Category: Media

I need just four more backers to start The Ends of Britain project

I am nearly ready to start The Ends of Britain, my planned new series on the big issues facing Britain. Having started two weeks ago with a target of 25 backers, I have found 21, so need just four more by the end of today. You can find out more and back the project here.

There’s more explanation of my plans in previous posts on this site, here and here. I also provided some answers to questions from my old friend Ben Whitelaw last week. One answer, which he pulled out in a headline, sums up why this project excites me: Continue reading “I need just four more backers to start The Ends of Britain project”

Help me write about the future of Britain on Beacon

In 2014, I am planning something new: a series of weekly articles about Britain and how it is run, in the year that might see Scots voting to end the country in its current form, and certainly sees the UK struggling to decide what sort of country it plans to become.

The name I’ve given this project is The Ends of Britain. That’s as in a posssible ending through Scottish independence, but also ‘ends’ as in purposes, and also out-of-the-way parts of the country (places I always like to write about). Continue reading “Help me write about the future of Britain on Beacon”

Crisis helplines move online; why Bletchley Park couldn’t happen now

Guardian Voluntary Sector Network has published my piece on crisis helplines moving from telephone to online: the NSPCC’s ChildLine now handles half of its contacts online, the Samaritans receives 18% of contacts through text messages and emails and BB Group, which runs advice services for young people, is entirely digital.

The Samaritans, which has just turned 60 – see also this BBC News report, which covers its use of new channels – finds that those asking it for support through SMS or email are more likely to have suicidal feelings (almost half, compared to one in six of those calling). Elaine Chambers of ChildLine said the NSPCC helpline sees something similar, although it depends on the individual:

There is some evidence that the more high-risk things come to us online, because it can be easier to express yourself about the really difficult things in your life online. Continue reading “Crisis helplines move online; why Bletchley Park couldn’t happen now”

No NHS criticism please, we’re British?

Last week, Victoria Macdonald, who has covered health and social care for Channel 4 News since 1999, felt that she needed to let everyone know that she does not hate the NHS. This followed online accusations that she did, one nastily linked to her daughter’s treatment for a head injury in an NHS hospital. Continue reading “No NHS criticism please, we’re British?”