However desirable it may sound, we cannot transform the life chances of a whole generation at a stroke; we can, however, transform the life chances of a whole series of individuals.
Tony Hawkhead, Author at NewStart
Is it too much to hope that the forthcoming diamond jubilee will lead not only to a new commitment to those wonderful Victorian parks and other public spaces, but to the creation of a network of 'Elizabeth' parks to develop the legacy of our 19th century urban visionaries?
It is heartening to note that parts of the private sector are prepared to play a role in these tough economic times.
It’ll be up to us to get it sorted, home by home, business by business. It’ll be up to those in rented accommodation to bring their landlords to account in order to ensure their properties are improved. It’ll be up to homeowners to take the initiative. But if this is to be market-led then everyone should have equal access to that market. So who’s going to do the persuading?
The best stories are about truisms. In this case, every generation despairs of the younger generation and have done so since the dawn of time.
With concerns about the depth of cuts to youth services and a recognition that the government’s forthcoming youth policy is unlikely to come with additional funding attached, there are huge question marks over how this support is going to be sustained in the long term.
It’s scandalous that there are jobs going unfilled when so many are out of work. You can’t tell me that all one million young people who are unemployed are unwilling to get training and qualifications.
Rather than viewing young people with fear and suspicion, the imperative now needs to be on a redoubling of efforts to help build relationships between young people and their communities, and recognising what a powerful force for good they are in our society.
For those sitting on the outside looking in, a green economy may appear volatile, certainly not mainstream... no doubt some commentators would dismiss it altogether. In doing so they miss one very important point: marry social enterprise with innovation and you’ve got the ‘power couple’ of the green economy – and I, for one, confer my blessing on this union.
It’s not about keeping existing workers in work or generating more ‘old’ jobs – it’s not even about reskilling existing workers. Instead we need a catalyst which will enable us to provide new, green, valuable skills to people who are not working, so they don’t just get into work, they get into an area of skills that has a potentially booming future.
