this got a lot more interest over on linked in, and have now volunteered myself to set up a user centred learning design community practice. let me know if you’re interested! ✨

really recommend working with Sian! ✨

I’m looking to learn more about the cross over between service design and learning design. we’re looking at the skills we need in our team as a lot of our work is designing for learning outcomes for delivering our programmes and services.

it’s wild that a public figure can freely spread misinformation about breastfeeding beyond 6 months, on national TV without any challenge by the presenters. to say it is ‘selfish’ ‘an addiction’ and ‘harms attachment’ is nonsense but also deeply sad. breastfeeding a 3 year old is normal!

I’m starting a new job today as early years design lead at BookTrust. after an 18 month career break being with my son I have become very passionate about early years development so I am looking forward to getting started. ✨

had a great day at #ResearchByTheSea today, really interesting mix of talks, from birds, everyday resistance to holistic accessibility. it’s given me lots to think about and lots of inspiration. we can’t be limited by narrow scopes as people cannot simply ‘descope their lives.’

is anyone going to the research by the sea conference in brighton next week? I am going!

this looks like a great event, I’ve signed up.

If prototypes fail it’s not a bad thing, but why did they fail? where is the learning? publicly funded test and learn programmes should have to share learning, publish it but make it accessible and findable. a lot of smaller orgs and charities would benefit. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

yesterday in London and today exploring the South Downs a couple of miles from our new house carrying my son on my back while he spots dogs.

had an interesting day at #ukgc25 and was nice to meet some new people including a few who had previously work in arts + culture like I did back in the day. my favourite session was about libraries - how we can protect them and hearing about sustainable alternative models for their future.

after 18 months out of (paid) work on my parenting career break I am quite out of the loop so I’m looking forward #UKGC25 on Saturday. who else is going?

If you run an indie or community web service of some kind and are worried about the incoming Online Safety compliance duties, we’ve put together a @carefultrouble.bsky.social mailing list and been in touch with Ofcom to see if they’ll do some engagement buttondown.com/indie-and-co...

the ADHD urge to catalogue all our records despite them being already boxed up and removals people coming Sunday. but feels like a good ‘just in case’ thing to attempt to do.

we finally exchanged and we’re moving to Worthing next Monday!

anyone who thinks that the private sector is by default efficient and modern, have a look at the conveyancing process.

you’re not going to get many public complaints from junior production staff on precarious, freelance contracts who are constantly told to ‘keep the talent happy.’

2 days by the sea has cleared my sinus infection that I’ve had for over a month.

today the council ran a ‘community planting day’ on our street after a year of building works. we are moving in 2 weeks but as I was walking past i figured my 15mo son could help plant something. however given it’s a ‘community day’ it just wasn’t very welcoming. no one said a simple hello to us.

Anyone used a good removal company in London or Sussex areas? Our completion date needs to move forward and everyone is obvs fully booked.

they say moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do. having ADHD makes it both harder but also I get a last minute drive to sort everything. plus a toddler in a mix, though he loves carrying heavy objects and hoovering so maybe he will be in his element.

took my 15mo son to a forest school session in the woods today. always a good idea to be outside and he loves all the leaves, sticks and mud. very much enjoying the extra time I have with him before I look to start part time freelance work in the new year.

we finally have a provisional date for our move after months and months. now I have just under a month to make the most of London before we leave!

I really love the Young V&A, now my son’s a bit bigger he’s exploring more parts of it now and I enjoy the little gallery displays while he plays. today I found the exact Lego set I had as a child on display. my son loves carrying heavy objects at the moment and the foam blue blocks were perfect.

'Taking the time to do things right isn’t anti-innovation – it is what is required to get deep-rooted change in social systems.' My piece on AI and public services in this week's @newstatesman.com www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024...

I’m in the process of moving out of London and I’m not working at the moment so my 13month isn’t in any childcare so of course I’ve just been called to Jury Service in November.

I love this campaign for better paternity leave. I have got to know amazing Mel who did all the slings on the statues, she runs a sling library and a lovely parents meet up to create a village for all the London parents who don’t have one www.theguardian.com/money/2024/s...

I had always planned to return to (p/t) work in September, then I got made redundant in July. So my plan became to start freelancing in September. But I love my time with my son so we’re soaking up our final month(s) in London together.

after a joyful year of maternity leave, not returning to my old job and ongoing house move, I’m looking ahead to what’s next, while also very much enjoying more time with my son. what did I miss?