Westminster Innovation to Teach the Nation

After the anti-bullying story, which emanated from the local Quintin Kynaston School a month or so ago (see "The Youth, and Nothing but the Youth") below, I went to interview Vitto Farci, for a slightly more in-depth look at his work.

As the UK's youngest ever educational consultant, involved with a great deal of innovative work with Westminster Council, I felt Mr Farci was worthy of a story all of his own. The story was submitted, as usual, to the Wood & Vale. I am waiting to see which page it appears on, since it is not a time sensitive piece. So I'll get back to you on that!

Westminster Innovation to Teach the Nation.

A ground breaking approach to tackling student issues in a St John’s Wood school has paid dividends after its first term.

The pioneering scheme is now set to be rolled out to schools nationwide, via a series of forthcoming conferences.

Eighteen year old Vitto Farci took up a new position as the UK’s youngest ever educational consultant at Westminster Council in September, helping to bridge the gap between students and school governors.

Mr Farci, a Learning Support Assistant at Quintin Kynaston (QK) School, and Educational Consultant at three other Westminster Schools, adopted his position after chairing the Student Voice Faculty at Quintin Kynaston while still a student.

The faculty is one of the largest and most active student voice organisations in the UK, providing a channel for students to voice their opinions concerning all aspects of their education.

Last year, QK Student Voice hosted the first Student Voice conference, involving schools from across London.

Next year, the faculty is set to host a second series of conferences, which for the first time will include representatives from schools across England, to communicate the QK Student Voice ethos loud and clear.

As Mr Farci says: “We’ve touched the surface at local authority level and, as Westminster is leading the way, I think we need to carry on spreading that nationally.

“QK has always done some very cutting edge work. It was as a result of our progress last year, that the Westminster Head of School Standards, Daria Wignall, suggested creating a consulting roll.”

After four months in the role, Mr Farci has worked closely with four Westminster schools including Hallfield School and QK, and is set to expand his role to include more schools in the Spring term.

“I am trying to take the message; that students should not just be seen as learners, but can actively contribute to the educational community; and implant it into other schools.

“As QK Student voice like to say: ‘It’s the voice of the majority that should be heard by the minority in power.’”

BLOG TWO!

Just a brief note to mention that there is a second blog in existence, posted as coursework for the MA Degree. It contains seven of the stories featured here, plus a couple of new pics, and can be viewed by clicking right here on these words!

This is an emergency services story, written for the local newspaper, the Wood & Vale. I stumbled across the story as it unfolded in central London, so out came the camera and pad, and, it's off to work we go...

Fire Brings Christmas Chaos to Central London

Fire swept through the basement of a flagship central London store at midday on Friday, bringing chaos to the capital.

Selfridge Food Hall and Selfridge Hotel, on Baker Street, were both evacuated as four fire crews fought the blaze for 30 minutes.

Police were dispatched to the scene, to assist with the crowds of Christmas shoppers on one of the capital's busiest shopping streets.

Staff were alerted to the blaze, which began in the basement of the Food Hall, by the building's smoke alarms.

The Hotel and the Food Hall were evacuated immediately.

Traffic on Baker Street was brought to a halt as fire crews arrived on the scene.

A Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We received a call shortly after midday. Around 20 fire fighters from Shaftesbury Avenue and Paddington attended the incident. The fire was under control by 12:30 pm. Nobody was hurt."

Staff appeared unshaken. Hayden Stowe, 22, said: "It was around 12, and we just got told to leave. Everyone was pretty calm. It gives us something to talk about on our lunch break!"

Senior staff declined to comment on the incident, the cause of which is still under investigation.

The scene outside Selfridge shortly after fire fighters took control of the blaze.

Oasis Abbey Road

Another short for my favourite local newspaper, which appeared in briefer still form in the Wood & Spoon (the snappily titled gossip section). It concerns a report from the national press which I was able to pick up on, as it contains a strong local angle, what with Abbey Road studios being just around the corner.

The final version lacked the quote, obtained from a staff member at the studio who I happened to bump into socially. Clearly such "off the record" quotes are not quite official enough! The Wood & Vale subs also went for a classic Oasis headline, faithfully reproduced below.

Studio is Hardly an Oasis of Calm for Noel

Noel Gallagher was reportedly placed under police protection last week at Abbey Road studios, St John’s Wood, where British rock gods Oasis are currently recording their seventh album.

The band were forced to call police in after a “crazed Greek fan” turned up at the studios in a bid to force his way in and confront the Oasis guitarist.

A source at the studio told the Sun newspaper: “The guy showed up in a proper rage. He claimed he had recorded all this material that Noel had nicked for the new album.

“This fella was fuming and threatening to beat Noel up. He heard the police were coming, and turned on his heels.”

Staff at Abbey Road were remaining tight lipped concerning the latest reports. A studio source said: “It was just another Oasis nutter. We are getting about two or three of them every week at the moment.”

Oasis have suffered many well publicised rows during recording of past albums, including an incident at Rockfield Studios in Wales, when Noel Gallagher reportedly axed the band temporarily, during the recording of “What’s the Story, Morning Glory?”

It would appear, however, that all is going to plan for the bands latest offering, bare the odd “Oasis nutter”!

What do you get for the person who has everything?

This was a quickie for the Wood & Vale, running with the Christmas theme, concerning the annual zoo fund raising escapade that is "adopt an animal"! After the monkey tale, and the steady flow of press releases that originate from the zoo, it is turning out to be a good source of local news here in Westminster.

It's that familiar Christmas time conundrum. Just what do you get for the person who has everything?

Unless, the person who has everything already has a giraffe to call their own, staff at London Zoo just may have the perfect solution.

The zoo's long running animal adoption scheme provides the ideal gift for that special somebody in your life, be it a friend, partner, family member, or even yourself!

Under the scheme, members of the public may adopt an animal at the zoo for as little as £20.

Adopters receive a colour photograph of their adopted species, together with an adoption certificate, annual subscription to "Wild About" magazine, as well as an opportunity to visit the zoo.

As a festive incentive this year, anyone who spends over £30 on an animal adoption will also receive two tickets to visit their adopted animal, absolutely free.

The scheme allows adopters to support the zoo and its far reaching conservation work worldwide, on a level appropriate to themselves.

Supporters can adopt any animal at the zoo they wish, from Asian lions, to bird eating spiders!

Last orders for Christmas delivery must be made by the 17th December 2007. Arrangements can be made online at http://www.zsl.org/, or by contacting the zoo at 020 7722 3333.

Malnutrition in Westminster?!

Another day, another council press release. This led to an interesting story involving attempts to combat malnutrition in sheltered housing in Westminster. The press release concerned the council's plans to introduce screening, but I wrote the story, reangling it to focus on the results of the "shock" survey!

This appeared as the lead on page 15 of the Wood & Vale, Dec 7th 2007.

Eat Your Lisson Greens.

Hundreds of people living in sheltered housing across Westminster may be at risk of malnutrition, a shock survey has revealed.

The pioneering study found that a quarter of 61 people on Marylebone's Lisson Green Estate were at risk, with five requiring urgent referral to a medical professional.

When the findings are applied across Westminster, the total number at risk of malnutrition is 625.

The study has resulted in sheltered housing managers across the borough being trained to screen residents for malnutrition, the first time such a scheme has been rolled out in London.

Until now, neither councils nor Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) have been required to screen among sheltered housing residents.

Health boss Cllr Ian Adams said: "Surprisingly, there has been very little work assessing and tackling the risk of malnutrition among this very vulnerable group. Westminster is now leading the way in this respect."

Westminster PCT Lynda Hamilton said: "Good nutrition is absolutely essential to good health and well being.

"By working in partnership with the council we can ensure residents are referred to the right services. We can also be proactive and tailor health promotion programmes to encourage healthy eating and living at home."

Housing managers will incorporate screening within coffee mornings and other social events, so that emerging problems can be identified before chronic risk manifests.

Following the new initiative, residents will be screened by trained sheltered housing managers on a six monthly voluntary basis.

The results of the Westminster study reflect the finding of the British Association for the Parental and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN), who last week announced similar rates among hospital and care home residents.

BAPEN spokesperson Rhonda Smith welcomed the results. "We congratulate Westminster for their pro-active work in this field, and look forward to refining this work with other boroughs across London, and nationwide."

Professor Marinos Elia, Chair of BAPEN, said: "These findings establish- if there was ever any doubt- that malnutrition is a major public health issue in the community, that must be addressed both at source, and when individuals are admitted into care."

A DVD showing how council and PCT teams should work together will also be made available to health and social care professionals in he New Year, courtesy of Westminster City Council.

Venice- Trading on Romance.

In a brief departure from news and newsy-led features, here is a short but sweet travel article, produced after a recent three day trip to Venice.

The article was sent to the Realbuzz.com web site, with a view to writing a little more regularly for them at some point in the future.

Travel writing has always been a huge passion, though I've barely had time of late. Getting away, even though only for a few days, gave me the chance to experiment a little further through the Realbuzz.com site. We shall see how it goes...

Venice- Trading on Romance.

Small yappy dogs with legs woefully too short to match the brisk pace of their owners move purposefully through the narrow maze of alleyways, clad in snug fitting Dolce and Gabbana jackets. Hang on a minute; The owners?…or the dogs?

Welcome to the city of Venice, where even the canines are decked out in this season’s latest.

In a place where image is everything, Venice has worked tirelessly over the years to cultivate a reputation for continental passion and simple romance.

The Italian state tourist board tells of a city whose “fragile beauty and romantic history succeeds in transporting the visitor back in time”. A city where “romance and water intertwine”.

These labyrinthine waterways continue to fulfil their historical role as the life giving veins and arteries of the city.

Alongside the ever-present iconic gondolas, motorboats chug by bearing the logos of Venetian laundry firms, making their deliveries and collections at the canal side service doors of the hotels and hostels.

Council workers pass in the opposite direction, taking away the city’s refuse by means of a crane attached to the deck of their small craft.

Venice itself is something of an oasis in global terms, in that the city is virtually traffic free. The many cars, buses, and trains that make the 4 km trip across the historic causeway from the Italian mainland to the Venetian centre remain at the western tip of the island, journeys continuing on foot, or by boat, leaving the city’s infrastructure to function around the maze of waterways.

It is this permanent presence of water that has served the city’s romantic reputation so faithfully over the centuries. Life moves noticeably slower if it floats by. The familiar inner-city sound track of blaring horns and wailing sirens is replaced by the gentle chug of an outboard engine, and the age old toll of bells echoing through the alley ways from any one of the city’s myriad churches.

Venice in 2007, however, is a city struggling beneath the weight of the pre-conceived notions held dear by its millions of visitors every year.

Despite the encroaching chill of winter on a crystal clear November morning, gondoliers fight over our custom like vultures over a scrap of meat. Competition for the tourist coin is cut throat.

My friend and I manage to find a couple to split the not inconsiderable 80 Euro cost of a 40 minute ride. As we move lazily through the canals, I expect to turn and watch as our gondolier spends half his time propelling our gondola, and the other half attempting to joust passing gondoliers into the cold, murky waters.

The city also suffers somewhat from its overt fashion consciousness. As dogs pass by in Dolce and Gabbana, immigrant workers lay their wares upon row after row of pavement stalls, no more than a collection of blankets, spread with Prada handbags and Yves Saint Lauren sunglasses. The goods are offered up to tourists at a fraction of the cost of the real thing.

In Venice, it is so easy to feel you have arrived at an exclusive party in your best Primark sweater. The curious Venetian propensity for hanging line upon line of identical underpants out to dry in a shameless display of routine taste is therefore most refreshing.

I am almost tempted to reveal my “Instant Lover- Just Add Beer” underpants, and declare myself "best dressed man in Venice".

Combine this with the vast collection of tourists clad in anoraks and baseball caps, and Venice succeeds in creating the air of a perpetual down market fashion show masquerading as upmarket glamour and designer savvy.

The many restaurants and cafes that line the streets cater again to tourist expectations. This is no bad thing however, as eating in Italy is a joy, with cheap but good quality red wine and the ubiquitous pasta and lasagne dishes, drizzled with olive oil and fresh garlic.

Sitting and watching the people go by, enjoying the sites as thousands of commuters pass aboard the regular boats on the canals is a simple but entertaining way to round off what is often a long, tiring day spent on foot.

Despite the lateness of the year, and the cool temperatures, Venice remains a teeming city. It is easy to see that in the height of summer, when the vast majority of tourists flock here in search of solitude and romance, the number of people crammed onto the small island would go some way to ruining exactly that.

Venice is the ideal case study of an all too common tourism conundrum: The thousands drawn by their pre-conceived expectations inevitably cause the very collapse of the experience they have travelled to find.

In short, if a thousand people join the search for a single contact lens, the lens is more likely to be crushed underfoot, than recovered untarnished.

Westmead

This story was written for the Wood & Vale, during my ongoing work experience, appearing on page .....

It was sourced from a Westminster Arts Council press release. It concerns an extremely innovative approach by the council towards social care, particularly in the field of dementia, which culminated in a diary event that I was able to cover in person.

Home Is Where The Art Is

Residents of the Westmead Elderly Resource Centre performed a musical extravaganza on Friday, displaying a fine ear for a tune.

The performance, part of the Westmead Music Project, was conducted by musicians Fraser Trainer and Pete Whyman.

Pete Whyman performing alongside Westmead residents

The show was one of a number being organised by Westminster Arts, in an ongoing project to build partnerships with Westminster Adult Services, offering a growing expertise in the link between the arts and social care.

Kevin Williamson, Head of Housing and Care Services, said: “We had three or four generations of people gathered together here. Through this project, we aim to challenge people’s perceptions of the elderly.

“We hope to develop something quite innovative, to find ways of giving the staff at the home a different way to offer care. We would like to leave a certain legacy behind, to provide staff with the tools to engage the residents on a different level.”

Pete Whyman

Many of the residents of Westmead suffer from various forms of dementia, a particular issue which the music project aimed to tackle.

Musician Fraser Trainer has worked with the residents and staff of Westmead, alongside his colleague Pete Whyman, for the past four weeks in preparation for the grand performance. He said:

“It was so nice to see so many smiling faces together in the room. It’s been a huge journey for us.

"The residents composed at least fifty per cent of the final piece. Through this process, we tried to work on the strengths of everyone involved, to come up with innovative ways of challenging and dealing with things that could be viewed as weaknesses.”

The final piece was inspired by the lives, personalities, experiences, and imaginations of both the residents and the care workers.

Anything Goes!

A CD of the final performance is being produced for everybody involved. A DVD documenting the journey, including the final performance, is also under production.

Resident Vera Chapra was hugely impressed by the performance. “It was really very, very nice” she exclaimed. “Absolutely marvellous!”

Did Somebody Say "Amateur?!"

Here's a piece I generated myself, after hearing on the grapevine of a local amateur dramatics charity. I was invited to go along and watch one of their sell out performances in central London, in order to cover the show for the Wood & Vale, and, just because I wanted to!

Plus, here was a great opportunity for a nice, visual story to brighten up the newspaper, and the blog, and my weekend!

The group, Centre Stage, are performing no less than seven shows, all of which sold out some weeks ago, generating thousands of pounds. No mean feat. And they're doing it purely for the love of it.

I was even aloud to bring a friend. Myself and Annabell had a real nice time. Going to church on a Saturday night hey?!? Who'd have thought it! Check out the videos. Due to considerations of space, the paper could not use the story. Still, a good time was had by all.

Treading the Boards

How often do we hear of Hollywood stars expressing a desire to return to the days of “treading the boards”? Of pining for the flutter of nerves before show time, and the euphoric feeling in the wake of a successful performance?

For the stars of Centre Stage, the St John’s Wood based amateur dramatic society, treading the boards is what it’s all about.

Centre Stage take centre stage!

Centre Stage, a registered charity, has been giving people from all walks of life the opportunity to express themselves on stage for over 40 years.

As Group Director Peter Mills explains: “I have been with Centre Stage for over 15 years. I could not imagine what I would be doing if I was not out there rehearsing two, three times a week. I get so much out of it.”

Past performances include West Side Story and Anything Goes. The group’s current show, “I LOVE Centre Stage”, has been playing to sold out audiences of hundreds for the past two weeks at St Mary’s Church, Old Marylebone Road.

The show is a musical celebration of love in all its forms. When love is good, when love is bad, and when it’s somewhere in between.

Saturday night’s show was opened by Murray Grant, lawyer by day, solo vocalist by night, with Love Changes Everything.

Says Mr Grant: “I’m usually quite calm before hand. It’s only when I walk out there on stage that the nerves start to flutter a little. But it’s great to be the first out.”

23 year old Rachael Holbrook was next up, showing off her strong, touching vocals. Ms Holbrook currently harbours a desire to turn professional, and is in the process of auditioning for a number of rolls.

Racheal Holbrook

The show continued, alternating between group performances, the 30 or so voices easily filling the ample space, and individual acts, displaying the vocal talents of many of the group’s members.

David Walker-Smith gave a series of fantastic performances, rousing the audience with the breadth of his vocal range. Having become engaged the previous week, Mr Walker-Smith displayed an easy familiarity with the theme of the show.

Richard Le Coq continued to entertain the crowd with a well choreographed act, as two beautiful girls fought over the pint sized singer with the barrel sized voice.

The night, however, was stolen by Siobhan McConnan and Paul Cozens, who had the audience in stitches with a classic performance of “I Can’t Do It”, a song reflecting on a fizzled out, passionless marriage.

The passion of Centre Stage, however, was there for all to see. Thankfully, the warning of modest Director Peter Mills- “the more you drink, the better we sound”, was unnecessary. The dramatics may have been amateur; but the ability and passion, were nothing but professional.

Perfect Harmony!

Centre Stage are always on the look out for new members, so, if you belt out show tunes in your bedroom, and have a natural flair for jazz hands, why not put your talents to good use, and tread the boards around St John's Wood? Whether you wish to be on stage, or help out behind the scenes, simply email your details to centrestagelondon@yahoo.co.uk

The Youth, and Nothing but the Youth.

Another piece which started out as a simple press release. The man behind the scenes, Vitto Farsi, is an incredibly cool guy, and is only 18 years old. Actually makes me feel old!

This was produced for the Wood & Vale, appearing on page 8 of the Nov 23rd '07 issue.

Students at Quinton Kynaston School took the initiative in tackling bullying on Wednesday, at Westminster Educational Department’s annual anti-bullying event.

The workshop, held to coincide with National Anti-Bullying Week, was lead by students of the school, which plays host to one of the largest and most active Student Voice faculties in the UK.

The student led seminar displayed how the voice of students can give a whole school approach to anti-bullying.

Vitto Farci, based at the school and at just 18, the UK’s youngest ever educational consultant, said:

“The whole focus was on cyber bullying. We asked: ‘Are adults in the best position to talk about how to use the internet, and mobile communications, to combat bullying?’

“To promote a complete anti-bullying ethos in schools, we need to come up with ways of empowering the students.”

Alongside the student message, the event included a series of high profile speeches, including a presentation from Quintin Kynaston head Jo Shuter.

Ms Shuter was recently awarded the National Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School award at the Teaching Awards 2007.

There are over a hundred students involved with Student Voice at Quintin Kynaston, with eight Student Leaders sitting on the Student Leadership Team. These eight are the students who run Student Voice, and who spoke at the workshop.

The school also took the opportunity to preview their “Student Voice- The Key to Anti-Bullying” DVD, which is being made available to all Westminster Schools.

Student Voice had an active role in the DVD, helping with filming, deciding on content, conducting interviews, and overseeing editing.

Last year the school hosted the first ever Student Voice conference, with over 40 London schools in attendance. It was the first conference in the UK to be organised and lead entirely by students.

As Mr Farci explains: “Student Voice not only ensures students views and opinions are heard and valued; it also allows students to positively contribute back to the school, which really enhances the positive ‘can do’ ethos of the school.”

The Fruits of her Labour

Here's the result of an interview conducted with my local MP here in St Johs Wood, Karen Buck. Produced with the Wood & Vale in mind, it was, unfortunately, superseeded by a SECOND Karen Buck story, the lady in question choosing that very same week to intervene in a street fight, earning herself a front page appearance. Well done Ms Buck...

The Fruits of her Labour

After ten years representing the people of St John’s Wood and Maida Vale, Karen Buck MP has spoken of her dissatisfaction concerning the issues of housing, and of life chances for children, in her constituency.

Ms Buck, MP for Regent’s Park and Kensington North, was elected to her position in 1997, and, though proud of many achievements, remains dissatisfied with progress in certain key areas.

Speaking from her base in Maida Vale, Ms Buck, who has made the issue of housing a priority throughout her political career, said:

“You have to do your best to meet peoples needs because we can’t have families sleeping on the streets. Making an affordable, decent quality housing offer to people is one of the most important things we can do.”

It would appear that the Prime Minister, no less, is in full agreement. The Queens speech, delivered on Tuesday, focused on the issue of housing.

The government stated a promise to build almost a quarter of a million homes every year until 2016, which should come as music to the ears of Ms Buck, who says that Westminster council still have a lot of work to do:

“I’m not at all satisfied with the progress made by the council. I think we are all dealing with the consequences of a nationwide shortage of housing, which has meant that private housing has become a lot more expensive while the demand for social housing has continued to grow.

“The provision of social housing, however, has been falling for the last 25 years. Now, obviously, turning that around in one borough is very difficult.

“The single biggest driver behind housing need in this country is the growth of single person households. The second thing is obviously house prices; affordability. Lots of people who could once afford to buy now can’t .”

Ms Buck also points to the interlinking issue of life expectancy to further illustrate the economic concerns of families in her constituency today.

“What’s extraordinary, is the fact that we have a nine year gap in life expectancy between people living in Church Street, near Edgeware Road, and people living in Knightsbridge. What kind of society can tolerate that?

“It’s not just a question of having a bit more money or a bit less money. It’s the fact that you will actually live nine years longer if you’re better off than if you’re poor.”

Ms Buck also expressed her concern with the forthcoming constituency boundary changes, due to go into affect at the next general election.

“We go from having a moderately safe labour seat to having a fairly marginal seat. I’d be a fool not to be worried about the political challenge at the next election. The margin, on paper, is a small one.”

Karen Buck does, however, find the time to enjoy the fruits of her labour: “The transformation of parts of this community over the past ten years has been extraordinary.

“You look down the Harrow Road and you see brand new health centres, two brand new secondary schools, and a children’s centre. That practical manifestation is what it’s all about.”

The Patter of Tiny Paws

After the last couple of weeks of mental health anguish, MRSA, and MPs fighting for what's right, it's high time for animals, fluff, paws, toes, softness, cuddlyness and cuteness. The following was produced for the Wood & Vale Nov 16th. Enjoy....(AWWWWW.....)

Having reached the tender age of six weeks, London Zoo’s newest arrival, a tiny black tailed marmoset, is doing just fine…and has even started branching out on his own two paws.

Staff at the zoo were pleased to welcome the vary rare species of monkey to the world on September 30th- the first ever to be born at the zoo. There are hopes it is the first of many for mum and dad- five year old Victoria, and two year old Albert.

Native to South America, the species belongs to the New World monkey family, and is housed in the zoo’s brand new £2 million Clore Rainforest facility, where the family can’t help but feel at home, as they munch insects in the balmy 34 degree heat.

Keeper Maggie Lamb said: “In the last week, the baby has started to show a lot more independence, running around all alone. Victoria and Albert will continue breeding, hopefully until the age of 15 or 16, though they tend to slow down a little once they reach double figures.”

Zoo keepers operate a hands-off policy when it comes to raising the young, preferring to keep a watchful eye on things as mum and dad go about their duties.

As Ms Lamb explains: “As the parents go on to breed, our new arrival will have the chance to learn from the parents how to raise a child. This is often one of the problems with hand reared offspring. The young do not get the chance to learn first hand.”

So expect the patter of tiny paws to reverberate around the Clore Rainforest once again in the near future.

There is, however, one small problem at present. The new arrival is yet to be christened. Due to the hands-off raising policy, nobody can be sure whether they are naming a male cheeky monkey, or a female!

Hitchin' a ride!

Health Funding Cut is 'Threat to the Vulnerable'.

So, as promised, the big menatal health story. Now, I can only take the credit for around 80 per cent of this. The immigration angle was not my doing at all, and was added during the subbing process at some point. This was something of a surprise, but, as I am coming to learn, what ends up on paper is not always what you send the subs. So here it is, (with the subbing addition in red.) This appeared as the lead on page 14 of the Nov 2nd Ham & High. The images are my own.

Health Funding Cut is 'Threat to the Vulnerable'.

Westminster faces a £25.3 million cut from its social care funding if radical government reforms go ahead.

Local authorities across London have been forced to brace themselves against the threat of losing a drastic £420 million from their budget under the reforms.

The moves would slash funding for the physically and mentally disabled, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and mental health services.

Abbey Road mental health centre: facing an uncertain future
if planned government cuts go ahead.

The warning from London Councils, the group which represents all of London's 33 councils, comes at a time when social care funding in the capital is already overstretched.

More then 80 per cent of London councils have been forced to restrict their services to those with substantial or critical needs.

Westminster is currently able to provide care to people with moderate levels of need but if reforms go ahead the future is uncertain.

Health boss Cllr Edward Argar said: "If this new formula is introduced, we risk facing a severe shortage in our funding for social care.

"This would impact upon some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

"It does not take full account of people with complex needs, such as those with mental health or drug problems, many of whom are often attracted to the anonymity and bright lights of places like Westminster."

"At a time when the pressure upon adult social care is increasing for a variety of reasons, it is vital that services such as these get the resources they need to support people.

"We are determined to continue to provide the excellent services we do now. This really makes an impact on people's lives.

"To do that it is vital that the government ensures that we get the long term funding that is needed, rather than tinkering with spending."

An announcement on the proposals is expected in the coming months, when ministers will make final decisions over how funding is distributed until 2011.

Ministers are threatening to remove protection that prevents cuts to social services grants in several regions.

But critics have been quick to point out that the new formula unfairly discriminates against urban areas. And they say the cuts will be doubly damaging considering the extra pressure put on the capitals resources by an influx of migrants.

Finance boss Cllr Colin Barrow said: "There are many benefits to hard working migrants living and working in our city, but we are concerned about the inability of official statistics to keep up with the pace of change that means a rising number of councils are not receiving the government funding they need.

"Official statistics do not take account of people who say they are coming to the UK for less than 12 months and places like Westminster attract huge numbers of these 'short term' migrants.

"At present the government prefers to ignore these people, as they are too difficult for them to measure, rather than fund services to support them."

During a survey of 70 psychiatrists by the mental health charity SANE, two thirds said that "more funding, more staff and beds, and better facilities for patients are all crucial for the improvement of mental health care".

A pair of shorts...

Just to keep things moving, here's a couple of shorts from the Wood & Vale, November 2nd. The first originated from a Conservative Party press release. I could not resist poking a little fun! The second is from a Westminster Council press release. To follow, there's a longer, more involved piece on mental health. This will be uploaded shortly.

Tories Get Cosy in run up to General Election.

There was an enthusiastic round of back slapping this week among local Conservative Party candidates, with Joanne Cash and Shaun Bailey pledging to develop closer ties between their neighbouring constituencies.

Mr Bailey, the candidate for the newly established Hammersmith constituency, praised the work of Ms Cash, the candidate for Westminster North.

Mr Bailey said: "Already, in a very short space of time, Joanne has worked with some of the most disadvantaged people in the constituency. This has demonstrated her belief in social justice, and her desire to change people's lives for the better."

The mutual admiration continued with Ms Cash returning the compliment: "Shaun is a fantastic ambassador for the modern Conservative Party," she said.


Citizens Help Lay Down Law

More than 700 Westminster residents are taking to the streets in a bid to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and environmental concerns.

The scheme, known as the CivicWatch Citizens, includes individuals and community groups. It began in South Westminster in 2005 and spread throughout the borough this year.

A new phase, Active Citizenship, is being piloted in Abbey Road, Regent's Park, and Bayswater this autumn. This gives the citizens the chance to take part in environmental street audits with the police and council members to highlight problem issues and areas.

A council spokeswoman said: "The scheme has been a huge success. It's all about tackling problems from the grass roots upwards.

"Our members are the people who are living in the area. They know what's going on. This provides us with an effective method to tackle their concerns."

If you would like to become a CivicWatch Citizen, call 020 7641 1007 or email CivicWatchCitizen@westminster.gov.uk.

Mr Wallens, you star...

And, on a slightly less serious note, here is the other piece featured in last weeks paper.

This came about while I journeyed to Brunel one morning, when I happened to stumble across a unique protest. I thought it might be worth a story, and it paid off!

Here, taken from page 22 (the Diary section, written by the some may say mythical 'Heathman') of the Ham & High.

The Times They are a-Changing

Don't tell the editor, but maybe we could all do with taking a leaf out of Luke Wallens' book?

The 23 year old American recently staged an impromptu demonstration at Finchley Road encouraging commuters to make a change and take the day off.

He said: "One can get quite complacent about their routine. I see many people on the street and on my train who have dead pan faces and aimless eyes, day in, day out. I thought I could present an alternative that's always there but seldom used."

Mr Wallens' received more than a few smirks from commuters, no doubt debating whether or not to take his sage advice.

Heathman of course continued with his journey to the Ham & High offices.

Brooks' response

Just a very brief entry...

As if Mr Newmark (see two articles below, entitled 'A Healthy Interest') doesn't have enough on his plate with the community hosptal campaign, here is his response to the profile piece. How nice to see our MPs taking the time to let us know they care!


RE: article reply‏
From: NEWMARK, Brooks (NEWMARKB@parliament.uk)
You may not know this sender. Mark as safe Mark as unsafe
Sent: 29 October 2007 16:57:18
To: Jamie Stewart (jamiestewart7@hotmail.com)


Very nice piece and very complimentary!

Many thanks.

All the best

Brooks

Hospital commended despite superbug risk

Still on the subject of hospitals, as mentioned below, here is the full article on St Mary's, our local hospital here in north London, produced for the Wood & Vale. St Mary's is based down in Paddington.

There's an interesting little tale as to how the story came about. It originated from a press release on the part of St Mary's NHS trust concerning their positive results in the annual health check. A little digging, however, led to a far more interesting story. It raised certain issues regarding which angle to take. One that attacked the hospital for it's MRSA failure, or one which commended it for the health check results.

So, I decided, the contrast between these two angles became the story. At the time of researching and writing, I was fully under the impression that I had a second front page story on my hands. As it was, however, the subs had other ideas. And therein lies a valuable lesson between what I personally consider the big story, and what the editors, who have been doing the job for years and know the paper and their audience, consider the big story. The two opinions are by no means the same.

All part of the learning curve I guess. So, by way of illustrating this point, here is the original story as submitted, along with pics, and below this, is the abridged version, which appeared not on page 1, but on page 13 of the Wood & Vale, Oct 26th, 2007.

HOSPITAL COMMENDED DESPITE SUPERBUG RISK

St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, has achieved good results in the health care commissions annual health check; despite the failure of the hospital to hit targets designed to reduce super bug infection rates.

The report, released last Thursday, rated St Mary’s NHS Trust, which has since merged to form the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, “Good” for financial management, an improvement on the Trust’s rating of “Fair” last year. The trust also received a “Good” rating, for the second year running, for the quality of its services.

“Quality of Services” covers a range of areas including some related to MRSA infection, including cleanliness, and safety of patients.

MRSA rates at St Mary’s were 45 for 2006/07, down from 67 in 2005/06, though this figure is still above that set by the hospitals local delivery plan.

Figures obtained from the Healthcare Commission reveal that, back in June the St Mary’s NHS Trust was asked to make a declaration, stating whether it complied with three separate core standards relating to the control of super bug infections such as MRSA.

The first of the core standards is defined as: “Ensuring that the risk of infection to patients is reduced, with emphasis on high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.”

The Trust declared that they had “not met” the required standard.

A spokesperson for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said: “The infection rates were above projected figures set in the local delivery plans.

“For this reason the Trust declared ‘non-compliance’ on the healthcare standard to reduce MRSA, which forms part of the overall annual health check score.”

After the release of last years figures, Roy Oliver, Chairman of the Patient and Public involvement Forum, St Mary’s Committee, said: “MRSA has been a high concern of patients for the last two years.

“The forum is concerned that non-compliance with national standards on bed spacing, and high occupancy rates, makes it difficult to control hospital acquired infection.”

However, Mr Oliver stated he was: “Pleased that the trust is now screening patients for MRSA as part of their surgical preadmission clinic.” The forum also declared they were “pleased with the progress the hospital has made since the 2005/06 results”.

The Trust has established a “saving lives” task force to tackle issues relating to MRSA infection.

Mark de Costres, 61, contracted MRSA in 2000 at St Mary's, where he was being treated after breaking his leg. He said: “It was very scary. Very frightening. I was kept in isolation for two weeks after being diagnosed. I didn't now what was going to happen. Only my daughter was allowed in to see me.”

Anna Walker, Chief Executive of the Healthcare Commission, warned: “There is no silver bullet for healthcare associated infections. It requires action across [a range of] areas, and relentless attention to good practice for every patient, every time.

“We will not hesitate to use our powers under the Hygiene Code or through investigations to require trusts to make immediate improvements in their infection control practices if necessary.”

The Healthcare Commission has imposed a nationwide commitment to halve MRSA infection rates by March next year.

And the story as it appeared in the Wood & Vale...

Healthy St Mary's

St Mary’s Hospital has achieved good results in the Health Care Commissions annual health check, despite failure to hit targets designed to reduce superbug infection rates.

The report, released last Thursday, rated St Mary’s NHS Trust “Good” for financial management, an improvement on the Trust’s rating of “Fair” last year. It also received a “Good” rating, for the second year running, for the quality of its services.

MRSA rates at St Mary’s were 45 for 2006/07, down from 67 in 2005/06, but this figure is still above that set by the hospitals local delivery plan.

A Healthy Interest

Time to take a break from the business of essay writing, and update the blog once more. I think you can tell when you have a fair amount of work on when you take a break from one assignment; to work on another...But there you go!

After last week at the Ham & High, there's a pretty juicy NHS story to upload, but before we move onto that, here's a 400 piece on campaigning Braintree MP Brooks Newmark. The conservative MP who has been representing my original home town since 2005. Since I have no images of Braintree to hand, I am going to attempt to blatantly steal them from the council / Brooks Newmark websites, but in my defence, being a child of the fine Essex market town, I believe I have every right to do as I please as far as Braintree is concerned!

I have a sheduled meeting next Friday with Karen Buck, my MP here in St Johns Wood, North London, which I'm very much looking forward to turning into a news worthy event, so speaking to Brooks was a good way to prepare.

I was also pleased to see Brooks make an appearance at PMQ's on Wednesday last week, to raise the hospital issues mentioned below. Was NOT so pleased with Gordon Brown's sarcastic response, however.

Incidentally, as mentioned previously on this blog, Latest Art magazine will be publishing the full version of the Amanda Sharp interview at the Frieze Art Fair, as they have been able to track down pictures. I'm looking forward to seeing it on Nov 21st. So...here's Brooks.

A Healthy Interest

Brooks Newmark, the Conservative Member of Parliament for the Braintree constituency, is a man with a lot on his plate. Representing the needs of over 100,000 people in central Essex is challenge enough. Doing this in a town which has seen its number of local hospitals slashed from three to zero, while the population has more than doubled, is quite another.

Now 39 years old, Brooks was born in the US, and moved to the UK at the age of nine. He succumbed to the attraction of politics in the 80’s, finding inspiration through Keith Joseph, then a member of Thatcher’s Cabinet. Brooks was elected by his constituency in 2005, succeeding Labour’s Alan Hurst.

As Brooks explains: “There are now two parts to my life. I spend half my time in my constituency, and the other half in Parliament. Every day I respond to around 50 forms of communication. Letters, phone calls, and emails.

“I also try to gain permission from the Speaker to speak in Parliament at least once a week. The conventional phrase is, in fact, “Mr Speaker. I am hoping to catch your eye…”

Though this has not always worked out for Brooks, who has sat through six hour debates awaiting his chance to speak.

Though this doesn’t stop him trying. Brooks is as passionate today about his work as he was the day he began campaigning. He expresses his sense of duty with much clarity.

“I wish to extend 90% of my energies to the 10% who most need my help. I aim to articulate the concerns of those who are less able to speak out.”

The issues currently facing the constituency are various, though Brooks isolates those which he feels most strongly about, in particular, the local hospital. Or lack of.

“A lot of my energy goes towards trying to secure funding from the government to ease the [healthcare] situation in Braintree.” Brooks was recently spotted, placard in hand, launching his campaign to petition for a new community hospital.

Brooks maintains his responsibility within his community. When asked, ‘If you could gain Royal Assent for any law, first thing tomorrow morning, what would it be?’

Salary increases for MPs? Complimentary weekly travel from deepest Essex to Westminster, perhaps? Brooks doesn’t hesitate.

“Women over 40 to receive free screening for breast cancer on an annual basis.” Brooks Newmark is one MP who knows his constituents well.

Friezeing in Regents Park...

And to follow, the Amanda Sharp feature interview, conducted during the Frieze Art Fair.

The fair, lasting 5 days, is ranked among the top three fairs in the world, so I was very happy to score an interview with the organiser at its height.

I have offered a longer feature article based around the interview to a few specialist art magazines, one of whom is hoping to publish later this month. We are, however, having problems with the pics. Still...fingers crossed!

So here is the original, as submitted to the Ham & High. A slighly shorter, sub edited version appeared as a centre spread in both the Wood and Vale and the Ham & High...so not bad for a first days work. The front page, and the centre spread.

A FAIR AFTERNOON, IF SLIGHTLY FRIEZEING

Strolling through the stalls, you are struck by the substantial sense of diversity. Passing the Marc Foxx gallery, Los Angeles, on your right, you continue into the huge space, littered with light and colour. You continue on past the Szwajcer gallery, Antwerp, before popping into the Sommer gallery, Tel Aviv.

80 days? The Frieze art fair takes you around the world in half an hour.

Within the world of contemporary art, the annual Frieze fair is regarded among the top three exhibitions in the world, playing host to 151 galleries from 28 countries over the course of five days every October in Regent’s Park. Many of the world’s foremost artists and collectors are attracted to our doorstep, not to mention around 70,000 visitors.

At the centre of the storm, we caught up with Amanda Sharp who, alongside Matthew Slotover, is joint organiser of the fair, and joint publishing director of Frieze, Europe’s leading magazine of contemporary art.

The fair sprung to life in Regent’s Park in 2003. “To start with, the purpose was pretty simple,” Amanda says. “To try and get the best galleries in the world under one roof. We wanted to make it a place in which you’d want to stay for a while.”

Due to the attraction to big money collectors, some have labelled the fair too commercial, attracting work from artists for the purpose of sale, rather than exhibition, but as Amanda says:

“If somebody actually bothered to come in here, I don’t think they’d feel the same. It’s a prejudice that I would love for someone to come and confound for themselves. If I felt that art was the prerogative of the rich…I would not be sitting here now.”

Amanda says that, since 2003, the purpose of the fair has remained much the same. “I’m very happy that it has the same energy today, that it had the day we opened. If we can keep that, I feel we’re doing well.”

Frieze is more than welcome to its annual space in Regent’s Park. Though who knows where Amanda will stand with her peers next year? Until recently, she was named the 8th most important person in art, but, as of Friday, has fallen to 17th.

Amanda appears somewhat amused: “I think if you’re silly enough to believe you’re the 8th most important person in art, then you’re silly enough to be upset about dropping down!”

The Front Page Splash...

Before I go any further, just a quick note to say, following on from Gordon Brown's election climb down, our national newspaper subs must have been thanking their lucky start that here we have a PM whose name is so transparently open to puns about brown stuff / underpants / etc. Still, on with the serious stuff...

A few people in my area, just north of central London, have remarked how lucky we are to have a series of 'quality' newspapers that cover the area. Namely, the Ham & High series.

So, a couple of weeks ago I put on my best shirt, which, being a student, is not actually a very nice shirt, but is still my best, and went along to see if I would be able to help out one day a week.

The staff were very welcoming, and were happy for me to begin going in every Friday, where I would be working on the Wood & Vale, the specific title for my area- St Johns Wood and Maida Vale. It has taken a couple of weeks for the stories to make the blog, because the paper comes out late every Thursday, so my first weeks work only appeared a few days ago.

So as it turns out...I got lucky. My first day, Maida Vale was flooded due to a burst pipe, and the editors were also happy for me to conduct an interview I had previously arranged with Amanda Sharp, the organiser of the Frieze Art Fair, held that same weekend in Regents Park.

What follows is my original copy. The flood story was the front page splash (excuse the pun). The version which went to press was brought up to date by Susannah Wilkey, the Wood & Vale's full time journalist, shortly before deadline.

FLOOD WATERS DEVASTATE MAIDA VALE

Around 50 properties were damaged and 400 homes were without drinking water in the Clifton Road area of Maida Vale on Friday, after an aging water pipe burst in the early hours of the morning, spilling millions of gallons of water onto surrounding streets.

Flood debris littered the area, and surrounding streets were cordoned off by the Fire Brigade as the road surface began to break up under the sheer volume of water.

Local businesses experienced huge damage to stock, and were forced to close their doors when power was cut to the area around 10am.

Six hours after the pipe burst, Thames Water were still seeking to pinpoint the source and cause of the damage. Spokesperson Nicola Savage said:

“We are having difficulty isolating the source. The Fire Brigade are diverting the flow of water away from local businesses, and we will look into whether the pipe can be fixed, or whether it needs to be replaced.

“We have had to cut off the supply to the pipe, and there is a possibility that these disturbances may continue into tomorrow.”
Warwick Avenue tube station was also forced to close following the power cut, bringing disruption to the Bakerloo Line.

Twelve elderly residents had to be evacuated from Melbourne Court, in the Little Venice area, after flood waters rose dramatically to around two metres in the buildings garage space. The garage, the lowest lying point in the area, stands directly above an electricity substation.

Fearing for the resulting mix of petrol from the parked cars, flood waters, and electricity in the substation, the Fire Brigade evacuated residents at 10am, who gathered at a nearby pub.
This is not the first time the area has experienced such problems, leaving residents less than impressed.
Melbourne Court Porter Broderick Mills said: “This is the fourth time we’ve had a pipe burst in the area. It’s no good replacing these pipes now. They should have been replaced 20 years ago.”

Residents were deeply concerned for their property in the worst affected areas. “I have two Ferraris, two BMWs, and a Ford Mustang, and they’re all under water,” one elderly lady complained.

Responding to the wave of criticism a Thames Water spokesperson said: “We are spending half a million pounds every day replacing pipes as and when required. Unfortunately, sometimes, pipes burst.”

(I'm stealing the title from Saatchi & Saatchi...but how can you not? It's pure gold!)- NOT FLASH, JUST GORDON. (Brilliant.)

I have been a little guilty of blog-neglect over the past week or so, due to the ever growing pile of tasks to get through. So to bring us up to date...here we go.

The following is a 400 wrd article on Gordon Brown's first 100 days in power. Do we have a Blairite presidential figure at the helm? Or a John Major-esqe, open, considerate leader? As it happens, the days immediately following Mr brown's 100 day milestone, were not at all good. He faced the most harsh criticism he has yet had to deal with as PM, due to his dithering over whether to call a November election, and eventual climb down.

The following article was written before all this came to light. It quickly became apparent, after a little research, that in Mr brown, we have a man who realises the importance of shedding the presidential skin, or, as some have been quoted, the Stalinist reputation. But it is too early to say for certain whether this realisation, and the actions performed in its light, represent an honest attempt at open leadership, or are merely further spin.


100 Days at the Top

After 10 years on the sidelines, patiently awaiting his tenure at the top, Gordon Brown accepted the Queens invitation to form a government on June 27th. Now that Mr Brown has reached the 100 day milestone, what of the man, and his leadership style? Is Prime Minister Brown a suitable term, or should we be raising our fists with passionate fervour and declaring “Vive el Presidente!”

It was a baptism of fire, to say the least. With terrorist car bombs, middle England under water, not to mention a timely stab in the back. As Mr Brown prepared to accede to the top job, his former colleague Lord Turnbull warned Britain that Mr Brown “had a very cynical view of mankind and his colleagues. He cannot allow them any discussion.”

Entering office on a wave of criticism from trusted quarters embarrassed Mr Brown, who was understandably keen to shed the spectre of spin and closed door, power monger politics left over from his predecessor Tony Blair.

Within days, reports surfaced in the Guardian concerning Mr Brown’s willingness to hand “power to the people,” via a new constitutional settlement, thus inhibiting his own powers on key issues, including the right to declare war. Now- what did we learn from Iraq…Gordon?

Mr Brown was also conspicuous in his efforts to invite leading Tory and Lib Dem politicians into his circle, to act as advisers in key areas such as security.

So, does this perceived willingness to unveil a new kind of politics, a democratic, classically British style of government, ring true within the corridors of power? Has the ideological circle been widened to allow influence from all sides?

The recent announcement that 1,000 British troops would be home from Iraq “by Christmas,” would seem to suggest otherwise, coming as a surprise not only to the Tories, whose wind was well and truly torn from their conference sails, but also to the Cabinet, who would have expected such an announcement this coming Monday, when Mr Brown makes a statement to parliament on Iraq.

A brief look at Mr Brown’s office confirms the presidential legacy of Mr Blair remains in place, with ‘Chiefs-of-staff’ here and ‘G8 Sherpas’ there.

And at the centre of it all, we have a man waging war against a ruthless Stalinist reputation which continues to preceed him. As he sits on the huge decision whether to call a snap November election, Gordon Brown, post 100 days, is a man whose bark is worse than his sound-bite.