COVID-19: Are we truly free or merely enslaved to ourselves?

7^th April 2020

‘Through discipline comes freedom’. Over two thousand years ago Aristotle warned that freedom means more than just “doing as one likes”. Ancient Greek societies survived plagues, though the hardship they endured tested all constitutions and often caused a breakdown in traditional values.

Covid-19 + Freedom

Airtight on Asbestos – A campaign to save our future

25^th November 2019

On the 24th of November 1999, the United Kingdom banned the use of asbestos. Twenty years later and this toxic mineral still plagues public health, being linked to multiple diseases including mesothelioma.   But why has asbestos remained such a threat to public health, despite laws which prevent its use?

asbestos + mesothelioma

Who can give the modern Cathy a home?

2^nd August 2016

It’s 50 years since Ken Loach’s groundbreaking film, Cathy Come Home, documented the inhuman effects of homelessness. Without a home, as his heartbreaking film shows, families collapse, children are deprived of a stable childhood in which to thrive and individuals – Cathy herself – are put under intolerable mental and emotional strain with tragic and unjust consequences.

Health

Remain: The truly patriotic choice

5^th May 2016

In its latest volley of relentless negativity, the Remain campaign has targeted the grim outlook for UK trade were we to leave the EU. Last week its aim was fixed on the 3 million jobs dependent on the union.

brexit + EU + europe

Becoming ‘the best place in the world’ for dementia treatment

26^th April 2016

This blog was originally published by Age UK   The Prime Minister wants the UK to be ‘the best place in the world to undertake research into dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.’

Beyond the Economic: The true value of Europe

23^rd March 2016

Arguments against Britain leaving the EU have focused on economic cost-benefit-analyses and arguments from national self-interest. This does a disservice to an organisation which, with its rare idealism, should be valued beyond a banal calculation of whether we get out more than we put in.

brexit + EU + europe

With Prevention in Mind

19^th February 2016

Announcing £1 billion increase in funding to mental health, David Cameron rightly said that there needs to be a ‘revolution’ in mental health care. Much of the money the Prime Minister is pledging is to flow into acute mental health services; £250 million for emergency mental health in A&E and £400 million for investment in crisis resolution.

Health + mental health + prevention

NHS2

11^th February 2016

The NHS began with a bitter doctor’s dispute. Nye Bevan, the towering socialist Welsh force of nature, and Minister of Health whose single – some would say bloody – mindedness in pushing through the root law that set up the world’s first fully funded public healthcare system, in 1948, was a hate figure for most doctors.

NHS

Child protection & the hidden dangers of the Immigration Bill

11^th January 2016

The UK’s immigration rules and systems affect some children and young people in almost every aspect of their lives. Their immigration status can determine whether they have enough food to eat and a safe place to stay, whether they have access to the healthcare and services they need, and if they can continue in education or training after their school years.

children + families + Immigration

Why is access to specialist mental health support denied to so many teenagers?

10^th December 2015

Our recent report at The Children’s Society’s, Access Denied: a teenager’s pathway through the mental health system, shows that last year out of 200,000 teenagers referred to specialist mental health services around 30,000 were turned away without any offer of support.