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The Avenue Subscription Service gives access to 60 online courses for up to 300 people, but is now available to individual subscribers at just £118.80 per annum, less than £2 per course. Visit www.NeilThompson.info/subscription-service/ to find out more

Listening, of course, is more than just hearing. It is about paying attention to someone in a way that creates a genuine human connection. Sometimes that connection is enough to enable the person concerned to feel stronger, more confident and better supported in dealing with their difficulties. Listening is an important first step in terms of exploring potential solutions, but at times listening is enough on its own to find the strength to move forward positively. ‘Dadirri’ is a concept drawn from Australian aboriginal culture which refers to the type of listening that creates that all-important bond, listening that gives a strong and genuine message that we are concerned and that we are here to help without judgement. It could…

Many employees now work in a hybrid way. Hybrid working is a flexible working approach where employees spend some of their time working in a remote location and some in office – or other – work spaces. Working in a hybrid way requires clear ways of working, planning and organising if it is to be successful. Hybrid work must be tailored to the unique needs of the individual, team, department or organisation. Exactly how to undertake hybrid working will vary from organisation to organisation, and even from team to team. The role of the line manager is key to ensuring effective ways of working. Managers are responsible for communication, performance management and collaboration within hybrid teams. Click here to read…

Despite Thatcher and Reagan’s best efforts, there is and has always been such a thing as society. The question is not whether it exists, but what shape it must take in a post-pandemic world? In March 2020, Boris Johnson, pale and exhausted, self-isolating in his flat on Downing Street, released a video of himself – that he had taken himself – reassuring Britons that they would get through the pandemic, together. “One thing I think the coronavirus crisis has already proved is that there really is such a thing as society,” the prime minister announced, confirming the existence of society while talking to his phone, alone in a room. All this was very odd. Johnson seemed at once frantic and…

With support from the Cattanach Trust, the Year of Childhood specifically focused on the Early Years Sector, namely identifying and amplifying good practice in early years settings. highlighting impact for children, families and communities. By engaging parents and carers in conversations around the importance of human rights in children’s earliest years, we identifying good practice internationally via a webinar series, and highlighted the challenges and opportunities of embedding children’s rights in the early years. Click here to read more

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The Avenue Subscription Service gives access to 60 online courses for up to 300 people, but is now available to individual subscribers at just £118.80 per annum, less than £2 per course. Visit www.NeilThompson.info/subscription-service/ to find out more

Many people confuse sympathy (sharing the same feelings as someone else) and empathy (being able to recognize someone else’s feelings and being able to respond appropriately, but without necessarily having those feelings ourselves), while others settle for apathy, in a state of semi-burnout. But clearly empathy is what we need to aim for: being able to be supportive of others who are wrestling with emotional issues, but without facing the same emotional challenges ourselves. However, what is very clear is that this is not simply a matter of saying: ‘I know how you feel’. This is a very unhelpful and potentially quite counterproductive way to respond, partly because: (i) we do not know how someone else feels (for example, if…

The UK is getting poorer and sicker, and this trend is not equal across the country. Poorer and sicker areas are getting poorer and sicker the most quickly. To help develop a path forward, IPPR held a series of multi-day deliberative workshops across the country - each exploring people’s understanding of health, its relationship with prosperity, and priorities for change. Based on these priorities, we have developed a new framework: ‘Seven for Seven’ – or seven foundations for seven healthy life years. Click here to read more

The workplace is changing. Technological innovations in fields like artificial intelligence are transforming organizations at a breakneck pace. Ongoing economic uncertainty is leading to layoffs and higher workloads. It’s difficult for many workers to keep up. Given increased pressures, it’s not surprising that workplace stress and burnout is on the rise. According to The Economist, 68% of managers and 60% of non-managers reported being burned out in the past 12 months. One-third of U.S. workers say their mental health is getting worse due to long hours, excessive workloads, and other factors, according to a survey from the Conference Board. Click here to read more