Articles

The latest updates from LifeLine Projects.

Providing stability in our communities

In previous pieces, I’ve often discussed the importance of embracing change, as life constantly presents new challenges. Change can help us to grow and adapt, but stability also plays a vital role in ensuring long-term wellbeing. Stability is about maintaining a steady course, making sure that we have systems in place to prevent too many unexpected disruptions.

3 weeks ago

by Nathan Singleton

Young people: wellbeing and life satisfaction

When you hear Bobby McFerrin’s iconic song Don't Worry, Be Happy, it’s easy to wish happiness was as simple as singing a catchy chorus.For some young people in the world, life has become a lot more complex. Recent studies show that young people, particularly in developed countries, are becoming less fulfilled and satisfied than older generations.Young people now face several...

2 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

SW!TCH Futures: The power of data

In today’s world, we’re accustomed to providing feedback on everything we use or buy, from rating an Amazon delivery to evaluating an Uber driver. A lot of businesses are collecting data. But this isn’t always a priority for charities. They often focus on the hard work of helping people and only later ask for feedback, which then gets filed away....

3 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

Speak up. Be heard.

With the general election fast approaching, I’ve been thinking about how the political process works. Politicians from each party share their ideas and plans with us, and then we go to the polling station, mark our choice on a piece of paper, and… that’s it.

4 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

The importance of listening to young people

As the CEO of a local support charity, I often ponder whether we're genuinely hearing the voices of those we aim to help.This concern struck me recently when I attended an event at the House of Commons designed to foster dialogue between young people and the decision-makers who shape their lives in the UK.While many young people were passionately voicing...

5 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

Is mentoring the new political football?

Here at LifeLine, we have been working closely with the Mayor of London to mentor young people across the capital for the last 15 years. And, while the holder of the title has changed, we are pleased to see that this commitment to mentoring has remained broadly consistent throughout. Now, more than ever, we hope that the power of mentoring...

6 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

Absenteeism: the legacy of lockdown

Educational neglect. Emotional-based schools avoidance. School refusal. Non-attending. Persistent absence. Serious absence. Missing. It's often said that the Inuit have dozens (or more) different words for snow, because they have a lot of it. We, however, seem to have a lot of different names for those repeatedly absent from school. What then does that say about the state of school...

7 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

Mind the Gap: Are the wheels coming off the system?

A couple of weeks ago I was listening to the excellent BBC Sounds programme, World of Wisdom. On this episode, a listener called in with a problem concerning the 24-hour news cycle of the world we now live in. She said that all the negative reporting, especially of world conflicts, was making it hard for her to raise a child...

8 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

Using social media for good

This is my first piece of the year—but I won’t be talking about the New Year resolutions you should consider or how 2024 will be your year for personal growth. I’m returning to a theme that often comes up—change, particularly when it comes to new technology. We live in the Information Age, where we have immediate access to a vast...

9 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

Do what you can, with what you have

Each December, as it gets closer to the end of the year, I find myself becoming more reflective– thinking on what we've gained and what we've lost over the past twelve months.We've taken on quite a few new staff, lost a couple along the way, and welcomed back some former colleagues to LifeLine once more. We've forged new partnerships, helped...

11 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

We want to double down and provide more support in London

Last month, I shared some thoughts I had whilst on sabbatical. I hope you didn't mind the excessive sharing or personal photos. I expected that, on my sabbatical, I might reconsider LifeLine's vision, mission, and activities. I thought visiting other charity leaders would inspire me with new ideas that I would be raring to apply to East London. I was...

11 months ago

by Nathan Singleton

Returning, reflecting

Having worked at LifeLine for 19 years now---with 15 years as part of the Senior Management Team and 5 years as CEO---the trustees suggested that I take a sabbatical. When it was first suggested to me, I thought the idea was outrageous. How would the organisation cope? How would I cope? What would I do? Would there be an organisation...

1 year ago

by Nathan Singleton

Share on