The Social Issue is part of:
Follow or subscribe to The Social Issue:
Latest from The Guardian
Category Archives: Uncategorized
How the media must mind mental health
TweetStephen Fry’s recent disclosure of his attempted suicide last year highlights that mental illness does not discriminate between the “haves” and “have nots”, the famous and the “ordinary”. None of us are immune from the feelings Fry described. The representation … Continue reading
Posted in Health, media & communication, Mental health, Music & arts, Social care, Uncategorized
Tagged health, mental health, music & arts
Leave a comment
Ordinary residence, extraordinary mess
Tweet“Disabled people in residential care who want to live more independently are being prevented from doing so by funding wrangles between local authorities” – that’s taken from a piece I wrote three years ago, but since then little has changed. … Continue reading
Posted in Cuts, Disability, Health, Learning disability, Local government, Third sector, Uncategorized
Tagged charity, cuts, learning disability, local government
Comments Off
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
Posted in Education, Employment, Learning disability, Social exclusion, Uncategorized
Tagged education, employment, learning disability
Comments Off
“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
Posted in Disability, Education, Learning disability, Social care, Third sector, Uncategorized
Tagged charity, education, learning disability, service users, third sector, young people
Comments Off
Art thinks outside the box
TweetOne glance at James Lake’s giant 3D portrait of baritone David Rushbrook, and you may never look at a cardboard box the same way again. Lake’s showstopping sculpture, created through the painstaking layering of cardboard, is intended to move, sing … Continue reading
Posted in Disability, Music & arts, Third sector, Uncategorized
Tagged charity, learning disability, music & arts
Comments Off
Puck, peppermint tea and posh frocks: my fabulous sister
TweetLearning disability charity Mencap has a marvellous blog, which features, amongst other things, some very personal contributions. The site recently featured a lovely and touching piece from journalist and Mission to Lars filmmaker Kate Spicer on her brother Tom (he … Continue reading
Posted in Disability, Music & arts, Social care, Uncategorized
Tagged charity, learning disability, music & arts
4 Comments
Young, free and single-minded
TweetYoung people who have helped transform their neighbourhoods despite are among those being celebrated in today’s Prince’s Trust annual awards. Amid recent figures showing youth unemployment has nearly hit 1m, it is inspiring to hear how teenagers and young adults … Continue reading
Posted in Employment, Third sector, Uncategorized, Young people
Tagged charity, education, employment, third sector, young people
Comments Off
A different perspective on learning disability
Tweet A stereotype-shattering art project, which uses photography to counter negative mainstream attitudes towards people with Down’s syndrome, is showcasing the last eight years of its work. Shifting Perspectives Photographic Exhibition 2005 – 2013 is at the South Bank in … Continue reading
Posted in Disability, Social care, Uncategorized, Young people
Tagged charity, learning disability, service users, young people
Comments Off
“People who have a learning disability have the right to good services, choices and a good life”
TweetIf only more people had the chance to develop in confidence like Laura Minett. Laura, who I interviewed for a Guardian social care piece today, works as an expert by experience. Her part-time role through the charity which supports her, … Continue reading
Posted in Disability, Employment, Learning disability, Social care, Uncategorized
Tagged charity, employment, learning disability, service users
Comments Off
“I am valuable. I can still shine and I will still go on”
TweetHuge lashes sweeping over her eyelids, face framed by diamante and skin shining gold, this is a photographic portrayal of how Samona Naomi Williams feels some days: valuable, not a burden to society. Yet Samona, a wheelchair user who Ehlers-Danlos … Continue reading
Posted in Cuts, Disability, Music & arts, Uncategorized
Tagged cuts, learning disability, music & arts
2 Comments
