fact that Disabled People are twice as likely as the general population to live in poverty.

TTTP then performed “Turn on the Lights” an original TTTP song, created using lyrics taken directly from the Disability Discrimination Act.  Mel was presented with a copy of the lyrics of the song.

He then met with Jane Williams, Director of The Turning Tides Project and Roger Hill, one of TTTPs Managers, to briefly discuss the lack of equal access to employment, public transport, housing, education and the Child Protection System. 

The Turning Tides Project was keen to begin a conversation about the need for major change and its organisational belief that equal access is achieved by taking a Social Model Approach.

Jane Williams said: “Mel listened to our concerns, and we shared some thoughts and ideas. We asked to hear his ideas about how we, as an organisation, can be an active part of the conversation about creating an environment for change.  

“Mel has promised to come back to us with information and thoughts about how we can work together and will address the individual issues raised today by people who are part of his constituency. 

“It felt like a useful conversation, and I hope this will lead to TTTP influencing political decisions to ensure that they achieve equal access for people with ‘learning disability’ or ‘autism’ labels.”

After his visit Mel explained that this non-profit organisation champions equal access to music and the arts for people with a learning disability or autism.  It also goes beyond that and looks at the barriers, discrimination and exclusion that those with a disability or autism can face in every day life.  

He added: “I really enjoyed my visit to The Turning Tides Project, listening to some wonderful music, and speaking to Jane and Roger about some very important issues. 

“Their feedback and ideas, particularly around access to employment, was really useful.”

For more information about The Turning Tides Project, please visit: www.theturningtidesproject.org.uk .