Neighbourhood interventions … and the definition of madness

Here in the land of Myopia, we are forever trying to support local communities to improve economic circumstances and quality of life for residents – especially in neighbourhoods regarded as relatively disadvantaged. The trouble is, we are sure that we are doing something wrong – but for the life...

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Sustainable Living – the only way is Essex … or is it?

Conferences on Sustainable Living can be very tricky things!  The term ‘sustainable’ can itself be quite ambiguous, even elusive. I was at one such conference a while back … which just happened to be in Letchworth … which just happens to be England’s First Garden City … which just happens to...

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The need for Social Enterprise … and the fashion for passion

These days, we tend to talk freely and easily about social enterprise …   but do we really have a common understanding of what we mean by it? This was the thought that sprang to mind when I read of the demise of the ‘not-for-profit’ Hadrian’s Wall Trust as set...

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Poverty in the UK … lies, damn lies and poor excuses

Confusion generally reigns in any conversation about statistics for poverty in the UK.  Is it child poverty, income poverty, fuel poverty, food poverty? Is it before or after housing costs? Is it relative or absolute poverty? The calculations are all different and can give a widely different picture of...

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