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nickmward.bsky.social
CEO of Change Mental Health🌤️ Trustee of LGBT Health and Wellbeing🏳️‍🌈 Trustee of Mental Health UK 💙 Former teacher & Islington councillor 🌹 Sci fi, politics and history geek, 🚀 Running and gym aficionado. 🏃‍♀️ Just trying to make things better.
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Prolific Poster

I remember being told by my chemistry teacher that I was ridiculous for suggesting that there could be more elements that we just hadn’t discovered yet. Even as a 13/14 year old I was struck by his close mindedness. I’m glad that our thirst for knowledge and truth continues!

The situation in the US is dystopian. I support the peaceful protesters exercising their rights, the government of California threatened and undermined by the White House, and the unjustly detained and deported people. Donald Trump once again showing his true colours.

So I’ve just spent my morning watching cartoons basically… and Transformers One is actually Brilliant! I’d say the best transformers film by a mile! It’s on paramount plus and it’s a strong recommend!

A win, but also just a short reprieve, we must keep the pressure up!

One audience member asked the Board: ‘what do I need to do to be a good enough return on investment?’ What a powerful question. One for which they had no answer. It was an honour to chair the meeting & provide a platform for the people we support to have their voices heard.

What a fabulous trip to Sweden. I loved getting to discuss international perspectives of mental health in the work place and to meet so many fascinating people. Even more I loved getting to visit the Vasa Museum which I have wanted to go to for years!

It doesn’t have to be this way. Today I have an op ed in the Edinburgh Evening News calling on a better way forward with funding for community mental health services in the capital: all of which are under threat. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

We are hosting a public meeting in order to figure out a way forward for vital mental health services in Edinburgh. If you care about mental health services and the power of early intervention and prevention then I strongly urge you to come!

We are finally ready to share our new training! Available to organisations who want to improve the knowledge and skills of their staff on mental health. Expert led and evidence based, we believe we are offering something really exciting here. It has been a huge amount of work but will be worth it!

@edinburghminute.bsky.social reports proposed cuts to Thrive Edinburgh. With clear links between #mentalhealth and #risktakingbehaviour in young people, leaving 4,367 people in #Edinburgh would be without community mental health support is hugely concerning. #youthwork #community

Thank you to @edinburghminute.bsky.social for doing such a big feature on the proposed mental health cuts. They really will be devastating for so many in the city and seem so incredibly short sighted and ultimately self defeating. It is good a light is being shone on this potential tragedy!

The proposals, which are to basically end community mental health services in Edinburgh, are not just hugely damaging and short sighted but also self defeating. We were grateful to @foysolchoudhury.bsky.social Miles Briggs & Jeremy Balfour for raising it with @johnswinney.bsky.social yesterday.

‘It’s outrageous and short-sighted that vulnerable people will not be getting the support they need’ Agree @nickmward.bsky.social @changemh.org 👏🏼

A brill day opening our new @changemh.org resource centre in the heart of the community in Dumfries town centre. Early intervention & preventative support for people with challenging mental health and mental illness, helping to prevent them going to hospital & improving their lives. #MentalHealth

We are letting down a generation of young people. We need more and better community based early intervention and prevention support, not people stuck on NHS waiting lists for years when we know that timely interventions are essential. www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politic...

I am gutted to hear of the passing of Val. One of the kindest people I have had the pleasure of knowing in the Labour movement, who welcomed me back to Edinburgh so warmly and stood up for her principles always so valiantly. She will be dearly missed ❤️ theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/04/cllr...

So great to meet with @tracygilbertmp.bsky.social this week to discuss how absolutely critical community mental health services are to the people of Edinburgh, without which the NHS would be overwhelmed.

Was great to meet with @foysolchoudhury.bsky.social as always, a fierce champion for local services supporting some of the most vulnerable in our society. Edinburgh deserves the very best mental health support and we are going to fight to make sure it continues to get it.

When Trump says these tariffs are “reciprocal” it’s important to know he’s counting stuff like VAT – which is charged on domestic products as well as imports – as tariffs, which no-one else does. Because they’re not. So the numbers he’s giving are all nonsense.

A life well lived. I honestly think that sums Christina up so well - always putting herself on the side of the oppressed. Rest easy.

🏔️ 282 munros means 282 chances to raise awareness & vital funds for mental health this May! Every step counts towards better mental health in our new May Munro Challenge. Sign up now to #ClimbForChange and get your t-shirt & buff 👇 buff.ly/LKNEfE9

At my CLP branch meeting. The Secretary of State for Scotland @ianmurraymp.bsky.social happens to be my MP. There is something glorious democratic about a UK cabinet minister having to come to a drafty church hall and be grilled by members of the community.❤️

Someone decided to be very brave today and re-enact some scenes from the Lion King!

Well said!

UK Prime Minister Starmer hugs Zelensky as he welcomes him to 10 Downing Street. This is how you welcome the leader of the free world.

Seeing the welcome that Zelenskyy got at Downing Street today makes me proud to be British.

Off to my third policy event of the day and if there isn’t food for lunch I’m going to burn parliament down.

This is the kind of content I am here for.

“If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” A classic quote from Malcolm X, who was assassinated 60 years ago today.

Putin says Trump must go further before he’ll even agree to meet. Putin is entirely in the driving seat. The US has alienated its own allies, given Russia nearly all of what it wanted, bought Putin’s warped view of reality, and can’t even guarantee a meeting. The art of the deal, indeed.

How about an election in Russia?

I’m just a pillow.

Honoured to attend Change Mental Health’s 2025 Parliamentary Reception, sponsored by @paulsweeney.bsky.social A powerful evening highlighting why mental health must stay a priority in Scotland. Grateful for their work supporting 10,000+ people across the country. #MentalHealthMatters #Change

Last night @changemh.org held a parliamentary reception to champion and share best practice in early intervention and prevention, particularly in mental health. Every £1 spent on early intervention saves the health system £15 down the line. We need leadership and bravery to prioritise & invest.

🙏🏻 @changemh.org @nickmward.bsky.social for inviting me to your fab reception @scotparl.bsky.social. And great to see some old friends too! @ccpscotland.bsky.social members @samhscotland.bsky.social penumbra.zone and @cosla.gov.uk @samaritans.bsky.social (and those of you I can’t find on Bluesky!)

Wow. Gordon Brown at the Gathering today has been inspirational. He is so passionate about child poverty. It’s so refreshing to hear the policy and structural changes that could make the difference on not just child poverty but also in the third sector, the state & private sector working together.

Getting excited to share our interim report at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow… we already have some great learning and best practice to share! Early intervention and prevention is the answer to many of the struggles our health system is facing.

The richest man in the world has taken over the US government and his first order of business is taking revenge for the fall of apartheid in South Africa www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Our wee kitten Boq got his vaccinations today and has been such a brave boy but he is now very sleepy!

Here are some pictures of our new baby! How name is Boq and we are, predictably and regrettably obsessed.

Forgive me for my language but what is she smoking!? Utterly ridiculous, complete fantasy and actually quite dangerous to the UK’s national interest. As always with Suella - utterly contemptible.

Wow.

Great to hear the First Minister set out his plans for Health and Social care in Scotland - much of it sounds ver sensible but we need a commitment to more investment in early intervention and prevention to relive the pressure on the NHS.

Wonderful!

🪁 Be careful tomorrow and this weekend, with high winds and weather warnings in Scotland. If you're experiencing low mood, SAD or any other mental health condition: prepare, stay connected with others and reach out for support if you need it. Our weather and mental health guide can support you ⤵️

🆕 We're thrilled to have seven new Board of Trustees join Change Mental Health! With more diversity and experience, it will help us continue our vision of a future where no one needs to face mental illness alone. Read more through @thirdforcenews.bsky.social ⤵️

We are so thrilled to be welcoming so many new and talented trustees to @changemh.org ! Diversity brings strength! tfn.scot/news/fresh-c...