UK Social policy research analyst for past 40+ years; self-employed; family carer; animal lover; former private pilot, erratic equestrian, Springsteen follower and village dweller.https://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mwq6ls6kok2uAndy Burnham’s announcement on a National Care Service, some reflections from me https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/hope-at-last-for-social-care-reform/30 Sep 2026 10:55 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwq6ls6kok2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mwimehyscc2jAndy Burnham’s commitment to fixing social care is very welcome. But a 2029 Manifesto commitment for a #NationalCareService offers nothing to people currently facing uncertain and catastrophic costs for care. [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Sep 2026 10:40 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwimehyscc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mwilztcwwc2jConcerns over the wellbeing and whereabouts of #SirRanulphFiennes raise many questions but particularly about the role of the @publicguardian.blog.gov.uk.web.brid.gy https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/26/ranulph-fiennes-explorer-stepson-launches-crowdfunder?CMP=GTUK_email27 Sep 2026 10:34 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwilztcwwc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mvfvlwjits25Worried about AI taking over and destroying us all? Invaluable advice here… https://generativegazette.substack.com/p/practical-tips-for-not-being-killed?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1v02j613 Sep 2026 15:22 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvfvlwjits25https://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3muz4sj5ngk2gOh! Very sad to learn #MontyDon is leaving #BBCGardenersWorld. I will miss sharing the views of Longmeadow and Ned. The first programme of Spring always brings hope of renewal. Thank you Monty 👍🙏👏 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74ew4402kxo08 Sep 2026 13:27 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3muz4sj5ngk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mtwjqo3bfs25Oh that’s sad news. What an extraordinary life and a wonderful soul https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0ry0yzxeyxt#player25 Aug 2026 19:15 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwjqo3bfs25https://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mqt7lhext22r#AndyBurnham is going to “fix things politics has neglected.”, and #socialcare is front and centre. A big challenge, and it’s time to resolve it. 👍🙏👏17 Jul 2026 07:20 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqt7lhext22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mqhasbk5uc2eThe outstanding #PeterHennessy has been commentating on British politics for 50 years. Now as he retires from #HofL this is his final broadcast, making the case for #DecencyPolitics A gem of a programme https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002yvs112 Jul 2026 13:09 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqhasbk5uc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mqbnsgpggk2aPatricia Greene, the voice of #JillArcher for 69 years RIP #TheArchers10 Jul 2026 07:46 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqbnsgpggk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mpzythnqls22#DameLouiseCasey stating case for ‘ National health and care service’ #Today #BBCRadio4 “the right thing to do”. Beginning national consultation 👍07 Jul 2026 06:42 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpzythnqls22https://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3moy4dr7a4c24Today would have been Mum and Dad’s 75th wedding anniversary. They almost made it to 63 years before Dad died. Mum won’t know what the day is anymore. 💕 🥲23 Jun 2026 19:15 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3moy4dr7a4c24https://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3moy3f7kgtc2w#birdonawire or 14 juvenile starlings…23 Jun 2026 18:57 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3moy3f7kgtc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mnv2pu4yh22iThe independent living movement and our understanding of #DisabilityRights owes so much to the courage and determination of #AnnMacfarlane. Her death is a great loss RIP Ann. https://kcil.org.uk/in-memory-of-ann-macfarlane-obe/09 Jun 2026 20:42 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnv2pu4yh22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mnrxj6yfak2j#CarersWeek2026 @carers-uk.bsky.social some reflections on the ongoing challenges carers face to be heard and supported https://ipc.brookes.ac.uk/walk-a-mile-in-someones-shoes/08 Jun 2026 15:07 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnrxj6yfak2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mmrgqt6whk2iI do love #AussieCrime novels and have just devoured this over the weekend by the excellent #DinukaMckenzie26 May 2026 16:42 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmrgqt6whk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mmhnsc6oik2sBlimey #TheArchers. I think I need a little lie down 🙄😩🤔22 May 2026 19:21 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmhnsc6oik2shttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mmads4zcd22l#BBCNewsAtTen bookends the programme with football stories. Really?? Shortage of news?19 May 2026 21:34 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmads4zcd22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mkixroyoy22iA gem of a programme on the 1951 #FestivalOfBritain 75 years on. Astonishing achievement in the postwar austerity https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015d48627 Apr 2026 21:02 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkixroyoy22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mkim5cafb22s#NedraTalleyRoss last member of the sensational Ronettes has died aged 80. RIP. What a sound they made! https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/apr/27/nedra-talley-ross-ronettes-dies-aged-8027 Apr 2026 17:34 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkim5cafb22shttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mjd5juzldk2jThe tide has turned. 👏👍 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2d8zw2d3rkt12 Apr 2026 20:04 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjd5juzldk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3miwrybomjk2kDonated blood today. Mine is earmarked for Neonates 🩸❤️ #BloodAndTransplant #GiveBlood07 Apr 2026 22:05 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3miwrybomjk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3minr2w4udk24Dreadful amateur broadcasting on #Today #BBCR4 this morning. Stumbling, silences, poor interviewing. Awful.04 Apr 2026 07:55 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3minr2w4udk24https://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mhx6oozxpc2h#Detectorists featured on #ThoughtForTheDay hands off - a wonderful programme is not a religious metaphor; it’s a secular delight.26 Mar 2026 08:27 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhx6oozxpc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mhx6g2cavc2hExtraordinary stilted interview between Anna Foster and Defence Secretary John Healey on #BBBCR4 #Today. Constant interruptions and pursuing odd questions; Healey responding as if he’s never done an interview26 Mar 2026 08:23 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhx6g2cavc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mhj7gpt55s2sVery sad news about #JenniMurray. Consummate broadcaster, long time host of Womens Hour and a lovely person. RIP. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwj8e25ddgo20 Mar 2026 19:04 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhj7gpt55s2shttps://bsky.app/profile/melanie-henwood.bsky.social/post/3mgcdh5jrds2jDame Louise Casey #SocialCare on #Today #Radio4 time for a new Beveridge to deal with the Giant of our times of ageing and dementia. And political commitment to delivery. A glimmer of hope? @bsgageismsig.bsky.social05 Mar 2026 08:02 +0000at://did:plc:s5gl5347axt4wsl7kocv222n/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgcdh5jrds2j