Health and Social Care
In this policy briefing, Andries Baart and Guus Timmerman, authors of 'Relational Caring and Presence Theory in Health Care and Social Work', explore how bureaucratic systems in modern care often conflict with the relational practices essential to compassionate support.…Read more
Andries Baart and Guus Timmerman, authors of 'Relational Caring and Presence Theory in Health Care and Social Work', argue that a relational approach based on genuine connection and understanding offers a strong response to growing disconnection and social dissatisfaction.…Read more
Katie Pybus, author of 'Fairer Welfare Systems for Better Mental Health', shows how planned cuts to disability benefits risk worsening mental health and poverty, highlighting the need for a more compassionate, evidence-based social security system.…Read more
In early 2025, Israel’s ongoing destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system was exposed as 'medelacide', the deliberate targeting of medical infrastructure.…Read more
Nicola Madge, author of 'Lockdown Life', shows how the pandemic overlooked older people as a valuable resource, focusing only on their vulnerability.…Read more
Jonathan Parker, author of 'Analysing the History of British Social Welfare', argues that while social security reform is necessary, compassion and Universal Basic Income are essential to protecting the vulnerable.…Read more
Martin Parker, editor of 'Life After COVID-19', hoped the pandemic might spark lasting change, but entrenched power and economic interests drove a return to business as usual, revealing that real progress demands active, sustained effort. …Read more
Ruth Patrick and Aaron Reeves examine the UK government's plans to cut sickness and disability support, arguing it's unsustainable, with experts warning that such measures will worsen poverty, mental health issues and push people further from the labour market.…Read more
Stewart Lansley, author of 'The Richer, The Poorer', discusses how Labour's planned disability benefit cuts reflect a return to austerity, risking economic stagnation, social decline, and political fallout. …Read more
Anna-Carin Fagerlind Ståhl discusses how the imbalance between demands and resources in both work and welfare environments fuels mental illness, but a universal basic income could provide stability.…Read more