This Sunday is International Justice Day: the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, which created the International Criminal Court (ICC). With our domestic political system still reeling from the vote to leave the EU, it serves as a reminder that some fantastic and hugely important things have been achieved when we work together…
The people served by ubu in Middlesbrough, hosted a wonderful tea party last Saturday in order to raise money for Macmillan’s Cancer research for lost family members and people we know with cancer. The event was aimed to encourage friends, family and members of the local community to come together and raise money for a…
On Friday we woke up in a new country. People across the cities, counties and regions of the United Kingdom had voted in favour of leaving the European Union. Like many people, I was quite surprised by the news. I knew it would be close, but I had thought that, when it came down to…
Some time has passed since our inspiring management and leadership reflection “Affirming our Foundation” took place earlier this year. Our training event was located purposely in a medieval castle, a genuinely historic environment which helped all of us who were there to recognise and value the evolution of community life. It mirrored a time when…
Run For Something! Colour Me RAD, the fund-raising fun run came to Harewood House, near Leeds last Saturday with a tsunami of colour that made coloured tears of joy run down everyone’s cheeks! Colour Me RAD is “loosely based on the Hindu Festival of Colours, otherwise known as Holi. The festive colours used are a…
I don’t know what you think about the current lengthy American Presidential campaigns. Their almost daily news reports bombard our screens, promoting their larger than life candidates and their loud views. Whilst tiresome I suppose, at the very least, their electorates will be clear what each campaign stands for. Whereas our own various elections here…
From Government announcements about the “Northern Powerhouse” to local authorities’ own local plans, the word “devolution” appears to be everywhere these days. But what does it actually mean? At its heart, devolution is about bringing decision-making closer to the people it affects. For some years Government has acknowledged that it’s neither cost-effective nor sustainable for…
I have for many years been inspired by the reflections of the Dalai Lama, finding that he brings such great simplicity and perspective when others seem to strive to make life so complex, inhuman and incomprehensible. I recently read that he said when he was asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered: “Man because…
In today’s world I’m still shocked that so much ignorance and mythology still exist surrounding Downs Syndrome so I thought what better way during Downs Syndrome Awareness Week to break some of the myths and demonstrate some of the amazing successes being achieved. The first thing today’s world needs to understand is that Downs Syndrome…
Why IS Matthew Garnett in a psychiatric intensive care unit? The 15-year-old teenager has been locked away since September last year. Matthew has been sectioned and is being held at an NHS PICU 100s of miles from his home making it difficult for his parents to visit. It happened because Matthew was scheduled to have…
This week the shocking news that the NHS continues to fail those most at risk in society has been once more laid bare. Despite five years and promises of billions of pounds and hours of extra staff results for people with mental health problems, has got worse not better; even more worrying there is no…
LOVE comes in all shapes and sizes and we can never be prescriptive about it. In a world where there is so much heartache and every day can be tough for many people, I firmly believe that if anyone has the opportunity for personal happiness they should be encouraged to follow their heart. The days…