In March 2025, I never expected this journey. Tomorrow marks nine months since this petition began — far longer than I ever expected when I started it.

I was just three months short of five years of work experience at No Limits Community Café & Hub in Newton Abbot when I was called into a pre-shift meeting and told the café would be closing. What started during a global pandemic — delayed, disrupted, but meaningful — ended suddenly.

The closure was covered by local and national media, including a final filmed Makaton sign from me that I had been learning as part of the café’s weekly inclusion work.

I set up my first petition simply because I didn’t want community spaces like No Limits to disappear quietly. It was a choice I made during a moment where I have to pause and wait until March before I can take my next steps towards work again. Starting the petition felt like a constructive way to use that time

What followed surprised me.

The petition grew beyond No Limits and became about protecting community spaces more widely — places that support inclusion, confidence, routine, and belonging. Despite rules meaning only UK signatures officially count, support came from across the country and beyond.

I was invited to a benefits reform discussion by my local MP, Martin Wrigley, after speaking about my experience. That conversation helped keep attention on Access to Work, disability support, and the real impact of losing community spaces.

Since then, I’ve been surprised by how far this conversation has travelled. I was asked whether my words — originally written simply to thank Martin Wrigley MP for helping take the petition this far — could be used as a testimonial on promotional leaflets. For me, that moment wasn’t about publicity, but about recognising that lived experience, disability, and community voices were being taken seriously beyond the petition itself.

The petition has gone local, national, and slightly international

Although my petition did not reach the usual signature threshold at that stage, it was still formally taken to Parliament thanks to the support of Martin Wrigley MP, who recognised the importance of the issue being raised.

I was later asked whether my words of thanks could be used in MP materials — a moment that reminded me this wasn’t just my story anymore.

I’ve taken part in MP discussions and video calls

The campaign has been linked to wider conversations around the Community Empowerment Bill

At one point, I was even asked whether my words thanking Martin Wrigley MP could be shared more widely — a moment that made me realise this wasn’t just my story anymore.

I kept going with this petition because I didn’t want what No Limits represented to be lost without being acknowledged.

I learned how to do all of this as I went — step by step.

I wasn’t asked to take this on — it was a choice I made during a time where I had to pause and wait before taking my next steps towards work. Starting the petition felt like a constructive way to use that time, and a way to make sure what No Limits represented wasn’t quietly lost.

As I write this, the petition is just four signatures away from 800 — something I never expected when this began.

I am differently abled. Advocacy was new to me. None of this was planned — but all of it matters

We are now approaching 800 signatures before the end of the year

This petition isn’t just about one café.

It’s about making sure community spaces are recognised as essential, not optional.

As we move into the new year, I hope this conversation continues — about inclusion, community, and listening to lived experience.

Thank you for standing with me — and if you haven’t yet, please consider sharing or signing to keep this momentum going into the new year

For now, the petition remains open, and I’ll continue to share updates as and when there’s meaningful progress.

https://www.change.org/p/protect-no-limits-community-cafe-hub-from-closure/