360-degree videos are about immersion, presence, and new perceptions. It can be manipulated allowing viewers to be active, gaining new insights, and creating their own stories. The deconstruction of the old storytelling formulae is the starting place. Experiences of the viewer’s presence come first with the story following their perceptions within the 360-degree video. Continue reading

The language and cultures of the democratic free world facilitate these concerns. For totalitarian states, these concepts are the de facto modus operandi. Now, let’s examine the meaning of these words. Bias, Propaganda, and Tendentious Media. Continue reading

We may belong to a nuclear family or an extended family that includes grandchildren such as nieces, nephews, that come from additional relatives such as sisters, brothers of the wife or husband, or their parents. A traditional feature of weddings are the invitations to not only close friends but also the extended family kinship relationships.The social conditions reflecting a culture’s values regulate many aspects of life and marriage. Different societies have rules and precedents about who shall live together, who can marry who, how mates are selected, and the socialisation of children.In the west, newlyweds establish their households away from their parents. Continue reading

British towns and cities - yet here is found within one building alone - as the old priest house connects inwardly by a corridor to a superb modernist chamber of worship. As Mass is due to begin, the Fathers emerge from the corridor into the left-hand nave, by the organ grinder and then swiftly walk across the front and up onto the chancel to commence the service. My favourite features of the church are its “bell” - which sounds authentic but is actually a loudspeaker on the roof playing an audiotape of a ringing bell and the Mater Dei shrine to the front end of the right-hand nave - another link to the past. The full name of the demolished church was actually Mother of God & St James - and Mater Dei is the Latin for “Mother of God”. The exposed brickwork on the interior generates a distinct modernist feel to the whole experience of taking Mass there. Continue reading

Can you live on £1.34 a day? Hard working lone parent. 1 in 5 of our UK population (22%) is in poverty. 4.3 million people in poverty. 8.2 million are working-age adults. 4.1 million are children. 1.9 million are pensioners. 8 million people live in poverty in families where at least one person is in work. 4 million workers are in poverty. Universal Credit Increasing UK Poverty. In-work poverty has been rising even faster than employment Due to increasing poverty among working parents Continue reading

The fire at Stanley Tower was brought under control with minimal fuss. I was home at the time and although I decided to leave the building many of my neighbours stayed home. If Alan hadn’t have knocked on my door to alert me of fire, and if I hadn’t noticed a small crowd of people massing on the ground down below - some of the kids shouting “Get out. You’re on fire!” - I would not have been any the wiser. Continue reading

Many social housing blocks were sold off to private landlords with covenants attached. But the covenants are riddled with loopholes. The upshot is places like Stanley Tower, where a private landlord owns the entity and collects the rent and seeks to maximise profit even though the building is still the only thing between a large group of vulnerable tenants and homelessness. Continue reading

When I go to the job centre, I'm warned, like everyone else is, that if I don't make my appointment within ten minutes of the arranged time, I get sanctioned. Sanctioned means my rent and my food is cut off for six weeks. I'm effectively potentially evicted and starving, My letter always arrives two days late. Continue reading

Here is a Manchester writer advocating positive action to address the Kafkaesque deep state machinations against the sick, poor, disabled, single parents, the unemployed, and their children. The narrative captures the Zeitgeist in reflecting the findings of authoritative reports. Continue reading

And they've advanced me through from basic psychotherapy services for mild depression through to specialist services, saying I need stronger treatment. My condition's getting worse. But when I go to the job centre, they overrule this and say, we're just going to ignore it. You've got to look for work. Continue reading

When they send you letters insisting that you turn up at their job centers within 10 minutes of a time or you'll lose your rent and your food money, which really means eviction and starvation, then the letter that comes telling you when to go to that appointment is two days late every single month and it's stamped later than it's written-- so I would argue that this might be a strategic intention from the authorities to cleanse the underclass and put them onto the streets. And this has been happening for quite a long time now. Continue reading

If you ever wonder why people who have been long-term unemployed appear a little scruffy around the edges - perhaps unshaven and with holes in their shoes and lacking social confidence because they haven't been out even to a coffee shop let alone a pub or restaurant - for months or years nor ever travelled on a bus or train or been able to buy anyone they care for as much as a birthday card - ever - I hope I'm solving the mystery for you. Continue reading

A clean living writer and life-coach with a keen streak of longing for social justice and the requisite political engagement. Deep within the system yet refusing to be eaten by the system. Just biding their time. Watching. Learning. Recording. Not smoking weed. Not drinking alcohol. Not sleeping until midday. Not letting personal health and positive outlook slide. Continue reading

It strikes me that media effortlessly promote their version of the type of people we are and what universal credit does for us. But no one knows how it feels and tastes and smells, and what the sense of hope and shame and despair, and how it really is to be on this benefit. But people like me do.’ Gary Knapton Continue reading

Used first as an ornamental plant. It took until the twentieth century before being widely used as a food source. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and are an essential ingredient for many recipes. There are French claims that tomatoes, pomme d’amour (love apple), is an aphrodisiac. Continue reading

My faith is my life. I love going to church, and I think it gives you the strength to do whatever work God wants you to do. And I feel my role has been to look after and support children with special needs. Highfurlong School Blackpool is the best special school in Lancashire and the country. It has an amazing team that makes things happen. Continue reading

Here is his personal tribute and experience of war. A plea for peace and understanding amongst nations and people is made. 2018 is the one hundredth anniversary of the worlds most deadly war. November 11 is the annual tradition with two minutes silence at eleven o’clock for remembering the ending of World War 1 in 1918. King George V oversaw the first ceronemy in 1919. The Royal Family, the British Armed Forces, and Government continue the tradition by parading at The Cenotaph in Whitehall every year. In the UK, Remembrance Sunday is on the second Sunday in November. Red poppies are sold to raise money for H M Armed Forces veterans needing help. Continue reading

Outdoor Education. The Principal of Bendrigg Lodge delivers a voice over for a walk throw video on the centre's new accessible accommodation. The aim is for young people to make well-informed actions within the context of the outdoor centre’s activities. By reviewing all the essential information, careful, and well-informed decisions are made to successfully tackle challenges. Continue reading

Hi. I'm Gary Knapton, and I'm a Whole Life Design Consultant from Manchester. I've put together a collection of my own insights in a book, which comes out this Christmas on iBooks, and it's called Modern Love. I've taken quite a provocative, incendiary, but good fun stance here. In the global frenetic world where everything's automated and we are one of billions, we can feel very insignificant and really that we don't have any power. To disassemble these assumptions and leave a hole in the reader's perspective, hopefully that they will fill themselves with their own insight. So this is called Modern Love, and it's a set of awakening primers. Continue reading

Here is a mother’s story about trying to obtain expert help and support for her infant son. Due to austerity and cutbacks, people with disabilities have not been able to receive essential medical care or support. An accident during the birthing process may lead to a disability. Continue reading

A relaxed temperament, intelligence, and good health are factors in the child’s strength. Resilience protective factors contribute to positive mental health and well-being. Access and benefitting from expert support is difficult. Only a small percentage of young people are accepted for support by the statutory agencies. There are significant issues. These may be related to social adversity relating to dysfunctional family stress, lack of parental knowledge about local expertise, poverty, or child abuse trauma. A local charity that supports young people’s mental health is ACE in Lancaster. Continue reading

Kyle Rhea is a classic pilotage and great care must be taken due to strong tidal streams. Eight knots are the norm in this tidal gate. However, with good timing and seamanship skills, the Kyle Rhea is a must-do and terrific transit to complete. Even at neap tides, the currents and eddies buffet vessels as they transit this narrow passage between mainland Scotland and the Isle of Skye. Continue reading

The boat’s dinghy enhanced the trip by allowing the crew to have great fun to access and reach the most incredible places. Without the highly functional davits, it would be hard work launching and retrieving the tender. Simply, un-tie two lines to easily lower or raise. The process is stunningly quick compared to the labour-intensive alternatives. How do you waste your time and efforts by faffing around? Continue reading

Can you make positive things happen? Or, are you restricted by circumstances? How can you improve the quality of life and the environment? Action and commitment from local people who care about their environment and others improves the quality of life. What positive actions and commitments can individuals take to help them self and others? Is it possible to overcome the restrictions of families, local communities, or the culture of the wider society? Continue reading

Become a better speaker, a better presenter, and a better leader. Our newly formed club is reaching out to new members who wish to improve their communication skills.Are you seeking: A mutually supportive learning environment, Having fun, Individual coaching, Self-help, Developing a speaking style, To gain confidence and skills Continue reading