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Book review – Outlanders: Hidden Narratives from Social Workers of Colour from Black & Other Global Majority Communities

Book review – Outlanders: Hidden Narratives from Social Workers of Colour from Black & Other Global Majority Communities

Neil has recently had the privilege to review three new books on anti-racism. The first of these is now available at: https://drneilthompson.medium.com/book-review-outlanders... His own book, Anti-racism for Beginners, will be published soon.
Dr Neil Thompson
June 22, 2021
Seth Godin’s blog – Five useful questions

Seth Godin’s blog – Five useful questions

They might be difficult to answer, but your project will benefit: What’s the hard part? Which part of your work, if it suddenly got much better, would have the biggest impact on the outcome you seek? How are you spending your time? If we took at look at your calendar, how much time is spent reacting or responding to incoming, how much is under your control, and how much is focused on the hard part? Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
June 22, 2021
More tailored support services needed to ensure older people being abused can get the help and support they need

More tailored support services needed to ensure older people being abused can get the help and support they need

A report from the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has highlighted the need for more services and support tailored to meet the needs of older people who are experiencing or at risk of abuse to ensure they can access the help and support they need to keep them safe or leave abusive relationships. The report also identifies a number of issues that can prevent older people from accessing services and support, including a lack of awareness amongst some policy-makers and practitioners about the specific ways that older people may experience abuse, and the kinds of support that would have the most beneficial impact. In addition, a lack of accurate and comprehensive data relating to older people’s experiences of abuse creates…
Dr Neil Thompson
June 22, 2021
Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – Apologize where necessary

Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – Apologize where necessary

Some people seem to think that an apology is an admission of guilt or even of negligence and are therefore very careful not to utter the word ‘sorry’. This is very unfortunate, as saying sorry can defuse a tense situation, while not saying sorry when an apology could have helped a great deal can inflame a situation quite significantly. But often it isn’t a deliberate strategy to withhold an apology; it’s simply a matter of allowing work pressures to distract us to the extent that we lose sight of basic manners. Our own pressures stop us from seeing the situation from the other person’s point of view and thereby prevent us from taking their feelings into account. A classic example…
Dr Neil Thompson
June 9, 2021
The history of gardening charity, Thrive

The history of gardening charity, Thrive

Thrive began as the Society for Horticultural Therapy and Rural Training in Frome in 1979, set up by Chris Underhill, a young horticulturist inspired by his work with people with disabilities and his voluntary service in Africa. Chris was supported by, amongst others, Dr Geoffrey Udall a paediatrician. Initially the organisation concentrated on supporting the people who were setting up and running specific outdoor projects and wanted to use the concept of horticultural therapy. It aimed to be a bridge between the world of horticulture and the world of health. In the mid-1980s the organisation widened its scope by offering services to individual disabled gardeners. Before his death, the Reverend Dr Geoffrey Udall made provision for Thrive in his will…
Dr Neil Thompson
June 8, 2021
The power of inclusive workplaces

The power of inclusive workplaces

At Stonewall, we imagine a world where all LGBTQ+ people are free to be themselves and can live their lives to the full. Inclusive workplaces have a huge part to play in this making this world a reality. But inclusion is not a given. The best employers understand why all their employees should feel welcome, respected and represented at work. They know that inclusion drives better individual, business and organisational outcomes. And they believe that staff must be able to bring their whole selves to work. Because when LGBTQ+ employees feel free to be themselves, everybody benefits. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
June 8, 2021
Seth Godin’s blog – When it doesn’t work out

Seth Godin’s blog – When it doesn’t work out

Possibility has a flipside. We need possibility to do our best work. To believe that it might work. To understand that if we do our best work and bring our full selves to the project, we have a shot at achieving our goal. Hope is fuel. Perhaps we’ll make the sale, be admitted, create a hit, change someone’s mind, invent a breakthrough, play the notes beautifully, open doors and create magic… But we might not. And if we don’t, what then? ... Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
June 8, 2021