Catherine Stuart
@catty8.bsky.social
Northumbrian in Stockport.
Represents Heald Green ward on Stockport Council as an independent councillor. Works in social care commissioning.
Represents Heald Green ward on Stockport Council as an independent councillor. Works in social care commissioning.
If you haven't hit send and had that moment of GDPR panic induced nausea you've not lived. I put this issue alone down to one of the reasons poor mental health is so widespread.
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
If you haven't hit send and had that moment of GDPR panic induced nausea you've not lived. I put this issue alone down to one of the reasons poor mental health is so widespread.
I'm also reflecting that 30 years later I'm increadibly grateful the delayed train I was waiting for this evening was a Northern one.
November 20, 2025 at 10:44 PM
I'm also reflecting that 30 years later I'm increadibly grateful the delayed train I was waiting for this evening was a Northern one.
I used to reflect that Stevenage station on a Sunday evening is the place anyone who thinks it's 'grim up north' should be sent, for eternity.
November 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I used to reflect that Stevenage station on a Sunday evening is the place anyone who thinks it's 'grim up north' should be sent, for eternity.
Undoubtedly. One of the most unequal.
October 26, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Undoubtedly. One of the most unequal.
Well, here's the official take from the council's recently published Housing Needs Assessment...
October 26, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Well, here's the official take from the council's recently published Housing Needs Assessment...
It's filling up with Londoners, apparently: 'Everyone in London is moving to Manchester'
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
'Everyone in London is moving to Manchester'
SPECIAL REPORT: As Manchester city centre's development shows no signs of slowing down, town is busier than ever with more visitors and 100,000 residents. But a tension between the old and new establi...
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 9:45 PM
It's filling up with Londoners, apparently: 'Everyone in London is moving to Manchester'
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
Seeing first hand how difficult it was claiming housing benefit made me favour the idea. Anything to make life easier for marginalised people is a good thing, and this will. It might make processing claims quicker too.
September 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Seeing first hand how difficult it was claiming housing benefit made me favour the idea. Anything to make life easier for marginalised people is a good thing, and this will. It might make processing claims quicker too.
That was definitely the opinion of The Northern Echo commentariat, which was much amused.
September 12, 2025 at 9:26 PM
That was definitely the opinion of The Northern Echo commentariat, which was much amused.
Was thinking the same. Or spell. Reminds me of one of those emails you write in anger, then delete before you send a sensible one back.
September 7, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Was thinking the same. Or spell. Reminds me of one of those emails you write in anger, then delete before you send a sensible one back.
Some were housed near us, in Cheshire East. Apparently, architects and bright, able people who could contribute amongst them. When our volunteers, all older people, were busy planting spring bulbs on Wilmslow Road two passing 20 something asylum seeker lads came and offered to help them.
August 18, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Some were housed near us, in Cheshire East. Apparently, architects and bright, able people who could contribute amongst them. When our volunteers, all older people, were busy planting spring bulbs on Wilmslow Road two passing 20 something asylum seeker lads came and offered to help them.
One way to capture the 16 year old voter!
August 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
One way to capture the 16 year old voter!
Bigger than all the other privatisations put together, if I recall correctly, but the most damaging bit was stopping new build. We were much closer to building enough housing to meet our needs when councils built houses, though even then it wasn't enough.
August 3, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Bigger than all the other privatisations put together, if I recall correctly, but the most damaging bit was stopping new build. We were much closer to building enough housing to meet our needs when councils built houses, though even then it wasn't enough.
Absolutely agree. Housing is high cost to create, with a long life span. We create better developments where communities engage in their design.
July 27, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Absolutely agree. Housing is high cost to create, with a long life span. We create better developments where communities engage in their design.
Yeh, that's the one I mean.
July 22, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Yeh, that's the one I mean.
In the dark places on the internet (MEN Facebook comments!) there's a strongly driven rhetoric that immigrants are to blame for every societal ill. Every article. It's quite sinister. I wonder if it's the EU Referendum all over again. Create a problem by misinformation and offer a solution.
July 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
In the dark places on the internet (MEN Facebook comments!) there's a strongly driven rhetoric that immigrants are to blame for every societal ill. Every article. It's quite sinister. I wonder if it's the EU Referendum all over again. Create a problem by misinformation and offer a solution.
Completely agree, St Pancras is one of the downsides of living in Manchester over Newcastle.
July 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Completely agree, St Pancras is one of the downsides of living in Manchester over Newcastle.
That was my conclusion from trying to manage the problems it caused in council housing.
The impacts of drug dealing on whole communities with crime and ASB is much more consequential and damaging than the impact of taking drugs on individuals.
The impacts of drug dealing on whole communities with crime and ASB is much more consequential and damaging than the impact of taking drugs on individuals.
June 14, 2025 at 10:27 AM
That was my conclusion from trying to manage the problems it caused in council housing.
The impacts of drug dealing on whole communities with crime and ASB is much more consequential and damaging than the impact of taking drugs on individuals.
The impacts of drug dealing on whole communities with crime and ASB is much more consequential and damaging than the impact of taking drugs on individuals.
The sector is already struggling to recruit and has an ageing workforce, most jobs tend to be lower paid. This would likely create an exodus.
June 2, 2025 at 6:48 AM
The sector is already struggling to recruit and has an ageing workforce, most jobs tend to be lower paid. This would likely create an exodus.
Isn't pretty much everything hampered by toxic online debates? My greatest shock, when campaiging to become a councillor, was how lovely most people in my ward are. This after years of running our social media.
May 31, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Isn't pretty much everything hampered by toxic online debates? My greatest shock, when campaiging to become a councillor, was how lovely most people in my ward are. This after years of running our social media.
The response from the Leeds supporter here: 'I wouldn't be so certain.'
May 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The response from the Leeds supporter here: 'I wouldn't be so certain.'