Mashpee Chamber of Commerce’s Post

Yesterday, I got a message from Harriet Gridley, a former TfL colleague, asking for book recommendations. Always keen to help, here's my list of the best books I read in 2024. My favourite was Sam Freedman's "Failed State". If you want to know why the public sector in Britain struggles to innovate, Sam sets it all down with patient clarity. The summary is that Britain is in a doom loop of failure leading to centralisation leading to central overload leading to failure leading to more centralisation. Innovation demands empowerment. This is true of teams and Governments. I also loved Bob Sutton and Huggy Rao's "The Friction Project" about how companies often create incentives that gum up their organisations and prevent the very outcomes they're trying to achieve. I read it while still at TfL and pondering starting Freewheeling. It gave me confidence that the problem I wanted to help solve was universal - and that the solutions I had in mind were the right ones. "The Geek Way" by Andrew McAfee is a must-read for anyone interested in organisations and innovation. We all know that tech firms have managed to stay agile while becoming gargantuan corporations, but how? The book describes the leadership approach adopted in the tech sector. It's one I'm familiar with not just from my startup but from Chiltern Railways: proof that it doesn't have to be limited to the West Coast of America. If The Geek Way focuses on tech, then "How Big Things Get Done" focuses on massive capital projects: railways, power stations, airports. Building an airport and building some software sound like they couldn't be more different but the prescriptions offered by Prof. Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner are almost identical to those of The Geek Way - and super-familiar to me from Chiltern Railways (https://lnkd.in/e7YPbzhT). While the book's about big projects, they highlight how the lessons apply to projects of all sizes with a brilliant anecdote about a family's kitchen renovation that turned into a multi-million, multi-year project. If these books focus on big outcomes, then how about simply focusing on happiness? He's now the Prisons Minister, but when James Timpson wrote "The Happy Index" about his family keycutting business he ended up reaching many of the same conclusions but by focusing entirely on happiness. Why's innovation so hard these days? Well, it's often down to the way our organisations are designed. Dan Davies in "The Unaccountability Machine" explains that the prefix "cyber" originally came from "cybernetics", the discipline of studying information flow through systems. Unfortunately, it became consumed in the internet revolution and we lost interest in the topic - with the result that companies are now frequently designed so that no-one has accountability for anything. I wrote about that this week: https://lnkd.in/ewktgqk9 Nothing to do with innovation but best fiction was "Julia", Sandra Newman's brilliant retelling of 1984 through Julia's eyes.

You HAVE to know that this is an election year, but did you know August is Civic Health Month? Voting has a positive impact on the health of all communities and gives health care institutions more opportunities to help people become more engaged. Check out the resources from the AAMC Center for Health Justice and make sure you are registered to vote! #civichealthmonth #civicengagement #voting #voter #healthcare #healthjustice 

East Toronto has 21 neighbourhoods, 5 of which are designated neighbourhood improvement areas by the City of Toronto. Taylor-Massey is one of these high priority neighbourhoods. It is rich in cultural diversity with many residents who are engaged and contributing to a thriving community. Yet this neighbourhood also faces lots of challenges, including inequitable access to health and social care services, particularly primary care. A recent needs assessment conducted by our partner Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services identified priority health and social issues including affordable housing, food insecurity, chronic disease, and mental health. Taylor-Massey residents also access Michael Garron Hospital emergency department more than residents of any other neighbourhood in East Toronto. On November 23, East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP) Ontario Health Team hosted a planning session that brought community partners and residents together to create a shared vision and plan for how we can improve access to care and better address the needs of the Taylor-Massey community. Many of our partners have been investing in this community for decades, but we have not always partnered together for #CollectiveImpact. In the last few years we have had great collaboration to launch our Oakridge Health and Harm Reduction Hub and Health Access Taylor-Massey, but there is still much more we can do. It was inspiring to see such strong commitment to work together, including building more capacity for integrated primary care and expanding local supports and services so that residents do not feel that the hospital emergency department is their only option. On behalf of the ETHP backbone team, I wanted to share my deepest gratitude to all our partners and community members as we take next steps to build a true neighbourhood care model with primary care at the core. Thank you Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, East End Community Health Centre, East Toronto Family Practice Network (EasT-FPN), Flemingdon Health Centre, Harmony Hall, Michael Garron Hospital, Ontario Health atHome, SOUTH EAST TORONTO FAMILY HEALTH TEAM, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Taylor-Massey Residents Wellness Council, TNG Community Services, TNO - The Neighbourhood Organization, City of Toronto, Ontario Health | Santé Ontario, VHA Home HealthCare, and WoodGreen Community Services. Thank you also to the team at TNO - The Neighbourhood Organization for helping us organize and host this event at the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub. We are excited to take one more step to realizing our #OneEastToronto shared purpose 'to build a healthier and more equitable East Toronto – enabling every person and neighbourhood to thrive' 💕 🙏

Today we had the privilege of co-hosting a roundtable discussion on driving greater cross-sector collaboration to address health inequality in the South West, made possible by the incredible support of our co-facilitators Kate Monkhouse from the The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce) and Ian Hudson-Murt from Voscur. It was fantastic to bring together a diverse group of voices from across the not-for-profit, private, and public sectors for an open conversation on how to foster meaningful partnerships for systemic change, looking beyond healthcare to wider social determinants like housing, infrastructure and climate adaptation. A huge thank you to Burges Salmon LLP for providing the venue, and to our speakers Ellie Oriel, VCSE Alliance Director, and Becky Gilbert, CEO of the Baby Bank Network, for sharing their invaluable insights into the power of collaboration to improve the reach of healthcare organisations directly into the communities which most need them. From the discussion which followed, it became increasingly clear that although there are significant challenges to greater cross-sector connection, there is an inspiring collective enthusiasm to break down silos and come together for transformative action. This is just the beginning. We’ll be sharing a summary of the key takeaways and next steps soon, but in the meantime, we’d love to hear from others who are keen to get involved in the conversation. Thank you to everyone who contributed today — your voices and perspectives are what drive these conversations forward: Kate La Tour Lucy Gilbert John Stienlet Ed Rowberry Nathalie Sherring Tim Temple Annie Legge Ed Howarth Ric Hill Brigid Harty Jamie Cameron Toby Howkins Emily Clarke Steve Sayers Danielle Sinnett #healthinequality #collaboration #vcsesector #bristol

What does surfing have to do with community engagement practice??? Find out as PFCCpartners Stephen Hoy shares insights in building effective partnerships in this Camden Coalition blog. Keeping it real!

The journey of transforming Delhi into a model of inclusivity, resilience, and growth is one we walk every day, with a commitment to serve every citizen. Globally, the Aam Aadmi Party now stands for governance that empowers the underprivileged, and each initiative is a step towards achieving the collective aspirations of the people. This shared mission is why the people of Delhi continue to show up, meet us with open arms, and lend their trust as we visit communities across the city. From uninterrupted power supply to the establishment of over 550 Mohalla Clinics, our approach to governance is rooted in practical solutions that touch lives directly. Today, healthcare is within reach for all, not as a privilege but as a basic right. Families no longer have to choose between essential needs and quality healthcare, and this is what drives us — a vision of equity that spans across socio-economic lines. Our forthcoming initiative, which proposes a monthly assistance of Rs. 1,000 for women, reflects our deep respect for the contributions of women. We're particularly proud of our initiative since it is the recognition of the pivotal role women play in building stronger families and communities. When we empower women, we elevate entire neighbourhoods. Beyond these efforts, we are investing in infrastructure that supports everyday life. By ensuring our roads are safe and well-maintained, our sewers are clean, and charges for essential services like water are in check, we are creating an environment where citizens can focus on their ambitions without the strain of basic inconveniences. To think of it, we’re only solving practical problems that weren’t given much focus earlier. Every rupee saved on electricity and water bills or medical expenses is a step toward financial security for the people, allowing them to invest back into their dreams, their families, and their futures. Undoubtedly, one of our most significant achievements has been in the field of education. We believe that every child, no matter their background, deserves access to quality education—an opportunity to learn, grow, and eventually contribute to society. Today this belief has turned into a reality with government schools boasting of better facilities than private ones. The provision of state-of-the-art health facilities, rebates on utilities like electricity and water bills, and education reforms may seem like isolated initiatives but they contribute to the larger vision to build a thriving, empowered Delhi. I extend my gratitude to the people of Delhi, who, by placing their faith in AAP, have enabled us to transform ideas into action. Together, we are not just changing Delhi today but are shaping a brighter tomorrow for generations to come. Thank you, Delhi, for walking this path with us, hand in hand, towards a shared vision of progress, prosperity, and unity.

Excited to share the phenomenal work of Dr. Rajinder Atwal on my LinkedIn today: 👥 Overcoming Racism 🌍 Advocating for Immigrants 🏥 Revolutionizing Healthcare We live in a world that is brimming with categories, expectations and predefined 'norms'. Its quintessential attributes often cast limiting shadows over individual brilliance, creating avenues of struggle and challenge. Yet, the beauty lies in the conquest, in the ply of those who dare to transcend these barriers. « Recognizing. Appreciating. Celebrating. » This could be the mantra for Dr. Rajinder Atwal's tremendous efforts in relation to empowering communities through compassionate care. To summarize the essence of Dr. Atwal's endeavors: 1. He makes a powerful case against racism, exhibiting that it's not just about living through the struggle but also leveraging it as a learning opportunity. 2. Dr. Atwal has also been an advocate for immigrants, possibly one of the most marginalized groups globally. By providing access to better health care services, he pours faith into the seemingly bleakness. 3. The cornerstone of his contributions lies in revolutionizing healthcare, making it a beacon of compassion rather than a purely clinical experience. Can you say Inspiring ? I certainly can. #RacialEquality #ImmigrantRights #HealthcareRevolution Looking ahead, I envision an era where people like Dr. Atwal reform traditional structures, leading us towards a more tolerant, kind and compassionate world. They use the sledgehammer on the walls of stereotypes and stigmas, indeed, a revolution. A resounding applause for Dr. Atwal and may his effort not be in vain. In the face of adversity, compassion thrived, resilience flourished and that is where real success lies. Let's drive inspiration from such individual stories. After all, wouldn't it be remarkable to witness more people harness their unique abilities as stepping stones, rather than surrendering to the iron chains of societal norms? #CommunityEmpowerment #EndRacism #Healthcare {kudos: Dr. Rajinder Atwal)

Social Care News: The Good Care Group has appointed three senior figures to lead the organisation in its next stage of growth. The at-home care provider, which operates across England and Scotland, has appointed Jonathan Byrd as managing director, Laura Davies as chief operating officer, and Belinda Hanton as marketing and sales director. Sara Griffin will continue her […] http://ow.ly/AJkK105WLQN #socialcare

Building on the discussion from our recent webinar on political participation and #healthequity, Rishi Manchanda MD MPH highlights four practices that Medicaid-serving healthcare delivery organizations can adopt to increase #civicengagement. And we are proud to highlight the work done by AltaMed Health Services, Civic Health Alliance, Nonprofit VOTE, State Voices, Vot-ER, and Institute for Responsive Government. 4 Ways to Increase Civic Engagement for Health Equity This Election Year and Beyond https://lnkd.in/gHyxAU6c

How do we take care of ourselves and each other in such a difficult and competitive landscape? I'm reflecting on the year as it draws to a close and am struck by how difficult this year has been for so many organisations. My year began leading the sad closure of Craft Central - an organisation with too many problems to overcome, despite the goodwill and hard work from staff, trustees and its members. The closure marked the end of a challenging time but also a 40 year history of supporting makers and the closure of a valuable maker space in London. It was personally difficult too as I worked very hard to avoid the closure, but with situations beyond my control, it was inevitable. I've become more resilient over the years, but I'm human and this was a very tough time. In contrast however, was the absolute joy of taking the role of Director at People United as Janice McGuinness FRSA McGuiness stepped down after a 5 year tenure. Despite the fact that People United has NPO funding and support from a number of trusts and foundations it's always a challenge to balance big ambitions and desire for impact with limited resources. One of my big challenges in the role this year has been how to lead the repositioning of the organisation to reflect its work as a learning organisation. We've been wrangling with language and how best to talk about ourselves; too nuanced? Not nuanced enough? We've had some help along with way from Giles Turnbull who encouraged us to simplify and be authentic. So, one of the big changes we made was to replace our vision and mission with our 10 positions https://lnkd.in/eygZ-tGy We also worked with the wonderful Lisa Baxter FRSA who encouraged us think about the indicators of success when measuring our impact. We still have a lot of work to do, but we're getting there. And I extend my thoughts of care to everyone in the sector, and those that we work with as we face the challenges and the joy of doing what we do. #radicalcare #learningorganisation #change #impact