'It's a narrative you don't often hear in our media... [but] I've always seen communities come together.' Yes, this is a time of challenge and lost social interactions, but when people work together with hope, stronger communities are possible: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/vide...

Of course employers should consider culture when hiring. But we need more exposure to, not protection from, people we disagree with – in work as in society. Working through tensions is part of what drives successful collaboration and cohesion. www.thetimes.com/article/09e1...

What a privilege to meet the 35 new Obama Foundation Leaders in Europe last week, as they began their six-month program. In total, the Foundation has welcomed 205 new Obama Leaders from multiple regions, as we work to empower the next generation to change their world: www.obama.org/programs/lea...

‘One wonders how much longer we can avoid adding a personal finance GCSE to the national curriculum. No child should leave school with zero understanding of savings, pensions, and all the pitfalls – especially in this age of industrialised scams.’ observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

“All of us, side by side, united while celebrating our differences” Nicely said, @markfergusonmp.bsky.social ❤️

Fantastic hire by @labourlist.bsky.social - when I was Editor, Emma was one of best contributors to the site in every sense. She understands what LabourList is and what it has the power to be. Good luck @emmaburnell.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/07/new-...

Thrilled @emmaburnell.bsky.social is the new @labourlist.bsky.social editor. Emma started writing for the site in 2009 and has always been thoughtful, pluralist and deeply connected to the site’s mission. Good luck, Emma, and congrats to all involved on a great hire. labourlist.org/2025/07/new-...

'Those near a Sure Start centre in early years performed better at 7, 11 and 16 and got better GCSEs. At 15 they had 15% fewer absences from school. 12- to 14-year-olds had 50% fewer mental health hospitalisations.' www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

"We have much to lose in the erosion of neighborly concern, the impetus to look out for others we don’t know that well. Neighborliness is collective belonging." This is thoughtful about how progress comes when people from different experiences bond: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...

So good to see Ed Miliband so humble about the past and so passionate about the future (especially on climate) in this @therestpolitics.bsky.social with @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social and Rory Stewart. Two fantastic episodes, ultimately rooted in hope: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvMg...

Retention is just as important to an organisation’s culture and success as recruitment. MUFC have lost some very good players prematurely over the years. McTominay and Lukaku deserve every success at Napoli ⚽️

Editing @labourlist.bsky.social was one of the great privileges of my career. The site remains a vital place for debate, influence and action. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to build on the last 16 years (!) of impact. labourlist.org/2025/05/labo...

I’ve written for @thespectator1828.bsky.social about people’s stories in focus groups of how they’ve turn inward and become less social since the pandemic and the risk it leaves us lonelier, more isolated less cohesive and less open to new experiences. www.spectator.co.uk/article/were...

‘What matters most isn’t success, or wealth, or stuff. It’s connection and relationships and love.’ www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...

‘If you don’t like what is happening, you don’t need to wait for someone to come along: you need each other.’ Inspiring call to action on what it takes to build a movement of change: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/o...

How do we build belief and resilience – not just individually, but collectively, as a nation? Gareth Southgate is asking some of the questions, offering some of the answers, and telling part of the story that will help us navigate the future.

‘This is your home: you’re welcome to play here.’ 💕 www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Always a pleasure to be with Mike Omoniyi. In this conversation we discuss inequality and loneliness, why boys and men are vulnerable in ways we've not grappled with, and the bigger national story that's needed to help everyone feel they belong. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEZB...

As a Visiting Fellow at @harvardkennedy.bsky.social @shorensteinctr.bsky.social I've reviewed evidence on The Cares Family's impact from 2011-2023. The study shows how intergenerational connection can reduce loneliness and build community in times of change: shorensteincenter.org/commentary/l...

'The pandemic gave many people more time at home. But it also left them more alone, detached and disconnected – changes that have lingered.' Of all the stark charts in this, the one showing the decline of socialising is most striking: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

“We have still not reckoned with all we have lost.”

Have we ever really recovered from the pandemic? I’m always amazed that after such a shocking period we took next to no time for collective reflection. This piece is about the US but has lessons for the UK too. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Reminded tonight of Starmer's words on July 5: 'A government unburdened by doctrine, guided only by a determination to serve; to defy, quietly, those who have written our country off; committed – to a calm and patient rebuilding.'

Love this conversation between Amol Rajan and Jamie Laing about male relationships, loneliness, and creating connection in a disconnected world. It's so important that these conversations happen and great to see men engaging about love and loss, hope and heartbreak. www.youtube.com/watch?v=F05S...

Mo Salah is bringing Messi 2011-2015 levels of silkiness to this Liverpool-Newcastle game. Outrageous footballer in outrageous form.

This @newsagents.bsky.social episode offers clarity amid chaos and a history lesson on how we got here – and reminds us that democracy is ultimately about the freedom to live without fear. Thank you, @lewisgoodall.com @jonsopel1.bsky.social. youtu.be/K93nRJslESI?...

'Radical change must be part of a national story. Communication must be responsive to the modern world. Patriotism – making Britain great again – must be at the heart of this vision.' Required reading from @jakerichardsmp.bsky.social @fredthomasuk.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...

I love this video showing the energy and connection between Obama Foundation Leaders working to make the world greener, fairer, more democratic. In tough times, their optimism and action, and their determination to make an impact together, are inspiring. www.obama.org/stories/asia...

‘If you’re confronted with someone with a different ideology, grab onto a human lifeline, and try to build from that to expand common ground.’ This Ben Rhodes talk on listening to people with different perspectives to make a better world is superb: www.youtube.com/live/AXPazJX...?

Enjoyed this on the care – and generosity – required to build real, meaningful community. Belonging comes from seeing and being seen, and that takes effort. But the benefits are immense. www.theguardian.com/wellness/202...

I’m proud to call @metecoban92.bsky.social one of my Deputy Mayors. From retrofitting our city’s homes to making London more resilient to the climate crisis, here’s some of the work City Hall has been doing over the past six months to ensure a fairer, greener London for everyone.

We have a new problem: a ‘conservative’ echo chamber on X, and a ‘progressive’ echo chamber on BlueSky. This separation is harmful not just to those using the platforms, but for our wider public dialogue. We need to do more to find views we may disagree with – online and in our communities.

As ever an important film from @johnharris1969.bsky.social, reminding us that ‘connecting with people is what matters’ – for individuals, communities and democracies.

‘Every time you look at your phone or switch on the TV, you see large explosions of fury and division. And then you see these very small, human-sized things happening – and they’re the antidote to all that.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

‘I don’t really like the way algorithms are pushing our social interactions and spending habits – I doubt anyone does – but friendliness, for now, is the one thing we have going for us against the machines.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

‘Loneliness is responsible for more of the poor public mood than we give credit for - particularly among the young, and its impact goes beyond individual mental health.’ Really good thread on the importance of finding a healthier balance when it comes to WFH.

'If what men really need is emotional connection, this sort of communication can amount to empty calories.' This is good on men and relationships, the pressure of accountability and instant gratification, and the brevity and often lack of candour in group chats. www.theatlantic.com/family/archi...

'I love being with the youth. They have so much to add to me, and I've much to give back to them. We are empowering one another.' I loved this soulful video about the importance of intergenerational connection, overcoming digital divides, and reducing isolation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC5W...

We need a new generation of connecting institutions: 🔘 Organising online to mobilise offline 🔘 Welcoming, inclusive, and helping people from different backgrounds to learn and bond together 🔘 Rooted in, and proud of, shared local places as characters in people’s lives, not just backdrops to them

‘We are spending more time alone. It’s changing our personalities, our politics, and even our relationship to reality.’ www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

'We’ve lost sight of our small connections, but I’m standing firm about giving a damn about strangers.' What a great reminder about the importance of considering others in our everyday interactions, from Tanyel Mustafa: www.refinery29.com/en-us/social...

This is a positive and important fan-led discussion about the impact of corporate and global ownership on football ticket prices, and how that impacts family, community and culture at large: youtu.be/2Slep7QNKE8?...

In sharing his own experience, Josh connects powerfully in this clip. He speaks for many when he expresses his anger at how this issue, and people’s suffering, is being reduced to political point scoring. I for one am grateful for Josh’s leadership.

The fantastic US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has issued a ‘parting prescription’ to improve a ‘critical driver of health and wellbeing: community.’ www.hhs.gov/sites/defaul...

Saying hi 👋 on hopefully a more 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 platform. Community can’t flourish through polarisation, populism and post-truth. Community can only flourish with dialogue, connection, empathy and respect.