Stop the stigma. Fix the system
Most of us will need the benefits system at some point. So, it should treat us all with dignity and respect. Join our campaign to make sure our social security system is always there for us when we need it.
We all want to be treated with dignity and respect, especially during hard times. Like our NHS, our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it. The priority should be giving us security when we're not well and confidence to take our next steps into work.
But right now, too many of us feel overlooked by those in power and let down by a social security system that doesn’t support us when we need it to.
When we try to get support, too often we’re left feeling ashamed, undeserving and stuck.
This has a devastating impact on our health, financial security and wellbeing, with over half of people claiming support agreeing that the process made their mental health worse. Of course, this makes us lose trust in our social security system and it makes it harder to live independently.
Most of us will need the social security system at some point in our lives. And we need to be able to trust that, when we do, we will be treated with dignity and respect. It’s time for the government to make decisions that support our society as a whole and invest in a better future for all of us.
We’re calling for a benefits system that treats everyone with dignity and respect
Our social security system is the glue that holds our society together. It’s a promise that if life takes an unexpected turn, we won’t be left to struggle through hard times alone.
A good system ensures that everyone in our society can live with dignity.
Based on our research and insights from our co-production partners, we’re asking the government to make three critical changes:
- Transform access to disability benefits - simplify the process of applying for PIP and train assessors so they understand the realities of disability and illness.
- Supportive conversations, not interrogations - make sure frontline staff have the time and tools to build trust with the people they support.
- Jobcentres that lead with trust, not suspicion - give people time and support to prepare for the next step in their career, instead of threatening sanctions that just don’t work.
We've written a policy report detailing these recommendations in full.
Campaign with us
Most of us agree that claiming benefits should not be shameful, but we need to make sure decision-makers know we feel that way.
We're working together with our co-production partners to make change happen, and we need your help too.
Whether you’ve experienced financial hardship yourself, you know someone who has, or you just believe in our vision of a social security system that’s always there for us when we need it, we’re all in this together.
Working to create a compassionate system that treats everyone with dignity and respect. A system that we or any of our loved ones are likely to one day need to rely on and that we can all be proud of.
We’ll get there by sharing stories, challenging the stigma associated with needing help and telling our MPs what needs to change.
Join us today to be the first to find out how you can get involved.
The campaign so far
We published our 'Stigma in the system' research, which helped us understand and communicate what needs to change to make sure our social security system is there for all of us when we need it.
Over 100 people, including MPs and peers in the sector, came to our ‘Stop the stigma. Fix the system.’ campaign launch, held in parliament.
We launched our policy report, ‘From stigma to support’, outlining our recommendations for the government to create a trusted and effective social security system.
We sent our open letter to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden. Nearly 2,500 of you added your name to show that you agree that our social security system should treat everyone with dignity and respect.
We joined together with 52 disabled people and charities to write to the co-chairs of the Timms Review, urging them to clearly and transparently set out their plans for involving disabled people in the review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
We held an event in Parliament where actors took MPs through two Jobcentre experiences - one shaped by tick-box exercises and the threat of sanctions, and another where work coaches could provide the time and personalised support needed to build confidence and aspirations. MPs attended to find out how they can support employment reforms focused on building trust and respect.
