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Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – If it doesn’t work, stop doing it. If it works, do it more

Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – If it doesn’t work, stop doing it. If it works, do it more

We are well aware, of course, that if something doesn’t work, we should stop doing it – although that knowledge doesn’t necessarily prevent quite a few people from pressing on regardless with tactics that just don’t deliver the required results. Part of the problems is the power of habit (particularly when such habits have become ingrained in the culture and become part of the expected norms of the workplace concerned. So often people get into an established way of working that they feel comfortable with and stick with it, whether or not it actually works. Much of the time they don’t even know whether or not it is working. So embedded are they in this standardised way of working that…
Dr Neil Thompson
March 17, 2016
How serious is Cameron’s commitment to tackling racial inequality?

How serious is Cameron’s commitment to tackling racial inequality?

David Cameron is leading a charge into land that was once undisputed Labour territory: tackling racial inequality. His recent comment that the failure of top universities to recruit black students “should shame our nation” has been followed by the appointment of David Lammy, the Labour MP, to head a review into race and criminal justice. The Government has set other wheels in motion to investigate various aspects of unequal racial outcomes although it is unclear whether they all fit together in a coherent vision. There has been little debate in Conservative publications about these interesting moves, even though they could potentially form an important part of Cameron’s legacy. Perhaps Tories are taking it all in their stride, having grown comfortable…
Dr Neil Thompson
March 17, 2016
Practice the change you wish to see in the world

Practice the change you wish to see in the world

Life is a practice and what you choose to practice is what will make up your character. It’s worth considering what you value in life and then making an intention and plan to live alongside those values. This is the direct back to living Ghandi’s words, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Consider how simple it really is: If you want to be more grateful in life, practice being grateful. If you want to be confident, practice confidence. If you want to be more mindful, practice mindfulness. If you want to be more loving, practice loving yourself and others. If you want to be more forgiving and let go of stress-laden emotional burdens, practice forgiveness. If…
Dr Neil Thompson
March 17, 2016
Dying Matters: Raising awareness of dying, death and bereavement

Dying Matters: Raising awareness of dying, death and bereavement

Since the Dying Matters Coalition was set up in 2009, we’ve created a wide range of resources to help people start conversations about dying, death and bereavement. These have been a great success: to date, we have distributed more than 750,000 different items, from DVDs, posters and leaflets through to pens, postcards and balloons. A host of different organisations including hospices, hospitals, care homes, community centres, financial advisers and funeral directors have all used them to successfully raise awareness in their area. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
March 17, 2016
The relationship between poverty, child abuse and neglect: An evidence review

The relationship between poverty, child abuse and neglect: An evidence review

This report identifies and discusses evidence about the relationship betweenpoverty and child abuse and neglect. It explores the economic costs of childabuse and neglect and outlines broad policy implications, with a particularfocus on the UK.The report outlines: UK and international evidence about the association between family poverty and child abuse and neglect; UK and international evidence about the impact of childhood abuse or neglect on poverty in adulthood; evidence about the costs of child abuse and neglect; strengths and weaknesses in the evidence base; implications for policy-making. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
March 17, 2016
Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – Be Lucky

Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – Be Lucky

I’ve never given any credence to the idea that you ‘make your own luck’, as if chance in life can be ruled out in some way. But there is a very real sense in which we can affect the luck we have. We can’t stop chance occurrences from happening, but there is much we can do about how such matters affect us. The Ancient Greeks spoke of the constant tension in life between Cosmos (order) and Chaos (disorder). Many things happen along straightforward lines. They are regular, predictable and orderly – natural processes, for example. But that is only half the story. There are also things that happen at random, in unpredictable, disorderly ways ... Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
March 3, 2016
Everyone should have friends and support – Social care has a role in tackling isolation

Everyone should have friends and support – Social care has a role in tackling isolation

Too many people are lonely. And isolation is very bad for our health and wellbeing. That's according to experts and academics. With the recent John Lewis 'man on the moon' advert, we have also seen the issue achieving ‘cut through’ - as advertisers and pollsters like to say - so now a lot of people are talking about it. There is, thankfully, a growing body of evidence, not just on the nature and prevalence of the issue, but on what to do about it. SCIE’s guide on social isolation is a good place to start if you want to find out more about what works. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
March 3, 2016
Challenging retail companies and what they consider the norm

Challenging retail companies and what they consider the norm

The disability market is worth billions of pounds - and companies are coming up with ever more "disruptive" ways to break into it. Last summer was one of those rare occasions on Dragons' Den when someone pitches, nails the numbers and watches the Dragons try and outbid each other. Then in a twist, the business owner rejected an offer of £70,000 for 35% of the company. The deal collapsed and she walked away with nothing. Ellen Green from Blue Badge Company, which makes stylish accessories for disabled people, forged ahead anyway and now plans to expand internationally. "It started because my friend, who was in her 30s and very stylish, had just received her first blue badge for the car.…
Dr Neil Thompson
March 3, 2016