CFDN Hosts Powerful Coffee Morning with Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP to Champion the Rights of Disabled People and Families

Photo of attendees at the Coffee Morning with Sir Iain Duncan Smith in Redbridge championing disables peoples rights and raising issues. Photo taken by CFDN.

The CFDN held a well-attended and impactful coffee morning on 12 June 2025 with Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP to highlight the urgent challenges facing disabled individuals and their families across East London and Essex. Sir Iain, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green was keen to hear about the issues across his boroughs.

Held at St Ann Line Church Hall in Woodford Green, the event welcomed over 35 attendees, several of whom were new to CFDN. Powerful real-life experiences were shared by parents, carers, and disabled people themselves, shining a spotlight on issues such as:

• The broken transition process from children’s to adult services

• Sudden cuts to transport for people attending day centres

• Inconsistent Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

• Lack of supported employment and creative job pathways

• Ongoing failures in social care funding, communication, and assessments

Facilitated by Nicole Squires (Chair of CFDN’s Wanstead & Woodford Group) and Ismat Jeffari (Community Advocate at the CFDN), the meeting opened a space for respectful, honest discussion. Sir Iain Duncan Smith listened carefully to each testimony, committing to follow up on several individual cases and raise the broader issues with relevant authorities and policymakers.

“This was more than a meeting. it was an act of advocacy which is rooted in our history,” said Daniel Ruscoe, CEO of CFDN.

“Families shared experiences that were honest, sometimes hard to hear but deeply moving. Our role as a charity is to ensure they are not just heard, but action is take by local leaders and national government. We are proud to have opened the door to further dialogue.”

“Nicole, Ismat and the Team have worked hard to put this event on and i thank them for their continued work in advocating for people with disabilities.”

The CFDN will be hosting follow-up sessions in the coming months and encourages families across Redbridge and neighbouring boroughs to get involved.

📸 Photos from the event will be available via CFDN’s social media channels.

To learn more about CFDN’s advocacy work or to share your story, visit www.cfdn.org.uk or email advocacy@cfdn.org.uk.