Kathryn Benjamin
@kathrynben.bsky.social
Social care, health, strategy & policy, local government & communities, furry animals, good coffee. Registered Social Worker.
Made in Wales 🏴
Made in Wales 🏴
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
Wrote for @theipaper.com about how people from backgrounds involving wealth & privilege most of us can only dream of have become the self-appointed gatekeepers of ‘working class values’ and I’ve HAD ENOUGH - inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
I regret not calling myself working class
We emerged with posher accents and a belief we would automatically out-perform our parents financially (which never quite panned out). The working-class label didn’t quite seem to fit
inews.co.uk
March 30, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Wrote for @theipaper.com about how people from backgrounds involving wealth & privilege most of us can only dream of have become the self-appointed gatekeepers of ‘working class values’ and I’ve HAD ENOUGH - inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
My designs get lots of publicity in magazines and online and it looks like I’m doing really well.
The reality is that it’s bloody hard work being self employed and it’s not getting any easier.
Have a look at what I do and repost. Thanks.
gailmyerscough.co.uk
The reality is that it’s bloody hard work being self employed and it’s not getting any easier.
Have a look at what I do and repost. Thanks.
gailmyerscough.co.uk
Gail Myerscough | Surface Pattern Designer & Illustrator | Manchester
Surface Pattern Design & Illustration by Manchester based designer Gail Myerscough. Contemporary design meets mid century style.
Contact for art licensing, commissions & collaboration enquiries.
gailmyerscough.co.uk
March 30, 2025 at 8:29 AM
My designs get lots of publicity in magazines and online and it looks like I’m doing really well.
The reality is that it’s bloody hard work being self employed and it’s not getting any easier.
Have a look at what I do and repost. Thanks.
gailmyerscough.co.uk
The reality is that it’s bloody hard work being self employed and it’s not getting any easier.
Have a look at what I do and repost. Thanks.
gailmyerscough.co.uk
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
Worth reading www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/blog/hannah-...
Hannah Arendt's lessons for our times: the banality of evil, totalitarianism and statelessness
Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) was one of the most influential political theorists and philosophers of the 20th Century. Professor Lyndsey Stonebridge FBA explores three of Arendt's key concepts – totalita...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
March 29, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Worth reading www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/blog/hannah-...
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
If you oppose NHS privatisation, please could you repost this? I’m fed up of being told that we’re ‘radical’ - most people oppose NHS privatisation! Let’s send a message to those destroying the NHS! 🚨💙
March 18, 2025 at 7:42 AM
If you oppose NHS privatisation, please could you repost this? I’m fed up of being told that we’re ‘radical’ - most people oppose NHS privatisation! Let’s send a message to those destroying the NHS! 🚨💙
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
It doesn't mention carer's allowance. If fewer qualify for pip then those who care for them won't qualify for carer's allowance. Many families will lose a lot of income. It won't help anybody into work but it will stop people being able to pay their bills.
March 18, 2025 at 6:20 PM
It doesn't mention carer's allowance. If fewer qualify for pip then those who care for them won't qualify for carer's allowance. Many families will lose a lot of income. It won't help anybody into work but it will stop people being able to pay their bills.
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
It's clear that MH has lost its political usefulness, now that Tories & Labour (and media) increasingly expressing skepticism re overdiagnosis.
It used to helpfully individualise/pathologise social problems, obscuring ongoing political failures to deal with poverty, inequalities and other crises.
It used to helpfully individualise/pathologise social problems, obscuring ongoing political failures to deal with poverty, inequalities and other crises.
new theory: wonder if a lot of the journalistic/political scepticism towards ADHD/autism diagnoses comes from the fact that those people work in industries absolutely full of neurodivergent people, so much easier to go "duh, aren't most people like that" when you're surrounded by....people like that
March 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
It's clear that MH has lost its political usefulness, now that Tories & Labour (and media) increasingly expressing skepticism re overdiagnosis.
It used to helpfully individualise/pathologise social problems, obscuring ongoing political failures to deal with poverty, inequalities and other crises.
It used to helpfully individualise/pathologise social problems, obscuring ongoing political failures to deal with poverty, inequalities and other crises.
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
So much more could be done to proactively reach out to ill & disabled people, offer support on a voluntary basis & de-risk the journey back into work. Trying to shortcut this by imposing a "duty to engage" will undermine genuine engagement & cause more harm than good www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Long-term sick will need to look for jobs in benefits overhaul
Claimants could face cuts of £5,000 a year as government prepares for rows with backbenchers and campaigners over bringing down £65bn sickness bill
www.thetimes.com
February 1, 2025 at 8:26 AM
So much more could be done to proactively reach out to ill & disabled people, offer support on a voluntary basis & de-risk the journey back into work. Trying to shortcut this by imposing a "duty to engage" will undermine genuine engagement & cause more harm than good www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
Amazing work from Clevedon School to help students navigate pressures in society.
The film, made in #NorthSomerset, warns against toxic masculinity in society, a term that refers to a set of behaviours and attitudes that can be damaging to mental health
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The film, made in #NorthSomerset, warns against toxic masculinity in society, a term that refers to a set of behaviours and attitudes that can be damaging to mental health
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Clevedon school releases video to combat toxic masculinity
Male staff and students at Clevedon School are being encouraged to express their emotions.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 7, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Amazing work from Clevedon School to help students navigate pressures in society.
The film, made in #NorthSomerset, warns against toxic masculinity in society, a term that refers to a set of behaviours and attitudes that can be damaging to mental health
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The film, made in #NorthSomerset, warns against toxic masculinity in society, a term that refers to a set of behaviours and attitudes that can be damaging to mental health
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
One of the stranger and often forgotten episodes in the history of Monmouthshire is that Nazi leader Rudolph Hess was held captive there for about three years | John Greeves
The Kaiser of Abergavenny: Rudolph Hess in Wales
One of the stranger and often forgotten episodes in the history of Monmouthshire is that Nazi leader Rudolph Hess was held captive there for about three years
bylines.cymru
December 29, 2024 at 7:48 PM
One of the stranger and often forgotten episodes in the history of Monmouthshire is that Nazi leader Rudolph Hess was held captive there for about three years | John Greeves
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
If you care about the future of the NHS & you see this on Boxing Day, please could you share this?
If we want privatisation to be removed from the NHS, NHS campaigners like me have a *lot* of work to do next year and…I’d just like to see if people care enough about this for our campaigning to work…
If we want privatisation to be removed from the NHS, NHS campaigners like me have a *lot* of work to do next year and…I’d just like to see if people care enough about this for our campaigning to work…
December 26, 2024 at 7:48 AM
If you care about the future of the NHS & you see this on Boxing Day, please could you share this?
If we want privatisation to be removed from the NHS, NHS campaigners like me have a *lot* of work to do next year and…I’d just like to see if people care enough about this for our campaigning to work…
If we want privatisation to be removed from the NHS, NHS campaigners like me have a *lot* of work to do next year and…I’d just like to see if people care enough about this for our campaigning to work…
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
Nadolig Llawen
Merry Christmas
This Christmas Barry Island is the star, and who doesn’t love Barry Island
It’s one of my favourite views to paint and I couldn’t resist painting it again
Barry Island Pavilions,oil on board
#barryisland #gavinandstacey #bbc #Christmas #nadoligllawen #merrychristmas
Merry Christmas
This Christmas Barry Island is the star, and who doesn’t love Barry Island
It’s one of my favourite views to paint and I couldn’t resist painting it again
Barry Island Pavilions,oil on board
#barryisland #gavinandstacey #bbc #Christmas #nadoligllawen #merrychristmas
December 24, 2024 at 12:51 PM
Nadolig Llawen
Merry Christmas
This Christmas Barry Island is the star, and who doesn’t love Barry Island
It’s one of my favourite views to paint and I couldn’t resist painting it again
Barry Island Pavilions,oil on board
#barryisland #gavinandstacey #bbc #Christmas #nadoligllawen #merrychristmas
Merry Christmas
This Christmas Barry Island is the star, and who doesn’t love Barry Island
It’s one of my favourite views to paint and I couldn’t resist painting it again
Barry Island Pavilions,oil on board
#barryisland #gavinandstacey #bbc #Christmas #nadoligllawen #merrychristmas
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
The defence of Wales’ English speakers
Do you live in a place with a Welsh name? Do you struggle to pronounce that name? If so, give the Welsh Conservatives a call – perhaps they can provide support.
bylines.cymru/voices-lleis...
✍️ @ethanjonesic.bsky.social
Do you live in a place with a Welsh name? Do you struggle to pronounce that name? If so, give the Welsh Conservatives a call – perhaps they can provide support.
bylines.cymru/voices-lleis...
✍️ @ethanjonesic.bsky.social
The defence of Wales’ English speakers
Do you live in a place with a Welsh name? Do you struggle to pronounce that name? If so, give the Welsh Conservatives a call – perhaps they can provide support
bylines.cymru
December 21, 2024 at 11:48 AM
The defence of Wales’ English speakers
Do you live in a place with a Welsh name? Do you struggle to pronounce that name? If so, give the Welsh Conservatives a call – perhaps they can provide support.
bylines.cymru/voices-lleis...
✍️ @ethanjonesic.bsky.social
Do you live in a place with a Welsh name? Do you struggle to pronounce that name? If so, give the Welsh Conservatives a call – perhaps they can provide support.
bylines.cymru/voices-lleis...
✍️ @ethanjonesic.bsky.social
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
We should post this everyday , as this is how most of us feel , thank you to this lady for so eloquently explaining how racism works .
This woman knows what she's talking about, get her elected.
December 22, 2024 at 9:00 AM
We should post this everyday , as this is how most of us feel , thank you to this lady for so eloquently explaining how racism works .
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
On Thursday the 2024 issue of @theneweuropean.bsky.social comes out and they have given me the platform to explain why Gisèle Pelicot is my hero and how she radically changed the conversation about shame and sexual assault
It is my proudest writing.
app.theneweuropean.co.uk/2024/10/26/v...
It is my proudest writing.
app.theneweuropean.co.uk/2024/10/26/v...
December 10, 2024 at 10:43 PM
On Thursday the 2024 issue of @theneweuropean.bsky.social comes out and they have given me the platform to explain why Gisèle Pelicot is my hero and how she radically changed the conversation about shame and sexual assault
It is my proudest writing.
app.theneweuropean.co.uk/2024/10/26/v...
It is my proudest writing.
app.theneweuropean.co.uk/2024/10/26/v...
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
Craziest housing stat of the week: The state spends MORE today on housing than it did in 1976.
The key difference: we used to build council houses, now we spend it on subsidising private landlords.
Our housing system is completely broken.
The key difference: we used to build council houses, now we spend it on subsidising private landlords.
Our housing system is completely broken.
November 15, 2024 at 12:17 PM
Craziest housing stat of the week: The state spends MORE today on housing than it did in 1976.
The key difference: we used to build council houses, now we spend it on subsidising private landlords.
Our housing system is completely broken.
The key difference: we used to build council houses, now we spend it on subsidising private landlords.
Our housing system is completely broken.
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
Our health depends on a wide range of factors, inc. housing, education, employment, product consumption & the environment.
Only 10-20% of health is determined by access to traditional health services.
Health Equals' project is a powerful reminder of how much difference those factors can make⬇️
Only 10-20% of health is determined by access to traditional health services.
Health Equals' project is a powerful reminder of how much difference those factors can make⬇️
People’s stories can paint a powerful picture of stark health inequalities in the UK.
This immersive new project from Health Equals explores walking in someone else's shoes, to highlight the impact of not having the essential building blocks in place.
https://buff.ly/4ivOR6o
This immersive new project from Health Equals explores walking in someone else's shoes, to highlight the impact of not having the essential building blocks in place.
https://buff.ly/4ivOR6o
December 10, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Our health depends on a wide range of factors, inc. housing, education, employment, product consumption & the environment.
Only 10-20% of health is determined by access to traditional health services.
Health Equals' project is a powerful reminder of how much difference those factors can make⬇️
Only 10-20% of health is determined by access to traditional health services.
Health Equals' project is a powerful reminder of how much difference those factors can make⬇️
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
Social workers play an integral role in upholding the human rights of the people they support.
A new blog for #HumanRightsDay outlines resources to embed a human rights approach across health and social care. ow.ly/YSN050Unzaj
A new blog for #HumanRightsDay outlines resources to embed a human rights approach across health and social care. ow.ly/YSN050Unzaj
December 10, 2024 at 9:27 AM
Social workers play an integral role in upholding the human rights of the people they support.
A new blog for #HumanRightsDay outlines resources to embed a human rights approach across health and social care. ow.ly/YSN050Unzaj
A new blog for #HumanRightsDay outlines resources to embed a human rights approach across health and social care. ow.ly/YSN050Unzaj
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
Women are considered “old” much younger than their male counterparts: women are old at 30, whereas men don’t drop into the dreaded “old” category until they’re in their 50s. In this week's newsletter I've written about "women of a certain age"...
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/p/middle-cla...
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/p/middle-cla...
Middle-class women of a certain age
it is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com
December 9, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Women are considered “old” much younger than their male counterparts: women are old at 30, whereas men don’t drop into the dreaded “old” category until they’re in their 50s. In this week's newsletter I've written about "women of a certain age"...
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/p/middle-cla...
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/p/middle-cla...
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
"There are people who should be shamed for their part in this mess – and it is not the ones on TikTok crying out for help"
Well said @francesryan.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Well said @francesryan.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Meet the ‘sickfluencers’ of TikTok – and don’t be fooled by the outrage obscuring the real scandal | Frances Ryan
That desperate people have to look online for help accessing disability and sickness benefits is what should truly upset us, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2024 at 8:36 AM
"There are people who should be shamed for their part in this mess – and it is not the ones on TikTok crying out for help"
Well said @francesryan.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Well said @francesryan.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
This is a really excellent paper from Italy that shows that austerity fuels far right support. Part of the nostalgia for the past that the populists drew on is a nostalgia for a visible and effective public service. 1/
New paper published @ajpseditor.bsky.social
Showing that reduced access to public services fuelled far right support in 🇮🇹
Existing work on far right highlights globalization & migration grievances, what about people’s experiences with the state?
We use 🇮🇹 reform to find out
shorturl.at/zQ8bJ
Showing that reduced access to public services fuelled far right support in 🇮🇹
Existing work on far right highlights globalization & migration grievances, what about people’s experiences with the state?
We use 🇮🇹 reform to find out
shorturl.at/zQ8bJ
December 5, 2024 at 6:17 PM
This is a really excellent paper from Italy that shows that austerity fuels far right support. Part of the nostalgia for the past that the populists drew on is a nostalgia for a visible and effective public service. 1/
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
I’m really pleased to see this. Universal high quality end-of-life care is not easy and is notably more expensive than assisted dying. But it is what a truly civilised society offers. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
New plan would ‘transform’ end of life care for 100,000 in England and Wales
Palliative care commission set up to provide high-quality, holistic support following assisted dying vote
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2024 at 10:08 AM
I’m really pleased to see this. Universal high quality end-of-life care is not easy and is notably more expensive than assisted dying. But it is what a truly civilised society offers. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
We laud people like, say, Martin Lewis for helping us get what we are entitled to, but scorn the disabled and unwell for doing the same.
December 1, 2024 at 9:29 AM
We laud people like, say, Martin Lewis for helping us get what we are entitled to, but scorn the disabled and unwell for doing the same.
If you care about animals please give Niall Harbison a follow. He does the most amazing work with street dogs in Thailand, sterilising them, reducing their suffering, and rehoming some of them around the world ❤️
One great thing here is I can share my Substack links. They got banned on Twitter as a competitor.
It’s where I write my weekly update with good news about the dogs…
Big exciting things happening this week…
substack.com/inbox/post/1...
It’s where I write my weekly update with good news about the dogs…
Big exciting things happening this week…
substack.com/inbox/post/1...
A Massive Shift - Changing Hearts And Minds
True impact is needed
substack.com
November 30, 2024 at 4:57 PM
If you care about animals please give Niall Harbison a follow. He does the most amazing work with street dogs in Thailand, sterilising them, reducing their suffering, and rehoming some of them around the world ❤️
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
The Care Provider Alliance, and Social Care Future, have published a joint paper calling for investment in Earlier Action and Support interventions.
Read the paper in full here: www.local.gov.uk/publications... 2/2
Read the paper in full here: www.local.gov.uk/publications... 2/2
Earlier action and support: The case for prevention in adult social care and beyond
Prevention is a central feature of the new Government’s mission-led approach to national renewal. Our joint publication makes the case for a shift towards taking action and offering support earlier, s...
www.local.gov.uk
November 29, 2024 at 11:08 AM
The Care Provider Alliance, and Social Care Future, have published a joint paper calling for investment in Earlier Action and Support interventions.
Read the paper in full here: www.local.gov.uk/publications... 2/2
Read the paper in full here: www.local.gov.uk/publications... 2/2
Reposted by Kathryn Benjamin
Big news today in #localgov land: the govt has announced a policy statement on the future of local govt funding.
The long delayed so-called “fair funding review” is back- a new consultation will look at a system which “matches funding with need”…
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The long delayed so-called “fair funding review” is back- a new consultation will look at a system which “matches funding with need”…
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Council funding to be overhauled to deliver better outcomes
Funding reform kickstarted to fix the foundations of local government and better use taxpayer cash
www.gov.uk
November 28, 2024 at 4:45 PM
Big news today in #localgov land: the govt has announced a policy statement on the future of local govt funding.
The long delayed so-called “fair funding review” is back- a new consultation will look at a system which “matches funding with need”…
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The long delayed so-called “fair funding review” is back- a new consultation will look at a system which “matches funding with need”…
www.gov.uk/government/n...