Personal Blogs

I question why the UK is still  a signatory of the Declaration of Human Rights.

You only have to look at the present climate in the UK to see that they appear to be oblivious of Article 25.

To anyone with an ounce of common sense  by taking away the £20.00 of Universal Credit  you are  hindering people in finding work.  Having the thought of being sanctioned hanging over you  because you cannot put fuel in your car or pay for your broadband is again adding to the mental health crisis and thus adding to an already underfunded NHS. 

Why did the UK sign up to the declaration  when they have no intention of taking notice of it  when it actually comes to their  own  citizens ?

To be able to get the economy going you need to invest in the people not sanction them, by keeping the uplift you would be providing the stability they need to work and find work. With regard to getting people higher wages l suggest the government takes that up with businesses and actually discusses with them to find a way  to   make sure that is implemented instead of presuming and  making wild statements that can not be kept.

Maybe they need to stop patronising and using reverse psychology on everyone and start actively looking and   listening to those that do not live in a 'virtual' world but a real one.

 Here are some links that are food for thought.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs | Simply Psychology

  - OHCHR Dashboard

Protect Human Rights | United Nations

Human Rights | United Nations

Economic, social and cultural rights

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights entered into force in 1976. The human rights that the Covenant seeks to promote and protect include:

• the right to work in just and favourable conditions;
• the right to social protection, to an adequate standard of living and to the highest attainable standards of physical and mental well-being;
• the right to education and the enjoyment of benefits of cultural freedom and scientific progress.

Civil and political rights

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its First Optional Protocol entered into force in 1976. The Second Optional Protocol was adopted in 1989.

The Covenant deals with such rights as freedom of movement; equality before the law; the right to a fair trial and presumption of innocence; freedom of thought, conscience and religion; freedom of opinion and expression; peaceful assembly; freedom of association; participation in public affairs and elections; and protection of minority rights. It prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life; torture, cruel or degrading treatment or punishment; slavery and forced labour; arbitrary arrest or detention; arbitrary interference with privacy; war propaganda; discrimination; and advocacy of racial or religious hatred.

As a suffer of this condition and those of you who have it, we  know it can effect and restrict our everyday living as it is tailored literally to the individual and so makes it difficult for  us to be put into boxes. By raising money to fund research, it will assist health professionals and others understand this condition more.  For  us as suffers, the main thing  to raise awareness.

  Fibro Fundamentals with FMA UK - YouTube,  gives the information that will actually help sufferers  and others  to understand this condition, the presentation is clear and it includes research and scans of the brain which shows it is a real condition and  how fibromyalgia  affects us.  

THIS IS A REAL CONDITION and therefore with research and awareness we can assist people with  understanding the complexities of this condition.  

If you are interested in raising the profile of this condition or even finding out more or wish to volunteer click on the link. Information tab will take you to information that you can also download. 

We need to be able to talk about this  hidden disability and not hide away.   

 Having listened to Radio 4, 'Broadcasting House'  today, regarding Afghanistan,  l wonder what we have learnt from the past ?

 Basically, it appears to me, we have gone into Afghanistan taught them the culture and the ways of the west and then when still required we leave them to fend for themselves.

Twenty years of modern colonising this country and then departure time !

Again it appears we  show them what  western society has to offer and then leave  because we have had enough. 

What  have we tried to learn about their  culture  to seek a way that could benefit  and assist them with defending their country ?

The government say they will give refuge to some who helped and worked for the forces etc, but what a decision to make for a culture in which family and  extended family is everything . 

How do we  think this will be viewed on the world stage  ?

Can you blame the Afghanistan people who are now left being vulnerable and non -believing in western society ? What have we really shown them ?

What  message is western society  showing all those students that  where due to arrive  here  to study, all their hopes and dreams smashed  because  the  foreign office paperwork has not been completed to issue visas?

The message the powers that  be put out,  smacks  superiority and that we have no respect for any other cultures or  societies that are different from the west. 

The cost will now outweigh more than the previous due to the humanitarian crisis due to our doing .

Blatant,  'Cause and effect '. Do we ever learn?

 My thoughts are with the Afghan people. l'm sorry.

 BBC Radio 4 - Broadcasting House

Back in the late 80's l had the privilege to work as receptionist in a single practice surgery. There was no fancy aesthetics just the waiting and  room  and the GP's room. Patient care was  forefront and the most crucial part of the surgery. The core value ,patients had a voice and were respected and listened to.  

Sadly these surgery's and  partnerships are  virtually are non- existent  being replaced by tendered  private sector  medical groups and organisations which have been awarded contracts from the  NHS . 

 Does the  NHS logo  provide us with a false sense of security?  Do we automatically presume the core value of patients welfare is uppermost  in the mind and that the NHS is  there as a public service for our benefit and not for  profit ?

It  appears to me that the big  private  cooperation's are swallowing up GP practices by giving  the illusion of state of the art equipment,( which mainly cannot be used due to lack of funding!) and  state of the art buildings,  that will benefit the patients and Dr's immensely ! Once they have sold you the dream of what they can do for you, the NHS  signs the contract then  becomes  beholden to their budgets and profit margins and patient well-being is insignificant due to the high pressure of accumulating returns for the companies .

Excuses that are used frequently ,'We have an elderly population and not enough Dr's'.  Why?  It appears to me that Dr's, due to the high  workload and  targets no longer wish to become GP's . The old ethos  and core values  to humanity  has been striped away  to the 'conveyer belt of one in one out and time is money attitude !'   within local surgeries.  

 How much are we really aware when it comes to our GP services ? 

How many of us have a choice of surgery within our area that is not owned by the same group or company or organisation ?

Do we really understand the impact of these contracts when it comes to rights, penalties and clauses ? How many contracts are awarded to private  medical groups and organisations when it comes to Dr's surgeries?  Is it exclusive to one  certain group or organisation in one region or area ?  If so the population can be held to ransom at the whim of a profit making organisation with exclusive rights to one area. Where is the choice for the public and where is the care ? With no other competition these groups  can become complacent and the therefore their is no need for patient core values but profit only.

As with all things these days it is down to money, however by employing private sector companies that have and rightly so,  need to make a profit for  their own shareholders are we neglecting the right of the public to be able to  access proper health care  and what l would call a, 'core fundamental'  the right to choose a surgery of our choice in our local area instead of having no choice. 

Patients vulnerability in my opinion, is being exploited  yet again by being let down by  governments   who  wish to alleviate the responsibility of a public service onto companies by outsourcing  services for the 'right'  price and state of the art tech and not the patients well-being. How many times do we now here of patients not being able to contact the surgery, being turned away and told that there is nothing wrong with them only to be told at a later date that their diagnosis  was wrong or is now  terminal ? 

Have we sold out to the big medical groups and organisations which have  exclusive rights to regions and areas ?   Have we neglected to see  how this public  service is being monopolized by some at the expense of the public and the core concepts on which the NHS was founded ?   

Health in Wales | NHS Wales Shared Services 

PartnershipGP surgeries and the private sector - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament

NHS Tenders & Frameworks - A complete guide to Winning NHS Contracts (healthcare-tenders.co.uk 

Having heard this morning that Sussex university is offering cash incentive draws  to  lucky students who have been doubled jabbed , l question the moral attitude of the university ?  Money, 'bling bling'  .Surely that can cause divisions between students. This is meant to be a place of education, what kind of signal are we giving out to students, ?  Surely the institution could  use a better means  if they wish to promote double jabbing  such as rent being paid for the student for the term or the year, tuition fees for a year, anything that would go to enhance education. 

If  students wish to be at university then  anything that would alleviate the costs would surely  be more  beneficial then just handing  out cash. Cash prize jackpot offered for double-jabbed students - BBC News

 Where is the money coming from to payout the students ?

The UK government appears to have a new tag line, 'active travel'. The definition  appears to be walking and cycling ! 

Sometimes l think this government is running the old  episodes of the 'New Statesman' for hints and tips of how to run a country!

It appears that there is to be changes made in the autumn regarding how we use the public highways and by ways by the giving priority to cyclists and walkers.  

If we are all to have a 'free for all' on the public highway then surely we should all be taxed, MOT and insured for the amount of incidents as to, 'who's right of way it is' and  pile ups due to emergency breaking because  someone has decided  to cross the road because they have priority. Compensation galore ! 

Family life may suffer if you live in rural area. If you wish to be an, 'active traveller'  you may have to leave the   house shortly after you have got home to be back at work on time ! 

What are the infrastructure plans for transport  for those in rural areas?

 Towns and cities - what efficient, affordable and reliable transport is there for people to use including that  of the disabled and elderly ?

I can see the insurance companies rubbing their hands with glee, while we all stand in a street somewhere deciding, 'who has the right of way !'

The art of  telephone conversation appears to have been going out of fashion for quite a while now. Technology appears to  have replaced the art of speaking on the telephone to a human so why do we need to know how to converse?

We claim  to say how vital it is to our mental well being to be able to talk to a real person but how often can we actually get through to a real person ?

It never ceases to amaze me that governments talk about the, 'concern' for peoples wellbeing and yet any government department where you seek to find information or help is hidden behind automated services and email addresses and  music  that only enhances your stress levels. These tactics are now been followed by other companies.

Looking at it from their  perspective it may appear to save on manpower and increase profits due less payouts and alleviate any responsibilities with regard to complaints due to the time it takes to actually get through. 

It has to be the survival of the fittest to stay the course and nine times out of ten by the time you get through you have either reached the wrong department, get cut off, or they are unable to assist you as the computer screen only appears to have one page !

  l feel that we are looked upon as commodities and not human beings- (there's that disgraceful word human !)  The amount of money that can be saved by using this tactic must be incredible,( especially if it is not a free phone number.)  In the long run though it is us that have the vote to decide whether or not we want to continue being treated as a commodity or if we want things to change . 

What kind of society do we want to live in ? 

So should we be encouraging future generations to learn the art of telephone  conversations  or should we be teaching them to be automated to one word answers just as the automated machine ?

I had voted for this government thinking that there would be real positive change for society. Well l was right on the one hand there has been change,  however not the positive one l would have liked to have seen.  The media also has a part to play in how society is valued and seen and between the both, they have done a good job which has left the country divided and confused and has  shown  society how to become less tolerant  about others, and how we have the right to ignore others opinions and to shirk responsibilities where ever possible. 

Having listened to Grant Shapps on the, 'Today' programme, l cannot believe the shear arrogance of this government when it comes to travelling abroad. It appears that because the majority of this country is vaccinated it is ok for us to implement a traffic light system  to trot around the world because we say so. We appear not to  give other  countries the decency to ask or gather information  regarding their vaccination programme or how they would like to introduce others back into their country. It smacks to me of the the disregard we had of the past just because we are British and we are the first to vaccinate we have the right to go anywhere.

What respect are we showing to other countries and what kind of behaviour are we teaching the young, because we are the first we have the right ? What has happened to cooperation and respect for others,  and the understanding that other countries have different laws and strategies?

Why  can't we just give breathing space to other countries and open up the UK to UK  ?  We could  assess how the virus can be handled here and the impact it is having on our own economy by spending money here and putting it back to our economy. By opening up and travelling abroad people will be moaning at immigration and asking why the rates of the pandemic go up due to this free for all. Maybe we do need to learn some good  old patience, and be content that we would be able to travel  in this country freely first. 

The other issue surrounding this is the,' Test and Trace' app, do they really live in the real world ? Some  that come back from holiday will ignore the app due to financial costs. For all, the health and well being will play heavily, due the pressure and demands  of employers, guilt may in turn drive some back to work. For those on low incomes and zero hour contracts that may  have to self-isolate what happens to them ?  Why should they have to chose holiday or no holiday ?   That maybe  the one thing they have worked towards  and can assist with well-being and productivity why should they be discriminated against ? They did not write the contracts they may not have any other choice but to take the low income, zero hour contract why should their well -being suffer ?

This will no doubt affect the budget for health due to the increase of society's well being .  

 Face masks - So this is no longer to be law! Appears again the government alleviating themselves of responsibility when it comes public places such as transport and hospitals etc, by changing the law to guidance it again swings the onus onto the highly stressed and pressured workforce to try and implement and placate passengers and service users. It appears to me they have left them to sink or swim. Is it not possible to keep the law surrounding public transport and hospital etc? Again where is the thought for those that have to challenge people that refrain from wearing it , again well- being  budget to go up due to the stress and pressures surrounding this issue. 

To me this government appears to condone collaboration and team work with other agencies and countries etc unless its on their terms , stereotype divisions of society, and encourage selfishness and  and out- source ,'difficult' departments such as  immigration and health to avoid blame ,thus the appearance that is given, is no understanding of the 'real  world' and no understanding of health and well -being it is just a tick box to placate society.

While sitting  on a bench in the surrounding woodland close to  home.  A quote popped into my mind but can not think who said it. The quote is; 

'The path l tread is a long one,

 The journey l take is a short one'.

If anyone knows who this quote belongs to please could you post it to me.

The woodland was as beautiful as ever, it is great to be surrounded with all of natures  beautiful colours whatever the weather.😊

Enjoy your Sunday.

Many thanks in advance.😊

  Well my journey into Social science has ended for the time being. It has taught me so me much.

It has taught me that, societies needs structure  but how we implement them, is  a complex task and there will always be winners and losers. It has also assisted me with my understanding of context perceptions and how words play an enormous part with our understanding.  It has challenged me with how l feel about society and here are some of the  questions and thoughts that have sprung into my mind on this  wonderful journey.

 Rights, a good  example, how do we perceive what is right  ? We all have different assumptions and perceptions of  rights. This is because we are shaped by culture, beliefs, division  and status.  

What right do others  have  to decided that all those that cannot work should  be penalized by sanctions ?  What right do others have to decide  what entitlements and benefits should be given or taken away to those  wanting to educate themselves?   What right   do companies and institutions have to use closed questions within surveys to get the desired outcome ? What right do  Dr's have  to make people feel inadequate  in relation to knowing  their  own bodies when  unwell ? What right do we have to assume that  people with wealth have it all ?   And so the list goes on. As human beings it is in our nature to be inquisitive, it is also in our nature to feel indignant for someone else to decide for us, it is also natural that we  judge and presume instantly, what we are not good at is accepting  criticism or accepting our  point view can  be challenged, how do we or can overcome this  as a society ? 

 Society today feels like it is in a rush to dismiss, assume and blame so that we can continue with our own agendas, and that all adds to the health and well being of  society. We  are all individuals  and although  there needs to be structure which can be done collectively, in society, we also have to be mindful that there a certain issues that cannot be determined by  the collective.   We all have varying circumstances yet it is assumed for convenience we can all be categorised, into perceived pigeon holes that appear to be outdated and not fit for purpose. We need to be able to come together to discuss with those that are effected by the issues and try to create a new format. We need to be able to educate in a structured way so that there is a better understanding of society past and present . Society has to be more tolerant of the past and try  to gain a perspective of  past through the eyes of the past and not the present.  Constant, criticism of the past will not let us move on,  but keep us going round  in a never ending circle. We need to stop being abhorrent about the past. WE need to understand  that  issues are generational. Issues  that surround  the  stigmas of the past  are still present due to generational beliefs  and the consequence of the  past still has a bearing on them today.  It is great that we are more open and can talk about these issues, however the stigma  still remains for some and to progress there needs to be discussion about what resources are  need to be implemented to assist with moving on.  The words we use have such an effect on us , they can promote ,fear, anger confidence and happiness , this can and does effect our well-being depending on our perception and the  context. that they are used in.

It appears to me  the use of the word 'Well- Being' has become the ' in' the  word, that is manipulated  by some to sell products  for a quick fix, and  used by some  companies for a patronizing stance by issuing a phone number for employees to call .  Well- being can not happen with quick fixes . Society needs to change to benefit all. As with all good things it can take  time but perhaps we could start by actually  alleviating blame culture, having job roles that are  defined and specific to their role and not encompassing everything else including the kitchen sink.  A few to kick off with, teacher = teaching, police= policing delivery driver =delivery driver, not responsible for being , policeman social worker etc. catch my drift ? 

 I have found it interesting also to see how much we do not take into consideration past history when it come to the welfare of our aging population. We totally assume and connect their behaviour to the present and although we are good at referring to the past with the older generation, when it comes to them  needing help we can assume that we can if they say they are are ok we have to accept it.   However being born at time when the cultural landscape and society had different values , many have come from a background where asking for help was demonised and considered a weakness and of course stigma ruled the day.  We need to explore how we can overcome this and to able to find a way to say it is good to ask for help.

 Class division, exploitation, power, status, equality, diversity and stigma  will never be eradicated because we are all individuals and that is human nature, however we  need to educate to understand, we need to talk  to those that are effected by the issues,  to be able to understand and discuss, to create surveys that are open and spend the time  to actually understand issues. We need to tolerate and  be more tolerant . There will never be a specific answer to any question and we may not get all the things we want  but we can educate to understand.

So many questions still !  Back to European History next, . Good luck  to all with EMA's and Exams, onward and upward !