Well that’s almost a wrap on the summer term of 2025, and I’m sure we’re all looking forward to a bit of downtime over the next few weeks. Recently, it has been so lovely to see celebratory events in many organisations hosting our Karten Centres. Recognising the progress and achievements of students and service users and the contributions of talented staff is so important, it’s great to take time out and reflect on the impact high quality provision can have on the lives of people we support. May I extend heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your hard work and commitment.
Professional Association for Assistive Technologists (PAAT)
I wanted to provide you with an update on the work undertaken to establish the Professional Association for Assistive Technologists (PAAT). Many of you will remember the consultation activities at the TechAbility Conference back in November 2024. Since then, the sub-group comprising of myself, Fil McIntyre (TechAbility), Dave Hursthouse (Leonard Cheshire) and Professor Jane Seale (Open University) has amended the PAAT documents and framework. Excellent progress has been made with the eligibility criteria and guidance to support professionals to submit portfolios for assessment. A small pilot will be undertaken, prior to PAAT’s launch at the 2025 TechAbility conference.
We are currently working to set up a CIC and secure seed funding for the initial set-up costs. If you know anyone who may be interested in supporting the PAAT CIC through a one-off donation or sponsorship please let me know.
St Helen’s Buzz Hub
On 6 June I was delighted to go to Cineworld in St Helens to enjoy the screening of St Helen’s Buzz Hub’s film called Life Goes On. Buzz Hub members worked on issues that were important to them as they were venturing out of the Covid lockdowns. The film was fabulous, an amazing mix of emotional, poignant, funny and touching as the cast worked through some tricky and sensitive material. What a very proud day for St Helens Buzz Hub, and hats off to Cineworld for providing such a brilliant big screen experience. Again there is a further report on this occasion later in the newsletter.
Sense College Loughborough
In May, Sense College Loughborough, held its first ever Assistive Technology Week – Limitless by Inclusion. I was lucky enough to attend on the final day. The two live events featured stalls from several different technology companies, including Everway, Aventido, and Thomas Pocklington Trust, plus in-house stalls for MSI Technology and AAC. There were a few speakers who gave short presentations about a range of topics, including TechAbility.
The highlight for me was the final presentation by Sense College student Technology Champions and from the College’s assistive technologist (AT). They spoke about what “Limitless by Inclusion” means. The AT spoke about students use assistive technology in College, and about the challenges that people may face when using assistive technology, including funding AT, lack of awareness, and societal stigma etc. The visitors to the events were from different FE Colleges, exhibitors, external professionals, parents/carers, staff and students. I’m going to finish with the words of the students, as I think you will agree they are very powerful!
People ask, ‘What does “Limitless by Inclusion” mean?
It means my wheelchair isn’t a ‘limitation’—it’s my freedom.
It means my AAC device isn’t ‘special’—it’s essential.
It means our differences aren’t barriers—they’re blueprints for a better world.
So, this week, we challenge YOU – Try a tool you’ve never used. Ask us questions. Make a pledge. Because when you embrace inclusion we all become limitless. Thank you for believing in our vision. Now let’s build that future—one switch, one click, one voice at a time! Sense College Loughborough Technology Champions.
There is a fuller article on this event later in the newsletter.
More Than Meets the Eye – Accessibility and AI at WWDC and Google I/O
July marks Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the richness of disabled identity, and to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still need to go.
Though its origins lie in the United States, first marked in 1990 to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), its message has taken root globally. More countries each year are recognising July as a moment for visibility, dignity, and pride. At its heart, Disability Pride is about challenging the idea that disability is something to hide, overcome or fix. It is a celebration of identity, diversity, and human difference.
As technology increasingly shapes every aspect of daily life, the ways in which disabled people are included in, or excluded from, these conversations matter deeply. Against this backdrop, two of the world’s biggest tech companies, Apple and Google, unveiled their latest innovations at their annual developer conferences: WWDC and Google I/O.
While the headline features span far beyond disability, both companies have continued to build on their accessibility work, reflecting a recognition that inclusive design is central to innovation, not separate from it.
WWDC 2025
Apple kicked off WWDC with its most sweeping software update in years. For the first time, it aligned system version numbers with the calendar year, so iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS all jumped to version 26. The previous version of iOS was iOS 18. The leap reflects a shift to year-based numbering rather than a series of skipped releases. Apple described the move as a way to simplify versioning, reduce confusion across platforms, and reflect a more unified, ecosystem-wide approach to innovation.
Liquid Glass: A Unified New Look Across Apple Platforms
One of the most innovative and visually striking changes was the introduction of Liquid Glass, Apple’s new cross-platform design language. It will roll out across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS, bringing a consistent, layered visual aesthetic to the entire Apple ecosystem.
The design features subtle translucency, depth effects, and dynamic lighting to give interfaces a sense of dimensionality and responsiveness. Panels and navigation elements now appear as if they are crafted from softly frosted glass, floating, refracting, and shifting with the user’s movement and input. It is the most substantial visual update since the flat design introduced with iOS 7.
Apple describes Liquid Glass as more than just a visual refresh. It is intended to create a more immersive and cohesive experience across devices, from iPhones to Vision Pro.
Reactions so far have been mixed. Some users and designers are excited by the fresh aesthetic, while others, particularly within the accessibility community, have voiced concerns. The first beta version prompted considerable feedback, particularly around readability in areas like Control Center, where high transparency made text and icons difficult to distinguish. In response, Apple adjusted blur levels, increased contrast, and added background frosting in later developer betas.
These changes suggest that Apple is aiming to strike a balance between aesthetic ambition and day-to-day usability. The visual richness of Liquid Glass reflects a broader move toward interface expressiveness, but the company’s willingness to respond to accessibility concerns during testing reinforces its ongoing commitment to inclusive design.
iPadOS 26: A More Capable, Flexible iPad
iPadOS 26 brings some of the most meaningful changes we’ve seen to the iPad in years. While it shares the new Liquid Glass visual language with the rest of the Apple ecosystem, this update is as much about function as it is about form.
The most significant change is the introduction of a more flexible windowing system, giving users the ability to resize, move, and layer app windows. It’s a shift that brings the iPad closer to desktop-style multitasking, with more control over how apps behave on screen. Apple has also introduced a slide-down menu bar for easier access to app controls, alongside an improved Exposé-style overview of open windows. For users who rely on the iPad as a primary device, especially with a keyboard or trackpad, these updates will likely be a welcome refinement.
There are also updates aimed at productivity and creative work. The Files app now supports a new list view and docked folders, making it easier to organise and navigate documents. A new Preview app brings annotation tools and file inspection capabilities, and Apple has added background audio support and local capture for more flexible content creation. Together, these updates broaden what the iPad can do without changing what it is.
iPadOS 26 also integrates the same Apple Intelligence features coming to iPhone and Mac, including Live Translation, Genmoji, and smart Shortcuts. These tools have potential value across many use cases, from creative tasks to communication support.
Finally, many of the accessibility updates introduced in iOS 26 carry over here too, such as Accessibility Nutrition Labels, Braille support, and Accessibility Reader, reinforcing Apple’s ongoing focus on inclusive design.
Altogether, iPadOS 26 moves the platform forward in practical ways. It doesn’t reinvent the iPad, but it makes it more capable, more adaptable, and better suited to a wider range of users.
Accessibility Highlights from WWDC 2025
Accessibility has long been a core part of Apple’s design philosophy, and this year’s WWDC brought a number of meaningful updates across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS. While not headline announcements, these features reflect steady progress in expanding options for disabled users and supporting more diverse ways of interacting with technology.
Accessibility Nutrition Labels
Apple introduced a new labelling system in the App Store called Accessibility Nutrition Labels, designed to help users quickly see which accessibility features an app supports, such as VoiceOver, Dynamic Text, Captions, or Switch Control. Much like hashtags, these labels act as quick signposts, helping users filter and discover apps that align with their access needs. The system adds a layer of transparency to app listings and encourages developers to be more deliberate about inclusive design. It’s a relatively small addition, but one that could make a meaningful difference in how disabled users navigate and evaluate the App Store.
Accessibility Reader
Apple introduced a new system-wide Accessibility Reader, designed to simplify on-screen content. It offers adjustable fonts, spacing, colour themes, and the option to have text read aloud. It’s particularly helpful for users with low vision, dyslexia, or cognitive fatigue, and builds on existing tools like Speak Screen and Safari Reader.
Magnifier for Mac
Mac users now have access to a standalone Magnifier app, providing on-screen zooming with custom filters, contrast settings, and image enhancements. It works with external cameras and integrates with other macOS accessibility tools.
Braille Access
Support for braille displays has been extended, with more robust options for navigation, input, and note-taking across Apple devices. The update also includes support for Nemeth code, used in mathematical notation.
Assistive Access Integration
Apple is expanding Assistive Access, the simplified interface for cognitive accessibility, with new developer tools. Apps can now integrate with Assistive Access directly, allowing for more tailored layouts, reduced complexity, and larger touch targets.
Voice Control Enhancements
Voice Control has seen some incremental improvements, including better integration with Xcode and multi-device syncing of custom vocabulary. While helpful, feedback suggests there is still work to do around support for atypical speech patterns and fatigue management during extended use.
Live Captions on Apple Watch
Live Captions are now available during calls routed through an iPhone or AirPods, with remote control via the Apple Watch. This adds more flexibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users in everyday conversations.
Other Updates
There were also updates to Eye and Head Tracking, new audio modes for clearer sound in noisy environments, and features like Vehicle Motion Cues to support users who experience motion sickness. A limited but notable mention was made of BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) support through Switch Control. While BCIs’ have been around for some time, particularly in the research and development space, Apple’s inclusion of BCI is significant and suggests to future possibilities.
These updates may not be front-page announcements, but they reflect a broader commitment to embedding accessibility across the platform, not just in how devices work, but in how developers are supported to design inclusively. Tools like Accessibility Reader and Assistive Access integration show an understanding that access needs are diverse and often layered. While there’s still room to grow, particularly around speech and cognitive flexibility, WWDC 2025 showed that accessibility remains part of the conversation, not an afterthought.
Apple Intelligence: Quietly Present, Practically Useful
AI was always going to be part of the conversation at WWDC 2025. With so much of the industry focused on artificial intelligence, many expected Apple to make a bold, headline-grabbing move. Instead, the company took a more measured approach weaving AI into the fabric of the operating system, rather than putting it centre stage.
Apple Intelligence appears across iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS, with features like Live Translation in Messages and FaceTime, smarter Shortcuts, and new tools like Genmoji and Image Playground. These additions are largely practical designed to support everyday use rather than reinvent it. Translation, image generation, summarising long messages, and context-aware replies are all helpful, but they’re not presented as revolutionary.
One area with clear potential is automation. Shortcuts now allow more complex actions to be triggered and adapted intelligently whether that’s summarising notes, adjusting phrasing in a message, or suggesting a follow-up task. For users who experience fatigue or cognitive load, this kind of contextual support could offer meaningful benefit, though it will depend on how well these features perform in day-to-day use.
Apple has also opened up its foundation models to developers via a new framework, making it easier to build AI-powered features directly into apps, on-device, and with user privacy in mind. This is consistent with Apple’s broader approach: avoid overpromising, focus on trust and usability.
It’s still early days for Apple Intelligence, and not all features will be available at launch. But the direction is clear. Rather than positioning AI as the star of the show, Apple is embedding it where it’s useful, quietly expanding what devices can do, while keeping the user in control.
More Than It Seems
WWDC 2025 may not have been the most attention-grabbing event Apple has hosted in recent years. There were fewer big reveals or headline-grabbing product announcements, and for some, it might have felt like a quieter year. But on closer reflection, there’s more going on beneath the surface.
From the shift to year-based OS versioning, to the introduction of Liquid Glass, to continued investment in accessibility and the quiet rollout of Apple Intelligence this year’s announcements feel less about immediate impact and more about laying the groundwork. It’s a year that seems to be about consolidation, alignment, and setting the stage for what’s coming next.
With that in mind, it’s interesting to compare how Google approached its own developer conference just a few weeks earlier. If Apple took a more understated path, Google I/O leaned more heavily into AI, offering a different perspective on how technology might evolve in the months ahead.
Google I/O 2025: AI Takes Centre Stage, Accessibility in View
Google I/O 2025 carried one clear message: AI is now at the heart of Google’s ecosystem. Unlike Apple’s quieter roll-out, Google pulled out all the stops, with an event packed full of AI‑centred announcements and tools. From search and development to wearables and XR, artificial intelligence featured across nearly every corner of the platform and accessibility was very much part of that conversation.
Many of the announcements may not have immediate day-to-day impact, but they reveal where Google is heading – toward a platform shaped by context-aware, generative, and increasingly multimodal AI. And while not everything was framed explicitly around accessibility, several tools have clear relevance for disabled users and inclusive design.
Gemini Everywhere: AI Across the Google Ecosystem
At the centre of it all was Gemini 2.5, Google’s latest AI model, now integrated across Android, Chrome, Search, Workspace, and beyond. Designed to handle complex, multi-input queries whether text, voice, images, or video Gemini is intended to be more adaptable, responsive, and practical for everyday use.
This year’s announcements weren’t just about putting AI into apps they were about reimagining how AI can support creativity, communication, and access across the entire Google ecosystem.
Creative AI: Imagen 4, Veo 3, Flow and Lyria RealTime
Some of the most talked-about tools were centred on content creation:
Imagen 4 sharpens image generation, improving how text is handled, enhancing detail, and allowing more control over layout and style.
Veo 3 steps into AI-generated video, capable of producing short clips with synchronised audio, including dialogue, music, and ambient effects, all from a prompt.
These models come together in Flow, a new web-based video studio. Users can create scenes, adjust dialogue, tweak camera angles, and guide edits using plain language. It’s pitched at creators, but the lower technical threshold opens the door for more people to express themselves, including those who may find traditional editing software inaccessible.
Lyria RealTime, Google’s interactive music model, complements this suite. Available through Gemini’s API (a tool developers use to plug AI into their apps) and AI Studio, it allows live responsive music composition. Users can shift style, tempo, mood, or instruments on the fly. It’s the kind of tool that could support not just musicians, but educators, therapists, and disabled creators alike.
Together, these tools mark a shift towards more flexible, multimodal creative expression and a future where storytelling is less about what software you know, and more about what you want to say.
Hands-Free Help: Gemini Live, AI Search, and Android XR
Gemini also powers some of the most practical updates for day-to-day use:
Gemini Live is a real-time conversational assistant built into Android phones and Wear OS. It can see through the camera, listen, and respond offering translation, object recognition, or guidance without needing to type or tap. For users with low vision, cognitive fatigue, or physical access needs, this kind of hands-free support could be especially powerful.
AI Mode in Google Search reframes how information is delivered. Instead of static results, users get conversational summaries, follow-up options, and support for image-based queries. This could significantly reduce cognitive load and improve navigation, especially when used with screen readers or other assistive tools.
Perhaps most compelling was the on-stage demo of Android XR, Google’s extended reality platform. Worn as glasses, the system used Gemini to identify people and objects, translate signs, and deliver real-time prompts via audio. The demo involving live translation and environmental description hinted at how XR might become a kind of assistive tech: ambient, responsive, and quietly helpful in the background. For people with vision loss, sensory sensitivity, or mobility restrictions, the implications are substantial.
Project Astra and AI Ultra
Looking further ahead, Google previewed Project Astra, an AI agent designed to proactively interpret the world. In demos, Astra responded to what it saw and heard offering help without being asked. While still early, it reflects a vision of AI that’s always-on, context-aware, and designed to quietly assist in the background.
Alongside that, Google introduced a new premium AI Ultra subscription tier. For £234.99/month, users get access to tools like Flow, Veo 3, early Gemini agents, and priority support. As AI tools become more central to how we work, create, and communicate, these kinds of tiers will raise important questions about who gets access and who’s left behind.
Implications and Impact
Google I/O 2025 wasn’t just about showing off what’s possible with AI it was about laying the foundation for how these systems will be used. Imagen, Flow, Veo, Lyria these tools suggest a future where expression becomes more fluid and multimodal. Gemini Live and Android XR offer hints of a hands-free, more contextual approach to assistance one that could prove deeply valuable for many disabled users.
Accessibility wasn’t always the headline, but it was there, baked into demos, embedded in product decisions, and increasingly part of the conversation. As always, the real test will be how these tools work in the hands of users and how they experience and use them – will they feel intuitive, helpful, and empowering? Or will they raise new barriers? Either way, it’s clear that accessibility is no longer something added after the fact, it’s part of where technology is heading.
The path Ahead
Taken together, WWDC and Google I/O 2025 show just how central accessibility, design, and AI are becoming to the future of technology. Not everything launched this year was bold or showy but beneath the surface were some significant shifts: more inclusive defaults, quieter forms of support, and new creative possibilities that weren’t imaginable even a few years ago. The challenge now is to ensure these tools evolve in ways that support everyone not just the average user, but those whose needs are often left at the edge of innovation.
As always, I’m keen to hear how you’re using mobile technology, AI, and anything else that’s helping (or hindering) your digital experience. If there’s a topic you’d like to see covered in a future newsletter, or if you have a question or need technical support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Martin Pistorius Karten Network Technology Advisor
I had the privilege of attending the Royal Society’s launch of its Disability Technology report last month, a thought-provoking and, at times, deeply personal event that brought together policymakers, technologists, researchers, and disabled people to reflect on where we are and where we need to go.
The evening opened with powerful remarks from Professor Alison Noble, who reminded us that disability is a universal human experience, something every person will encounter in some form over their lifetime. That perspective was carried through the evening: disability not as an exception, but as part of what it means to be human.
It began with time to explore a range of fascinating exhibits, from the Google Accessibility Discovery Centre, EyeHarp, and Waymap, to Auracast, Blind Ambition, and an immersive installation by artist Christopher Samuel. There was also space to connect with others working across disability and technology, and to pause and reflect on the scale and depth of the challenges ahead.
This was followed by the formal launch of the report, beginning with a short film and a presentation outlining its key findings. A powerful panel discussion rounded out the evening, offering diverse perspectives on the current state of disability technology and where we need to go next.
At the heart of it all was the report itself: Disability Technology, the result of two years of research, including interviews with 800 disabled people, 2,000 members of the public, and insights drawn from the UK, US, India, and Kenya. If you missed the event, I encourage you to watch the recording, or explore the full report. For those who find listening easier, an audio version is also available.
The report makes a clear and compelling case that disability technology isn’t, and nor should it be, an afterthought. It is a core part of digital inclusion, economic participation, and innovation. It calls for better data, more inclusive design, and greater investment in assistive technology.
One recommendation that especially stood out to me was the call to recognise smartphones as assistive technology, on par with hearing aids or white canes. As someone who uses mobile tech every day to communicate, access information, and navigate the world, I was pleased to see this acknowledged. I’d love to see this extended to tablets as well. For many people, especially those using devices like the iPad with alternative input methods or larger screens, they’re no less vital.
Another theme that resonated was the role of policy. One panellist observed that digital exclusion is not just a failure of design, it is a failure of policy too. Designing for inclusion is not enough if the systems around that design don’t support access, funding, or awareness.
Professor Annalu Waller closed the evening with words that lingered long after the panel ended: “We need to inculcate in every person the understanding that disability is not abnormal, but part of being human. Everyone, at some stage, will be disabled. So we need to give them a voice and not write them off.”
There is still a long road ahead, but this felt like a significant and hopeful moment, not just in highlighting challenges, but in pushing the conversation toward action. The Royal Society and others have stressed that we must now reframe how we value assistive technology, recognising its role in everyday life, not just as specialist tools, and ensuring equitable access through inclusive research and policy. The report also emphasises that disabled people must be meaningfully involved from the outset of any design process. The challenge now is to ensure that momentum carries forward, that disability technology is not just discussed, but prioritised, invested in, and embedded across the digital future.
Martin Pistorius Karten Network Technology Advisor
The Karten Centre at St John’s College is a hub of activity helping our learners develop vital employability skills. From here, we run our social enterprise Inkusionof learner’s artwork transformed into prints, postcards, mugs and so much more!
Student A has been a student at St. John’s for three years. During the current academic year, she joined our Karten Centre Printshop and has become well-versed in the basic workflows and processes of design.
Recently, Student A played a key role in printing and pressing uniforms for one of our partners, The Real Junk Food Project where she is undertaking a work placement. As a gesture of goodwill, Inklusion offered to replenish their old uniforms, something that Student A was highly involved with.
With funding for our new Oki transfer printer from the Ian Karten Trust, we have been enabled to print transfer images of The Real Junk Food Project’s logo. Student A assisted in preparing the transfer images, printing them on the Oki transfer printer, and then heat pressing adhesive patches to brand the logo onto the old uniforms.
The refreshed uniforms were presented to our partners last year. Since then, Student A has been using her newly prepared uniforms during her weekly placement at The Real Junk Food Project.
As part of our digital inclusion programme, a group of residents with complex epilepsy and other disabilities took the lead in co-creating content for The Meath’s social media platforms. Supported by staff and using adaptive equipment—including accessible cameras, tablets, and editing tools—participants planned, filmed, and edited short videos and interviews capturing day-to-day life at our residential care setting.
Working in small, interest-led groups, they identified the topics they wanted to cover. With guidance from our Head of Marketing and IT provider, they learned how to operate cameras, set up lighting, conduct interviews, and edit footage. Accessibility features—such as touch-friendly tablets, speech-to-text software, and visual editing tools—ensured everyone could take part, regardless of ability.
The result was a series of short interviews and posts giving an authentic insight into the personalities and stories behind The Meath. Participants gained confidence, communication skills, and a deep sense of pride in representing their community. The project not only enriched our social media but also built digital and creative capacity among participants—showing what’s possible when people with lived experience are involved in the process.
At Cantraybridge College, students are exploring digital creativity and design in their newly renamed Karten Centre, formerly the Digital Studio, supported by equipment funded through the Karten Network.
The updated space features a suite of PCs and 3D printers that students are using to develop their skills in 3D modelling, animation, and design. Using Blender, a powerful open-source 3D software tool, learners are building confidence through hands-on projects that cover everything from sculpting and UV mapping to shading and keyframe animation. Each student is working on their own unique creation, and the results speak for themselves. From stylised character models to ambitious architectural scenes, the work on display reflects both creativity and technical skill.
As part of the relaunch, students also created a new Karten Network Centre sign using the 3D printer. It was a collaborative effort that now proudly marks the entrance to the space. It’s a small detail, but one that showcases both practical application and a strong sense of ownership over the learning environment.
This blend of creativity, technology and skill-building highlights what access to the right tools and support can unlock. The Karten Centre is more than just a room full of computers; it’s a place where students explore, design, and express ideas in exciting new ways.
TechAbility AT Champions – Do you have a champion?
All Karten Centres are entitled to nominate a TechAbility AT Champion. So why not take advantage of this?
The commitments are flexible, it will give you access to:
Quarterly meetings, facilitated by TechAbility, in which to share best practice, hear guest speakers, identify the latest updates/tech and open the floor up to queries or to promote what you are doing in your setting
New materials TechAbility develops
A community interested in developing the best support for AT users
Collaboration opportunities on AT projects and partnerships
Practical use of 3D printing to enhance educational access
Adventure playground for sound, noise and accidental music
From research to practice: An Assistive Technology journey
Accessible surveys and data collection
GenAI blurring the lines between personal and tech aids
Exploring the intersection of AAC and Assistive Technology
Plus
Amazing interactive musical keynote presentation
AT Supplier Exhibition
Hot topics discussions
If you want discounted accommodation, then you will need to book before 22 September. The details for booking hotel provided once you have booked your place and there are a limited number of rooms at discounted rate (£120).
Hope to see you there!
Webinars
Did you miss the Microsoft, Google and Dictation/Voice commands Webinars? They have been uploaded to YouTube so if you have a spare 20-25mins why not find out how this accessibility can help you!
Microsoft provide their accessibility features in a number of different areas, we’ll show you how to find them and where to start when making the Office suite more accessible. Microsoft Immersive Reader will be covered and this will serve as an introduction to in-built accessibility settings.
In this webinar we will explain how Google approaches accessibility and talk about how to access these accessibility features through a chrome browser or on a chromebook. Expect to learn about common accessibility tools such as text to speech, dictation, visual settings and more.
It has never been easier to write text with your voice, or to use commands to control your digital devices. So where to start? This webinar covers the key solutions for voice input and commands.
We will have a further webinar programme announced soon, so please watch this space…
We were thrilled to see our Life Goes On poster proudly displayed in the window at Cineworld St Helens in the run-up to our public screening on 6th June. Seeing our film featured at a major cinema was a huge milestone for the whole team!
Before the public debut, we hosted a special cast and crew screening in May at Lucem House Cinema. It was a heartfelt afternoon, giving everyone who worked on the film a chance to come together and see their hard work come to life on screen, a well-deserved moment of celebration and pride.
To make sure everything was just right, we ran a screen test at Cineworld St Helens ahead of the June screening. Everything looked fantastic, and we were ready to welcome audiences for a top-tier big screen experience.
Life Goes On is a moving ensemble drama produced by Buzz Hub Productions, interweaving four powerful storylines that explore the complexities of modern life, love, loss, and personal growth. Written by Sophie Tickle, the film was uniquely shaped through a collaborative process—members of our film club selected the themes and direction, making Life Goes On a true reflection of shared creativity and storytelling.
A massive thank you to everyone who supported us along the way!
Art on the platform
In a vibrant partnership with Rotary St Helens, our talented Art Club members have brought the town’s history to life through a remarkable series of seven collaborative artworks, now proudly installed at St Helens Central Station.
Each piece highlights a different historic location in the town, blending the distinct styles and talents of multiple artists into rich, collaged compositions. Each artwork draws inspiration from both the architecture of the historic site and the art movement that aligns with the period in which it was built. In addition, every piece includes the names of Buzz Hub artists, project sponsors, and a QR code linking to historical insights and future updates.
Together, the artworks form a striking visual celebration of St Helens’ heritage, creativity, and community spirit.
This inspiring project was made possible through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of the Creative Underground initiative, and was coordinated by the St Helens Archive Service (part of St Helens Borough Council). The aim was to transform the station into a more welcoming space—one that reflects the town’s unique identity and artistic energy. It has done just that.
Kicking goals in Belfast
A huge thank you to Rotary St Helens for generously donating track tops to our football team! The lads looked sharp and proud as they headed to Belfast for the George Best Community Cup on June 18th.
Our Buzz Print Team did an amazing job customising the jackets, adding that extra boost of confidence before the tournament.
Over two tough days, the team played nine matches against top UK and Irish disability teams, finishing with 5 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses — narrowly missing the finals by just one goal difference! A special highlight was beating the unbeaten professional side Glentoran FC — a historic win for Buzz Hub.
Even an Irish FA representative praised our grassroots squad’s dedication and skill, making us all proud
“What an experience flying over competing with some of the best disability teams in the UK. Everyone played a part, we all had a laugh, and the lads gave it everything. Winning 5, drawing 2, and losing just 2 of our 9 matches over the 2 days. We didn’t win it overall but we did create a bit of Buzz Hub history beating the unbeaten professional side Glentoran FC (one of the biggest teams in Northern Ireland) in our last game to top off a great weekend”
– Chris, Buzz Hub Staff Member
Thanks again to Rotary St Helens and the Buzz Print Team for their incredible support. The whole Buzz Hub family came together to represent St Helens with pride. Up the Buzz Hub Stripes! ⚽
#LOVESTHELENSExhibition
Inspired by all the things they love about St Helens, our arts and crafts unit groups were busy creating a collection of heartfelt artwork. The finished pieces were proudly on display at St Helens Parish Church in the town centre between 23rd and 29th June as part of the six-week #LoveStHelens festival celebrating everything local.
There was a variety of different artwork created by our members, all made collaboratively using different mediums for each piece. The exhibition included paintings, collages, drawings, sculptures, and even a film
World of Glass – Inspired by the vibrant art at the World of Glass, this sculpture featured painted and engraved panels, including handwritten notes from members. Its shape echoed the museum’s entrance chimney.
Gamble – A model of the Gamble building displayed our members photography in the windows, alongside handwritten local phrases and inspiring quotes from members.
Parish Church – An interactive sculpture inviting visitors to write why they love St Helens on heart-shaped notes and post them inside. It will be gifted to the church as a lasting tribute to the town.
Saints – A mixed media collage combining digital iPad artwork with traditional materials like paint and ink, created by our talented art club members.
Beechams – Using oil pastel transfer techniques, members recreated photos from our media group and collaged them onto a canvas shaped like the iconic Beechams building.
Dream – Built from wire mesh, paper, and mod roc, this sculpture was finished with photos of the Dream and its surroundings, captured by our media group.
Carr Mill Dam – Made using foraged materials from around Carr Mill Dam, this piece used ink and dam water to brush, splash, and print natural textures onto canvas.
Print for change
We were delighted to support Listen4Change, the St Helens Parent Carer Forum, by printing 200 branded tote bags and 200 trolley tokens for their latest outreach initiative.
These items were designed to help raise awareness of the forum’s vital work in supporting parents and carers of children with additional needs.
Our Buzz Print team independently managed and completed the entire printing process, demonstrating fantastic attention to detail and professionalism throughout. Handling an order of this size was a valuable experience, giving the team a great opportunity to refine their processes and maintain consistent quality across a large batch.
It was a pleasure to contribute to a project that empowers and connects families across St Helens.
We just wrapped up our Assistive Technology Week – Limitless by Inclusion, which concluded on a positive note with a small exhibition attended by visitors, staff, and students. Throughout the week, we experienced peak moments (Thursday) and some less favourable ones (Monday), along with instances where technology felt more like an adversary than an ally. Despite these challenges, the overall response was positive, and we’re certainly planning to host this event again next year.
The online event on Wednesday worked well with eight different presentations and participants from Loughborough University, parents and other Colleges. Presentations included using virtual reality to teach different communication skills from Bodyswaps, music, and assistive technology, and Microsoft accessibility options, plus information about using AAC devices from Sense College’s Speech and Language Therapist.
The two live events featured stalls from several different technology companies, including Everway, Aventido, and Thomas Pocklington Trust, plus in-house stalls for MSI Technology and AAC. There were a few speakers who gave short presentations about a range of topics, including an introduction to what AAA stands for and a little bit about Techability.
The final presentation was by Sense College student technology champions (Adam B, Ben C, Ben P, Esma O, Theo L) and from Kingsley Saba about what “Limitless by Inclusion” actually means. Kingsley spoke about how our students use assistive technology in College, and about the challenges that people may face when using assistive technology, including funding AT, lack of awareness, and societal stigma. Kingsley identified that these challenges can be resolved through partnerships with technology firms and charities, by attending events to enlighten ourselves on the potential of AT and training on how to use AT. The visitors to these events were from different FE Colleges, parents, staff and students.
I thought I would finish off with an excerpt from the Champions’ powerful presentation.
“We’re the Assistive Tech Champions, and today, we’re not just sharing our stories—we’re inviting you to join a movement. Imagine trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. Well, that is how it feels when learning and other activities are not inclusive.
We as the champions are here to put an end to this by making it known to everyone what the challenges are and how Assistive Technology empowers everyone to make an inclusive society.
Adam – I use Assistive Apps like Seeing AI, and Talkback on my phone that helps me to do everything on my phone like access Google Maps for mobility purposes.
Ben C – I am proud to demonstrate how my technology works. It helps me to communicate with my tutors and do other things which I won’t be able to do if the environment is not inclusive.
We believe raising awareness on the potential of assistive technology is a good starting point to develop a truly inclusive society.
People ask, ‘What does “Limitless by Inclusion” mean?
It means my wheelchair isn’t a ‘limitation’—it’s my freedom. It means my AAC device isn’t ‘special’—it’s essential. It means our differences aren’t barriers—they’re blueprints for a better world.”
So, this week, we challenge YOU – Try a tool you’ve never used. Ask us questions. Make a pledge. Because when you embrace inclusion we all become limitless. Thank you for believing in our vision. Now let’s build that future—one switch, one click, one voice at a time!”
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