May Your roots be strong this Christmastime.

“The Oak Tree” A mighty wind blew all night and day. It stole the oak tree’s leaves, snapped its branches and pulled its bark; until the oak was tired and bare. But still the oak tree held its ground while other trees fell to the wind. The weary wind gave up and spoke to the [...]

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BBC discusses the 1 in 4 Mental Health statistic.

Claudia Hammond unpicks the statistic that 1 in 4 people have a mental health problem. Programme link:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qxx9   Thanx to Dave for this link.

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Rethink tackle Frankie Boyle’s take on Mental Health Stigma.

The mental health charity Rethink has lodged a complaint with Ofcom over a sketch by a comedian which parodied attempts to tackle stigma around mental illness. Read more:- http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/13831

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URGENT APPEAL: London! please help (via DPAC)

Urgent appeal…. This is an URGENT need for sleeping bags, warm lightly used clothes, blankets and anything that can help our street folk NOW in London…. Please ring 07554718487 asap or mail hg_piliontrust @ hotmail.co.uk …. http://piliontrust.blogspot.com/ Please circulate this info around your London contacts…. … Read More via DPAC

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Broken of Britain: Say NO! to DLA cuts – how to take part (via DPAC)

The Broken of Britain is running a campaign on the DLA reform – …….Members of the public: We may feel quite powerless at times, but there is a lot we can do to maintain the pressure. To do this, follow the steps in this Campaign Resource. The 14th-16th of January 2011 will be the date [...]

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We get extra points for the wheelchair ones, clarify riot police.

Following criticism of their treatment of a wheelchair bound protester during last week’s student protests, police have sought to clarify the situation explaining they get extra points for hitting the wheelchair ones. Thumping good read http://newsthump.com/2010/12/15/we-get-extra-points-for-the-wheelchair-ones-clarify-riot-police/

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Students win trade union support for tuition fees protest.

GMB and Unite leaders support planned London march while police chief says demos mean officers are not fighting crime. Article continues:- http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/20/students-trade-union-support-protest

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Petition the Minister for Disabled People to Recall the Public Consultation on DLA Reform

We, the undersigned, urge the Minister for Disabled People to recall the Public Consultation on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) reform, and to cease work on reform of this benefit, due to serious flaws in the consultation paper. As such, the consultation questions are deeply skewed and any answers will be likely to support wholesale reform. [...]

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Christian mental health worker faces disciplinary action over booklet warning of dangers of abortion.

A Christian mental health worker has been suspended from her job as a psychological wellbeing practitioner after passing on a booklet to colleagues containing information about the risks associated with abortion. Article continues:- http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.mental.health.worker.may.lose.job.over.abortion.advice/27282.htm

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“I’d rather steal than have my children go homeless & hungry.”

I was delighted when my family of 4, now 5, finally made it off benefits this year when I got married in September. Now we only need to claim some child tax credits because my partner is working – as well as a partial top up on the rent via housing benefit, because my wife [...]

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RETHINK Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square.

  A Merry Christmas from RETHINK The UK’s leading Mental Health Membership Charity. http://www.rethink.org

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Firms Accused Of Mental Health Prejudice.

A poll has suggested “prejudiced” British businesses are failing people with mental health conditions from recruitment level through to on-the-job support. Read more:- http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/British-Business-Accused-Of-Prejudice-In-Attitude-To-Staff-With-Mental-Health-Issues/Article/201012315863445?lpos=Business_Second_Home_Page_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15863445_British_Business_Accused_Of_Prejudice_In_Attitude_To_Staff_With_Mental_Health_Issues

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RETHINK: Mark Davies on North Staffordshire closures.

Alastair Campbell is supporting Rethink with his hit novel All in the Mind. He is donating the proceeds of all copies sold through Rethink’s mentalhealthshop.org.uk to support Rethink’s work. We’re stocking this on our revamped Mental Health Shop, where you can order a signed copy.   BBC Radio Stoke – 20th December 2010 In a report about the [...]

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Seaneen Molloy on benefits in The Guardian.

This week, people across the country protested against the cuts in welfare spending. Without a mobilising force such as the NUS behind them, it remains to be seen if they will dent the public consciousness as much as the student protests have done. Article continues:- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/17/benefits-helped-turn-life-around

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Steve Bell on David Cameron’s meeting with the unions

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cartoon/2010/dec/21/steve-bell-david-cameron-unions

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“Dear Mr Cameron, my mummy cried last night.”

Sent by a friend who was asked by her neighbour’s daughter for the Prime Minister’s address.  Very sad. I wonder if she’ll get a response. “Dear Mr Cameron, My Mummy cried last night. She said we have to move house next year.  My Mummy is kind and good. My Mummy has a mental illness called [...]

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An NHS “meltdown”! Could that be the downfall of Cameron?

The NHS warning signs that should horrify David Cameron The PM will pay a heavy price if he presides over a meltdown in the health service, argues Mary Riddell. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/maryriddell/8215052/The-NHS-warning-signs-that-should-horrify-David-Cameron.html?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d1087393de02862,0

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Spare a thought for all those who’ve had their flight cancelled, say UK homeless

With the UK experiencing subzero temperatures, and the vulnerable faced with life-threatening conditions, the UK’s homeless have asked people to spare a thought for those facing long delays at the nation’s airports. Thumping story continues:-     ;-p http://newsthump.com/2010/12/20/spare-a-thought-for-all-those-whove-had-their-flight-cancelled-say-uk-homeless/

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URGENT ACTION for today: contact LibDem MP Stephen Lloyd (via DPAC)

URGENT action from home needed today p/s A sample message – Please halt the cuts. Cuts will cause further institutionalisation, homelessness and deaths for disabled people and others in poverty. This is false economy, unwise and unkind. Season's greetings.   The government are trying to sneak through changes to Housing Benefit which will result in [...]

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University of Alberta researcher uncovers a trigger for anxiety

Discovery may lead to new drugs to block most common mental health problem. Read more:- http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/University+Alberta+researcher+uncovers+trigger+anxiety/4003329/story.html

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“The eugenics movement Britain wants to forget.”

In the first of a three-part series to mark disability history month, Victoria Brignell looks back at the way the UK and USA have treated disabled people and uncovers a history that both countries would prefer to forget. Read on: http://www.newstatesman.com/society/2010/12/british-eugenics-disabled Thanx Lynn Harrison for this link.

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“2011: The year political activism and progressive politics goes open source:

Read more:- http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/12/2011-open-source-political-activism-progressive-politics/

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The 12 Days Of Cripmas – by Bendy Girl, sang by Imana.

The 12 Days Of Cripmas is a topical take on an old classic listing the benefits and services currently being removed from disabled people in Britain. The lyrics were written by a user of the Ouch messageboards, sent to Where’s The Benefit and the track produced and directed by BendyGirl of The Broken Of Britain. [...]

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Osbourne The Artful Tax Dodger. Sponsor 38 degrees ads campaign.

  SPONSOR THE TAX DODGER ADS **UPDATE: We reached our target and have bought the first round of ads – they’ll be splashed all over the papers on 4th January. Next we’re going to put our tax dodging ads on billboards and bus stops across the country – we all need to raise at least [...]

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Crippen on Condem Hidden Agenda

Hidden agenda?!   Tories investment opportunity   Everything that the CONDEMs are doing with regard to disabled people seems aimed at getting us all (back) into residential care. Taking away huge chunks of benefits payments, stopping the Independent Living Fund, slashing health care, housing and transport provision; all of these cuts seem designed to put a [...]

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