What a week! The Assisted Dying Bill was overturned by politicians who seem rather out of touch with public opinion. MP’s have rejected plans for a right to die in England and Wales in their first vote on the issue in almost 20 years. 118 MP’s were in favour and 330 against plans to allow some terminally ill adults to end their lives with medical supervision. Read more here and it’s worth noting that a 2015 populus poll of 5,000 people – the largest ever conducted on assisted dying – showed 82% of the public support Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill to give terminally ill, mentally competent people the legal option of assistance to die with dignity.
Saturday saw Jeremy Corbyn elected as leader of the Labour Party with a sweeping majority. Some say he can’t go on to win the general election on ‘popular’ politics. What, a politician with passion, conviction and a belief that it is inequalities that underpin much of what’s wrong in society - well I for one believe that change is possible. What’s needed now is action and yes, a democratic force to oppose the dominant elite who might at last, be under harsher scrutiny. To paraphrase his victory speech: ‘...our party is about justice, is about democracy, {…} we are working together to achieve great victories, not just electorally for Labour, but emotionally for the whole of our society to show that we don’t have to be unequal, it doesn’t have to be unfair, poverty isn’t inevitable, things can - and they will - change.”
2020+ Arts, Society & Public Health is filling up nicely and I can confirm that as well as our international guests, we’ll have artists and health practitioners focusing on the areas around mental health and around ageing and dementia. As a format the day, it seems we’ll have themed areas that focus on these issues. Much, much more next week.
£12,000 Royal Knickers Scandal
The week also saw our dear old monarch celebrate her longevity and wealth - sorry - I meant, this summer saw a pair of vintage royal knickers sold for a shed-load of cash. Unequal in privilege, unequal in size. Click on either the outsize bloomers, or our unelected head of state.
This week I have been working with colleagues from the Portuguese Red Cross Nursing School of Oliveira de Azeméis and we’ve been exploring communication between nurses and patients. Big thanks to those of you who came and shared your ideas, practice and vision - and who hosted visits. That you shared so freely, makes me proud to be associated with you. I'm very interested to talk to those of you involved in nursing, who may want to be involved in future developments in this area.
BHMGM is a new arts partnership network to publicise events during October 2015 hosted by galleries, museums, theatres, artist led organisations and community based groups. Click on the Chris Ofili painting above to find out more.
A FOCUS ON ARTS LEARNING FOR ADULTS CONFERENCE
1 October 2015, Novotel Hotel Cardiff
At this conference, NIACE Cymru will present an exploration of the many and varied benefits of adult participation and learning in the Arts. Improved health and well-being, increased employability, better business through creative approaches and a kinder more equal society; the effects can be life changing. With support from the Big Lottery in Wales we are delighted to focus on our own innovative Sharing Stories: Sharing Understanding Project and welcome knowledgeable and stimulating speakers including:
Vikki Heywood CBE - Chair of the recent Warwick Commission formerly Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company
Jo Broadwood - Author of research report Arts & Kindness
More details HERE.
Spirit of 2012 Leading Voices £1m Fund A FOCUS ON ARTS LEARNING FOR ADULTS CONFERENCE
1 October 2015, Novotel Hotel Cardiff
At this conference, NIACE Cymru will present an exploration of the many and varied benefits of adult participation and learning in the Arts. Improved health and well-being, increased employability, better business through creative approaches and a kinder more equal society; the effects can be life changing. With support from the Big Lottery in Wales we are delighted to focus on our own innovative Sharing Stories: Sharing Understanding Project and welcome knowledgeable and stimulating speakers including:
Vikki Heywood CBE - Chair of the recent Warwick Commission formerly Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company
Jo Broadwood - Author of research report Arts & Kindness
More details HERE.
To mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, the Spirit of 2012 Leading Voices programme will make a single grant of up to £1 million for a 2 - 3 year project that offers new skills in the verbal arts to young people. Projects should enable young people to explore and give voice to the attitudes and behaviours that shape their lives and the social contexts in which they live; extending their capacity to empathise with others and collaborate to produce high quality creative work. They should inspire young people to engage critically with personal, ethical, social and political issues relevant to them and their communities through the exploration, expression and representation of themes, ideas, aspirations and dilemmas. Activities should be those that develop listening, reflective and expressive communication skills and may include, but are not limited to - film-making, song-writing, story-telling, poetry and rap, drama, improvisation and debate. The deadline for submitting expression of interest is 5pm on 30th September 2015. Read more at: http://www.spiritof2012trust.org.uk/leading-voices
\Morrison’s Foundation Charitable Grants
Charities registered in the UK can apply for grants from the newly established Morrison’s Foundation. The Foundation is looking to award approximately £2 million a year for community projects that improve people's lives. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is no specific grant amount that can be applied for but applicants must demonstrate how the project will deliver public benefit, who in the community will specifically benefit and how it will bring about positive change. Applicants must also have financial information dating back to 2012 and have raised some of the funding elsewhere. The Foundation has already given out a number of grants, including one in the region of £20,000 to a project in Scotland that works on youth employment in the fishing industry, yet to be formally launched, and £5,000 for a project run by Bolton Dementia Support. Applications can be submitted at any time. Read more at: https://www.morrisonsfoundation.comWiderstehe Doch Der Sünde
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