Paul Gathercole
banner
paulgathercole.bsky.social
Paul Gathercole
@paulgathercole.bsky.social
Restlessly retired from children's services, children's cancer support and safeguarding. SW. Trustee Safeguarding Lead. Charities / child bereavement / children's cancer / DIPG. Guitarist in pub band. 2CV curious.
A moment of joy when a Hummingbird Hawkmoth visited our Lincolnshire garden today Also a reminder of climate change and the increasing frequency of previously rare visitor sightings.
#moths #butterflies #climatechange
June 28, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
'A crushing blow to an already fragile sector'...Why does one part of government demonstrate no understanding of other parts? www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/05/11/g...
Government to end care worker recruitment from abroad later this year - Community Care
Announcement on care worker recruitment from abroad triggers alarm from social care providers, who say it removes a 'lifeline'
www.communitycare.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
I’m 53. I joined the Labour Party Young Socialists at 14. Every bit of help I have had raising my family, having an education & a career is due to Labour. But enough is enough. I’m not interested in appeasing racists in return for their votes. If that’s where we’re at, I’m done.
May 12, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
We’re proud to be leading the development of vital guidelines for Independent Stalking Advocates (ISAs), with input from the National Stalking Consortium.

www.gov.uk/government/n...
More consistent support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse
New guidance sets out how workers can best support survivors of domestic and sexual abuse
www.gov.uk
May 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
'The Thick of It' scriptwriters respond to Reform picking up some council seats.

Hapless Seema Malhotra is sent out to explain the utterly half-baked, hurried and indefensible 'Island of Strangers' to World at One (16.45 minutes in)

tinyurl.com/2edx9w7s
World at One - Starmer: UK risks becoming 'island of strangers' - BBC Sounds
Sir Keir Starmer promises to 'significantly' cut net migration with new rules on visas.
tinyurl.com
May 13, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
Girlguiding has pledged to do more to ensure it is engaging with girls of colour and those from poorer backgrounds

www.charitytimes.com/ct/Girlguidi...
Girlguiding admits it is ‘not yet representative of girls in the UK today’ four years after racism report
Girlguiding has pledged to do more to ensure it is engaging with girls of colour and those from poorer backgrounds, in its ten-year strategy.
www.charitytimes.com
May 12, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
"There are no words to describe how you feel; your world turns upside down."

Nancy was diagnosed with brain cancer at only one year old. Her mum Gemma shares their story in this BBC News article: bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mum shares two year-old daughter's cancer story for TV advert
Nancy was diagnosed with ependymoma, a form of brain cancer, at only a year old in 2023.
bbc.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
Could you ever have imagined you would see a headline like this in your lifetime
April 27, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
Today, we pay tribute to Pope Francis.

He welcomed refugees & the homeless where others turned their backs.

He called for peace — in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the DRC & beyond — where others cheered for war.

His humanity is an inspiration to us all, and he will be greatly missed.
April 26, 2025 at 9:34 AM
The science behind play and its profound impact on cognitive development, emotional well-being, and overall brain health - check this out from @fiplayscotland.bsky.social

#play
#childsplay
#neuroscience
Did you know play is as vital for the brain as food and water?
Join Alex on Monday to delve into neuroscience of play, emotional systems that shape childhood, & how to support wellbeing. You don’t need to live in Scotland to join us!
Book at www.tickettailor.com/events/plays... #ScotEduSky #EduSky
April 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
The foot-dragging over such a modest little proposal is ridiculous. Sort it out Keir!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Labour MPs urge Starmer to back youth mobility scheme amid EU trade reset
More than 60 MPs sign letter calling for time-limited visas for 18- to 30-year-olds to travel freely
www.theguardian.com
April 24, 2025 at 6:12 AM
“If companies can’t make online spaces safe for children, then they shouldn’t be in them. Children should not be expected to police the online world themselves.”

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Ofcom ‘is prioritising interests of tech firms instead of child safety’
Watchdog’s new codes of practice are not strong enough, says children’s commissioner for England
www.theguardian.com
April 24, 2025 at 4:19 PM
We've probably all done this thing or something like it and then looked back with greater experience and humility. A poignant thread @jessmorgan.bsky.social
She was in her 40s.
A resident doctor.

Older than all her peers, she was different.

She was the one who left on time and didn't bend over backwards to do more.

Eyes rolled.
People tutted.

She wasn't committed.
She lacked dedication.
Then I became that woman.
🧵👇1/3
April 24, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
Our latest analysis of spending on children’s services for @barnardos.org.uk, @ncb.org.uk, @childrenssociety.bsky.social, @nspcc.bsky.social & @actionforchildren.bsky.social shows real-term spend on early intervention is down by more than £2bn since 2010/11.

www.probonoeconomics.com/a-long-road-...
A long road to recovery: Local authority spending on early intervention children’s services 2010-11 to 2023-24
PBE's latest analysis of local authority spending on early intervention children’s services from 2010/11 to 2023/24.
www.probonoeconomics.com
April 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
❔ Could multi-cancer tests (MCTs) help GPs spot cancer ❔

That's the topic of the third instalment in our MCT series. It's a thought-provoking read to understand where we are and what's needed to implement these innovative tests in UK primary care: cruk.ink/4llYC8V
Could multi-cancer tests help GPs spot cancer? - Cancer Research UK - Cancer News
GPs see lots of people with cancer symptoms, but cancer cases can be like needles in the haystack. Multi-cancer tests might help find them.
https://cruk.ink/4llYC8V"
April 22, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
The NCVO has warned that 2025 will be a tough year for many charities as they continue to tackle a "perfect storm" of “funding falling, costs increasing, and demand climbing”.

www.charitytimes.com/ct/Year-ahea...
‘Year ahead will be a squeeze for many’, warns NCVO
The NCVO has warned that 2025 will be a tough year for many charities as they continue to tackle a perfect storm of “funding falling, costs increasing, and demand climbing”.
www.charitytimes.com
April 22, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
On Monday, our bereavement support team are running a free, live, online Q&A session on grief during exam season for 13-25s. A space for young people to hear directly from our team and ask questions.

Register for free now, only 19 spaces left > www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grief-duri...
Grief during exam season - Winston's Wish Young People's live Q&A
A space for young people aged 13 to 25 to hear from a bereavement support worker and ask questions about grief during exam season.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
April 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Fantastic opportunity for an experienced / senior Children’s or TYA cancer nurse - Trustee role with @younglivesvscancer.bsky.social
Are you a senior Children’s or TYA cancer nurse with significant experience leading services at PTC, Shared Care, Community, Cancer Network or Research setting? @younglivesvscancer.bsky.social is looking for a new Trustee with your expertise. www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/support-us/g...
Join our Team Young Lives Board of Trustees
As a Trustee you will play a vital role in helping Young Lives vs Cancer to thrive so that failies do not face cancer alone.
www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk
April 22, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
With conversations around #AI here in the UK, this article is a timely reminder of the potential pitfalls when assessing #vawg risks - there are so many variable factors and human behaviour isn't always so predictable.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Domestic violence: Spain police algorithm said Lina was at 'medium' risk. Then she was killed
Spanish police use an algorithm to assess the risk of repeat domestic violence. Does it work?
www.bbc.co.uk
April 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Charities facing a big financial squeeze in 2025 warns NCVO - compounding effect of the pandemic, inflation and cost of living crisis.

#charities

www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/chariti...
Charities to feel financial ‘big squeeze’ for year ahead, report finds
www.civilsociety.co.uk
April 18, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
Our research on coastal social work teams is ongoing. We are looking to speak to those involved in supporting this workforce in these communities, including:

- Social Work Educators
- Social Work Employers
- Community representatives

Please email coastalvoices@bnu.ac.uk
April 15, 2025 at 3:15 PM
1/2 Changing the language and narrative about child pornography - briefing by the Lucy Faithful Foundation. Terminology guidelines below in 2/2
April 15, 2025 at 10:20 AM
@warchilduk.bsky.social petition for children in Gaza at 4/4 in the thread below 👇
"We are not living, we are just trying not to die." These are the words of our colleague Ibrahim in Gaza, echoing the daily horror faced by children and families.

[1/4]
April 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Reposted by Paul Gathercole
📢 App Version 1.100 is rolling out now (1/2)

Chat reactions are here! You can now respond to chat messages (aka “direct messages”) with an emoji ❤️
April 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM