The changing of the seasons – milestones, endings and new opportunities:

Well that was summer then – maybe it hasn’t meteorologically ended but given the rainfall and the winds it certainly feels like Autumn is raining down upon us. So with the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping and the physical and mental batteries re-charged its the perfect time to focus on work. Was an unusual summer on so many levels and I don’t envy the new government having to address racist riots and a prison crisis in their first few weeks.

How quickly the news agenda has moved on – and how obsessed some of the media are with officials salaries and clothing allowances. Feigning outrage and horror. I’m old enough to remember how the mainstream press vilified Michael Foot for looking scruffy & scandalously how one paper employed someone for the whole 1983 election campaign to kick his walking stick away so they could grab a photograph of him falling over. Progress – maybe – but still dispiriting. Of course I also think that if the Prime Minister has poor enough judgement to be an Arsenal fan – he could pay for his own blooming ticket.

It also of course means that with the festival season all but done – there’s plenty of live music to see. More of that will follow.

Milestones – my baby brother turned 50. My friend of 53 years came to visit from Australia. We’ve just a few days with old friends on Barcelona – without getting shot with water pistols. We celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary today – I posted ‘here’s to the next 20’ which given my advancing years might actually be quite optimistic. So – plenty of time to reflect on long deep and broad relationships, lots of laughter, much love and gratitude.

Also a fair amount of relief that we’ve made it this far relatively unscathed. Watvhing my daughters navigate different parts of the housing ladder (purchasing and renting in London respectively), whilst saddled with student debt makes me realise both how lucky my generation was – and conversely how much harm we have done. And that’s before we get onto climate change, lack of pensions, crumbling public services etc.

Anyway – back to work. Found myself in the unusual position where I am working on three substantive contracts – all of which are with different Local Authorities spanning programme evaluations, needs assessments and system design improvements. First time in the best part of 30 years I’ve not actually been ’employed’ within the voluntary sector. Thankfully I’ve still got a charity to Chair and contacts to keep up with. It has though been refreshing to meet and work with new groups of commissioners and stakeholders – and I’m struck by a collective sense of hope that we can move forward with greater compassion and respect (as well as funding).

I know the government have a pretty full intray right now – but the ongoing uncertainty around funding for Drug Treatment is permeating almost all conversations. Drug related deaths remain alarmingly high, the system needs investment in specialist harm reduction services, expanded treatment options, greater access to rehab and sustained investment in housing, employment and health support. The system needs to be broader, less white and less male. The provider network needs to be less homogenous and we need more radical approaches and providers.

None of this can be achieved through disinvestment.

We all should also be arguing for significant and sustained investment in alcohol treatment – we know that typically systems are only meeting circa 20% of need. We know that rates of alcohol related death and harm have increased post-pandemic.

I’d like to think that the provider sector can regain some of its campaigning and reforming zeal by working genuinely alongside those that they exist to serve – but don’t for a moment think this is ‘easy’ in a contract driven culture.

I also have almost completely kicked the Twitter (currently known as X) habit – not looked at for a month or so. Not sure I’ve missed much.

Music – just bought the new Katy J Pearson album which is fab and am very mch looking forward to seeing her again in November.