Category Archives: Education

Jenny’s job, and why we need more like it

TweetJenny Dimmock works in a pathology lab. She and her scientist colleagues handle between 3,000-4,000 blood samples a day. The 21-year-old is also an ambassador for younger students, speaking about her experiences at conferences, like how part of her job … Continue reading

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“It’s important that while I’m having fun, Stanley is having a great time too”

Tweet Stanley Holes is, says his little brother Albie in the brief video diary above, simply “the best brother I could ever have.” Albie’s love for his 16-year-old brother is reflected in this short film which I just watched and … Continue reading

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The project that helps you “be” something

TweetWhen I first met Linda, she told me: “When I was growing up I couldn’t imagine being anything”. I met Linda when I was delivering a training course aimed at former substance misusers who wanted to become “recovery champions” and … Continue reading

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Cuts and controversy in Tower Hamlets

TweetLutfur Rahman’s name is usually prefixed with the word “controversial”. It is an apt description of the first directly elected mayor of Tower Hamlets, in east London. He is the council’s ex-Labour leader turned independent mayoral candidate who won 2010′s … Continue reading

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Disability history: “I quite clearly remember being tied to the cot sides”

Tweet“I quite clearly remember being tied to the cot sides,” recalls Florence, now in her 70s, of the childhood she spent in hospital. “Literally, two wrists tied to the cot sides with cotton tape so as I couldn’t get up … Continue reading

Posted in Cuts, Disability, Education, Olympics, Social care, Social exclusion, Uncategorized, Young people | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Photo project promotes Roma and new migrant culture

TweetThe intriguing photographs here are from those in a new exhibition created by children from Roma, Slovak and Polish communities in east London, The works, created using pinhole photography, have been produced by 12 young people aged eight to 14 … Continue reading

Posted in Education, media & communication, Music & arts, Olympics, Refugees & asylum, Social exclusion, Uncategorized, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

The riots a year on: “If people see me as bad, I might as well be bad.”

Tweet“Even though we’re not involved in gangs,” the young man from Hackney tells me, “the way people look at you just puts you down. No matter what you do, you’ll always have that bad name of a black kid from … Continue reading

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The next generation of social entrepreneurs?

TweetAmid the talk of troubled families and approaching the anniversary of the 2011 summer riots, it’s tempting for many to pigeonhole young people as feckless and hopeless. A Europe-wide project, however, aims to encourage a new generation of social entrepreneurs … Continue reading

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Caring and learning: the knowledge gap

TweetAs the 17-year-old unpaid carer of a mother with mental health issues, Holly is often asked – by her peers as well as by professionals – about the particular challenges of having a caring responsibility: “When I have tried to … Continue reading

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Playgrounds, pupils and promoting mental health

TweetPositive mental health promotion should start in schools and we should teach all our children to be more mentally resilient. This approach means that, as adults, they will face the world with more confidence and have empathy and compassion for … Continue reading

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