From N.Ireland based in London, passionate about social justice and building a society for all children. CEO
@childrensociety
FRSA. School Governor. Views mine
Today
@childrensociety
#GoodChildhoodReport
shows the UK had the lowest life satisfaction among 15-year-olds across 27 European countries.
Improving wellbeing must be a national priority, we need to invest in early support and end child poverty
It’s glorious watching Jacob Rees Mogg trying to explain how the PM winning a vote of no confidence with 60% of her electorate is a defeat whilst he forces through a Brexit which secured 52%.
Today in nationalist areas of Newry in Northern Ireland, the Irish tricolour hangs at half mast to honour HM The Queen. This is utterly remarkable and a sign of the incredible reconciliation work she led. I’m in awe
Feeling a little bit emosh tonight as it’s the last night for the UK as a member of the EU. Identity is in your heart and not decreed by legislation, so I look forward to remaining a European after tomorrow
#BrexitEve
“As long as one single child in this country is going to bed cold and hungry, you’re making a conscious decision every single day not to use that power for those who have granted it to you” - really powerful message to MPs from
@BootstrapCook
To those criticising
@JustinWelby
and
@CottrellStephen
speaking out on politics I’d say 2 things
- Desmond Tutu “When people say the bible and politics don't mix, I ask them which bible they’re reading”
- They’re in the House of Lords, whose job is to hold government to account
Please stop calling a holiday in a luxury British hotel a
#staycation
- a
#staycation
is staying at home, which is the reality for many people struggling to make ends meet - not just in a pandemic. For many people a holiday in the UK is a luxury and a treat
I’m excited to announce that I’ve been appointed as the next CEO of
@childrensociety
- an amazing organisation with an audacious vision to disrupt disadvantage and help vulnerable children not just survive but thrive.
We are thrilled to announce that
@markrusselluk
has been appointed as our new Chief Executive. Mark joins us from
@ChurchArmy
. We look forward to working with him to continue our fight for change & a country where vulnerable children can have better lives
This afternoon someone stole my briefcase and as I was calling the police, a really distressed homeless man came back in floods of tears to hand it back. He said he was ashamed of himself but he was so desperate. He has deeply affected me and his story will stay with me forever
I’m sorry Prime Minister, this has not been a national hibernation. Hibernation is when everyone is safe and asleep. Over 40,000 people are dead and millions have suffered and struggled. Despite your narrative it’s nowhere near over. This has been anything but a hibernation
.
@flintoff11
Field of Dreams on tour is stunning television! Freddie with his colleague
@kylehogg22
mentor coach and develop a group of young people from Preston. I’ve been so moved watching this, as we
@childrensociety
know, trusted adults change young people’s lives forever
I don’t tweet when I’m angry, but hours later I’m still angry. The British people have sacrificed so much to help prevent the spread of this virus. Now we see it’s one rule for us and one rule for the PM’s staff. That’s not on. Leadership needs trust, and it’s evaporating fast
Please please if you see a homeless person on the street, offer to buy them a bottle of cold water. This scorching weather is as lethal as the cold, a bottle of water could save their life
Today is my first anniversary as CEO of
@childrensociety
- this has been the most remarkable year - but I couldn’t be more proud to lead this extraordinary organisation, working with brilliant colleagues making such a difference to lives of so many disadvantaged young people
“10 years after Yorkshire and the Humber sent a member of the BNP to the European parliament , we’ve elected a black, Muslim refugee standing for the Green party. Now isn’t that something?” - I LOVE
@MagicMagid
Huge kudos to the brilliant
@mrdanwalker
for a remarkable
#strictly
journey. He’s never danced in his life and made it to the quarter finals of
@bbcstrictly
- that’s some achievement, and clearly a nice guy to boot.
This challenged me. As a leader I’ve tried to help everyone around me look after their well-being, but this reminded me I need to make time to look after my own mental health too. So I booked a day off next week to do just that. Tough times so please be kind to yourself
It’s heartbreaking to see so many incredible charities making huge cuts to their work at just the time we need a strong civic society. Please please this weekend take out a monthly direct debit to support a charity. Regular support enables leaders to plan wisely
#NeverMoreNeeded
In Norway, Prime Minister Erna Solberg just held a press conference specifically for children.
For half an hour, she and her team answered questions submitted by kids across the country.
She told them it was normal to be scared but that everything would be okay.
#Leadership
Utterly stunning drama
#MrsWilson
on
@BBCOne
proving that reality is often more remarkable than fiction. Utterly spellbinding performance by Ruth Wilson playing her grandmother Alison
I’m really excited to join
@childrensociety
as their next CEO but I’ve had the most amazing 12 years leading
@ChurchArmy
- I will miss this brilliant committed team hugely
We’ve got some happy-sad news today: our CEO,
@markrusselluk
, has announced that after nearly 13 years, he will be leaving Church Army to become the CEO of
@childrensociety
. A big congratulations on your new role Mark but you’ll be missed! >>
I’m so proud of my mum. Every day she sends a hot home cooked meal in to the 93 year old man who lives alone next door and checks he’s ok. As winter approaches please check in on elderly neighbours
#UnsungHero
It would appear I’ve lost 48 followers since I tweeted this earlier today. Well I will continue to tweet calling on our government to have a humane and decent immigration process that gives safe legal routes for asylum seekers. This week just must be a turning point
The horror of the events in the Channel this week must be a spur for change.
@gabyhinsliff
is completely right and we
@childrensociety
agree, “we need safe, legal routes out for asylum seekers, agreed with other countries”
I’m so proud of my 73 year old mum. For years she’s sent a hot cooked meal each day through to her 94 year old neighbour who lives alone. She doesn’t expect reward or thanks, she does it just to show she cares.
3 years ago today the amazing
@elliegoulding
visited our
@MarylebonePrjct
for the first time, to encourage the many homeless women we serve. Since then she’s continued to visit and support the life changing work we do. Thank you Ellie for being such an inspiration to us x
Today’s my 3rd anniv as CEO of
@childrensociety
- I’m so proud of the amazing work we’ve done together in the most demanding and unprecedented few years, and how our team across the land is making such a massive difference in children’s lives (I don’t think I’ve aged too badly)
Ever since I met Desmond Tutu and he told me he was 62 before he was allowed to vote, I’ve never taken democracy for granted. He grinned and said “when we speak together we make noise!”
#PleaseVote
#Election2021
I’ve had
#TreatPeopleWithKindness
from
@Harry_Styles
on repeat for much of this week. Life is tough right now so let’s follow his advice and be kind to each other. What random act of kindness can you do today? As Desmond Tutu says all those small acts add up to change the world
Not a single person in my train carriage wearing a mask today. What is wrong with people? I’m wearing my mask to protect myself but I’m also wearing it to protect others. I just don’t understand this country sometimes.
As I approach the end of my first day as CEO of
@childrensociety
I’m unbelievably proud to lead this extraordinary and brilliant team committed to transforming the lives of the most disadvantaged children
Today is my second anniversary as CEO of the incredible
@childrensociety
it has been quite the rollercoaster leading through a global pandemic but I’m so proud of our brilliant team, and proud of all we do to change the world and fight for hope for more young people
#TeamTCS
At the end of this week, can I say how much I admire teachers who have gone the extra mile coping with continually changing advice; every parent/carer juggling home schooling and work; and I feel for every child without the right IT or support - we will keep speaking up for them
I’m still angry and horrified a senior minister talked about the UK being a “dumping ground” for refugees. Dumping grounds are for refuse - human beings are people with dignity and integrity and should never be spoken of in this way. Ever.
Totally blown away by Brad as he plays his extraordinary beautiful piece for an audience of two - his remarkable foster parents Frank and Eve
#ThePiano
I’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness and encouragement I’ve received over the past 24 hours since my appointment as the next Chief Executive of
@childrensociety
was announced! Thank you so much everyone!
A lot of debate about
#FreeSchoolMeals
today. DWP minister spoke of avoiding 'cliff edges' for families in poverty in this evening's debate. BUT the £7,400 earnings limit for Free School Meals eligibility for those on
#UniversalCredit
creates a serious cliff edge. THREAD👇
Finland has wiped out street homelessness - they did this by housing rough sleepers first then addressing the root causes of their homelessness. Surely the UK can do likewise? (2/2)
@GaryLineker
I thought for a young side they did really well in an opening game of a World Cup - they’ll only improve with each game, and I’m an Irishman and wish them well!
#ThreeLions
We are deeply saddened to learn of the death in Blackburn of one of our young trustees, Aya Hachem. She was a truly remarkable young woman, and an inspiring voice for children and young people. Our thoughts are with her family at this awful time
Desmond Tutu simply radiated God’s love. Spending a day with him at
@MarylebonePrjct
and watching him inspire a room of homeless women to believe in themselves will stay with me forever. I was honoured to call him my friend and our world is so much poorer for his passing (1)
Today we launch our new website, vision and 2030 Goal
@childrensociety
Our vision is a society built for all children and by 2030 we will have overturned the damaging decline in children’s wellbeing setting a path for long lasting growth. Check it out!
@Femi_Sorry
I grew up in the Troubles in N.Ireland and was in Belfast when the
#GoodFridayAgreement
was signed. It has deliver 20 years of peace and cant be unilaterally changed by a UK Prime Minister
Brad’s story on
#ThePiano
has reduced me to tears. Extraordinary talent, he can’t read music, he’s never had a lesson and taught himself to play
“I hope to be a voice for us care kids and show what’s possible”
I’m in total awe
@ClaudiaWinkle
It’s been so distressing to see charity CEO after CEO making tough announcements about the impact of Covid19 on their finances and the heartbreaking choices they’ve had to make. It looks likely we will be a smaller
#thirdsector
and that’s bad news for our whole society
Today has been the hardest of my career. I’m gutted to have to tell you that this morning I presented a proposal to our team to reduce the size of
@bloodcancer_uk
I’m deeply committed to inclusion and fighting the prejudice that so many LGBTQ+ people face; and because of that today I’ve had an abusive message from someone who was in one of my youth groups 20 years ago. I make zero apology for standing for equality and inclusion
We wake up this morning to a new government with a new mandate, and those of us in civil society need to redouble our efforts to engage with this new government and work tirelessly to speak for those in need. I know our fab
@childrensociety
will rise to the challenge
#GE19
Words matter and leaders words matter more. Whether on immigration or the rights of trans people to simply exist, I’m deeply concerned about the rhetoric coming from some of the most powerful politicians in the land. We need more compassion and kindness in our public discourse
It’s a deeply damaging view of leadership, that leaders need to work every hour God sends and never rest. Leaders need to look after their own well-being and model good practice to others. If a power nap works for him that’s good, and I hope he’s taking his holiday allowance too
I’m on an actual train into London to visit
@childrensociety
national office and meet some real people for the first time in 13 months. I couldn’t be more excited!
#TeamTCS
Today has been the most extraordinary and amazing day. Running the
#LondonMarathon
for
@childrensociety
a charity I love and I’ve the privilege to lead. Truly overwhelmed by the generosity and support of the people of London, and feeling quite proud of myself too!
.
@algore
is right, we are using the sky as an open sewer and right now the poorest in the world are paying the price - our government should take a lead in reducing emissions
#ClimateChangeIsReal
I can’t quite believe what the
@MarylebonePrjct
have achieved following a global pandemic. To have a safe space for vulnerable homeless women day & night – especially at night when many feel most alone while facing crisis – is such a valuable extension to the work of the Project
My first year as CEO of
@childrensociety
has not gone as I imagined but I’ve learned so much leading this incredible team through these unprecented times
This is genuinely remarkable. South Sudan has been gripped by civil war affecting millions of people. The Pope and
@JustinWelby
will host a retreat for the warring rivals in S/Sudan and encourage them to create peace. If you pray, please pray for this
“Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” - Augustine of Hippo
This isn’t the Rose Hudson Wilkin I know and love. This is a truly awful article based on conjecture and I suggest the author accompany her for a day and see the love and joy she brings into peoples lives. Poor work
@spectator
Today marks my 4th Anniversary as CEO of
@childrensociety
and I couldn’t be more proud to work as part of this extraordinary brave team. We’ve a big vision and I’m even more excited now than I was on my first day (which I didn’t think was possible!) - and here’s a pic from Day1!
“When this is over we cannot be content to go back to what was before as if all was normal. There needs to be a resurrection of our common life, a new normal, something that links to the old, but is different and more beautiful. We must dream it, build it, grasp it”
@JustinWelby
There are just too many people suffering right now, many living with homelessness and poverty. Tony Blair was right, of course we have to deal with crime, but we need to deal with the causes of crime too. My heart is heavy today
I always find
#FathersDay
a tough day and every single day I’m getting about 15 emails from retailers about Fathers Day offers. I’ll be glad when it’s passed. In the meantime my thoughts and prayers are with others who also find it a tough day
Today was one of those days I’ll never forget, as I said goodbye to Team
@ChurchArmy
- I’ve been unbelievably proud to work with this extraordinary committed group of people who’ve become my friends. My heart is full of love and I’ve had the best send off to
@childrensociety
Thank God for the
#BBCStrictly
launch show. I need some light relief after this truly awful day. I honestly never thought I’d see a government so shamelessly rob the poor to pay the rich
#MiniBudget
Having just ONE supportive adult in an LGBT young person’s life reduces the likelihood they’ll attempt suicide by 40% - could you be that supportive adult for someone you know?
Today is my 12th anniversary as Chief Executive of
@ChurchArmy
it is a remarkable privilege to lead a brilliant talented team committed to changing lives, serving commmunities and helping everyone know that God thinks they’re fantastic!
Trump arrives in the UK, and breaks all protocol by involving himself in our politics, he belittles our Prime Minister, talks up Boris, and talks down the government. He hasn't an ounce of statesmanship in him. He shames his office and embarrasses the great nation of the USA
I am deeply worried about the communities in
#Tier3
and the impact on the poorest families. As the government so far has refused to change its mind on free school meals during holidays, I’m genuinely worried for vulnerable children this winter
#ChildEconomyPlan
Once again we have a government announcement with no reference to children. I really wish
@BorisJohnson
or another senior minister would choose to acknowledge how tough lockdown is for children and young people
I think I’m all set! Massive day ahead! Thank you all so much for your encouragement! I’m doing this for every child our incredible teams
@childrensociety
help. Life is too hard for too many children and today this is for them
#LondonMarathon
.
@RevRichardColes
is one of the nicest people and a superb parish priest. I’m appalled he’s been subjected to such horrific messages since the death of his partner David. Richard I hope the love and prayers of 1000s of us will help sustain you in your grief and loss x
I find
#FathersDay
a tough day and my heart goes out today to everyone else who finds it a difficult day. I hope you know you’re loved and you’re amazing 💙
@Peston
@BorisJohnson
I think
@RoryStewartUK
showed he was a paid up member of the human race, talked sense and was the only one seeking to speak to those beyond his own party
If government want to do something about food poverty, why not use all the cash they’re spending on schemes, food parcels and vouchers, and just give families the cash to buy food themselves. Cut out those in the middle and get money directly to those in need
#ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY
@SteveChalke
This is horrendous and we’ve been repeatedly trying to tell government just how bad it is for so many families. Thank you to you and your remarkable team for all they do to support families but you shouldn’t have to do this
We are not aware of any evidence that children’s behaviour is worse and our team reports that many young people are relieved to get back inside the classroom
@GavinWilliamson
completely misses the bigger issue, which is children's well-being