The Yellow Tulip Group is for anyone who is interested in doing research with people with a learning disability. It is run by Jonny Ding, Richard Keagan-Bull, Andrew Priest and Irene Tuffrey-Wijne who are all members of the Kingston University Intellectual Disability (KIND) research group

Our meetings are open to seasoned researchers, people just starting out, people with a learning disability, family members, carers, students, and practitioners. We’ve even had people join us from different parts of the world. If you’re curious about inclusive research, you’re welcome.

The group has been running for over four years now, and we meet on Zoom on the last Tuesday of every month from 12–1pm. The meetings are informal and friendly. There’s no pressure — you can come along to listen, share, ask questions, or just see what it’s all about.

Our topics are guided by what people in the group want to talk about. Over the past few years, we’ve explored things like:

• Doing research together with people with a learning disability
• Creative and fun research methods
• Publishing research articles together
• Ethics applications
• Sharing ongoing projects and learning together

Sometimes we’ve had short presentations. Other times, it’s been more of an open discussion. What matters most is that it’s a collaborative space where people doing inclusive research can learn from each other.

There is so much brilliant research happening, but we don’t always get to hear about it. The Yellow Tulip Group is a space to share ideas, challenges, successes, and good practice. It’s about supporting each other to do research together, not just research on people.

“Keith and I just want to thank you, Irene , Richard and Sarah for the brilliant meeting today! We’d really like Sarah to know how much we enjoyed her presentation and how it inspired Keith in taking forward his own family research… Keith felt that Sarah’s films made history much more accessible for him.” If you’d like to join us, you can email Jonny.Ding@kingston.ac.uk to sign up. We’d love to see you!

Episode 39 of So Who Cares Anyway shares powerful insights from an NIHR Knowledge Mobilisation Fellowship on supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Key messages resonate strongly with our work: staff must not only know but feel and understand; trust is rebuilt through action, not words; and meaningful inclusion is never tokenistic. We’re delighted to have supported Ruth in this important project. Well worth a listen!

Ruth Germaine, Independent Health & Care Consultant is seeking the views of people with learning disabilities, autistic people, their family, friends and carers – focused on co-creation. Ruth is organising Workshops, one in person (Chatham Maritime, Kent) and one online. Please see attached flyers for more details of these events on 17 and 19 March. For more information please contact Ruth at ruth.germaine@reflectiveruthconsultancy.com

Relevant to people in Surrey, this consultation is focused on a draft ‘Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnership Short Breaks Policy’ for adults with eligible care and support needs, their carers and families. The draft policy outlines how short breaks will be offered, the eligibility criteria and types of support available. The consultation closes Sunday 8 March 2026, further details including accessible information in this link Surrey County Council, UK: Adults Wellbeing and Health Partnerships Short Breaks Policy Consultation

Are you a family carer of an individual with severe or profound learning disabilities, and live in Kent or Medway?
If so, please join the Forward Together community of practice events, organised by the Challenging Behaviour Foundation.
Professionals – please share with family carers you have contact with, and come along also.

Contact forwardtogether@thecbf.org.uk or 01634838739 to find out more or confirm attendance

Further details within posters below.