Andy's blog

Housing Cost

Each Monday we cook extra food with people in the neighbourhood and eat together. For some it’s a bit weird being in another home, for others used to the routine they roll in bringing or preparing food. Numbers vary from half a dozen to 25 or more. People muck in. Somehow we all eat together. A recent Monday meal and I’m looking round the room. Times are tough and everyone is looking weighed down. Read more »

Our cities are changing rapidly

 
Living in Hackney - one of the poorest boroughs in the country - since the early 90’s, it’s easy to reflect on incredible change in the area. I’ll be using this blog in part to do just that. From shifting attitudes to the ‘feckless’ unemployed, the impact of welfare reform and housing benefit changes alongside gentrification and an increase in a wealthier professional population.  It comes at you large. 

Spot the difference

Listen to a bunch of activists discussing big issues in their community and more often than not the same general concerns will usually crop up. So, over the last few weeks it's been startling to hear clear contrasts voiced between those working in the north (in Newcastle and Wakefield Anglican church diocese), and those down south (across South London, Kent and West Sussex, in Southwark diocese). Read more »

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