When I first started typing this blog what I had intended to talk about was how we break down siloed thinking to look at the city more holistically, and consider the ultimate needs of its residents.
That’s something I could still easily write as, during this Covid-induced period of social distancing and isolation, I’m one of those people who is lucky enough to be able to take my work home, to a relatively safe and comfortable environment. I can continue to plough on in a virtual world; but there are others who, on a daily basis, are leaving their homes to go about their roles and try to keep the services we rely on, running.
Image credit: Evgeni Tcherkasski
I’m not talking about the NHS and its many layers of amazing staff in particular here, but the others whose roles we under ‘normal’ circumstances don’t necessarily acknowledge or even notice. Thosewho supply us with what, we now see very clearly, as essential parts of an effectively functioning city environment.
It’s interesting that PM Johnson stated a couple of days ago that ‘there is such a thing as society’. I’m old enough to remember Thatcher as PM stating in an interview something which is currently being bandied about that: ‘…. you know, there is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families.’
What she went on to say, and is not so often quoted, was: ‘no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It’s our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour.’
Cameron’s “Big Society” which appeared in 2005, like Johnson’s remarks, was (and is) presented as being at odds with Thatcherism. I’m not so sure; by centring on voluntary organisations, community action and neighbourliness I think it actually sits well with Thatcher's own vision.
What to me is blatantly different in the current situation, from Thatcher’s view at least, is the selflessness of those who have volunteered to help. Many of whom, in doing so, often seem to put their own well-being, and that of those who are closest to them, after the collective good.
Perhaps this stream of consciousness is not so far from my original topic after all – we’re seeing all sorts of skillsets being adapted and repurposed to try and address the current state of emergency. We've seen the App for professional healthcare volunteers (GoodSAM), adapted to a version which now manages the NHS volunteers effectively. We've seen industry answering the government's calls for the manufacture of specialist medical equipment, the return of retired NHS staff to the front line, and an army of feet on the move to get help, food and supplies to those most in need.
Let’s hope it’s one positive which we take from this current situation and continue to champion once this crisis abates, that ultimately society and its well-being is core to what we do.
