The Latest Bulletin

Introducing the MSc Advanced Practice in the Human Services Neil is delighted to be able to announce the launch of the MSc Advanced Practice in the Human Services at Glyndwr University. The programme is part-time and fully online and based around his published work. Recruiting now for a January start: “Take your knowledge of social well-being issues to the next level with the MSc Advanced Practice in the Human Services programme at Wrexham Glyndwr University”. “This unique, innovative online course is based around the work of the internationally renowned Professor Neil Thompson, who writes, speaks and advises on a range of social well-being issues. Online discussion forums enable students to engage and work with Professor Thompson, as well as other tutors…

I have always had my doubts about the psychological notions of introversion and extroversion, as if we can simply pigeonhole people into one category or the other. Sociology teaches us that people will generally behave differently in different circumstances. Someone who may appear quite introverted and uncomfortable at a party, may come across as very extroverted when performing on stage for their local amateur dramatic society. Likewise, someone who is the life and soul of the party may be very self-contained and appear introverted when dealing with someone who is distressed. Different people have different comfort zones. However, what the introversion-extroversion axis revolves around is how we manage our inhibitions. We have bodily systems that will serve to protect us…

This week Nottingham city council’s poster campaign on homeless begging – suggesting that money to beggars funds booze, drugs, and fraud – was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for being discriminatory. The ruling is good news, but the fact that these posters existed at all is indicative of the way in which it has become increasingly acceptable to berate the less well-off. From TV shows like Benefits Street showcasing Britain’s poor as if they were a circus act to the use by politicians of language like “shirkers and strivers”, such prejudice is increasing. I learned at 16, and homeless while still at school, that in order to keep the good opinion of others I needed to show just the right…

Get better at setting and honoring deadlines Help one more person, each day Sit in the front row Ask a hard question every time we go to a meeting Give more and take less ...   Click here to read more

Women who weigh even slightly more than their peers are more likely to face discrimination when applying for certain jobs, a recent study from Scotland finds. In the study, researchers found that people were less likely to say they'd hire a slightly heavier woman for a job than an equally qualified woman who weighed less. Click here to read more

"The problem with austerity is that it’s too expensive. Before we allow another library to close, we must ask: Is this a saving?" Big Issue founder Lord Bird has warned that the government must be ready to build more prisons and homeless shelters if the libraries continue to close at the current rate. Lord Bird was speaking during a House of Lords debate on the the damage of illiteracy across Britain and the crisis facing public libraries and independent bookshops. Click here to read more

Putting things off is something we all do from time to time and is not necessarily, in itself, a problem. However, it can become a problem if we get into the habit of procrastinating regularly as a way to avoid what we don’t want to face, or if we don’t realise that we are consistently letting some things fall to the bottom of the priority pile. In this guide we explore the problems that procrastination can cause and offer suggestions for doing something about it in order to help make our work and home lives more organised and productive Click here to read more LinkedIn discussion group 

At the end of my first year at university, my tutor said to me: ‘Neil, you have a lot of strengths, but the trouble is that you are always playing to them’. He went on to explain that what he meant was that I was well aware of what I was good at and what I was not so good at, and I always headed straight for what I knew I could do well and steered clear of anything I wasn’t so sure of. The problem with that approach, he said, is that you will never develop, never extend your repertoire. And he was right. I was quite happy to stay in my comfort zone, and he helped me realise…

Babble has been created by Carers Trust as an online space where those aged under 18 who are caring for a family member or friend can chat, share their experiences and access information and advice. The site aims to bring together young carers from across the UK in an online space which is safe, fun and supportive. The online team are on hand to answer any questions you might have, and to offer support and advice via e-mail or one-to-one webchats. Click here to read more A Career in Social Work e-book 

The UK has a very high level of income inequality compared to other developed countries. Households in the bottom 10% of the population have on average a net income of £9,277. The top 10% have net incomes over nine times that (£83,897). As can be seen from the graph, income inequality is much starker at the top of the income scale, with the group with the 9th highest incomes making only 60% of the top 10%’s income. Inequality is much higher amongst original income than net income with the poorest 10% having on average an original income of £4,467 whilst the top 10% have an original income 24 times larger (£107,597). Click here to read more The Avenue Professional Development Programme