When Government Improvement Plans or initiatives arrive in inboxes, or in the media, it can be incredibly frustrating when schools already have so many everyday demands on time and resources. We know that the additional demands you feel, unite schools with the families you engage with, who are also focussing on ‘just’ getting through the [...]
In promoting the 'Don't Call Me Mum' initiative and asking practitioners to #CallMe, I often hear the excuse that a hospital professional is simply too busy. It is easy in the bustle of the hospital ward to mistakenly regard the details as unimportant. Like the panoramic view of any hospital stay might include the admission [...]
Co-production Week In 2020, the world was turned upside down. Things once considered important no longer took priority. People's values were honed, the world shrank, and everyone had to get used to living in a new way. The world got a glimpse of the transformation that occurs in the life of a family who loves [...]
I’m not sure where to start because there are so many of you who have the opportunity to deliver personalised care. Maybe you’re one of the many therapists (Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Speech And Language Therapist to name but a few) who collude and agree when it’s best to meet and then ask that I adhere [...]
November. It’s that time of year again when Pudsey is dusting off his eye patch and schools around the country are asking children to come in wearing spots (because we all have spotty clothes in our cupboards) to raise money for Children in Need. What could possibly be wrong with [...]
Do you ever head off on a journey to somewhere, but you have no map, no idea what it is going to look like or how you get there? I’m not talking about an exciting adventure where you get to be spontaneous, throw your head back and let the wind tussle your hair as you follow [...]
It’s the 11th October 2021, there is a severe weather front closing in and I have written about it before. I’m braced for impact. It’s my son’s 16th birthday tomorrow I am full of so much joy, pride, gratitude and love. I am brimming with heartache, loss and grief. Weather fronts are the transition boundary [...]
Have you ever tried to curate your expectations in order to minimise disappointment or sadness? As though you are trying to flatten the curve of your emotions by not letting yourself feel the high of hopefulness or joyful expectation. I have found myself attempting (and failing) to compress and ignore feelings of hope, excitement, love or [...]
An upside down world In the last year, the country has been turned on its head. Things which were once important are no longer a priority. People's values have been honed, the world has shrunk, and everyone has gotten used to living in a different way. Whether it is wearing a face mask to pop [...]
It is reported in the BBC news yesterday (18th March 2021) that over the past year the CQC has identified 508 “Do not attempt resuscitation” (DNAR) orders which were inappropriately put in place without discussion with the person or family involved. There is evidence to suggest this is happening more frequently for people who have learning [...]
