Can the “Big Help Out” reverse the decline in volunteering?

By Professor John Mohan, Director of the Third Sector Research Centre, University of Birmingham On the back of the coronation of King Charles, a number of the UK’s most prominent volunteer-involving charities have launched a national volunteering initiative, the Big Help Out. Simultaneously a celebration of volunteering and an attempt to inspire people to engage … Continue reading “Can the “Big Help Out” reverse the decline in volunteering?”

Migration – A Personal Story

By Steve Gulati, Senior Fellow, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham As the world observes International Migrants Day (18th December 2020), I found myself thinking about my own story and experiences, both personal and professional. In this extended piece, I reflect on the experiences of me and my family, as first and second generation … Continue reading “Migration – A Personal Story”

Mental health social care and COVID-19: Learning from the present and preparing for the future

By Dr Sarah Carr, Senior Fellow in Mental Health Policy Department of Social Work and Social Care and the Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham. “Many mental health social care service users experience profound inequalities. Evidence is showing us that the most socio-economically marginalised have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.” In their recent blog … Continue reading “Mental health social care and COVID-19: Learning from the present and preparing for the future”

What might happen to charitable giving in the forthcoming recession?

By Professor John Mohan, Director of the Third Sector Research Centre, School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham. “At a time when there are great expectations of what voluntary organisations can deliver, the prospect is one of a significant reduction in resources with highly differentiated effects that, in turn, will affect the capacity of those … Continue reading “What might happen to charitable giving in the forthcoming recession?”

The neglect of adult social care during covid-19

By Jon Glasby, Professor of Heath and Social Care and Catherine Needham, Professor of Public Policy and Public Management, School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham. “If any good is to come from such tragedy, we must renew our efforts to achieve a lasting settlement for social care, understanding and valuing it in its own … Continue reading “The neglect of adult social care during covid-19”

Sexual and other forms of violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya

By Sarah Rockowitz (MSc Health Policy, MSc Public Health) Global Challenges PhD Scholar in School of Psychology and School of Nursing, University of Birmingham. “The research found that children, particularly girls, have heightened vulnerability to sexual violence committed by non-stranger perpetrators (e.g. neighbours) at private residences during the daytime, owing to school closures and a … Continue reading “Sexual and other forms of violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya”

Livelihoods on the line: Support needed for independent musicians and grass-roots venues

By Dr David White, Lecturer in Political Science School of Government, University of Birmingham. “It is not yet clear how the £1.5bn rescue package for the arts, promised by the government on 6th July, will be spent. For the musicians I spoke to the main concern was for the future of the smaller grass-roots live … Continue reading “Livelihoods on the line: Support needed for independent musicians and grass-roots venues”

Festivals cancelled: the substantial impact on local people and communities

By Dr David White, Lecturer in Political Science School of Government, University of Birmingham. “The UK’s music festival industry not only fosters artistic talent, provides opportunities for people to gain experience in a range of roles, and creates a much-needed sense of wellbeing for those that attend, it also makes significant contributions to the British … Continue reading “Festivals cancelled: the substantial impact on local people and communities”

Building a fairer country after the pandemic? It’s time for the return of the council house

By Liam O’Farrell, Research Associate, City-REDI, University of Birmingham “We are now in a situation where many young people can no longer get onto the housing ladder… [and] those in low paid jobs, doing what is now more widely recognised as essential work, often can’t even afford to live near the places they work.” Even … Continue reading “Building a fairer country after the pandemic? It’s time for the return of the council house”

Culturally competent? What does the pandemic tell us?

By Zhu Hua, FAcSS, Professor of Educational Linguistics & Director of the Mosaic Group for Research on Multilingualism, School of Education, University of Birmingham “Seeing cultural competence as a responsibility of those providing health and education programmes is certainly a step in the right direction.” Public Health England’s recent report, Beyond the data: Understanding the … Continue reading “Culturally competent? What does the pandemic tell us?”