Tom Spare
@tomspare.bsky.social
Works in comms. Lives in Wales. Interested in politics, writing and podcasting. MA in Political Communication.
In this Christmas special, I explore what the nativity story teaches us about welcoming refugees and asylum seekers today with @welshrefcouncil.bsky.social & chaplains from Cardiff University.
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/jesus-was-...
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/jesus-was-...
December 23, 2025 at 12:53 PM
In this Christmas special, I explore what the nativity story teaches us about welcoming refugees and asylum seekers today with @welshrefcouncil.bsky.social & chaplains from Cardiff University.
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/jesus-was-...
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/jesus-was-...
Reposted by Tom Spare
Nation of Sanctuary Awards 2026 nominations are now OPEN 🌟
Every day, incredible individuals and groups work tirelessly to create welcoming spaces. And now is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve!
✅ Everything you need to nominate is right here: wrc.wales/nation-of-sa...
Every day, incredible individuals and groups work tirelessly to create welcoming spaces. And now is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve!
✅ Everything you need to nominate is right here: wrc.wales/nation-of-sa...
Nation of Sanctuary Awards 2026: Nominations now OPEN! - Welsh Refugee Council
Last year, people across Wales shared a record number of nominations and stories that inspired, moved, and energised communities. Now we’re inviting you to celebrate even more extraordinary people.
wrc.wales
December 5, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Nation of Sanctuary Awards 2026 nominations are now OPEN 🌟
Every day, incredible individuals and groups work tirelessly to create welcoming spaces. And now is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve!
✅ Everything you need to nominate is right here: wrc.wales/nation-of-sa...
Every day, incredible individuals and groups work tirelessly to create welcoming spaces. And now is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve!
✅ Everything you need to nominate is right here: wrc.wales/nation-of-sa...
Reposted by Tom Spare
When someone is recognised as a refugee but only offered a short-term status, what follows isn’t safety: it’s limbo.
Read our full statement to hear why the UK Government's proposals will lead to insecurity without solving any of the real issues ⬇️
wrc.wales/our-response...
Read our full statement to hear why the UK Government's proposals will lead to insecurity without solving any of the real issues ⬇️
wrc.wales/our-response...
Our response to the proposed asylum reforms - Welsh Refugee Council
In Wales, our Nation of Sanctuary vision starts from a simple truth: people begin rebuilding their lives the moment they feel safe.
wrc.wales
November 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
When someone is recognised as a refugee but only offered a short-term status, what follows isn’t safety: it’s limbo.
Read our full statement to hear why the UK Government's proposals will lead to insecurity without solving any of the real issues ⬇️
wrc.wales/our-response...
Read our full statement to hear why the UK Government's proposals will lead to insecurity without solving any of the real issues ⬇️
wrc.wales/our-response...
Reposted by Tom Spare
Professor Karen Jacobsen discusses her new book, "Host Cities: How Refugees Are Transforming the World's Urban Settings," and her career as a scholar of forced migration. @tomspare.bsky.social@yalebooks.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/6g3o...
open.spotify.com/episode/6g3o...
How Refugees Transform Cities
open.spotify.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Professor Karen Jacobsen discusses her new book, "Host Cities: How Refugees Are Transforming the World's Urban Settings," and her career as a scholar of forced migration. @tomspare.bsky.social@yalebooks.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/6g3o...
open.spotify.com/episode/6g3o...
Reposted by Tom Spare
The gap between electricity and gas prices in Jan will now be 20% larger than a year before, pushing up bills for a typical household using electric storage heating by £100, compared to typical dual fuel billpayer seeing bills rise by just £2.50 www.nesta.org.uk/press-releas...
November 22, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The gap between electricity and gas prices in Jan will now be 20% larger than a year before, pushing up bills for a typical household using electric storage heating by £100, compared to typical dual fuel billpayer seeing bills rise by just £2.50 www.nesta.org.uk/press-releas...
On 4th November it will be a year since the US went to the polls to re-elect Donald Trump. In the lead-up to voting day I crisscrossed the US before spending voting day in Washington DC. Over the next couple of days I’ll be reflecting on my trip via Substack.
MAGA in Manhattan
When Trump headlined Madison Square Garden
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:42 AM
On 4th November it will be a year since the US went to the polls to re-elect Donald Trump. In the lead-up to voting day I crisscrossed the US before spending voting day in Washington DC. Over the next couple of days I’ll be reflecting on my trip via Substack.
What lessons can we draw from future? Let's time-travel and find out.
In the latest episode of Spare a Thought, author and activist Rob Hopkins takes us in his time machine to the year 2030 so we can fall in love with the future. 🌍🔮🎉
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/how-to-fal...
In the latest episode of Spare a Thought, author and activist Rob Hopkins takes us in his time machine to the year 2030 so we can fall in love with the future. 🌍🔮🎉
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/how-to-fal...
How to Fall in Love with the Future | Spare a Thought
In this episode of Spare a Thought, Tom is taken in a time machine to 2030 by author, activist and environmentalist Rob Hopkins to show us how we averted the climate crisis and reshaped our relationsh...
spareathought.podbean.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:16 PM
What lessons can we draw from future? Let's time-travel and find out.
In the latest episode of Spare a Thought, author and activist Rob Hopkins takes us in his time machine to the year 2030 so we can fall in love with the future. 🌍🔮🎉
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/how-to-fal...
In the latest episode of Spare a Thought, author and activist Rob Hopkins takes us in his time machine to the year 2030 so we can fall in love with the future. 🌍🔮🎉
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/how-to-fal...
Reposted by Tom Spare
I know that there are a lot of Welsh politics folks out there missing the @hiraethpod.bsky.social while it is on hiatus.
While I would ofc point anyone needing a fix either to ‘For Wales, See Wales’ by the ever excellent Will Hayward and BBC Wales’s #WalesCast I’m happy to say that I have *news*
While I would ofc point anyone needing a fix either to ‘For Wales, See Wales’ by the ever excellent Will Hayward and BBC Wales’s #WalesCast I’m happy to say that I have *news*
September 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I know that there are a lot of Welsh politics folks out there missing the @hiraethpod.bsky.social while it is on hiatus.
While I would ofc point anyone needing a fix either to ‘For Wales, See Wales’ by the ever excellent Will Hayward and BBC Wales’s #WalesCast I’m happy to say that I have *news*
While I would ofc point anyone needing a fix either to ‘For Wales, See Wales’ by the ever excellent Will Hayward and BBC Wales’s #WalesCast I’m happy to say that I have *news*
Reposted by Tom Spare
Happy to confirm that our new Welsh politics pod is on the way filled with informative, astute, and what I would euphemistically refer to as “robust“ debate between Lee Waters MS, Prof Laura McAllister and former Conservative Special adviser Lauren McEvatt.
We’ll be ready to share soon! #Senedd26
We’ll be ready to share soon! #Senedd26
I know that there are a lot of Welsh politics folks out there missing the @hiraethpod.bsky.social while it is on hiatus.
While I would ofc point anyone needing a fix either to ‘For Wales, See Wales’ by the ever excellent Will Hayward and BBC Wales’s #WalesCast I’m happy to say that I have *news*
While I would ofc point anyone needing a fix either to ‘For Wales, See Wales’ by the ever excellent Will Hayward and BBC Wales’s #WalesCast I’m happy to say that I have *news*
September 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Happy to confirm that our new Welsh politics pod is on the way filled with informative, astute, and what I would euphemistically refer to as “robust“ debate between Lee Waters MS, Prof Laura McAllister and former Conservative Special adviser Lauren McEvatt.
We’ll be ready to share soon! #Senedd26
We’ll be ready to share soon! #Senedd26
Reposted by Tom Spare
New pod alert. Coming soon...
September 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
New pod alert. Coming soon...
Big thank you to @jaychard.bsky.social for coming on the show - we worth a listen
A huge thanks to @tomspare.bsky.social from Spare a Thought for having me on to talk about climate & ecological breakdown, climate justice and the role of universities.
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/universiti...
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com/e/universiti...
September 17, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Big thank you to @jaychard.bsky.social for coming on the show - we worth a listen
Reposted by Tom Spare
🗞️ New analysis by Nesta, featured in @the-independent.com, shows the high cost of reducing obesity rates in the UK with weight-loss medication alone, compared to a strategy that includes prevention policies ⤵️
Weight-loss jabs are not enough to tackle the obesity crisis, experts warn
Weight-loss drug Mounjaro will be rolled out to a quarter of a million NHS patients. But leading experts tell Rebecca Thomas and Alicja Hagopian that weight-loss jabs alone will not be enough to…
www.independent.co.uk
September 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM
🗞️ New analysis by Nesta, featured in @the-independent.com, shows the high cost of reducing obesity rates in the UK with weight-loss medication alone, compared to a strategy that includes prevention policies ⤵️
What’s it like to find yourself at a Trump rally? Well you can find out today! I’m releasing a mini series focused on the my travels to the US during last year’s Presidential Election. Here’s a video taster of what’s in store, listen now: spareathought.podbean.com
August 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM
What’s it like to find yourself at a Trump rally? Well you can find out today! I’m releasing a mini series focused on the my travels to the US during last year’s Presidential Election. Here’s a video taster of what’s in store, listen now: spareathought.podbean.com
To all the people having Roast dinner today, god bless you, but aren’t you a tad hot? To all the people making Roast dinner in this heat, there should be a law prohibiting you from doing so.
July 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
To all the people having Roast dinner today, god bless you, but aren’t you a tad hot? To all the people making Roast dinner in this heat, there should be a law prohibiting you from doing so.
Reposted by Tom Spare
The NHS is in the news a lot right now! If you’d like to know what’s going on, from someone who worked as a doctor for 10 years+is now an NHS campaigner, sign up to my newsletter. I’ll give you important info (plus there’s no trolls, it’s lovely!🤣🥰💙)
jujuliagrace.substack.com
jujuliagrace.substack.com
Call To Action | Dr Julia Grace Patterson💙 | Substack
I am very concerned about what UK politicians are doing to the NHS, and so I have decided to write about it! This is my personal newsletter, sharing my perspectives +important info about the NHS and m...
jujuliagrace.substack.com
June 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The NHS is in the news a lot right now! If you’d like to know what’s going on, from someone who worked as a doctor for 10 years+is now an NHS campaigner, sign up to my newsletter. I’ll give you important info (plus there’s no trolls, it’s lovely!🤣🥰💙)
jujuliagrace.substack.com
jujuliagrace.substack.com
I learned so much from my conversation Dr Julia Patterson, CEO of @everydoctor.org.uk we talk NHS privitsation, the state of healthcare in the UK and the welfare of NHS staff
🎙️ Our CEO Dr Julia Patterson joined @tomspare.bsky.social on Spare a Thought — a podcast spotlighting voices and stories often overlooked by the media.
It's a great intro to EveryDoctor and why NHS privatisation matters. Take a listen: spareathought.podbean.com #StopPrivatisation #NewPodcast
It's a great intro to EveryDoctor and why NHS privatisation matters. Take a listen: spareathought.podbean.com #StopPrivatisation #NewPodcast
Saving the NHS
Spare a Thought · Episode
open.spotify.com
June 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I learned so much from my conversation Dr Julia Patterson, CEO of @everydoctor.org.uk we talk NHS privitsation, the state of healthcare in the UK and the welfare of NHS staff
Reposted by Tom Spare
Govt just published the Bill to cut disability benefits for > 3 million people, revealing that mitigations for those with the most severe conditions ministers have been telling MPs about will protect only up to 10% of new claimants from a halving of UC's health element 1/5
June 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Govt just published the Bill to cut disability benefits for > 3 million people, revealing that mitigations for those with the most severe conditions ministers have been telling MPs about will protect only up to 10% of new claimants from a halving of UC's health element 1/5
Can we save NHS? I spoke to @jujuliagrace.bsky.social of @everydoctor.org.uk to discuss government reforms, the role of private providers in NHS services, the wellbeing of staff and patients & her own journey from Doctor to campaigner.
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com
June 5, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Can we save NHS? I spoke to @jujuliagrace.bsky.social of @everydoctor.org.uk to discuss government reforms, the role of private providers in NHS services, the wellbeing of staff and patients & her own journey from Doctor to campaigner.
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com
Listen here: spareathought.podbean.com
Reposted by Tom Spare
Well, electricity levies and heat pumps are in the news this morning…
… and we have a brand new Nesta report out on levy reform.
We’ve looked closely at all the options, and this is what we think the best approach is…
www.nesta.org.uk/report/how-t...
… and we have a brand new Nesta report out on levy reform.
We’ve looked closely at all the options, and this is what we think the best approach is…
www.nesta.org.uk/report/how-t...
How to make electricity cheaper
Reforming the levies on energy bills
www.nesta.org.uk
June 5, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Well, electricity levies and heat pumps are in the news this morning…
… and we have a brand new Nesta report out on levy reform.
We’ve looked closely at all the options, and this is what we think the best approach is…
www.nesta.org.uk/report/how-t...
… and we have a brand new Nesta report out on levy reform.
We’ve looked closely at all the options, and this is what we think the best approach is…
www.nesta.org.uk/report/how-t...
Reposted by Tom Spare
Today Nesta publishes recommendations on how to make energy bills fairer & greener ⬇️
Levies are driving up the price of electricity bills, making it harder for people to switch to low-carbon heating.
We’re proposing to rebalance levies in a way that is easy & fair, using new Nesta modelling.
Levies are driving up the price of electricity bills, making it harder for people to switch to low-carbon heating.
We’re proposing to rebalance levies in a way that is easy & fair, using new Nesta modelling.
June 5, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Today Nesta publishes recommendations on how to make energy bills fairer & greener ⬇️
Levies are driving up the price of electricity bills, making it harder for people to switch to low-carbon heating.
We’re proposing to rebalance levies in a way that is easy & fair, using new Nesta modelling.
Levies are driving up the price of electricity bills, making it harder for people to switch to low-carbon heating.
We’re proposing to rebalance levies in a way that is easy & fair, using new Nesta modelling.
I’ve interviewed Zoe Daniels from the International Rescue Committee to discuss Gaza. You can listen here: thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com
May 26, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’ve interviewed Zoe Daniels from the International Rescue Committee to discuss Gaza. You can listen here: thepoliticaldispatch.podbean.com
Reposted by Tom Spare
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
Bruce Springsteen and Donald Trump are “two opposing faces of modern America as it was built and performed by their generation,” Eric Alterman writes in a guest essay. “They offer their fan bases a promise of entirely different futures.”
Bruce Springsteen and Donald Trump are “two opposing faces of modern America as it was built and performed by their generation,” Eric Alterman writes in a guest essay. “They offer their fan bases a promise of entirely different futures.”
Opinion | Bruce Springsteen Will Never Surrender to Donald Trump
www.nytimes.com
May 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
Bruce Springsteen and Donald Trump are “two opposing faces of modern America as it was built and performed by their generation,” Eric Alterman writes in a guest essay. “They offer their fan bases a promise of entirely different futures.”
Bruce Springsteen and Donald Trump are “two opposing faces of modern America as it was built and performed by their generation,” Eric Alterman writes in a guest essay. “They offer their fan bases a promise of entirely different futures.”
Reposted by Tom Spare
Today marks five years since George Floyd was killed by police. Our June 22, 2020 cover “Say Their Names,” by Kadir Nelson, illustrated how Floyd’s murder embodies the history of violence inflicted upon Black people in America. nyer.cm/UmfefJw
May 25, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Today marks five years since George Floyd was killed by police. Our June 22, 2020 cover “Say Their Names,” by Kadir Nelson, illustrated how Floyd’s murder embodies the history of violence inflicted upon Black people in America. nyer.cm/UmfefJw
Reposted by Tom Spare
Give yourself a real treat on this glorious Sunday and read my latest newsletter.
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/why-cuts-d...
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/why-cuts-d...
Why cuts don't work
Plus the Welsh Tories make another blunder
willhaywardwales.substack.com
May 25, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Give yourself a real treat on this glorious Sunday and read my latest newsletter.
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/why-cuts-d...
willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/why-cuts-d...