Charlie Jones
@charliepsych.bsky.social
Clinical psychologist in an acute hospital.
NHS. Person-centred care.
Relationships & dialogue in healthcare.
Health creation.
Appreciation of simple things.
I'm a dad. Identical twins🤍🤍
Living in Bristol
#SpacesForListening
NHS. Person-centred care.
Relationships & dialogue in healthcare.
Health creation.
Appreciation of simple things.
I'm a dad. Identical twins🤍🤍
Living in Bristol
#SpacesForListening
Pinned
Charlie Jones
@charliepsych.bsky.social
· Nov 29
'Spaces for listening': Conversations with Contributors: Brigid Russell and Charlie Jones
A conservation between Editor of The Resurgence & Ecologist Magazine, Susan Clarke and contributors Brigid Russell and Charlie Jones. Read the article:…
vimeo.com
Here's a 25min video about #SpacesForListening
vimeo.com/1033441520?s...
Thanks to @susanresurgence.bsky.social for a lovely conversation with @brigidrussell51 & me.
And thanks to all you wonderful souls who have come to #SpacesForListening over the last 4 years. The fire's still burning bright.
vimeo.com/1033441520?s...
Thanks to @susanresurgence.bsky.social for a lovely conversation with @brigidrussell51 & me.
And thanks to all you wonderful souls who have come to #SpacesForListening over the last 4 years. The fire's still burning bright.
I meet young people weighed down with the state of the world & you can really see how remarkable, resourceful, thoughtful souls are facing into a void of not knowing what to do. Many of the usual paths seem inaccessible. You can see how debilitating it is. Just a sense of being lost. I feel for them
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I meet young people weighed down with the state of the world & you can really see how remarkable, resourceful, thoughtful souls are facing into a void of not knowing what to do. Many of the usual paths seem inaccessible. You can see how debilitating it is. Just a sense of being lost. I feel for them
I see the word 'thriving' a lot atm to describe a kind of aspirational state for nhs staff. "Shift from surviving to thriving!"🙄
It's shallow nonsense & I don't buy it...
Instead- always remember the systemic context. Do what you can with what you've got. Help each other out, & rest when you can.
It's shallow nonsense & I don't buy it...
Instead- always remember the systemic context. Do what you can with what you've got. Help each other out, & rest when you can.
November 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I see the word 'thriving' a lot atm to describe a kind of aspirational state for nhs staff. "Shift from surviving to thriving!"🙄
It's shallow nonsense & I don't buy it...
Instead- always remember the systemic context. Do what you can with what you've got. Help each other out, & rest when you can.
It's shallow nonsense & I don't buy it...
Instead- always remember the systemic context. Do what you can with what you've got. Help each other out, & rest when you can.
Had an email from a colleague who's been into work to help with a difficult situation, which has arisen in a very stretched context.
Part of me is like wow that's amazing, & another part is- it's not sustainable for staff who care to patch up the impact of system deficits by going above & beyond.
Part of me is like wow that's amazing, & another part is- it's not sustainable for staff who care to patch up the impact of system deficits by going above & beyond.
November 8, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Had an email from a colleague who's been into work to help with a difficult situation, which has arisen in a very stretched context.
Part of me is like wow that's amazing, & another part is- it's not sustainable for staff who care to patch up the impact of system deficits by going above & beyond.
Part of me is like wow that's amazing, & another part is- it's not sustainable for staff who care to patch up the impact of system deficits by going above & beyond.
I'm walking up the Malverns today. Just driven up the M5 in some fog, & now come into Malvern town the light is *amazing*. Tiny dots of sheep in the distance. Spectacular autumn colours. Bright blue sky & a big watery moon. Can't wait for the view at the top, be able to see for miles today😃
November 8, 2025 at 9:57 AM
I'm walking up the Malverns today. Just driven up the M5 in some fog, & now come into Malvern town the light is *amazing*. Tiny dots of sheep in the distance. Spectacular autumn colours. Bright blue sky & a big watery moon. Can't wait for the view at the top, be able to see for miles today😃
When there's poor care, i think it's reasonable, as part of apologising, to describe the very stretched context. But we need to be careful we don't make patients feel guilty for having needs. That's not OK. Patients arent responsible for the context, patients arent responsible for our moral injury.
November 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM
When there's poor care, i think it's reasonable, as part of apologising, to describe the very stretched context. But we need to be careful we don't make patients feel guilty for having needs. That's not OK. Patients arent responsible for the context, patients arent responsible for our moral injury.
So many people who come our way for psychological therapy desperately need practical help- financial help, help with childcare, extra pairs of hands for just keeping life going. Times are hard for so many. There's so much anxiety. People coping in whatever ways that offer relief. It runs very deep.
November 6, 2025 at 7:42 PM
So many people who come our way for psychological therapy desperately need practical help- financial help, help with childcare, extra pairs of hands for just keeping life going. Times are hard for so many. There's so much anxiety. People coping in whatever ways that offer relief. It runs very deep.
The thing I appreciate most about my professional lead is she supports me to be myself. And this is a culture she leads throughout our whole department. I really don't think it gets any better than that. Simple as a concept, but remarkable in reality.
November 6, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The thing I appreciate most about my professional lead is she supports me to be myself. And this is a culture she leads throughout our whole department. I really don't think it gets any better than that. Simple as a concept, but remarkable in reality.
Maya Angelou's classic quote that "people will never forget how you made them feel" resonates with all of us. Instinctively, we know what matters most is how we are with each other. Imagine if we could live & work in ways that truly honour this.
November 5, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Maya Angelou's classic quote that "people will never forget how you made them feel" resonates with all of us. Instinctively, we know what matters most is how we are with each other. Imagine if we could live & work in ways that truly honour this.
I really wish there was more time & space in the NHS to sit down & listen to each other. There's such a strong culture of managing tasks & doing doing doing. Clearly, having very stretched, understaffed environments impacts this. But I think it's a culture thing too.
November 5, 2025 at 8:30 AM
I really wish there was more time & space in the NHS to sit down & listen to each other. There's such a strong culture of managing tasks & doing doing doing. Clearly, having very stretched, understaffed environments impacts this. But I think it's a culture thing too.
From next month I'm dropping from full time to 4 days a week. Feels good to make a proactive decision in an attempt to find a bit more space, a bit more rest. Already I notice a different kind of energy & attention when I'm with the kids.
November 4, 2025 at 9:07 PM
From next month I'm dropping from full time to 4 days a week. Feels good to make a proactive decision in an attempt to find a bit more space, a bit more rest. Already I notice a different kind of energy & attention when I'm with the kids.
Reposted by Charlie Jones
It can take months, sometimes years, to truly see and understand a person, a place or a culture at depth. There are no shortcuts without immersion — the more intimate and consistent your entanglement, the sooner patterns appear.
November 3, 2025 at 8:44 PM
It can take months, sometimes years, to truly see and understand a person, a place or a culture at depth. There are no shortcuts without immersion — the more intimate and consistent your entanglement, the sooner patterns appear.
A question I ask in the context of chronic health conditions is:
What do you need to be more at peace?
Most responses fall into two themes: (1) is about access to medical care when needed; & (2) is about being heard & understood.
Both of these seem do-able, but sadly in reality are often missing.
What do you need to be more at peace?
Most responses fall into two themes: (1) is about access to medical care when needed; & (2) is about being heard & understood.
Both of these seem do-able, but sadly in reality are often missing.
November 3, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A question I ask in the context of chronic health conditions is:
What do you need to be more at peace?
Most responses fall into two themes: (1) is about access to medical care when needed; & (2) is about being heard & understood.
Both of these seem do-able, but sadly in reality are often missing.
What do you need to be more at peace?
Most responses fall into two themes: (1) is about access to medical care when needed; & (2) is about being heard & understood.
Both of these seem do-able, but sadly in reality are often missing.
Part of ending Psychology work can be to explore & work through disappointment. Maybe there was hope that the sessions would lead to a much improved life, or some amazing eureka moment. IME it's more realistic to find a quieter & bumpier process of acceptance, which includes a lot of grieving.
November 2, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Part of ending Psychology work can be to explore & work through disappointment. Maybe there was hope that the sessions would lead to a much improved life, or some amazing eureka moment. IME it's more realistic to find a quieter & bumpier process of acceptance, which includes a lot of grieving.
Called in to see Nana & Grandad. Aww. Isn't it brilliant that kids can make people's day by just turning up & being themselves. It's special that.
November 1, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Called in to see Nana & Grandad. Aww. Isn't it brilliant that kids can make people's day by just turning up & being themselves. It's special that.
Getting out of Bristol today & heading down to East Devon. The plan is just to see the sea & feel the breeze. And take it from there. It's a "wrap up warm" day. The boys will be climbing on the rocks, we'll be chucking pebbles into the sea. Have a lovely day folks👋
November 1, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Getting out of Bristol today & heading down to East Devon. The plan is just to see the sea & feel the breeze. And take it from there. It's a "wrap up warm" day. The boys will be climbing on the rocks, we'll be chucking pebbles into the sea. Have a lovely day folks👋
It's very easy to talk a good game about valuing kindness, listening, empathy, relationships etc. And i mean, who would disagree?
But what about actually walking the walk?
Too many times, i've experienced people promoting these important ways of being, but not actually enacting them.
But what about actually walking the walk?
Too many times, i've experienced people promoting these important ways of being, but not actually enacting them.
October 31, 2025 at 10:14 PM
It's very easy to talk a good game about valuing kindness, listening, empathy, relationships etc. And i mean, who would disagree?
But what about actually walking the walk?
Too many times, i've experienced people promoting these important ways of being, but not actually enacting them.
But what about actually walking the walk?
Too many times, i've experienced people promoting these important ways of being, but not actually enacting them.
We're a tiny psychology team in the NHS. Our ability to function & offer a decent service has been really impacted by a loss of admin & management support. Our clinical resource hasnt reduced but our ability to be organised & effective has. And stress levels have gone up. This is happening all over.
October 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
We're a tiny psychology team in the NHS. Our ability to function & offer a decent service has been really impacted by a loss of admin & management support. Our clinical resource hasnt reduced but our ability to be organised & effective has. And stress levels have gone up. This is happening all over.
Heading into winter, I'm reminded today how sustaining good work relationships are. Might just be the few minutes of chat before or after a meeting. Someone asking you about family, or remembering what's been going on for you. Making the time for a cuppa. Little moments of care that matter so much.
October 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Heading into winter, I'm reminded today how sustaining good work relationships are. Might just be the few minutes of chat before or after a meeting. Someone asking you about family, or remembering what's been going on for you. Making the time for a cuppa. Little moments of care that matter so much.
Reposted by Charlie Jones
Grand strategy and top down visions won't fix the NHS. Paying attention to how typical clinical processes are designed and managed might:
www.hsj.co.uk/daily-insigh...
www.hsj.co.uk/daily-insigh...
The mythbuster: A classic tale of NHS process failure
Taking the time to find out how the NHS really works reveals huge opportunities for improvement, but too few leaders and policymakers bother to do so.
www.hsj.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Grand strategy and top down visions won't fix the NHS. Paying attention to how typical clinical processes are designed and managed might:
www.hsj.co.uk/daily-insigh...
www.hsj.co.uk/daily-insigh...
Thinking with a person "how can you get your needs met?" opens up questions like
Do my needs even matter?
How do my needs show up in relationships?
Do I tend to put others' needs before my own?
How can I communicate my needs?
It's often more complicated & emotional than it seems, & it's important.
Do my needs even matter?
How do my needs show up in relationships?
Do I tend to put others' needs before my own?
How can I communicate my needs?
It's often more complicated & emotional than it seems, & it's important.
October 28, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Thinking with a person "how can you get your needs met?" opens up questions like
Do my needs even matter?
How do my needs show up in relationships?
Do I tend to put others' needs before my own?
How can I communicate my needs?
It's often more complicated & emotional than it seems, & it's important.
Do my needs even matter?
How do my needs show up in relationships?
Do I tend to put others' needs before my own?
How can I communicate my needs?
It's often more complicated & emotional than it seems, & it's important.
The *experience* of healthcare is psychological- what someone feels & understands, what someone believes, how someone engages & relates. It's core to everything.
The proposed 'neighbourhood' health service model presents an opportunity to really front load psychology & psychological thinking.
The proposed 'neighbourhood' health service model presents an opportunity to really front load psychology & psychological thinking.
October 27, 2025 at 9:32 PM
The *experience* of healthcare is psychological- what someone feels & understands, what someone believes, how someone engages & relates. It's core to everything.
The proposed 'neighbourhood' health service model presents an opportunity to really front load psychology & psychological thinking.
The proposed 'neighbourhood' health service model presents an opportunity to really front load psychology & psychological thinking.
There are patients i see where there's just stuckness, or limbo. Situations where there's no solution or different way of thinking about it, there's no clever question that's gonna unlock some new insight. It's a case of hanging in there- being alongside. It's hard for everyone. And it's possible.
October 26, 2025 at 8:28 PM
There are patients i see where there's just stuckness, or limbo. Situations where there's no solution or different way of thinking about it, there's no clever question that's gonna unlock some new insight. It's a case of hanging in there- being alongside. It's hard for everyone. And it's possible.
Classic honesty from the 10yo-
Me: "you call that 'shabby chic'"
Him: "you should call it 'old & knackered & needs repainting'"😆
Me: "you call that 'shabby chic'"
Him: "you should call it 'old & knackered & needs repainting'"😆
October 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Classic honesty from the 10yo-
Me: "you call that 'shabby chic'"
Him: "you should call it 'old & knackered & needs repainting'"😆
Me: "you call that 'shabby chic'"
Him: "you should call it 'old & knackered & needs repainting'"😆
Been thinking about that phrase 'the map is not the territory'
Seems to me there's so much more MAP these days- multiple maps- offering competing representations of reality, but none of which are reality.
It's in the TERRITORY, in actual reality, that we find a sense of connection, truth, & trust.
Seems to me there's so much more MAP these days- multiple maps- offering competing representations of reality, but none of which are reality.
It's in the TERRITORY, in actual reality, that we find a sense of connection, truth, & trust.
October 26, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Been thinking about that phrase 'the map is not the territory'
Seems to me there's so much more MAP these days- multiple maps- offering competing representations of reality, but none of which are reality.
It's in the TERRITORY, in actual reality, that we find a sense of connection, truth, & trust.
Seems to me there's so much more MAP these days- multiple maps- offering competing representations of reality, but none of which are reality.
It's in the TERRITORY, in actual reality, that we find a sense of connection, truth, & trust.
Blaise castle, Bristol.
7.10am Sunday
Beautiful light
7.10am Sunday
Beautiful light
October 26, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Blaise castle, Bristol.
7.10am Sunday
Beautiful light
7.10am Sunday
Beautiful light