Alex Smith @alexsmith1982 Twitter profile

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

1 year

Being part of the @ObamaFoundation community helped me and @TheCaresFamily to make a bigger difference than I ever thought possible. I’m so excited to join the @ObamaFoundation team to nurture that community in Europe and to help civic leaders everywhere to deepen their impact.

Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

6 years

What an unforgettable week this was. I learned so much, made so many new friends. Thank you @ObamaFoundation for the opportunity and the photos. #ObamaFellows

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

The great northern mayors have arrived and found their voice and leadership. This is quite something from @AndyBurnhamGM .

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Souness says #MUFC fans are protesting now because the club is no longer successful. Here’s an image from 2010, when the ownership protest peaked, after MUFC had won a Champions League and three titles in a row.

Jake Richards MP

@JakeBenRichards

3 years

Gary Neville v Graeme Souness debate on Sky Sports just now is essentially political philosophy. Neville won.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

The manager of Aldershot Town, Mark Molesley, has given surely the greatest football interview ever:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

“Football’s coming home” never meant the trophy. It always meant the game. This month, the game came home and we found something of ourselves again. #eng

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Meet Lola and Rumi. Needless to say they’re our new best friends.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

BBC News just referred to ‘the cladding crisis, caused by the Grenfell Tower fire’ when of course the Grenfell Tower fire was caused by the cladding crisis. So crucial to remember what happened, and how it was allowed to happen, to deal with the ongoing injustices.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Win or lose, @kimleadbeater has brought huge value to our politics. She’s stood up to those who sow division, and shown that community is about addition to rather than subtraction from one another. She’s an example to us all and I for one am very proud of her #BatleyAndSpen

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Chris Whitty is absolutely brilliant – respects the public’s intelligence and common sense, speaks in paragraphs, is clear when he’s nudging people towards behaviour change. One of a great many heroes of the last two years.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

Passion, logic, reason, empathy, humanity. This is how it’s done.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

The start of the latest @RestIsPolitics episode on the mental health challenges of high expectations is really worth listening to. Probably the best episode yet, @campbellclaret @RoryStewartUK .

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

6 years

The @ObamaFoundation #ObamaFellows programme will bring civic leaders from across the world together to amplify their work and inspire new community innovation and togetherness. What a thing to be part of.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

This young woman, Amanda Gorman, has just given herself a place in history. A poem for the ages. Every word is extraordinary.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

5 years

I’m at #ObamaTownHall in Berlin with @ZarlashtH and @k_monitor ’s Sandor, two of the amazing #ObamaFellows working on some of Europe’s big challenges. Excited to hear from @BarackObama this afternoon.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

7 years

If you can join the armed forces and pay tax you should have a vote.

Keir Starmer

@Keir_Starmer

7 years

Total support from me.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

6 years

Seeing these faces again reminds me how much I’ve learned and how many inspiring people I’ve met as one of the first #ObamaFellows . Now the @ObamaFoundation is recruiting its next cohort. I hope many of the fab community leaders I know will apply.

The Obama Foundation

@ObamaFoundation

6 years

Today, we’re opening applications for the second class of #ObamaFellows —a unique opportunity to elevate and support rising leaders who are working alongside their communities to solve important public problems in creative ways. Apply here:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

8 years

Clear, frank, direct, passionate. Really worth watching this with the Owens @OwenJones @OwenSmith_MP :

Owen Smith: If I lose, I will stay in the Labour party – video interview

Owen Smith tells the Guardian’s Owen Jones he will stay in the Labour party even if he loses the leadership contest

www.theguardian.com

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

6 years

What an unforgettable week this was. I learned so much, made so many new friends. Thank you @ObamaFoundation for the opportunity and the photos. #ObamaFellows

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

8 years

Wonderful (via @jessicaelgot ):

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

. @kimleadbeater speaks with the humanity, decency, compassion and love that motivates so many people in public service. One of the best ways we can honour the people who serve our communities is to lift up that empathy again and again.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

Robots cannot solve human loneliness. Robots cannot solve human loneliness. Robots cannot solve human loneliness. Robots cannot solve human loneliness.

Robots to be used in UK care homes to help reduce loneliness

Machines can hold simple conversations and have been found to improve mental health

www.theguardian.com

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

Absolutely compelling words from Dr Michael Ryan of the @WHO . “If you need to be right before you move, you will never win. Perfection is the enemy of the good. The greatest error is not to move.”

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

. @MarcusRashford ’s Twitter feed this morning is a thing to behold. It shows the power of inclusive leadership, community and small business in one place. Hero is an overused word, but Marcus Rashford is a hero.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

1 year

If you’re looking at the @GaryLineker story and wondering why it matters so much, here’s @SkyKaveh expertly explaining how our public realm was already political:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

6 years

It's the privilege and opportunity of a lifetime to be one of the first 20 @ObamaFoundation #ObamaFellows . I can't wait to get started.

The Obama Foundation

@ObamaFoundation

6 years

We just announced the inaugural class of #ObamaFellows . These 20 civic leaders have carried out inspiring work around the world. Now, they’ll come together to collaborate, exchange ideas, and inspire a wave of civic innovation. Meet the Fellows:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

‘The public now face being in the worst of all worlds.’ A comprehensive mini-explainer cutting through so much noise, from @lewis_goodall and @TheNewsAgents . Both are becoming required listening/reading/viewing amid the chaos.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

World Cups are made of genius. That one will last forever. 🇳🇱

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

1 year

There’s something transcendental about Lucy’s music and how she brings people to a state of total presence. Extraordinary. Thank you, @Channel4 .

Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

1 year

If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you spend three minutes watching – listening to – this. Lucy’s piano playing is one of the most beautiful moments of TV you could hope to see. Extraordinary.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

9 years

Beautiful message of hope at King's Cross station this morning. #poetry

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

7 years

Barry Gardiner doing a great job on #Newsnight – human, passionate, responsive and unscripted.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

8 years

We will never know the extent of the lost opportunities, friendships, marriages and experiences we will be denied.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

Solidarity and solace. This is beautiful, and not something to forget. ❤️

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

5 years

The environment, education, justice, community, connection – what a privilege it will be to learn from these leaders from around the world who are joining us as the latest #ObamaFellows .

The Obama Foundation

@ObamaFoundation

5 years

They’re here: Meet the inspiring educators, organizers, problem-solvers, and entrepreneurs from around the world who are the 2019 #ObamaFellows .

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

A great microcosm of this moment is that 750,000 people signed up to support the NHS, but the system couldn’t deliver. Meanwhile, plenty more than 750,000 are supporting their neighbours on their own terms, in their own ways, where they are. There’s power in community.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

On returning to work or returning to school, this is pitch perfect:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

8 years

Neil Kinnock speaks beautifully on conviction and compromise in politics. Done is better than perfect.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

10 months

From burning injustices to the abuse of power, this conversation between @campbellclaret @RoryStewartUK and @theresa_may is revealing, surprising and honest about various mistakes. One of the best @RestIsPolitics episodes yet.

My Biggest Regret | Theresa May

What is Theresa May’s biggest regret from her time as Home Secretary? Why was the Hillsborough disaster such an abuse of power? What’s it like to stay on as ...

www.youtube.com

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

10 years

Beautiful, calm last letter from Tony Benn to his grandchildren. Wisdom and passion all through. http://t.co/BA0iuHHhVN

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

#Covid19 pitches our basic instinct for survival against our human need to connect. We’re all in this together. Our lives are intertwined. We really do need each other. My @HuffPostUK blog on how people can still stay connected in a disconnecting time:

It's Time To Get Creative In How We Tackle Loneliness During Coronavirus Outbreak

Picking up the phone or slipping a note through a neighbour's door still shows you care, writes Alex Smith.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Social change is hard, and takes time, but by thinking about the long arc of history, and the progress already made, we can live up to our ancestors’ prayers. I love this clip from @DavidLammy , from his talk with @TheCaresFamily and @UnLtd ’s Multipliers:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

At least one thing is clear from all the u-turns, missteps and poor decision making in Westminster that have affected everyone: we need more doctors, teachers, civil servants, scientists and small businesspeople in Parliament. A more civic politics.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

In an impossible context, this is extraordinary reporting by @Noel_Phillips .

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

Once we’ve all experienced a clipped Christmas without loved ones, there’ll be no excuse to overlook people who are alone in future – not just at Christmas, but year round. If this doesn’t raise British empathy and give us the mettle to tackle loneliness, I don’t know what will.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

‘A revolutionary approach to connect our world without being super weird. Some said it’s out of reach. To them, we say: it’s already here.’ Perfection:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

After 11 years as Founder/CEO of @TheCaresFamily , I’m planning my succession and will be moving onto new challenges in April. I’m so proud of what we’ve built, the team, and how we’ve shown disconnection is a gateway to so many social ills:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

11 years

Gary Neville's face priceless as Carragher says Gerrard and Lampard better than Scholes: http://t.co/CG0vy1EGqQ

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Some Labour activists appear dismissive of the #SuperLeague issue, because it’s football. But this is about much more than football. It’s about extractive ownership, culture, and the opportunity of community power. This should be totemic for Labour and everyone in politics.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

My amazing colleagues at @TheCaresFamily are working so hard to not only help older people stay connected in this awful time, but to do so in ambitious, creative ways – with meaning at the heart. This gave us all a massive boost. Thank you, @BarackObama @ObamaFoundation .

Barack Obama

@BarackObama

4 years

. @ObamaFoundation Fellow @alexsmith1982 is helping seniors fight loneliness in the UK through a mix of new and old technology: online chats through Zoom and Skype, and postcards and poems shared by younger neighbors.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

9 years

This Downfall spoof of Corbyn's shad cab reshuffle is bonafide lolz. I'd love to know who made it. (via @IainDale ).

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Japan has appointed its first Minister for Loneliness, following the UK’s lead in tackling an insidious personal, public health and political crisis. The pandemic has revealed once and to us all: loneliness is a gateway to so many social ills.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

7 years

Livingstone blamed Labour’s '92 defeat on ‘moving too far to the right’. 5 years later, under Blair, a landslide. #BBCParliament #Election92

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

In the fear of a second wave, we’ve turned attention to a lack of political leadership. That’s fair enough. But I for one would like to applaud the quiet everyday leadership of vaccine developers, community workers, civil servants and others who are helping us all. Thank you.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

1 year

If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you spend three minutes watching – listening to – this. Lucy’s piano playing is one of the most beautiful moments of TV you could hope to see. Extraordinary.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

10 years

Here's the barnstorming Gordon Brown speech. Really spine-tingling, in parts. #indyref

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

‘We’re the only country where “do-gooder” is a term of abuse. Social change is bloody hard, so you need special people to do special things.’ Absolutely loved this conversation between @campbellclaret and @TheCaresFamily @UnLtd Multipliers, about strategy, vision and teamship.

The Cares Family

@TheCaresFamily

3 years

‘Objective, strategy, tactics.’ @campbellclaret recently spoke to the Multipliers about the importance of ‘living and breathing’ strategy to achieve social change. The Multipliers are building connection and community all across the UK, supported by @TheCaresFamily and @UnLtd .

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

8 years

Proof, after an awful campaign, that there's some class left in the Tory party. Nice touch.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

‘Increase interactions with friends, colleagues and those who sell you a cup of coffee; be more conscious of what others are interested in & what’s interesting about them.’ We can all help build a connected age – by getting five good interactions a day.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

When people say they’re staying home for their family, they often mean for the love and protection of children. Now I’m hearing this same love and protection for our elders. There’s intergenerational connection and solidarity in this awful moment, and it's beautiful and vital.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

1 year

‘The world we’re going to build by fighting climate change is a cleaner, greener, kinder, better world. You have to be clear to people that what you’re trying to do is change the world for the better, for them.’ @lorddeben wisdom via @lewis_goodall :

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

7 years

Your voting card should arrive with your National Insurance card. No taxation without representation. #VotesAt16

Evening Standard comment: Voting at 16 is right and should get the go-ahead

At the age of 16, you can with consent go out to work, fight for your country, become a company director — and pay taxes for the privilege of doing all three. What you can’t do is vote on how those...

www.standard.co.uk

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

The online meeting content we needed all along took nearly a year to arrive. A lawyer in a virtual court accidentally appears as a talking cat.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

‘This is self organisation. It’s not happening on a governmental level or even being organised by charities. It’s self organisation on a really impressive scale.’ This is what people can do for one another. Incredible.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

39 laps of the sun for me, a quarter lap for them. Onwards 🎉

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

‘When you lose an election in a democracy, you deserve to. You don’t look at the electorate and ask them: “what were you thinking?” You look at yourself and ask: “what were we doing?”’ That’s people power. Well said, @Keir_Starmer .

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

More than half of all young people in the UK have experienced loneliness in lockdown. Given the deep and lasting effects of disconnection, that really is frightening. Economic connection depends on social connection.

Lewis Goodall

@lewis_goodall

4 years

Overheard in a Newcastle cafe, two very despondent students, clearly not long arrived in the city: “I might as well just go home. What is the point in being here? I told my Mum last night, I just feel so lonely. Wish I’d taken a gap year.” The other nodded, in sad agreement.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Enjoyed this profile on @mehdirhasan : one of the fiercest journalists in the business, and also one of the kindest. Come home soon, Mehdi – we need your rigour and scrutiny here in the UK.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

‘All of us need to connect with others, even as society has robbed us of opportunities to do so. We can easily cure loneliness. We just need the will.’ Thanks @OwenJones84 for writing about this issue and @TheCaresFamily :

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

The top two spots in the iTunes UK chart yesterday were by a 99-year-old and a 103-year-old. A small indication that we can collectively appreciate the value and contribution of older people to society again. Encore.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

BREAKING: The intensification, acceleration and sensationalism of constant news is part of why people are exhausted and disconnected. Journalist and politics friends: unless it’s a genuinely urgent story, maybe avoid the heightened language.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

@caspertk @AndyBurnhamGM Absolutely. And everyday gesticulation and intonation. The codes of old power rejected.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

And in the end, this was one of the most powerful speeches in a long, long process. Healing. ‘It’s easier to be a parent this morning. It’s easier to tell your kids character matters, telling the truth matters, being a good person matters.’ @VanJones68

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

8 years

Corbyn is talking a lot about a Labour opposition; Smith about a Labour government. And therein lies the rub. #LabourLeadership

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

Nine years ago, with no plans and no money, @NorthLDNCares started spontaneously. Nine years on, it’s inspired @TheCaresFamily and so much good. Happy birthday, @NorthLDNCares and massive congratulations to all the team.

North London Cares

@NorthLDNCares

4 years

It’s our birthday! 🎉 We’re so proud of all the ways you’ve come together over 9️⃣ years. Thank you. Read our blog on what it means:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

This is a remarkable address in every way – but particularly in the descriptions of the NHS as ‘the beating heart of our country, it is powered by love’ and the celebration of migrants and the contribution they make to British national life. Never forget.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Excited, emotional, uninitiated to customs, true to herself. What a beautiful moment as @kimleadbeater is sworn in to the House of Commons.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

10 years

So striking it beggars belief. A plane passenger captures a rainbow from above (via @Telegraph ): http://t.co/mk2n2A7hHr

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

8 years

Fair play to Andy Murray crediting the PM in spite of everything. A little sobriety, respect and celebration is what the country needs.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

‘I’ve had enough of talentless people putting their tick in the right box, not in the national interest but in their own personal interest.’ Charles Walker calls out more than the death of a government here: he calls out a dying culture across society.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

The deep meaning of a hug. So precious 💕 Via @ashnahurynag

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

Government funds to reduce loneliness is welcome. But we have to stop associating loneliness with Christmas and Covid. 8 million Brits live alone. Two in five over 65 say their only company is the TV. It’s a cultural issue and needs a cultural solution.

Government announces £7.5m fund to fight loneliness in England

Arts, radio and libraries to help ease the strain of Covid restrictions on isolated people

www.theguardian.com

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

6 years

I’ve written for @nesta_uk about burnout in social change, what it feels like, and how we can avoid it with a focus on openness and fun:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

10 years

Lovely man, Tony Benn. His 5 questions about power will stand up always: http://t.co/5AtCsQd4od

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

Marcus Rashford has the potential to become one of the great players of his generation. He’s already one of the great leaders. Rare, rare talent, ambition, humility and empathy. And he’s 22.

Marcus Rashford

@MarcusRashford

4 years

An Open Letter to all MPs in Parliament... #maketheUturn Please retweet and tag your local MPs

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

5 years

Not everybody wants to be involved in creating solutions but communities as a whole always have the best answers. Love this from @lisanandy :

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

‘There is such a thing as society and the national game is part of what makes it. Lockdown showed we need regular meeting points, communities, places to gather. Those institutions are the glue that binds us.’ 👏 @GNev2 ’s vision for the people’s game:

The People's Game by Gary Neville | Waterstones

Buy The People's Game by Gary Neville from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

www.waterstones.com

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

One of the loveliest videos of community exercise, joy and togetherness I’ve seen during the lockdown.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

5 years

In too many ways we allow a price system to measure value. We need to rethink how we’re measuring output. This talk by @MazzucatoM on the productivity of the collective should be required viewing for leaders in the public, private and charity sectors:

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

This is so sad. Relationships are what sustain us: they’re how we find joy in times of celebration and solace in times of pain. Let this story motivate: it shows why it’s so important to stay connected in a disconnecting time, and to help others to too.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

9 years

Mhairi Black on the Commons: "you're not allowed to clap like an ordinary person, but you're allowed to bray like a donkey?"

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

“Because we need each other.” I love these @ManchesterCares billboards so much. In the heart of the city centre, a reminder that community, relationships and kindness are what matter most.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

My friend sent me this on five key ways to wellbeing – long-evidenced research shows that prioritising relationships, community and connection is one of the most important. Time for a more connected age.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

2 years

If you haven’t seen this yet, watch the whole thing. Absolute courage and dignity from President Zelensky in the face of trauma.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

I’ve walked in the park with my babies each of the last five days. The ‘well done, dad’ comments are lovely but when they come alongside ‘that’s a woman’s job’ (twice) it reminds me how far we still have to go on family gender perceptions.

Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

Meet Lola and Rumi. Needless to say they’re our new best friends.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

9 years

Prime Minister says 10% pay raise for MPs is "unacceptable" - then accepts it for himself. No finer definition of hypocrisy than that.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

On my first day at secondary school, some sixth formers tried to kick us off ‘their’ pitch. Fellow 11-year old Joe Cole thought this was unfair, said “we’ll play you for it” and proceeded to run rings around the 18 year olds. We (he) won 3-0, and the pitch was ours.

Kris Heneage

@KHeneage

4 years

This makes me think there must be some good “I played with an ex-pro” stories on Twitter. Tell me them.

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

3 years

10 years ago, amid riots, I launched @NorthLDNCares . I had no idea it would inspire so many people to connect with their neighbours. Here’s the story of our spontaneous start, the principles that have carried us this far, and why I love @TheCaresFamily .

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Alex Smith

@alexsmith1982

4 years

It’s not just the social or architectural ambition of these homes I love, or that they’re in my back yard – it’s the civic ambition of a place where training, counselling and skills-building are all in one place. Respect, @DannyBeales and @CamdenCouncil .