Warren Belcher @ermate

Citizen and social worker who likes lots of stuff but not keen on liquorice. ermate.wordpress.com Joined December 2009

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Warren Belcher @ermate

5 days ago

Yikes, I just can’t do it at 1am if I’m to have any hope of making it through not just the rest of the day, but the week, the month, the year… and frankly the rest of the decade!😭Any chance of an exception to this rule? Come on England *this might be my last chance to say that! 🤣⚽️🙏

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Jonathan Singer 🎙️ @socworkpodcast

5 days ago

Loved my interview with @drjessigold. Being an "expert" in burnout didn't make her immune from experiencing burnout. Love her tips on writing to process difficult experiences and how mental health professionals can write for general audiences beyond EMRs. socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2024/12/JessiG…

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Warren Belcher @ermate

6 days ago

For over 30 years, as a non-disabled person, I’ve been deeply embedded in the disability community, working in direct care, support roles, and local initiatives. I’ve had the privilege of knowing the same people with physical disabilities, mental health challenges, learning disabilities, autism and acquired brain injuries by building authentic, lasting relationships during this time. These connections have given me a profound understanding of their lives, their struggles, their aspirations, their identities and their extraordinary resilience in the face of relentless barriers. One truth stands out: almost no one is “gaming the system”. The people I know confront obstacles most of us can’t fathom including judgmental attitudes, outright discrimination, inaccessible environments and a welfare system so badly flawed it feels designed to strip away dignity and control . The constant demand to “prove” their needs leaves people feeling like they’re trapped in a goldfish bowl, every choice and penny scrutinised. Worse, much of their PIP or Universal Credit is swallowed by local social care contributions towards care that often delivered with patchy support at best. Your X posts miss this lived reality entirely. The disability community isn’t shirking responsibility unlike some careerist politicians who grandstand without engaging directly. Citizens with disabilities are navigating a world that consistently fails them. If we’re serious about welfare reform, let’s stop, reflect and start with real solutions including accessible infrastructure, streamlined support systems and trust in people’s lived experiences. Invest in lives, foster partnership and prioritise collaboration over blame. That’s what the people I serve tell me, it’s what I’ve seen over decades and it’s what we all urgently need as a decent inclusive community and society. #welfare

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Warren Belcher @ermate

a week ago

The UK needs a healthier political culture built on governance, a more capable opposition and a media focused on genuine debate rather than personality driven reporting and gotchas! Whatever the party, it’s time for a complete reset in how leadership, scrutiny and accountability are approached starting with #welfare . My new blog👇 ermate.wordpress.com/2026/06/28/ima…

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Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

The country needs a healthier political culture built on governance, a more capable opposition and a media focused on genuine debate rather than personality driven reporting. Whatever the party, it’s time for a complete reset in how leadership, scrutiny and accountability are approached @andyburnham @Keir_Starmer @KemiBadenoch @Nigel_Farage @EdwardJDavey @ZackPolanski 👇 ermate.wordpress.com/2026/06/28/ima…

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Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

@Susanb25Bevis Fabulous and I love reading other blogs. Looking forward to reading this one 🙏

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Warren Belcher @ermate

5 months ago

My new blog “When Social Work Stops Being Understood” 👇 ermate.wordpress.com/2026/02/14/whe…

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Giselle - Adult Social Care Warriors @Giselle_ASCWs

2 weeks ago

“Helen Whately’s recent comments about people who rely on welfare are not just misguided, they are irresponsible . . .” An excellent blog highlighting the dangerous rhetoric rooted in ignorance & political gain 👇

Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

My new blog trying (badly) to address the terrible toxic narratives surrounding welfare debates on social media and beyond. 👇 ermate.wordpress.com/2026/06/28/ima…

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Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

@Giselle_ASCWs Thank you. It was a tough one to write. I really appreciate you reading and sharing it 😍

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Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

My new blog trying (badly) to address the terrible toxic narratives surrounding welfare debates on social media and beyond. 👇 ermate.wordpress.com/2026/06/28/ima…

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Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

@Helen_Whately ermate.wordpress.com/2026/06/28/ima…

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Giselle - Adult Social Care Warriors @Giselle_ASCWs

2 weeks ago

@ermate @snowleopardess @markswan52 @Helen_Whately had the chance to make a difference when she was in Gov She didn't Now she repeatedly promotes misleading narratives bout disability benefits that fuel stigma despite evidence that fraud is very low It smacks of desperation rather than evidence-based policymaking

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Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

@Giselle_ASCWs @snowleopardess @markswan52 @Helen_Whately 💯%

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Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

@Susanb25Bevis Thank you so much, really means a lot 🙏

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Snowleopardess 💚 @snowleopardess

2 weeks ago

Please take heed of this @Helen_Whately, and pause for thought before posting any more of your attacks on the most vulnerable people in the community.

Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

@snowleopardess @markswan52 Helen Whately’s latest comments about people who rely on welfare aren’t just relentless they are irresponsible. As a former Social Care Minister she was surrounded by excellent sector leaders and civil servants who understand the realities of illness, disability and social care,

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Warren Belcher @ermate

2 weeks ago

This kind of Conservative welfare rhetoric is genuinely damaging. It turns situations people didn’t choose such as illness, disability, caring responsibilities, trauma, redundancy into culture wars. Please be responsible as it frightens people who rely on support, fuels anger against others, and polarises society. Welfare needs sensible, evidence informed research, thoughtful politics and honest, non‑provocative debate about what works and where any reform is necessary. We should be proud of the welfare state and own it collectively. That’s not naïve, it’s just responsible governance.