Ripon Ray (MIMA Cert)

As part of the Women's History Month 2022 - 'British Bangladeshi Women' - an online public meeting, brought to you by @Britbanglacovid and supported by @SwadhinataTrust to get B'deshi women talk about issues that matter. Everyone is invited!👋🥳 eventbrite.co.uk/e/british-bang…

Those days when I was desperate to be a 'super model' and I knew I never had a chance

@YourDoctorDebt @LBC

youtu.be/YeaSL2LW5gU?fe… I phoned in on @LBC on Shelagh Fogarty’s show this afternoon to explain how he campaigned against the introduction of student loans during the initial period when the Labour government under Tony Blair introduced tuition fees and removed student grants in the 1990s. His partner received full student grants, but by the time he started studying he had to take out loans to cover tuition fees and living costs. It took him over 20 years to pay off his debts. These included not only student loans, but also money owed to credit card companies and friends. This is history!

We’re pleased to share an update from Debt Talk CIC Funded by @TowerHamletsNow, our original plan was to deliver fuel rights education to ESOL students at @newcitycollege in Stepney Green. When an unexpected technical issue arose, we acted quickly to adapt partnering locally to ensure the course could still reach those who would benefit. We’re grateful to have delivered the sessions in collaboration with @CarersCentre1, reaching carers and their friends across the borough. A sincere thank you to Anthony Collins-Moore for your support, and to everyone involved for helping us make this happen.

Make the COVID vaccine universally available, free of charge. Sign the petition below. ⬇️ c.org/BGp8KfHVzr

It was an absolute honour to take part in the Bangla Book Fair — a meaningful opportunity to advance two critical missions: Promoting Covid Crisis: Brit-Bangla Response — a testament to the resilience and solidarity of our communities during unprecedented times. Engaging the public in @TowerHamletsNow's vital consultation on the kind of debt services our Bengali and minority communities truly need in the borough and beyond. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the Romford experience so enriching and unforgettable.

@ADHDForReal That's me too

Welcome to Debt Talk, with me, your host @YourDoctorDebt. Today, we’re diving into one of the most urgent social policy challenges of our time — the cost of housing. To unpack this complex issue, I’m joined by @AssiahAwaleh from @sih_uk , an expert with deep insight into the history and realities of social housing in the UK. @AssiahAwaleh takes us on a journey through the evolution of social housing from its capitalist roots, when employers provided homes for their workers, to the post-war era, when local authorities stepped in to rebuild communities devastated by bombing. She explains how the landscape shifted dramatically in the 1980s with Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy policy, which moved vast amounts of public housing into private hands. Ironically, many of those homes are now being rented back to low-income families at unaffordable prices. We then turn to the future. Following the tragedies of Grenfell and Awaab Ishak — the two-year-old boy who died in 2020 due to mould in his home — there are new legal protections for tenants. From October 2025, social housing landlords, including councils and housing associations, will be legally required to fix reported hazards such as damp and mould. Tenants will have the right to take legal action if landlords fail to act. Assiah Awaleh also addresses the stigma surrounding social housing and reminds us that many tenants are on low incomes or benefits and there is no shame in that. Housing associations exist precisely to support those in financial hardship. However, for tenants on zero-hour contracts or precarious jobs, fluctuating income makes rent and budgeting even more difficult. That’s where housing associations step in — helping tenants access benefits and manage their money. Finally, Assiah Awaleh calls for greater tenant participation, urging residents to join landlord committees — whether in social or private housing — to ensure their voices shape how housing is managed and improved. Join us next time on Debt Talk, when we explore another pressing issue of inequality and access: “The Cost of Digital Exclusion.” #AwaabLaw #RighttoBuy #DebtTalk open.spotify.com/episode/7rZWOY…

A very balanced article on @myldn about my situation. 'I swapped East London for the countryside - what I learned shocked me' - MyLondon share.google/uepE5S5ng0rEdj…

Dear friends, You are warmly invited to take part in a landmark community consultation and lunch to help establish the first-ever Bangladeshi-led Debt Advice Service in the UK, funded by @TowerHamletsNow. I'll be sure to follow the detailed agenda soon. Currently, there is no debt advice service that represents the Bangladeshi community. Many residents continue to face financial struggles without a service that fully understands their cultural, linguistic, and social needs. The urgency of this work is clear. Many of us are still living with the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left deep scars through job losses, debt, and financial insecurity. These struggles have been compounded by structural inequalities that disproportionately affect Bangladeshi and other minority communities in Tower Hamlets. This consultation is about ensuring that the new service is shaped by the very people it is meant to serve, so it reflects their lived experiences and provides the right kind of support. Consultation Details: �� 3 November – 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM Tower Hamlets Town Hall, Grocers 3, Whitechapel (opposite the station) Link:eventbrite.com/.../bangla-deb…... �� 10 November – 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM Idea Store, Chrisp Street Link: eventbrite.co.uk/.../bangla-deb…... ⏰ Please note: doors close at 11:00 AM �� The event is free and includes lunch. �� Please register via Eventbrite to confirm your attendance as stated above. We would be honoured by your presence and contribution to shaping this much-needed service. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at admin@debttalk.org or call 07951 714140. With thanks and warm regards, Ripon Ray Founder & CEO Telephone Number: 07951714140 debttalk.org

I am trying to connect with rural areas of England and at the same time create something from it.

When communities from around the world unite through football to raise awareness of homelessness, the message rings loud and clear: this is not about division — it's about solidarity. It's about coming together as one. #homelessworldcup

Tower Hamlets Council Funds Debt Talk CIC to consult on debt advice debttalk.org/news/f/tower-h… @LutfurRahmanTH @TowerHamletsNow @MayorofLondon

#WriteOnInterviews Author Ripon Ray bit.ly/3aRx3yQ “I know so many writers have had knockbacks. It is a journey. If you enjoy something it is worth pursuing it.” Read Write On! pentoprint.org/see-write-on-i… Write On! Audio bit.ly/PentoPrintPodc…

As we explore the root causes of poverty within the Bangladeshi community on the Reality Show with Mahee on Channel S, let’s take this opportunity to remind our community of the lasting impact of COVID-19—and how we came together in response. #healthcrisis #Covid

I am deeply honored to have been elected as an Assembly Member of the @The_ECDN European Consumer Debt Network. I look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues across the European debt sector to address the complex issue of over-indebtedness. By sharing knowledge, best practices, and fostering cross-border cooperation, I believe we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected. Thank you sincerely for welcoming me into this dedicated and inspiring community!