Here's to the unstoppables

I know that when you have power, when you have access to make a difference in people’s lives, you need to do it. It’s not easy, and it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted or the lazy, because what we’re trying to do is to give people a different sense of themselves and who they are.

I loved this interview with Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados. I also love her mission to rewrite the future of her country, the region, and, maybe, the wider world ✊🏼

In a week when Barbados embarks on its new future, I feel excited for the country and its people.

For anyone who's ever felt thwarted, here's Bernardine Evaristo on being unstoppable.

Keep going. You'll either get there in the end or you'll get somewhere else entirely which will be good too.

"Unstoppability is something you develop in your life"

I love this notion as it's definitely something I feel now I'm well into the second half of my life. A combination of now-or-never, devil-may-care and increased confidence as I've got older have led me to do things I didn't think possible or didn't even occur to me in the past.

And here's the wonderful, Lianne La Havas, Unstoppable. A good Friday tune, if I ever heard one.

A man living in central Blackpool can expect to die 27 years earlier than his counterpart in an affluent district of London.

Health inequalities are scandalous and I really think all charities working in health should have equity as a key advocacy focus and service delivery metric. Here's a link to a Byline Times podcast about these issues and, of course, there's the Institute of Health Equity. I'm working with clients on this at the moment so drop me a line if you want a chat.

I'm channelling my unstoppability to help those who need it.

Interesting and useful links 🖇️

I thought this was an interesting resource about disinformation

This is an interesting discussion with Michael West about how collective and compassionate leadership improves teamwork and creativity. He's talking about the NHS but it's as applicable in any setting.

Day of the Week 📆

55 years after independence, and following hundreds of years of colonialism, Barbados removed the Elizabeth II as Head of State, and finally severed its ties with the UK.

What am I watching? 👀

We went to see Rebel Dykes and Q&A at the BFI. It started as a history project and ended up as a wonderful record of 1980s lesbian history. A story that needs to be told. Go see it, if you can.

What am I listening to?👂

Last Saturday night our next-door neighbours messaged us to say they were having a party. The white noise button on our SAD lamp was our friend.

Here's a stream in the Brecon Beacons which would work just as well.

Joy-giving things 😍

I went to the football. It was fun.

#UTV (which stands for Up The Villa in case you didn't know)

Have a great weekend

Lucy

If it’s your first time reading this newsletter, find out more about me here.

I write this newsletter because I believe in sharing ideas that help us work towards a truly equal world, particularly in the workplace.

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ChangeOut is created by Lucy Caldicott. You can find more about my work at ChangeOut.org. If you’re looking to have a chat about culture, leadership, purpose, equity, or a facilitated team discussion about any of those things, get in touch. You can also find me on Bluesky, Instagram, and, LinkedIn.

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