Everyone in government and charitable agencies is quick to say how committed to partnership working they are. Everyone agrees on the need to join up, work together and be smarter, but so often it doesn’t happen. Here’s my top ten reasons why: 1. We don’t do the arguing at the start Us British are not… Continue reading 10 Reasons why partnership working doesn’t happen
Our Addiction to Self-Promotion
A few years ago I was asked to speak at a conference for youth and community workers. The person who had invited me didn’t know me well but had been involved in an online campaign that I had helped start. I soon realised my host was under a misapprehension that I was a lot more well-known than… Continue reading Our Addiction to Self-Promotion
Why I am sleeping outdoors to help homeless people – by Tom Kuhrt (aged 8)
I think that homelessness is cruel. Shouldn’t all people have houses and bedrooms? (and of course TVs) When I am in London I see quite a few homeless people. I even saw some people living on the streets when I went to France. This is why I am doing a sleep-out to raise money for… Continue reading Why I am sleeping outdoors to help homeless people – by Tom Kuhrt (aged 8)
Honest to God – a Psalm written by homeless people
One of the most exciting areas of my work with the West London Mission has been the development of our Chaplaincy over the last year. Our Chaplain, Ruth, does a great job across our services, offering spiritual support and care to our residents and users whose lives are so affected by homelessness, offending and addictions.… Continue reading Honest to God – a Psalm written by homeless people
Please support me and Tom sleeping out to help homeless people!
I will be sleeping out, along with my son Tom, on Friday 18th October to raise money for the great work of the West London Day Centre (WLDC). The centre is one of the projects run by the West London Mission where I work. For over 40 years the WLDC has been at the cutting edge… Continue reading Please support me and Tom sleeping out to help homeless people!
How to get elected and hold onto your soul
Back in May I was elected to the County Council. In amongst all the congratulations from friends, people from church and colleagues I sensed a curious cognitive dissonance that went something like this: “You’re now a politician. All politicians are lying, power-grabbing such and suches in suits, but…well, we know you. You’re Jon with the… Continue reading How to get elected and hold onto your soul
Liberal Democrats Do God
It is incredibly easy to be cynical about politicians. They’re constantly slated by the press, and often with good reason. But I was struck by the impact this has a few years ago when I found myself at a wedding with a Christian MP and got talking with him and his wife about how the… Continue reading Liberal Democrats Do God
‘Madwomen in the Twittersphere’ A Christian Response to Caroline Criado-Perez? – by Hannah Martin
Caroline Criado-Perez has left twitter. For those who don’t know, Criado-Perez is a campaigner and writer who led the campaign to reinstate a woman on the English bank-note. Following the success of this campaign she has been subject to hundreds of graphic rape and death threats from ‘trolls,’ mostly online via twitter and other social… Continue reading ‘Madwomen in the Twittersphere’ A Christian Response to Caroline Criado-Perez? – by Hannah Martin
Devon, Balcombe and Greenbelt: a fracking good summer – by Hannah Martin
I have just had a great summer. From a youth camp in Devon, to the anti-fracking protest camp at Balcombe and then onto the Greenbelt festival I participated in three very different communities. It wasn’t a relaxing holiday, more the body-aching-wood-smoke-smelling-when-will-I-see-hot-water-again kind. But I think I was hoping to be uncomfortable. I wanted to be… Continue reading Devon, Balcombe and Greenbelt: a fracking good summer – by Hannah Martin
Backing off Syria strikes doesn’t mean sitting idly by
Listen to the military hawks this week and you would think that by voting against military intervention the UK was sitting on its hands and doing nothing about an horrific civil war killing thousands and creating millions of refugees. Worse still it’s suggested that our international standing is ruined because we’re ‘doing nothing’ – as… Continue reading Backing off Syria strikes doesn’t mean sitting idly by
