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The government has announced plans to invest £4.6 million in the Volunteering Futures Fund. The investment will provide 7,800 new opportunities for young people, people with disabilities and those experiencing loneliness to volunteer across 160 community organisations from the arts, culture, sport, civil society, youth and heritage sectors. The idea behind the investment is to allow those who may otherwise experience barriers to access volunteering to enjoy the personal benefits of making a difference to their local community.

Mencap has launched MyFun:D which the charity describes as ‘a pot of money which Mencap will spend on making a difference in your life’. MyFun:D has been created by people with a learning disability, for people with a learning disability. To apply, you just have to tell Mencap what would make your life healthier and happier. Details of how to apply are on Mencap’s website. Applications close on Monday 25th April.

The rising cost of living means rising anxiety for many people, but particularly for those with disabilities. It’s always been the case that life costs more for disabled people and their families; spending more on essential goods and services like heating, insurance, equipment and therapies. But with energy levels now set to soar, for many it’s going to be even more challenging.

Robert Hand, from Nottingham, has not worked since an accident eight years ago left him with a spinal injury. He said his mobility scooter was one of his few ways of getting out but, with energy bills increasing, he cannot afford to use it.

Disabled activists have questioned Labour’s commitment to justice for the countless claimants whose deaths were linked to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), after it emerged that one of its senior frontbenchers is married to a DWP director-general. Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, has been a focus for anger among many activists since she said seven years ago that Labour did not want to be seen as “the party to represent those who are out of work” and was “not the party of people on benefits”.