Are you tired of doing good things? Does it seem like your efforts are never quite enough? Are you worn out by what’s in front of you? I was talking to a friend of mine, trying to suggest to him some different ways of working, when he reacted with, “If I don’t help those kids, […]
community
We don’t need more police to tackle knife crime – we need more society
It’s great to hear a ‘common sense’ answer: they are easy to understand and they make great sound bites. Political campaigns are built on common sense slogans and administrations are hobbled by trying to make them a reality. As we look at the disturbing rise in knife crime and deaths of young people in our […]
NHS pressures, faith organisations and community-based services – why won’t we use what’s already there?
Ten years on from the banking crisis and the start of austerity, cuts are still biting and the effects of real term reductions in spending are felt by most of us. Yet, we also know that the misuse of resources too has a huge effect – particularly when it comes to the NHS and social […]
Is building an integrated country the great challenge of our time?
At dinner last week with a number of friends from Eastern Europe, our conversation moved from the nerve agent attack in Salisbury to what patriotism meant to us and who felt they belonged and wanted to stay in the UK. My dinner companions were all skilled English speakers, but yet some did not feel they […]
When it comes to integration, removing barriers is essential – but people need a place to connect
The Government has released its long-awaited integration strategy, developed methodically behind the scenes with the close involvement of civil society organisations – including providers of community-based English programmes like Creative English. As Eric Pickles, former Secretary of State for Communities, said when the 2010 coalition government launched the community English programme: “If you can’t speak […]