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.
My feeling reading about the covid inquiry is just how much unprocessed grief there still is, so many untold stories. So much need for ongoing healing & coming to terms with.
November 20, 2025 at 9:50 PM
My feeling reading about the covid inquiry is just how much unprocessed grief there still is, so many untold stories. So much need for ongoing healing & coming to terms with.
I'm all for relational working. But within this, it should be possible to say no to projects. I've done this recently- turned down the chance to get involved in something as it's unfunded & I don't have the energy to go 'above & beyond'. Relational working shouldn't be a pressure to always say yes.
November 20, 2025 at 9:12 PM
I'm all for relational working. But within this, it should be possible to say no to projects. I've done this recently- turned down the chance to get involved in something as it's unfunded & I don't have the energy to go 'above & beyond'. Relational working shouldn't be a pressure to always say yes.
I'm reminded about the importance of belonging.
And maybe there’s belonging in a place or community- being free to be your true self, rather than having to 'fit in'.
Maybe also there’s belonging *within yourself*- being open to all aspects of yourself rather than silencing ‘unacceptable’ parts...
And maybe there’s belonging in a place or community- being free to be your true self, rather than having to 'fit in'.
Maybe also there’s belonging *within yourself*- being open to all aspects of yourself rather than silencing ‘unacceptable’ parts...
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I'm reminded about the importance of belonging.
And maybe there’s belonging in a place or community- being free to be your true self, rather than having to 'fit in'.
Maybe also there’s belonging *within yourself*- being open to all aspects of yourself rather than silencing ‘unacceptable’ parts...
And maybe there’s belonging in a place or community- being free to be your true self, rather than having to 'fit in'.
Maybe also there’s belonging *within yourself*- being open to all aspects of yourself rather than silencing ‘unacceptable’ parts...
It is possible to still be a decent human being & care, even within a rotten, broken system.
It's important to notice examples of this happening- to appreciate it, & to take inspiration from it.
It's important to notice examples of this happening- to appreciate it, & to take inspiration from it.
November 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
It is possible to still be a decent human being & care, even within a rotten, broken system.
It's important to notice examples of this happening- to appreciate it, & to take inspiration from it.
It's important to notice examples of this happening- to appreciate it, & to take inspiration from it.
Meeting with people with life-limiting conditions, it often comes up about ‘legacy’, & thoughts about ‘what am I leaving behind?’ There can be an initial focus on ‘things’, achievements etc. But more often than not, we come to talk about what matters more- having time & being with people we love.
November 19, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Meeting with people with life-limiting conditions, it often comes up about ‘legacy’, & thoughts about ‘what am I leaving behind?’ There can be an initial focus on ‘things’, achievements etc. But more often than not, we come to talk about what matters more- having time & being with people we love.
Always feels touching to hear years later from people who used to be patients. I love getting bits of life update, like "remember how we used to talk about [important thing]? well you'll never guess what happened..."
Feels a marker of an important relationship that people feel able to get in touch.
Feels a marker of an important relationship that people feel able to get in touch.
November 18, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Always feels touching to hear years later from people who used to be patients. I love getting bits of life update, like "remember how we used to talk about [important thing]? well you'll never guess what happened..."
Feels a marker of an important relationship that people feel able to get in touch.
Feels a marker of an important relationship that people feel able to get in touch.
'The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness & of love' ~William Wordsworth
Amidst the exhausting state of the big picture, the feeling of powerlessness, don't underestimate the little things we can do. These matter.
Amidst the exhausting state of the big picture, the feeling of powerlessness, don't underestimate the little things we can do. These matter.
November 18, 2025 at 8:05 AM
'The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness & of love' ~William Wordsworth
Amidst the exhausting state of the big picture, the feeling of powerlessness, don't underestimate the little things we can do. These matter.
Amidst the exhausting state of the big picture, the feeling of powerlessness, don't underestimate the little things we can do. These matter.
The NHS staff survey asks about staff wellbeing, eg does your org take positive action on health & wellbeing? Yes, ours does- there's a fab Staff Psychology team, senior leaders care
So, are people ok then?
No. The issues run way deeper- staffing, our ability to do a good job for patients, hope...
So, are people ok then?
No. The issues run way deeper- staffing, our ability to do a good job for patients, hope...
November 17, 2025 at 9:06 PM
The NHS staff survey asks about staff wellbeing, eg does your org take positive action on health & wellbeing? Yes, ours does- there's a fab Staff Psychology team, senior leaders care
So, are people ok then?
No. The issues run way deeper- staffing, our ability to do a good job for patients, hope...
So, are people ok then?
No. The issues run way deeper- staffing, our ability to do a good job for patients, hope...
Reposted by Charlie Jones
We just CANNOT keep turning a blind eye to the intense and relentless pressure our nurses and other frontline staff are under.
NHS staff cannot care for the nation if the system is breaking them in the process.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
NHS staff cannot care for the nation if the system is breaking them in the process.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
Record number of nurses suffering nightmares and panic attacks due to understaffing, RCN poll finds
NURSES are suffering nightmares and panic attacks due to understaffing in the NHS, a poll has revealed.Workforce shortages are forcing many to keep working while ill, leaving them “broken” by stress, ...
morningstaronline.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
We just CANNOT keep turning a blind eye to the intense and relentless pressure our nurses and other frontline staff are under.
NHS staff cannot care for the nation if the system is breaking them in the process.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
NHS staff cannot care for the nation if the system is breaking them in the process.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/reco...
If i ask hospital colleagues- "do you think things are getting better?" what would people would say...?
Ofc there's loads of data about performance, waiting times etc. But what many of us really notice is- How are stress/threat levels? Are we able to do a decent job? Are we able to think properly?
Ofc there's loads of data about performance, waiting times etc. But what many of us really notice is- How are stress/threat levels? Are we able to do a decent job? Are we able to think properly?
November 17, 2025 at 7:39 AM
If i ask hospital colleagues- "do you think things are getting better?" what would people would say...?
Ofc there's loads of data about performance, waiting times etc. But what many of us really notice is- How are stress/threat levels? Are we able to do a decent job? Are we able to think properly?
Ofc there's loads of data about performance, waiting times etc. But what many of us really notice is- How are stress/threat levels? Are we able to do a decent job? Are we able to think properly?
Reposted by Charlie Jones
Of course you know why a private market in health care is so bad for health.
The best way to make money is to sell a drug that relieves the symptoms of, but does not cure, a very uncomfortable chronic condition.
The worst way to make money is to prevent illness through social change.
The best way to make money is to sell a drug that relieves the symptoms of, but does not cure, a very uncomfortable chronic condition.
The worst way to make money is to prevent illness through social change.
November 16, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Of course you know why a private market in health care is so bad for health.
The best way to make money is to sell a drug that relieves the symptoms of, but does not cure, a very uncomfortable chronic condition.
The worst way to make money is to prevent illness through social change.
The best way to make money is to sell a drug that relieves the symptoms of, but does not cure, a very uncomfortable chronic condition.
The worst way to make money is to prevent illness through social change.
When someone's in distress, don't go straight to something 'positive' or trying to make it better.
Hear where someone's at, take the time, 'be with'. Be willing to stay with the real discomfort- what a difference this makes, rather than reaching for the temporary relief of a superficial solution.
Hear where someone's at, take the time, 'be with'. Be willing to stay with the real discomfort- what a difference this makes, rather than reaching for the temporary relief of a superficial solution.
November 16, 2025 at 9:36 AM
When someone's in distress, don't go straight to something 'positive' or trying to make it better.
Hear where someone's at, take the time, 'be with'. Be willing to stay with the real discomfort- what a difference this makes, rather than reaching for the temporary relief of a superficial solution.
Hear where someone's at, take the time, 'be with'. Be willing to stay with the real discomfort- what a difference this makes, rather than reaching for the temporary relief of a superficial solution.
We had a proper Bristol day today. A spray paint/graffiti art session in Stokes Croft this morning. Falafels on Gloucester Road for lunch. Then the wildlife photographer of the year exhibition at the museum. Finished off with a walk in Badocks Wood with a soaking wet dog. What a lush day😃
November 15, 2025 at 8:55 PM
We had a proper Bristol day today. A spray paint/graffiti art session in Stokes Croft this morning. Falafels on Gloucester Road for lunch. Then the wildlife photographer of the year exhibition at the museum. Finished off with a walk in Badocks Wood with a soaking wet dog. What a lush day😃
To my amazement, our sons' EHCP reviews seemed to go pretty well yesterday. These meetings usually feel so threatening, but to be fair the case worker was kind & caring, & seemed genuinely commited to understanding & being helpful. Yes, the SEN system is appalling, but there's good people within it.
November 15, 2025 at 10:04 AM
To my amazement, our sons' EHCP reviews seemed to go pretty well yesterday. These meetings usually feel so threatening, but to be fair the case worker was kind & caring, & seemed genuinely commited to understanding & being helpful. Yes, the SEN system is appalling, but there's good people within it.
I often hear patients describe the NHS as something like- good people, individually doing their best, but within bad systems where there's miscommunication & disjointedness. It's obvsly complex. But solutions surely lie somewhere in thoughtful processes, & having resources to enable those processes.
November 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM
I often hear patients describe the NHS as something like- good people, individually doing their best, but within bad systems where there's miscommunication & disjointedness. It's obvsly complex. But solutions surely lie somewhere in thoughtful processes, & having resources to enable those processes.
I get asked to see 'anxious patients' on the wards. When you listen, it usually makes complete sense that the person is anxious. For patients it's a relief to make sense of whats going on, & for us carers it's important we see how the CONTEXT drives anxiety- it's not an intrinsic part of the person.
November 14, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I get asked to see 'anxious patients' on the wards. When you listen, it usually makes complete sense that the person is anxious. For patients it's a relief to make sense of whats going on, & for us carers it's important we see how the CONTEXT drives anxiety- it's not an intrinsic part of the person.
More & more it's clear that the most effective way to help people is to listen, to understand needs, & then find ways to meet needs. A holistic, human approach.
And at the same time, i see overwhelmed services having tighter & tighter criteria on what we can offer. It's narrow & service-centric.
And at the same time, i see overwhelmed services having tighter & tighter criteria on what we can offer. It's narrow & service-centric.
November 14, 2025 at 8:37 AM
More & more it's clear that the most effective way to help people is to listen, to understand needs, & then find ways to meet needs. A holistic, human approach.
And at the same time, i see overwhelmed services having tighter & tighter criteria on what we can offer. It's narrow & service-centric.
And at the same time, i see overwhelmed services having tighter & tighter criteria on what we can offer. It's narrow & service-centric.
Any clinical psychologists out there who work in Allergy services?
I'd be very glad to be in touch if poss.
Thank youu
I'd be very glad to be in touch if poss.
Thank youu
November 13, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Any clinical psychologists out there who work in Allergy services?
I'd be very glad to be in touch if poss.
Thank youu
I'd be very glad to be in touch if poss.
Thank youu
I'm feeling a heightened appreciation for people who do so much behind-the-scenes caring. It can be practical tasks- like making life easier for others in families, communities, or work; or it can be about holding in mind what's going on for people.
This 'hidden' care holds so much together.
This 'hidden' care holds so much together.
November 13, 2025 at 8:39 AM
I'm feeling a heightened appreciation for people who do so much behind-the-scenes caring. It can be practical tasks- like making life easier for others in families, communities, or work; or it can be about holding in mind what's going on for people.
This 'hidden' care holds so much together.
This 'hidden' care holds so much together.
Heard two consultants describing how they are used to receiving criticism from patients these days & they know they can’t offer anything like the level of service they want to. And this has just become normal. Highly compassionate & skilled people... reduced to ‘getting through the numbers’. So sad.
November 12, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Heard two consultants describing how they are used to receiving criticism from patients these days & they know they can’t offer anything like the level of service they want to. And this has just become normal. Highly compassionate & skilled people... reduced to ‘getting through the numbers’. So sad.
I hear experts on the radio arguing about the state of the NHS- citing various stats to indicate areas that are improving or where it's really bad.
All feels a bit removed from reality.
It's hard to put into words (or data) the widespread exhaustion there is in the NHS. The sense of powerlessness.
All feels a bit removed from reality.
It's hard to put into words (or data) the widespread exhaustion there is in the NHS. The sense of powerlessness.
November 12, 2025 at 8:14 AM
I hear experts on the radio arguing about the state of the NHS- citing various stats to indicate areas that are improving or where it's really bad.
All feels a bit removed from reality.
It's hard to put into words (or data) the widespread exhaustion there is in the NHS. The sense of powerlessness.
All feels a bit removed from reality.
It's hard to put into words (or data) the widespread exhaustion there is in the NHS. The sense of powerlessness.
I often share this 3min video, about acceptance, by Prof Tamar Pincus. It's a good prompt for conversation. It's about chronic pain, but the idea's transferable to other chronic conditions. Acceptance is hard, & involves a lot of grieving.
youtu.be/ZUXPqphwp2U?...
youtu.be/ZUXPqphwp2U?...
Pain and Me: Tamar Pincus talks about chronic pain, acceptance and commitment
YouTube video by Royal Holloway Psychology
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I often share this 3min video, about acceptance, by Prof Tamar Pincus. It's a good prompt for conversation. It's about chronic pain, but the idea's transferable to other chronic conditions. Acceptance is hard, & involves a lot of grieving.
youtu.be/ZUXPqphwp2U?...
youtu.be/ZUXPqphwp2U?...
It can be really hard to get into more 'healthy behaviour' habits. Wanting to make changes is important, but intention & will power is not enough. It's not a personal failing to struggle with making changes. It's totally realistic.
November 11, 2025 at 12:08 PM
It can be really hard to get into more 'healthy behaviour' habits. Wanting to make changes is important, but intention & will power is not enough. It's not a personal failing to struggle with making changes. It's totally realistic.
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.