Public opinion is New Start’s forum for discussion. Blog entries are posted by site members from all over the sector, and discussion of the topics presented is encouraged. Becoming a member is completely free and gives you the opportunity to help contribute to the most exciting portal for regeneration, economic development and sustainable communities on the web. Site membership is now open, and you can be registered and begin submitting entries in less than 5 minutes! Just use the links at the top of the page.
Interviews of leading figures in community land trusts (CLTs) were filmed at a New Start conference in London this week.
The clips are available on YouTube at http://tiny.cc/pF2ND.
In one of the videos Bob Paterson, co-founder and project director at Community Finance Solutions, a think tank at Salford University, …
Posted on Tuesday, 30th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
As the economic climate has worsened, it has become more challenging for businesses in the UK to retain their apprentices and continue to invest in qualifying the workforce.
But particularly for the construction sector, which has been beset by skills shortages since the 1990s recession when many employers slashed their …
Posted on Wednesday, 24th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
The term "community cohesion" doesn't mean much to most people. But if you suggest it can be about having a chat and a cuppa with a neighbour, it starts to make sense.
At Knowsley Council, our ‘Good Neighbours' communications campaign is breaking down a phrase only used in local government …
Posted on Tuesday, 23rd June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
I am delighted to announce that we are now working in partnership with the Scottish Business Crime Centre (SBCC) on projects and services to make towns and business parks safer places for business.
The SBCC provides practical advice for the business and commercial sectors on how to develop business crime reduction and …
Posted on Monday, 22nd June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
It was fun to choreograph a dance routine for 50 young people.
They came from different parts of London so I had to go and visit them at their projects and then bring them together for the first time on the day of the show.
But we were united by …
Posted on Friday, 19th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Discussion with various partners (and prospective partners), voluntary organisations, social enterprises, representatives from the main political parties, financiers and opinion formers have been positive, as we start to build a coalition of support for our proposals.
There has been a great deal of healthy debate, challenge and thinking - exactly …
Posted on Thursday, 18th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
With rising unemployment and less disposable income to go around, we are all aware that charities across the UK are struggling to stay afloat amid the recession. At a time when its services are increasingly required, there is less funding available to the voluntary sector.
Charities obviously rely on their supporters …
Posted on Monday, 15th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
There's nothing quite as special as spending a hot summer's day with our friends and family in nice, clean, green surroundings.
It's a time when ice cream tastes extra special - and just being able to get away from it all helps to recharge our batteries. With the sun putting …
Posted on Monday, 15th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
This week the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) ran a conference called Wise Up: Listening to older people, which discussed proposed changes in how government engages with older people. Jennifer Sprinks, media manager at LGIU, blogged from the event.
The UK’s rapidly ageing society is an issue that needs …
Posted on Friday, 12th June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
What should a modern hostel for homeless people look like? This was the question facing architects asked to transform a dormitory-style hostel in Hackney into an environment fit to meet today's challenges.
When St Mungo's started life in 1969 the answer would have been simple: to provide rough sleepers with …
Posted on Tuesday, 2nd June 2009 | This entry has 0 comment(s)
Hi, I have loads of stuff from a shop I used to own. I want it to be sold for the best possible price. How do I find out which charity shops will get the best price and therefore get the cash they require? Do any of the charities you are aware of have central distribution centres that then relegate the goods to the places where they will make the most money? While I often find I can purchase great things in charity shops for ridiculously low prices, I don’t want my cashmeres and designer goods sold for a pitance if they could fetch a fair price in a place away from where I live.
Your advice would be appreciated.
irene blunden on 3rd July 2009:
Britain’s charity shops have much to learn from Australia
The land of antidotes
If you can, join us for a Big Lunch on 19 July on Amhurst Road and actively resist many things: the sadness of the recent murder on our street, the credit crunch, Hackney (and global) gloom. Despite being part of the Eden Project national initiative, this is completely spontaneous and not committee- or group-based, so we need more spontaneous input from artists, entertainers, cooks and gardeners.
Anne
Anne Engel on 10th June 2009:
‘Hackney becomes a suburb of Tesco’
Very interesting. Read this in context of working at St Mungo’s, London’s largest homelessness agency, where we are focusing this year on breaking the links between mental ill health and homelessness. What does well-being mean if you’re a vulnerable person - and homeless? And how come about a third of rough sleepers have a diagnosed mental health problem? We’ve been doing some peer research around well-being but we’re also asking others in different sectors to contribute some Best Practice views before 10 June deadline to our Call 4 Evidence about how best to break these links, see http://www.mungos.org/call4evidence
Judith Higgin on 1st June 2009:
Does ageism begin at 25?
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