Navigating Support Networks [Nov 28th Episode]

Eric Marquette

Hello and welcome back to Beyond the Label! I'm Eric Marquette, joined as always by Ruby Sturt and Harper Bennett. Today we're digging into something that feels, well, pretty foundational for a lot of people—navigating support networks if you’re a disabled adult in the UK, especially around mental health and finances.

Ruby Sturt

G’day everyone! Ruby here. If you listened to Episode 10, when we talked about self-advocacy, you might remember we skimmed past support systems like the NHS and charities. But honestly, they’re not just background noise—they’re kind of the main stage when you’re trying to get help.

Harper Bennett

Totally. And hey, I'm Harper. Here’s a quick truth bomb from my own life: before I knew I could just self-refer to NHS talking therapies—like, literally go online and book it myself—I spent months thinking you needed some super-official GP permission slip. That was... not great for my stress levels.

Eric Marquette

Yeah, a lot of folks don’t realise self-referral’s even an option. I actually had a mate—let’s call him Oliver—who was really struggling with anxiety. He thought the queue to see a specialist would be, like, months long. But we clicked through the NHS website, found the local IAPT service, and he got an assessment sorted in about ten days. Still had a bit of a wait, but knowing help was on the way made a huge difference to him. And it’s so much less intimidating with a friend or advocate to help fill in the forms.

Ruby Sturt

Oh, absolutely. And if things get hairy late at night—say you can’t sleep and everything feels overwhelming—there are options. Charities like Samaritans, you just ring 'em up, or text Shout for crisis help. Mind has loads of info too, and they’re not scary “only for emergencies” places—they really want to help folks catch the drop early.

Harper Bennett

I’ll jump in—and sorry, I love a good tangent, but I promise this one fits—most of these organisations are way more chill than people expect. Everyone thinks you need to have like, a full-blown crisis to call Mind or Samaritans. But honestly, you can just want to vent about the daily grind and they’re still ready. No one’s measuring your “distress points.”

Ruby Sturt

So, pulling back a bit, therapy and helplines are awesome starts, but if you have more complex stuff—maybe a hidden disability or a learning need—mainstream services don’t always cut it, right? That’s where orgs like DisabilityPlus, Livability, Creative Support, and Dimensions come in. Some, like Dimensions UK, have dedicated teams for folks with learning disabilities or autism, running supported living schemes and activity groups that include mental health check-ins as part of the whole package.

Eric Marquette

And charities like Mencap and Scope—they’re a bit legendary for tackling the double-whammy, aren’t they? Not just advising on daily living, but also looking at how mental health weaves into everything else. I know Scope, for example, has been putting loads of effort into their online community, sharing tips that go beyond generic “take a walk”-type advice and into, well, the territory of real problems people face.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah! I got this message—er, I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing, but we’ll call her Jo. Jo called into Scope asking for help with social prescribing, which is like, connecting you to non-medical support—the knitting club, the gardening group, stuff that lifts your week. Scope’s advisor actually walked her through options based on her energy levels and location, not just “go try something.” She said it made her feel seen, not just a number in the system.

Harper Bennett

That’s so legit, Ruby. And, like, Livability—did you know they help with both housing and emotional support? Sometimes they’ll coordinate care plans with NHS teams and help with things like benefits, which is pretty rare. It’s all about tailoring—not just “here’s a flyer.”

Harper Bennett

Alright, I’ll take the money chat—don’t worry, no maths quiz. Financial stress and mental health are basically BFFs in the worst way. So, two big benefits to know: PIP—Personal Independence Payment—and ESA, which is Employment and Support Allowance. PIP isn’t about your income, it’s to help with extra costs if you live with a long-term illness or disability. ESA’s more about income replacement if you can't work, or can only work part-time due to your disability.

Eric Marquette

And the application process—how do I put this politely—can be a bit of a slog. But it helps to prep: make a list of day-to-day challenges, collect any medical or therapy letters, and—this is crucial—be specific and honest on the forms. If you leave things vague—like, “I sometimes need help to shower”—that’s easy to misinterpret. Instead, spell out how often, what kind of help, the emotional toll. The little details really do matter with assessors.

Ruby Sturt

Absolutely. And don’t feel you have to go it solo; loads of folks use citizens advice or organisations like Scope. Oh—actually, this links back to Livability again. We’ve seen them help a resident not only get support for their mental health but walk them through PIP paperwork and even prep for interviews. It was kind of this huge relief chain—like, when you get support on one front, the other stuff starts to feel more possible.

Harper Bennett

I always tell friends, “Pretend you’re telling your best mate how bad a rubbish day looks”—not sugarcoating it for the form. It really helps the assessor understand what you’re up against. If you need help, don’t be afraid to pull in support from a charity or advice service to review your form before you send it off.

Eric Marquette

So, support isn’t just services and paperwork. I mean, as we talked about in Care for the Caregivers, community matters—sometimes more than you think. Peer support groups can cut through the fog. Whether it’s a local meet-up, an online WhatsApp group, or coffee after the gym with a friend who “gets it”—these connections are, honestly, a lifeline.

Harper Bennett

Yeah, and shoutout to all the quirky community groups out there. I joined a disabled gamers club last year and, honestly, venting about joystick malfunctions is great therapy. If you’re new to this, don’t be shy—lots of groups have intro sessions or online forums if you’re a bit awkward during those first ‘hello’s. And if one group doesn’t fit, try another—you’re not signing a lifetime contract.

Ruby Sturt

I like to tell people, sometimes your “network” isn't just the professionals in your notebook—it’s the chatty lady at water aerobics, your neighbour who texts about bin day, or your old mate from school who remembers your weird karaoke version of ‘Dancing Queen’. Keep those informal ties alive. They do stack up. And don’t be afraid to reach out. There’s strength—like actual practical strength—in asking your network if they know someone, or if they’ve used a certain service.

Ruby Sturt

Alright, I’ll try not to sound like I’m reading from a textbook here—deep breath. Legally in the UK, you’ve got the Equality Act 2010 backing you up. That means employers, the NHS, housing providers—they’re all meant to make “reasonable adjustments.” If you’re hitting barriers, legal support is out there: there’s Citizens Advice, and plenty of disability charities have legal hotlines too.

Eric Marquette

And advocacy services are a real game changer. Local ones can help you prep for meetings, write complaints, and just figure out what your rights are. Nationally, Scope and Mencap, like you mentioned before, Ruby—they don’t just do info sheets. Sometimes they’ll join you in calls or help prepare questions in advance, which can take a massive load off. Honestly, it links back to what we covered about self-advocacy in Episode 10—sometimes it’s about being prepared: make a list of points and never be afraid to pause a meeting and say, ‘I need more time to process this.’

Harper Bennett

Yeah, and not to get all “strategy 101” on everyone, but having your own documentation ready—questions, dates, what was promised—is a lifesaver. You don’t have to be a barrister, just organised enough to say, ‘Actually, last month you told me XYZ, and I wrote it down.’ Sometimes, that’s what makes the system listen.

Harper Bennett

Alright, so you’ve got your services, your network... how do you make it all work in real life? I’m a big fan of “support plans”—and not the fancy kind you need a degree to write, but like: What do you actually want? Do you need weekly check-ins, help filling out forms, someone to call when you’re stuck? Write it all down. And it’s okay if it changes—review that list, tweak it monthly. Life doesn’t stand still.

Ruby Sturt

And, geeky tip, keep a “support log”—just a notebook or your phone. Jot down every hospital call, who you spoke to, main points, and what’s supposed to happen next. That way, if things slip, you’ve got a record. Super handy if you need to chase stuff but also for your own sanity—sometimes you forget wins as well as headaches!

Eric Marquette

Exactly. And don’t underestimate the power of relationships within your support system—build up contacts, not just names of organisations. Who’s the go-to physio or the social worker who actually answers emails? Even among friends, know who’s up for a late-night chat versus who can help with paperwork. Creating those communication channels means help comes when you need it, not “sometime next Monday.”

Eric Marquette

So once you’ve built these structures, it’s not just “job done”—support networks need maintenance. Set a regular “support audit”—maybe every couple of months—just to check if what you’re doing is still matching up with what you need. Priorities shift, and what felt right last year might not make sense after a new job, new meds, or just, well, life.

Harper Bennett

And for the journalling fans—myself included—keep track of how you’re feeling, what’s working, what’s not. Sometimes you only realise two months later that, hey, the weekly peer group actually boosts your mood or that your new hobby doubles as a vent session. If it works, jot it down!

Ruby Sturt

I always reckon, make feedback part of your routine. Whether it’s telling your support worker, your doctor, or your mates how things are going—it helps everyone stay on the same page, and you might spark ideas for tweaks that make the whole system hum better. It builds trust, too. It’s like tuning an old typewriter—hit the right keys, keep everything oiled, and it’ll work for ages.

Eric Marquette

Well, that’s about all we’ve got time for today. As always, thanks for tuning into Beyond the Label. Let us know your own support stories—what’s worked, what nearly drove you bananas. We’ll be diving further into practical hacks and real-life stories in the next few episodes, so don’t go far.

Ruby Sturt

Thanks everyone—keep those typewriter keys clacking, and remember, your network is bigger than you think. See you next time, Harper, Eric.

Harper Bennett

Catch ya next episode! And if you’re stuck, somebody out there has walked this road before—promise. Bye guys!