The Latest Bulletin

Journaling has become a very popular activity for many people in many settings. Much of the reason for its popularity is that it gives helpful opportunities for exploring our thoughts and feelings about important issues that affect us. It serves as a useful sounding board for dealing with issues that can be confusing and disorientating. Beginning a career in social work is, of course, a major undertaking and a significant life-changing step that should not be made unthinkingly or without adequate preparation. It is for this reason that this journal has been developed. Available from https://neilthompson.info/shop/ or Amazon  

Some people can be quite dogmatic and stick to their views despite evidence and argument to the contrary, and that of course is not helpful. However, it can also be problematic when some people go to the opposite extreme and simply assume that they are wrong whenever they encounter any resistance or disagreement. What is needed, of course, is a balanced approach. Being dogmatic does not help, but nor does abandoning your views prematurely. Being open minded is essential, but that need to include being open to the possibility that you were right all along. Click here to read more

We empower young people aged 25 and under to influence and inform the decisions that affect their lives. We support young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally, making a difference as volunteers, campaigners, decision-makers and leaders. Click here to read more

We guide, inspire, advise, showcase and represent hundreds of groups and organisations right across the UK. We love giving practical support like site visits, training courses and networking events. If our members want guidance on important areas like employment issues, or governance training, or site design, or if they simply want to know the best way to build a raised veg bed, we are there to help. Through our Community Land Advisory Service, we are also able to offer support and guidance on land and planning issues. Click here to read more

Close to one-third of American workers have stated experiencing abuse in the workplace. According to the 2021 Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI) U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey, a staggering 73% of workers are aware that this type of harassment takes place. Knowing this, it begs the question: Why hasn’t anything been done? It turns out, when the perpetrator in question is also in charge of signing your check, confronting a workplace bully becomes more difficult. Click here to read more

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Values are at the heart of best practice. This important manual offers a successful blend of theoretical understanding with very helpful practice guidance to enable readers to make sense of the complex but vitally important issues. This is an ideal resource for anyone involved in types of work where success depends on effective engagement with people. Available from https://neilthompson.info/shop/ or Amazon

A common way of thinking about projects is to conceive of them as buildings, something you construct and then have in place to serve you in whatever way the project was intended to. Despite this being a normal way of understanding projects, it is actually a misleading oversimplification. This is because whatever project you work on will not remain static or unchanging. A more accurate and helpful way of understanding projects is to see them as gardens – that is, as things that need to be tended, nurtured, pruned from time to time and not allowed to get overgrown. So, whatever projects you are involved in, you need to ask yourself: am I treating it as a building or as…

Amidst our busy lives, it’s not always easy to stay in touch with friends. During the pandemic in particular, many people found their social circle shrinking. And even though friendship has clear benefits for wellbeing, mental health, and personal growth, getting in touch with friends sometimes falls down our list of priorities. A new study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, suggests we should probably be making more of an effort to keep in touch. It finds that reaching out can have a surprisingly big impact, with people appreciating it much more than we expect. Click here to read more

Come to my ward in east Birmingham and you’ll find no shortage of pride or ambition. Our city has one of the youngest populations in Europe. It’s powered by huge creative talent and home to vibrant, diverse communities. But, as I spent a sunny Saturday morning holding my regular councillor’s surgery at Glebe Farm library, my constituents told me troubling stories. They spoke of rocketing food prices and rising household bills; of overstretched family budgets that won’t keep pace with the cost of living. They feared the coming colder days. “We just don’t have that kind of money,” a pensioner couple said of impending rises in their energy bill. One young family told me they worried about having to choose between…