The even more unbelievable crime fact (which I learned relatively recently) is that burglary has fallen by more than 90% since the 1990s. Did anyone notice? Nope. Does anyone believe it? Nope. But is is true? It is!

Reform hold a press conference every Monday, for which they trail a policy announcement in that morning’s papers. Given Monday is a slow news day, that often means they lead the papers – and so the breakfast shows, and so they set the agenda for the week. It’s a good trick, but easy to counter!

You know I rarely use the word 'fascism', I think it is bandied about too much ... but this... this is fascism...  This is the destruction of the British values of tolerance, respect & multiculturalism & it is also the effective destruction of our economy.  www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Great to hear from @thomascarthur.bsky.social today at the @ccpscotland.bsky.social members meeting about his commitment to work in partnership with the third sector and towards community wealth building which of course charities like @changemh.org are absolutely essential to.

Welcome to the United Kingdom! 🇬🇧 Never before in U.S. History has a President been acknowledged by another country in this unique way! 🇺🇸 At Windsor Castle, in London & all across the land, people are United! ✊ They all want to see the #EPSTEIN_PedoFiles, ASAP! 👀

What powers does OFCOM have to regulate Twitter? because I really think it needs regulating. I also think Elon Musks rhetoric is completely unacceptable. A foreign national calling for violence and the overthrow of the British government whilst controlling a massive far right media spewing machine.

‘Allow it Sir?!’ Is one of my defining memories of being a school teacher in London and coming across this seemingly rather formal request in my very first lesson and responding… ‘No… no I will not allow it!’

We are so incredibly relieved and pleased that all our campaigning paid off, for now. I am however furious that we were subjected to a terrible, possibly unlawful process, there is no accountability for the EIJB & the cuts still happening disproportionately affect ethnic minority and LGBT+ people.

@nicolasturgeon.bsky.social is incredibly brave to talk about seeing a therapist. For so many it can be hard to do but it is also so often transformative. The evidence is also super clear. Talking Therapies work but too often they are gate kept: too expensive, unregulated and stigmatised.

A pal in mental health services in the NHS is appalled by these cuts too - he says the NHS services won't be able to cope with the number of new referrals and will lose an important referral pathway for effective treatments

The proposed cuts to mental health services are not just ill thought through, they are self defeating. Early intervention & prevention services are being cut with decision makers and officers not realising that they will just make the situation worse. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinbur...

Many of our services hosted an open day for partners in Inverness this week! 👥 As well as showing the incredible work we do across local and national services, our teams got a good opportunity to catch up in person. Find out more about our work 👇 www.changemh.org/need-support

I remember being told by my chemistry teacher that I was ridiculous for suggesting that there could be more elements that we just hadn’t discovered yet. Even as a 13/14 year old I was struck by his close mindedness. I’m glad that our thirst for knowledge and truth continues!

The situation in the US is dystopian. I support the peaceful protesters exercising their rights, the government of California threatened and undermined by the White House, and the unjustly detained and deported people. Donald Trump once again showing his true colours.

So I’ve just spent my morning watching cartoons basically… and Transformers One is actually Brilliant! I’d say the best transformers film by a mile! It’s on paramount plus and it’s a strong recommend!

A win, but also just a short reprieve, we must keep the pressure up!

One audience member asked the Board: ‘what do I need to do to be a good enough return on investment?’ What a powerful question. One for which they had no answer. It was an honour to chair the meeting & provide a platform for the people we support to have their voices heard.

What a fabulous trip to Sweden. I loved getting to discuss international perspectives of mental health in the work place and to meet so many fascinating people. Even more I loved getting to visit the Vasa Museum which I have wanted to go to for years!

It doesn’t have to be this way. Today I have an op ed in the Edinburgh Evening News calling on a better way forward with funding for community mental health services in the capital: all of which are under threat. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

We are hosting a public meeting in order to figure out a way forward for vital mental health services in Edinburgh. If you care about mental health services and the power of early intervention and prevention then I strongly urge you to come!

We are finally ready to share our new training! Available to organisations who want to improve the knowledge and skills of their staff on mental health. Expert led and evidence based, we believe we are offering something really exciting here. It has been a huge amount of work but will be worth it!

@edinburghminute.bsky.social reports proposed cuts to Thrive Edinburgh. With clear links between #mentalhealth and #risktakingbehaviour in young people, leaving 4,367 people in #Edinburgh would be without community mental health support is hugely concerning. #youthwork #community

Thank you to @edinburghminute.bsky.social for doing such a big feature on the proposed mental health cuts. They really will be devastating for so many in the city and seem so incredibly short sighted and ultimately self defeating. It is good a light is being shone on this potential tragedy!

The proposals, which are to basically end community mental health services in Edinburgh, are not just hugely damaging and short sighted but also self defeating. We were grateful to @foysolchoudhury.bsky.social Miles Briggs & Jeremy Balfour for raising it with @johnswinney.bsky.social yesterday.

‘It’s outrageous and short-sighted that vulnerable people will not be getting the support they need’ Agree @nickmward.bsky.social @changemh.org 👏🏼

A brill day opening our new @changemh.org resource centre in the heart of the community in Dumfries town centre. Early intervention & preventative support for people with challenging mental health and mental illness, helping to prevent them going to hospital & improving their lives. #MentalHealth

We are letting down a generation of young people. We need more and better community based early intervention and prevention support, not people stuck on NHS waiting lists for years when we know that timely interventions are essential. www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politic...

I am gutted to hear of the passing of Val. One of the kindest people I have had the pleasure of knowing in the Labour movement, who welcomed me back to Edinburgh so warmly and stood up for her principles always so valiantly. She will be dearly missed ❤️ theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/04/cllr...

So great to meet with @tracygilbertmp.bsky.social this week to discuss how absolutely critical community mental health services are to the people of Edinburgh, without which the NHS would be overwhelmed.

Was great to meet with @foysolchoudhury.bsky.social as always, a fierce champion for local services supporting some of the most vulnerable in our society. Edinburgh deserves the very best mental health support and we are going to fight to make sure it continues to get it.

When Trump says these tariffs are “reciprocal” it’s important to know he’s counting stuff like VAT – which is charged on domestic products as well as imports – as tariffs, which no-one else does. Because they’re not. So the numbers he’s giving are all nonsense.

A life well lived. I honestly think that sums Christina up so well - always putting herself on the side of the oppressed. Rest easy.

🏔️ 282 munros means 282 chances to raise awareness & vital funds for mental health this May! Every step counts towards better mental health in our new May Munro Challenge. Sign up now to #ClimbForChange and get your t-shirt & buff 👇 buff.ly/LKNEfE9

At my CLP branch meeting. The Secretary of State for Scotland @ianmurraymp.bsky.social happens to be my MP. There is something glorious democratic about a UK cabinet minister having to come to a drafty church hall and be grilled by members of the community.❤️

Someone decided to be very brave today and re-enact some scenes from the Lion King!

Well said!

UK Prime Minister Starmer hugs Zelensky as he welcomes him to 10 Downing Street. This is how you welcome the leader of the free world.

Seeing the welcome that Zelenskyy got at Downing Street today makes me proud to be British.

Off to my third policy event of the day and if there isn’t food for lunch I’m going to burn parliament down.

This is the kind of content I am here for.

“If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” A classic quote from Malcolm X, who was assassinated 60 years ago today.

Putin says Trump must go further before he’ll even agree to meet. Putin is entirely in the driving seat. The US has alienated its own allies, given Russia nearly all of what it wanted, bought Putin’s warped view of reality, and can’t even guarantee a meeting. The art of the deal, indeed.

How about an election in Russia?

I’m just a pillow.

Honoured to attend Change Mental Health’s 2025 Parliamentary Reception, sponsored by @paulsweeney.bsky.social A powerful evening highlighting why mental health must stay a priority in Scotland. Grateful for their work supporting 10,000+ people across the country. #MentalHealthMatters #Change

Last night @changemh.org held a parliamentary reception to champion and share best practice in early intervention and prevention, particularly in mental health. Every £1 spent on early intervention saves the health system £15 down the line. We need leadership and bravery to prioritise & invest.

🙏🏻 @changemh.org @nickmward.bsky.social for inviting me to your fab reception @scotparl.bsky.social. And great to see some old friends too! @ccpscotland.bsky.social members @samhscotland.bsky.social penumbra.zone and @cosla.gov.uk @samaritans.bsky.social (and those of you I can’t find on Bluesky!)

Wow. Gordon Brown at the Gathering today has been inspirational. He is so passionate about child poverty. It’s so refreshing to hear the policy and structural changes that could make the difference on not just child poverty but also in the third sector, the state & private sector working together.