First person

I’m 28 and my parents control my bank account. It’s the only reason I’m still sober
Money

I’m 28 and my parents control my bank account. It’s the only reason I’m still sober

I handed over control of my own money voluntarily, after moving back into my childhood home following an admission of alcoholism

It was a traumatic, hellish fight trying to get SEND support for my daughter
SEND

It was a traumatic, hellish fight trying to get SEND support for my daughter

The government is set to announce reforms to the special education (SEND) system, but will it be enough for families like this one?

I left teaching because I felt eaten up by guilt that I couldn’t help SEND children like my own
SEND

I left teaching because I felt eaten up by guilt that I couldn’t help SEND children like my own

Sara is a mother to Ava, 10, who faced months without education while they fought for a place in a specialist school which could meet her needs

My children were out of school for more than a year as we fought to get them SEND support
SEND

My children were out of school for more than a year as we fought to get them SEND support

Mainstream school was right for my daughter. SEND changes could cause more harm than good
SEND

Mainstream school was right for my daughter. SEND changes could cause more harm than good

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Families face a bitter fight for SEND support in the UK: ‘It nearly killed us emotionally and financially’
SEND

Families face a bitter fight for SEND support in the UK: ‘It nearly killed us emotionally and financially’

A single Home Office mistake ruined my teenage years and left me homeless for four years 
Asylum seekers

A single Home Office mistake ruined my teenage years and left me homeless for four years 

I ran off to join the circus – here’s what happened
Big Issue invest

I ran off to join the circus – here’s what happened

Comedian Rob Auton on staying motivated at the Edinburgh Fringe: ‘The effort is the best part’
Edinburgh Fringe

Comedian Rob Auton on staying motivated at the Edinburgh Fringe: ‘The effort is the best part’

I spent a year undercover as a far-right activist. Here’s seven things I learned
Far right

I spent a year undercover as a far-right activist. Here’s seven things I learned

Before Oasis, Radio 1 were as likely to play a guitar band as they were a badger being strangled
Oasis

Before Oasis, Radio 1 were as likely to play a guitar band as they were a badger being strangled

It never crossed my mind I might need disability benefits. Now I don’t know where I’d be without PIP
Disability benefits

It never crossed my mind I might need disability benefits. Now I don’t know where I’d be without PIP

A moment in a maths class, aged 14, gave me the courage to tell people I was trans
Alice Jayde Wood

A moment in a maths class, aged 14, gave me the courage to tell people I was trans

Kinship carers need financial support. Instead, we’re just left to get on with it
Kinship care

Kinship carers need financial support. Instead, we’re just left to get on with it

I carried the weight of my £60,000 debt alone. Then one conversation changed everything
Debt

I carried the weight of my £60,000 debt alone. Then one conversation changed everything

I’m 18 and bed bound with long Covid. This is what it’s like to be held hostage by your own body
Emily-May Stephenson

I’m 18 and bed bound with long Covid. This is what it’s like to be held hostage by your own body

I was homeless and an addict as a teen. I hope my life can help people have a little more empathy
Lorna Tucker

I was homeless and an addict as a teen. I hope my life can help people have a little more empathy

SIX The Musical star Aimie Atkinson: ‘Henry VIII’s wives had issues that women are still dealing with’
Film

SIX The Musical star Aimie Atkinson: ‘Henry VIII’s wives had issues that women are still dealing with’

I have worn second hand clothes my whole life. I don’t know why anyone would shop new
Second hand September

I have worn second hand clothes my whole life. I don’t know why anyone would shop new

‘My heart burns’: Three years after fall of Kabul, Afghan women share stories of escape and hope
Afghanistan

‘My heart burns’: Three years after fall of Kabul, Afghan women share stories of escape and hope

‘I want to get out’: The fight for people with learning disabilities to live at home – not hospitals
Learning Disability Week 2024

‘I want to get out’: The fight for people with learning disabilities to live at home – not hospitals

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My cousin was killed in front of his six-year-old son. I need to get my family out of Gaza
Israel-Gaza war

My cousin was killed in front of his six-year-old son. I need to get my family out of Gaza

My family faced hell on earth in Gaza. Leaving was their only option for survival
Israel-Gaza war

My family faced hell on earth in Gaza. Leaving was their only option for survival

I lost 200 members of my family to war in Gaza. I feel betrayed by the UK government
Israel-Gaza war

I lost 200 members of my family to war in Gaza. I feel betrayed by the UK government

I used to dream of being a doctor in the UK. Now I’m searching for ways to survive in Palestine
Israel-Gaza war

I used to dream of being a doctor in the UK. Now I’m searching for ways to survive in Palestine