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Compass research ‘Secure and Free’
People may be interested in this piece of work on moving forward generally with social welfare. I heard the researcher Michael Orton speak at a conference recently and this project is about finding a ‘consensus’ for some positive changes to the current situation of economic and social security faced by many.
By current I’m not referring to the EU / UK situation which sadly adds further insecurity and complexity!
Consensus may not appeal to those at the sharp end of social welfare where we have seen no desire for consensus from the current Govt who have simply pushed through many unpopular and damaging policies. However .... Michael Orton came from the advice sector himself and from progressive movements, and wants to hear from people other than policy think tanks.
Thanks Sarah, looks interesting.
A very interesting read. Good to see Ziggy Bauman cited too. Took me back to my finals did that and the ink blotter he put on everyone’s desk before hand, even if you used a biro, with “Good luck, Ziggy” handwritten on it. A fascinating and much unheralded man.
My initial reaction centres on the housing proposal. Having environmentally efficient housing is a natural aspiration but, along with that and affordability, should surely go a minimum size requirement?
I have qualms over affordability, which is often ill-defined and ends up meaning you can get some sort of mortgage for it but the bigger issue for me is size. We allow the building of small boxes which attach to each other; often don’t have gardens or parking space and are often times distant from essential facilities and/or public transport. That requires a degree of forethought and coordination lacking in this suggestion at present. In terms of mental and physical health; reduced levels of anxiety and so on that has to be the direction of travel.
As an experiment it’s worth talking to your colleagues about how many of them live in a detached house or have ever done so. It’s an eye opener.
Thanks Sarah for this!
‘As an experiment it’s worth talking to your colleagues about how many of them live in a detached house or have ever done so. It’s an eye opener’.
It certainly is Mike!
I’m assuming it was “not many” rather than “everybody but me”?
I found it very interesting when I realised that throughout my career it was “not many”. It’s an interesting predictor of how people react under pressure; in small spaces and so on.