Resisting with Joy! Here’s a taster of the latest Different Podcast from Jill Rowe and me. It’s Episode 62, and it’s available wherever you get your podcasts from.

Oasis is on its way to opening our second ‘village’, a sister to Oasis St Martin’s in South London, on the Wirral. Our Villages exist to enable local charities to transform the life-chances of children & young people who are struggling in or not attending mainstream education.

Well said Rachel Reeves! The US has made a "mistake" she commented, about their recent rhetoric about their big goal now being the reopening the Strait of Hormuz to get oil and gas exports out to the rest of the world, "if that's the aim, well it was open a few weeks ago!" We all agree!

“Why are so many children disillusioned with school?” It’s a question that BBC Radio 4 asked this morning. Please send me your thoughts on the subject.

This crosses every line. It’s time to name this for what it is…a man in the grip of a psychotic episode - an episode where sadly a person loses touch with reality, experiencing symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. Trump needs help, support and care, but also removal from power asap.

In at Radio 2 this morning to Pause for Thought and back again to chat to Jeremy Vine at lunchtime.

Yesterday I wrote about the crisis facing children across the country with special educational needs. So because we all know that the resource available does not match the need, at Oasis we have launched our Villages initiative. Perhaps you could join in - a little like this👇🏼

Oasis Villages - Oasis UK Oasis Villages are being developed to offer children, young people and their families support, opportunity, and the skills they need for lifelong success. The

The National Education Union has called it correctly - government understands the crisis facing children with special educational needs, but the cash available from them does not match the need. That’s why Oasis has launched our Villages initiative. Join in. More here 👇🏼 oasisuk.org/what-we-do/k...

Creating safety and opportunity for children is a task that can’t be left to parents alone, or to our schools, or to the police - instead it is a responsibility that must be owned by society at large. A society that invests in its children is a wise one.

The number of children & young people struggling with anxiety & depression continues to rise says the NHS. Why? Because no child can thrive without a stable sense of being safe, seen, secure & soothed when needed. But instead, our society leaves too many feeling stressed, forgotten & lonely.

Louis Theroux’s ‘Inside The Manosphere’ probes the world of online influencers who he says are redefining modern masculinity. But, in truth, we are the real influencers. Everyone is looking for belonging & identity. Let’s not leave it to gangs & goons to shape them. Get involved.

They’re very inaccurate with their munitions….It was done by Iran.” Trump on the missile that hit the Minab primary school, killing at least 168 children and teachers.

He was wrong! An American Tomahawk killed those innocent girls and their teachers.

We weep for their loss.

For the 165 grieving mothers and families after a stray missile hit Shajareh Tayyebeh girls school last Saturday morning; one the first day of Trump’s war on Iran. (The Iran school week runs from Saturday-Thursday). Trump is no Noble Peace Prize candidate.

From the Roman to the British Empire and on to the present day - elements of the Church have always been happy to be co-opted into service of the emperor.

A guide to fulfilment:

Skills - Passion = Boredom
Passion - Skills = Incompetence
Skills + Passion = Fulfilment

Reform declares it would set up a UK Deportation Command to “deport up to 288,000 annually”; a British version of ICE! The idea of the mass deportation of neighbours & friends, teachers, NHS staff & partners is of a govt declaring war on its own people, economy & public services.

Everybody seems worried about whether the new plans for support for children with special educational needs is going to save any money. The point is that better early intervention and support for children is bound to lead to future savings - financially but also socially!

Tomorrow the Schools White Paper is released with lots to say about Special Educational Needs. The way I see it, the heart of the question is not primarily about reducing the bill for EHCPs, but about ensuring EVERY child has access to the bespoke support they need to thrive!

The system of support for children with Special Educational Needs is totally broken. It needs a radical rethink; one which will offer hope to the huge numbers of children who are currently being failed.
So, now we wait to see whether those hopes will be fulfilled next week!

In our increasingly fractured society there’s much to learn from the ancient seasons of Ramadan & Lent, which this year coincide. So Julie Siddiqi and I took 2 minutes to reflect on the insight they bring us. There are differences but there’s far more that unites than divides us.

Teenage girls lured into forced sex by gangs in London, says BBC The story about girls being manipulated & groomed to support gang crime in London is finally out. At last we’re awake!

Society’s responsibility is to ensure that in the debate about transgender rights, children are never ‘weaponised’.

Instead each is given space, rather than being coerced in any direction, so that as an adult - whether they choose to transition or not - they are set free to thrive.

Big thanks to all who came to the Masterclass yesterday at Oasis St Martin’s Village as together we explored what are often called the ‘soft skills’ that turn out to be the hardest to master, but are essential to grow & sustain every organisation.

I think we will do it again!

430,000 social homes fail to meet basic standards. Too many people live in appalling housing without their complaints about conditions being taken seriously. Urgent action is needed now. We can’t wait for the slow wheels of bureaucratic policy making to move. We need change now!

School is a very important part of education. But education is about much more than school. A child is in school for under 20% of their time. So what we really need is an overarching, joined-up, inclusive, child-first vision. And then a long-term thoughtful plan to implement it.

“The only person in jail at the moment for the crimes of so many men is a woman.”

Paddy O'Connell, Newsnight.
(During a discussion about the Epstein Files).

oasisuk.org/job/premises...
We have a vacancy at Oasis St Martin’s Village in our premises/maintenance team, at Tulse Hill in South London. Find out more here👇🏽

The voice of Virginia Giuffre, emotionally & sexually abused, exploited & trafficked as a vulnerable teenager, was for too long ignored by the powerful. Only now, after the tragedy of her death are we waking up to the undeniable truth of her testimony. Now let’s listen to others!

The UK’s poorest people are getting poorer, The Rowntree Foundation says a record 6.8m people were living in “very deep poverty” in 2024. And over 5m of these were living in households where someone works. The decision to end the 2 child benefit cap will help, but more is needed!

Weep for the USA!

Jan 24 Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old American citizen & intensive care nurse was shot & killed by agents of the Trump administration.

Jan 7 Renee Good, a 37-year-old American citizen & local teacher was shot & killed by agents of the Trump administration.

The USA is broken. ☹️