Victor Steeden

Enable Medical Professionals to make calls when they are working from home on “withheld telephone numbers” to get their calls passed the “withheld number” barrier on most patients BT telephones. We have had numerous problems this last year when my wife was receiving treatment for bladder cancer when her nurses, doctors and consultants could notContinue reading “Victor Steeden”

The loneliness of the long-term locked down older person.

According to Dr Lucy Webb of Manchester Metropolitan the pandemic and the measures taken to counter it have created “a perfect storm for mental distress for older people by enforcing isolation and heightening perceptions of risk of death and illness.” Unfortunately, despite being at risk of being negatively affected by both of these, older peopleContinue reading “The loneliness of the long-term locked down older person.”

Sustaining ‚’Work from Home‚’ behaviour change ‚’ to reshape the climate and economic geography

COVID-19 has led to the upheaval of where people work. In April 2020, ‚’Work from Home‚’ (WFH) became the norm for over 45% of employed individuals. This is an unequivocal opportunity ‚’ and Government need to overcome challenges – to ensure this radical behavioural change is sustainable. Why is this an opportunity? 1. The UK‚’sContinue reading “Sustaining ‚’Work from Home‚’ behaviour change ‚’ to reshape the climate and economic geography”

Making easily accessible information for young people on jobs and training opportunities

Youth unemployment has been rising significantly as a result of the economic downturn caused by the government restrictions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2020 youth unemployment was 14.5 per cent, an increase of almost a third since the start of 2020. There is a substantial risk that youth unemployment will increase greatly inContinue reading “Making easily accessible information for young people on jobs and training opportunities”

The diversity question

The early challenge for job-centres was recruiting staff quickly. The so called free and fair recruitment was suspended and local districts and offices given the opportunity to truly reach out to our local communities to recruit. This led to a hugely diverse intake of new staff from BAME backgrounds, workless families and white working class.Continue reading “The diversity question”

After the fall of man-ufacture (we must create a world that works smarter).

There has been huge disruption to industry as we emerge from C19 and many have lost their living. With countless jobs disappearing, it is going to be important to create new opportunities and new jobs. The country if full of prospective entrepreneurs but they may lack confidence, support and guidance. The challenge is to encourageContinue reading “After the fall of man-ufacture (we must create a world that works smarter).”

Regeneration of town centres

It is clear the British High Street will never be the same post Covid-19 and we need to find ways to regenerate our town centres in a post Covid-19 world. This should be looked at against the wider context of the levelling up agenda, creation of more residential/multi purpose spaces and realisation of increased exerciseContinue reading “Regeneration of town centres”

Working Spaces in the Home

With many people working from home, it is time to reconsider what the ‘standard’ layout for a home is. People have been working in their bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms, but this can have negative consequences. It blurs the lines between work and rest. For instance, if someone stayed in their bedroom for the vastContinue reading “Working Spaces in the Home”

The office working environment

The COVID-19 pandemic, right from the start, showed how those people in non manual work adapted to a working environment where they could interact with their co-workers , customers and clients. The last two categories have also reacted well to being communicated and informed through use of social media and streaming. Many will be relivedContinue reading “The office working environment”

What Build Back Better really means for the UK housing market

The UK‚’s legislative commitment to Zero Carbon 2050 is rightly applauded. Turning that commitment into reality will require bold initiatives followed through with real determination. As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and start rebuilding the UK economy in a post-Brexit world, government should think very carefully about what the phrase ‚’Build Back Better‚’ reallyContinue reading “What Build Back Better really means for the UK housing market”