Happy New Year!
Here is my latest News Guardian Column:
Shortly before Christmas I visited a charity called PROPS. They are based in the Linskill Centre, a vibrant community centre saved through the efforts of the local community.
PROPS work with the family of people addicted to alcohol or drugs. They do a great job but unfortunately the need for their services has not diminished, if anything numbers have gone up and they have a waiting list for help.
We talked of the effects of Covid when many of the traditional support mechanisms around families were lost. They work with children as young as five, often working with health professionals and schools. What struck me was the similarity between the problems we discussed and long term objectives of this Government. The first Youth Strategy in two decades, fixing a broken SEND system and tackling child poverty are ambitious plans. Refocusing healthcare on prevention, boosting mental health provision and reforming the criminal justice system will change people’s lives for the better.
These things take time, demanding more than a quick fix. The cost of doing something is only outweighed by the cost of doing nothing. It’s a moral as well as necessary cause. But it takes time and I understand the sense of frustration.
Why is there cause for optimism in 2026? Because of all the people across our community in charities, in jobs that kept them working for others including throughout the festive period, who came together with a sense of growing pride to celebrate NS800 and so much more.
I wish everyone across our local community a very happy 2026