Govt’s plan to halve rough sleeping welcome — but doesn’t go far enough. Need earlier prevention, long-term funding, and real commitment to affordable homes. @YMCATogether, we’ll keep pushing for the ambition needed to end homelessness, not just reduce it open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

I’ve been surrounded recently by people making a huge decision: choosing voluntary redundancy. For many, it’s a deeply personal choice. Underneath every conversation sits an unspoken fear Here's my reflections open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

Bold Thinking for Better Health: What the NHS Planning Framework Really Means. Three-year plans promise clarity—but will they deliver change? Reads my thoughts on my substack here - open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

I’ve started writing on Substack to share what really matters in local government and health integration—straightforward insights, lessons learned, and practical ideas you can use. If you’re curious about how we can lead better and build stronger communities, subscribe substack.com/profile/3821...

ICB restructures are here again but how we lead through them is what really matters. Honesty, fairness, compassion, steady leadership. People before process. Culture before charts. These moments test leadership more than a strategy does open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

Leadership in public service is tough right now — pressure, uncertainty, political noise. What really makes the difference is emotional intelligence. Staying calm. Listening well. Creating psychological safety. It’s not “soft” — it’s strategic. 👉 Read more: open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

New Blog: If public services are to remain financially sustainable and socially relevant, neighbourhood strengths must move from a background theme to the organising principle of modern reform Read it here - open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

Just published: Why place-based leadership is essential for the 2026–29 finance period. Pressures facing councils can’t be tackled in isolation. Next cycle requires genuine system leadership, shared purpose & integrated neighbourhood delivery. Full blog here ↓ open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

Local govt transformation is often spoken about in terms of systems, structures and savings. In my experience the most sustainable transformations don’t begin with organisational charts or efficiency plans—they begin with a renewed sense of public value open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

What i make of the local government financial settlement from yesterday’s policy statement open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

Thinking about organisational change in my latest Substack and what my career has taught me about leading through uncertainty. You can read it here open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

Local government transformation isn’t just restructuring — it’s about rebuilding trust, strengthening culture, and shaping services around real community need. Meaningful change starts with purpose, honesty, and collaboration. New blog out today 👇 open.substack.com/pub/mikebark...

Listening to our director of adult social care Jayne Ratcliffe opening @oldhamcouncil.bsky.social staff conference afternoon session

Our fabulous CEO Shelley Kipling and brilliant Leader @aroojshah.bsky.social getting today started with @oldhamcouncil.bsky.social staff conference Lots of positive developments taken place over the last 12 months and lots more to come over the next 12 too #TeamOldham

🌍 Building an NHS fit for the future was a major theme in Parliament, with discussions on smarter, more efficient treatments and earlier detection of diseases. #NHS #FutureHealthcare

🏥 This week in Parliament, the Prime Minister unveiled a bold plan to tackle NHS waiting list backlogs, promising millions more appointments closer to home. This is a huge step forward for patient care! #NHS #HealthcareReform

Here's my take on the impact of the Government’s recent announcements on the people of Oldham in a 10 post thread

On World AIDS Day, we remember those who have lost their lives to HIV-AIDS and recognise that there is still work to do

Interesting insight about where the Govt is on public service reform www.civilservicereformuk.com/single-post/...

Well done to @nhsconfed.bsky.social for today’s ICS Network meeting Always great to share our journey in Oldham on integrated health and care

Starting this week looking forward to speaking @nhsconfed.bsky.social annual ICS conference on Wed Focusing on social care, integrated working and how we need to connect more and better to people and communities whilst also ending public sector silo working

And THAT is exactly how people with a huge sense of entitlement regularly behave when they get caught out. #JeremyClarkson

What can the government learn from previous attempts to reform social care? A new long read from @healthfoundation.bsky.social colleagues identifies four lessons for the government as it grasps this nettle. A thread 🧵

I'm attending #NHSConfedExpo 2025 on 11-12 June! Join me at the UK’s leading health and care conference to collaborate, share insights and develop innovative solutions to deliver high quality care for all. I hope to see you there! i.snoball.it/p/OfgT/t/1

If we really want the NHS to work we need to fix social care Effective social care enables flow through our overall health and care system. Ministers and politicians nationally need to prioritise this. It is a foundation and a first step apple.news/AoRLp-REHSDi...

Top tip to everyone pilling over from Twitter, use the Sky Follower Bridge to rebuild your network here on BlueSky, but keep running it every few days as more and more come over. Please share and help everyone re-connect and keep re-connecting.

Think this is accurate but the cause of the #socialcare impasse seems to me driven not just by concern about costs and uncertainty about solutions but a more fundamental lack of understanding about the underlying problems. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Compared to 30 years ago, low-to-middle income families work more, especially women, but are more likely to rent in the private sector. Here are four key things to know about low-to-middle income families today ⤵️

Lets hope some balance and order is restored at the very least news.sky.com/story/the-x-...

As promised here’s the link to recent honorary Prof lecture at Salford University #citzenledpublichealth definitely one for @sallywarren.bsky.social @lucatiratelli.bsky.social @jobibby.bsky.social @sallygainsbury.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social @charliepickles.bsky.social vimeo.com/1026581234

Times letters: Deep-seated problems of the NHS www.thetimes.com/article/c1af...

Depressing reading 1/3 of Englands integrated care boards in trouble over finances hsj.cdn.wilmingtonplc.com/2024/11/15/t...

The UK must "rebuild relations" with the EU "while respecting the decision of the British people" to opt for Brexit, the governor of the Bank of England said.

Another day at Bluesky, and it looks like growth is not slowing down! Welcome! We’d like to take a moment to share our stance on AI and user data:

Love this whole thread from Rachel! If you're interested in reading @alexparsons.bsky.social's thoughts about why we at @mysociety.org are moving form "civic tech" to "pro-democracy tech", check it out here: www.mysociety.org/2024/11/07/p...

Delighted to have joined the Xodus to @bsky.app - I have high hopes