‘Libraries, youth centres and community centres – stripping away these things is storing up issues for the longer term.’
Community spaces are key for our social fabric. Their decline is a major factor in the collective sense of national malaise.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
‘In running, as in life, much of what matters cannot be measured.’
This on quantitative fixation raises good questions not just on how we interact with data on an individual level, but also on how we measure value in civil society, government, and politics.
“That’s a proper goal! And it’s absolutely electric in this ground!”
#MUFC
What a reverse pass by Bruno.
🔴⚫️⚪️ #NeverGoingToStop
‘For us, everything can change so suddenly that futures like those of our grandparents don’t have enough ‘now’ to last the pace.’
Loved this from Giuliano da Empoli on the freneticism and instant gratification of modern life, and how these can recondition perceptions about time.
The benefits of intergenerational friendship are absolutely huge: reduced isolation, better health outcomes, shared learning in a rapidly changing world, a more cohesive society, economic growth. So good to see efforts like this continuing to get support:
www.thetimes.com/article/1290...
‘We’re supporting grassroots charities, which, through their vital work in local neighbourhoods, nurture community and positive change, and provide a powerful antidote to polarisation, distrust and hate.’
A prescient and necessary campaign, well timed:
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
30% of rooms listed are in properties with no living room; 49% of renters say theirs is used as a bedroom; 44% say this affects mental health.
Just another example of how, even in homes, shared spaces and chances for human interaction are diminishing.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Purpose is a continuum, something passed down generations, and today's work is the unfinished business of those who came before us.
Thanks Beautiful Truth Magazine for the chance to talk about purpose, belonging, and building connection in disconnecting times:
thebeautifultruth.org/my-life-on-p...
‘Everywhere I went, there were happy, sensitive, emotional, and chivalrous men… Everyone’s feeling the same sentiment: togetherness, community.’ ❤️
www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/oasis-...
It's one of those conversations that stays with you because it shows what's at stake while also offering hope for, and a roadmap to, a better future.
You can watch the whole conversation here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRNa...
Our mission at The Obama Foundation is to inspire, empower, and connect next generation leaders to change their world.
Three of those leaders sat down with President Obama in London recently to discuss how to meet the challenge of rising authoritarianism.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRNa...
Also: have fun.
The loveliest and perhaps most socially relevant John Lewis Christmas ad in years.
Beautifully captures the complexity of male connection, technology, the passage of time, intergenerational love, and so much in between.
youtu.be/z1bRlnyQeDk?...
Find out more about our values and vision at The William Ellis Trust:
www.williamellistrust.org.uk
It was so inspiring to hear from six young men at the launch of The William Ellis Trust last night, moderated with hope by @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social.
130+ neighbours were inspired by those students’ empathy, humour, tenacity, and sense of what’s possible in the future.
With so many challenges and opportunities ahead in the coming years, how can we ensure our boys and young men develop values of respectful masculinity, community, and entrepreneurship?
They listened deeply to inputs from local people and those working in the loneliness field.
What they've created is a new benchmark for urban design and use of space that encourages community, connection, and belonging.
Huge congrats to them and to all involved.
You could always tell these homes were going to be special, because United St Saviour's Charity was focused on community – for those living in the homes, and the wider world outside.
bbc.com/news/articles/c4gwlz6k96no
💜 We belong to clubs but just as importantly they belong to us.
Successful social movements find ways to build civic power, to cross class differences, and to mobilise those who don’t yet agree.
For all those looking for hope in times of challenge and change, this is a strong call to action, for the UK as well as elsewhere:
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
'It's a narrative you don't often hear in our media... [but] I've always seen communities come together.'
Yes, this is a time of challenge and lost social interactions, but when people work together with hope, stronger communities are possible:
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/vide...
Of course employers should consider culture when hiring. But we need more exposure to, not protection from, people we disagree with – in work as in society. Working through tensions is part of what drives successful collaboration and cohesion.
www.thetimes.com/article/09e1...
What a privilege to meet the 35 new Obama Foundation Leaders in Europe last week, as they began their six-month program.
In total, the Foundation has welcomed 205 new Obama Leaders from multiple regions, as we work to empower the next generation to change their world:
www.obama.org/programs/lea...
‘One wonders how much longer we can avoid adding a personal finance GCSE to the national curriculum. No child should leave school with zero understanding of savings, pensions, and all the pitfalls – especially in this age of industrialised scams.’
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
“All of us, side by side, united while celebrating our differences”
Nicely said, @markfergusonmp.bsky.social ❤️
Fantastic hire by @labourlist.bsky.social - when I was Editor, Emma was one of best contributors to the site in every sense. She understands what LabourList is and what it has the power to be. Good luck @emmaburnell.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/07/new-...
Thrilled @emmaburnell.bsky.social is the new @labourlist.bsky.social editor. Emma started writing for the site in 2009 and has always been thoughtful, pluralist and deeply connected to the site’s mission. Good luck, Emma, and congrats to all involved on a great hire.
labourlist.org/2025/07/new-...
'Those near a Sure Start centre in early years performed better at 7, 11 and 16 and got better GCSEs. At 15 they had 15% fewer absences from school. 12- to 14-year-olds had 50% fewer mental health hospitalisations.'
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"We have much to lose in the erosion of neighborly concern, the impetus to look out for others we don’t know that well. Neighborliness is collective belonging."
This is thoughtful about how progress comes when people from different experiences bond:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
So good to see Ed Miliband so humble about the past and so passionate about the future (especially on climate) in this @therestpolitics.bsky.social with @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social and Rory Stewart. Two fantastic episodes, ultimately rooted in hope:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvMg...
