‘We can’t believe you would just trust us’: why social assistance shouldn’t come with strings attached

| Insights & Views

When the authorities provide social assistance to those in need, it almost always comes with conditions attached. These include behavioural requirements or criteria determining who is and isnt eligible for support. Common...

Peripheral artery disease – the biggest killer you’ve probably never heard of

| Insights & Views

Imagine putting your socks on one morning and noticing your big toe, which has been painful for a few weeks, has started turning black. A trip to your doctor ends in being referred urgently to a specialist. They tell you a...

The greatest poetic metre you’ve probably never heard of

| Insights & Views

Cast your mind back to August, if you can. As that somewhat sun-less summer drew to an end and we pushed fed-up and forlorn deckchairs back into the shed, in Cardiff a newly acclaimed poet, Carwyn Eckley, proudly unwrapped...

How even just 15 minutes in nature can boost your wellbeing

| Insights & Views

The average UK person spends just 7% of their time (or 86 minutes) outdoors during the work week. This is shocking to hear but with our busy schedules, its no wonder many of us can only find a few minutes each day to get...

Why we need to transform the Arctic Ocean into a North Pole marine reserve

| Insights & Views

At the most northerly tip of the UK, looking north from the island of Muckle Flugga, Shetland, the cold wind whips up the sea and gannets dive. While biodiversity loss in the Arctic Ocean may seem like a distant issue, the...

What fashion enthusiasts can learn from older, dapper gentlemen

| Insights & Views

We first met Martyn in 2013 when he was 54 and working as a professor at a UK university. He cut a sharp figure in a black two-piece suit, a bright red shirt with cufflinks, a matching tie and a pocket square. We were...

Why stopping knife crime needs to start in the kitchen

| Insights & Views

Think about the last time you used a knife when eating. The round-tip table knife is the default at breakfast, lunch and dinner, both at home and in restaurants. The reason the tip is rounded is to reduce the potential for...