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“Where there are people, there will be problems, but there will also be potential” is a key part of Neil’s work. And that is precisely what this manual is all about – equipping practitioners from various professional disciplines to help people address their problems and realise their potential. Part One provides an extended essay on the nature and significance of problem solving to lay solid foundations of understanding. Part Two then offers guidance on using 101 problem-solving tools that can be used in a wide variety of circumstances. Available to purchase here or here

Harold Garfinkel made a name for himself as a sociologist by changing certain aspects of a social situation and seeing what the consequences would be. In this way, he was able to identify implicit social rules by breaking them. This process became known as Garfinkeling. An example would be to change the gender of a person in a certain situation (in order to highlight the gender role assumptions being made) and seeing what difference that makes. Changing age group can also be enlightening in terms of highlighting ageist assumptions. For example, I once came across a geriatrician who would challenge ageist statements by saying: ‘Would you have made that comment if this person had been 30 years younger?’. Garfinkeling, then,…

World Alzheimer’s Day takes place on 21 September and is part of World Alzheimer's Month. This year's focus is stigma, and we need your help to break the stereotypes and myths that surround a dementia diagnosis. Families affected by dementia are facing an illness that’s often frightening and debilitating. They shouldn’t also have to deal with ignorance, thoughtlessness and cruelty from the people around them. We often hear from carers who’ve had to deal with rude comments or stares while out in public with their loved one. We’ve heard from people with dementia who’ve had to listen to unpleasant jokes or thoughtless comments from people who just don’t understand the realities of their condition. Dementia isn’t a joke – and…

The issue of drug and alcohol misuse at work has always existed, adversely effecting employees’ health, work performance, conduct, and safety. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working life – and the resulting economic downturn – have heightened many of the wellbeing risk factors, such as increased emotional and financial pressures and social isolation. Employers must ensure they have a clear policy on substance misuse and we recommend that drug and alcohol misuse forms part of their overall wellbeing offering to ensure any need for disciplinary action is coupled with a preventative and supportive approach to help employees get the help they need. Click here to read more

A group of young refugees in Leeds (ST4R) have published a booklet that they hope will improve life for young refugees in this country. Young people involved in the project tell us why they created the booklet and what they hope to achieve. ST4R group is about bringing young people from different backgrounds together. We meet every fortnight and campaign about different things we want to change…Young people know what it’s like to be young so we are the best people to say what we want to change. It’s beneficial to us and other people. It helps improve our communication and speaking skills and makes us feel comfortable in ourselves. It’s also doing our part. You can’t stand on the side-lines and do nothing,…

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