We should be treating gambling harm as a public health issue 📑That's the argument made in our new report out today, written by Senior Researcher Niamh O Regan in collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social.

Social Market Foundation@smfthinktank.bsky.social · last mo.

While gambling is common in Britain, it is a highly addictive habit, with demand for support for problem gambling surging. Our latest briefing explores how a public health approach could work in practice. buff.ly/9KZIdmE ‎ In collaboration with @populationhealth.bsky.social

Louise Casey: England’s social care system faces ‘moment of reckoning’

Louise Casey: England’s social care system faces ‘moment of reckoning’

Head of government-commissioned review says adult social care is held together by ‘sticking plasters and glue’ England’s “creaking” adult social care system is confusing and impenetrable to the people that rely on it and held together with “sticking plasters and glue”, the head of a government-commissioned review has said in a withering critique. Louise Casey said the country faced a “moment of reckoning” over its failure to effectively and fairly meet the needs of Britain’s ageing population and rising numbers of people with chronic conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Continue reading...

theguardian.com

Friday was Great Mental Health day - made in Haringey, now London wide! It reminds us to reach out to others & to battle the stigma that prevents people seeking help. haringey.gov.uk/news/2026011...

'There must have been a moment, at the beginning, where we could have said no. But somehow we missed it.' (R&G Are Dead)...

The Guardian@theguardian.com · 9mo ago

Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88

Yesterday I went to Westminster for a gambling reform evidence session, sharing residents views. Proud to sit alongside @endgamblingads.bsky.social as 1st local authority in country to join the campaign. Good to speak w/ Beccy Cooper MP who shares our public health concerns & is a vocal advocate.

I've found myself using the f-word a lot lately. Fascism. There's a lot of it about. People don't like to say it because it makes them uncomfortable. It seems extreme. Well, fascism is extreme and you can't ignore it. Get used to it. Start using the f-word.

Medical model vs social model of health & wellbeing. We have the evidence. And many ideas & answers. Now we need to act!

Greg Fell@felly500.bsky.social · last yr.

Lantz writes exceptionally well on this onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... The medicalization of health policy is no 4 on my list of top 4 threats to the (well) health of the public

This is our theme today - to raise awareness that smoking actually makes stress worse @dredbeveridge.bsky.social @adphl.bsky.social @ashorguk.bsky.social @thriveldn.bsky.social @profkevinfenton.bsky.social @ldasneves.bsky.social #mentalhealth #smoking #stopsmokinglondon

London Tobacco Alliance@lta-london.bsky.social · last yr.

“Many people believe smoking helps with stress - but the truth is, it can actually make it worse.” As part of London Smoking and #MentalHealth Week, this short video brings together experts and lived experience to explore this issue: youtu.be/dR1u3mJ2pVI #stopsmokinglondon

🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨 The government can act to transform the lives of babies and toddlers living in poverty – and do so with public support. Read @bencooper1995.bsky.social's recommendations to lift 230,000 under-fives out of poverty.

...because, as residents of Haringey, we love and are proud of the diversity of our community, we celebrate the values of equality and inclusivity, and we strive for dignity and respect for all our families, friends and neighbours. No strangers in Haringey!

Today Haringey Welcome jointly signed a letter to Home Secretary @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social together with the Leader of @haringey.gov.uk , @perayahmet.bsky.social ...

#CareCantWait - it's too important to communities, individuals and society. We need change.

ADASS@adass.bsky.social · last yr.

Today we launch our new #CareCantWait campaign, sharing stories of how good adult social care can enable us to live meaningful lives in our homes and communities, but reform and investment are urgently needed to achieve this for everyone. Find out more: www.adass.org.uk/care-cant-wait/

Join us online tomorrow at the launch of a new report on @wigancouncil.bsky.social's bold collective journey to Progress with Unity, harnessing the combined energy of all the people and organisations that care about Wigan Borough. Register now! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-lau...

Haringey are the first council in the UK to join the Coalition to End Gambling Ads! Councillor @ldasneves.bsky.social explained to Eddie Nestor on BBC London why they've taken a stand for the health of their citizens, and why society can choose to 'permit but not promote' gambling.

The Faculty of Public Health @fphuk.bsky.social have joined @adphuk.bsky.social and @rsph.bsky.social as members of CEGA to call for an End to Gambling Ads. @profkevinfenton.bsky.social and @willprochaska.bsky.social write in @bmj.com on why and how to achieve it. www.bmj.com/content/388/...

'The care challenges facing families and local authorities “simply unacceptable in a society with the levels of income and wealth that we have....That’s the clear and pressing, immediate, urgent task.” ' absolutely agree! www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

‘Get this done’: Andrew Dilnot attacks three-year plan for English social care

Architect of previous attempts at reform says government could announce what it wants to do by end of 2025

theguardian.com

I choose to enter the new year with hope, and this is what I mean by hope. Bird divination available as a stand-alone print at https://bit.ly/hopedivination and part of the deck of 100 at https://almanacofbirds.org

A rare recording of Tolkien, born 133 years ago today, reading from "The Lord of the Rings" and singing "Sam's Rhyme of the Troll"

J.R.R. Tolkien Reads from The Lord of the Rings and Sings “Sam’s Rhyme of the Troll” in a Rare Recording

“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them…”

themarginalian.org

No matter what happens, London will always be a city of hope and a place for everyone. #LondonNYEFireworks

On Basquiat's birthday, his inimitable art for Maya Angelou's verses for children about overcoming fear

Life Doesn’t Frighten Me: Maya Angelou’s Courageous Children’s Verses, Illustrated by Basquiat

A priceless primer on poetry and contemporary art for little ones, and a timeless reminder of the power of courage in all of us.

themarginalian.org

22nd December 2024 08.33

That is some graph on bus usage outside London after deregulation on.ft.com/49PfLlV

Diversity is what makes our city stronger. On International Migrants Day, we proudly honour and celebrate migrant Londoners and the remarkable contribution they make. They are an essential thread in the vibrant tapestry of our capital.

Pollution exposure 'linked to an increased risk of hospital admission for mental illness' www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Pollution exposure linked to mental health hospital admissions, says study

Researchers from St Andrews found rise in nitrogen dioxide exposure associated with higher admissions

theguardian.com

It's #GriefAwarenessWeek - sharing here some myth busting info from the Mental Health Foundation What should we know about grief?...

For every £1 invested in prevention, we could see £3.17 of savings.... 'Properly funded preventative services would mean...[we] can maximise the impact resources and address community needs.' www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/loca...

Early action to prevent care needs escalating ‘could save £11bn in six years’

Preventing ill health and crisis is a key feature of the Government’s ‘mission-led’ approach to national renewal.

independent.co.uk

#Advent2024

RSPB@rspb.bsky.social · 2y ago

It's the Christmas countdown for nature lovers! ✨🎄 Every day, we’ll bring a little magic from the wild to your feed. Who’s hiding behind door 1?.... Let’s take a peek… #RSPBAdvent

Excellent thread on the problem of supply and demand or why 'more supply will not solve the problem of too much demand' across a range of current societal challenges inc traffic, housing, care... We need whole system thinking and systemic change!

Greg Fell@felly500.bsky.social · 2y ago

1. More supply will not solve the problems of too much demand Yet its often the first tool we reach for From memory I recall the first law of economics is that demand is limitless and will expand to fill available supply A 🧵

Yet further evidence the gambling industry fails to act responsibly and puts young people at risk of harm. BBC News - Top-selling mobile games breaking rules on loot boxes - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Top-selling mobile games breaking rules on loot boxes

Ads for games are meant to say if they contain loot boxes - BBC News has found most do not.

bbc.co.uk

Since I've been here for a while… here are some useful features on Bluesky that you might not have discovered yet! 🧵