Author: Blyth Brentnall

Categories
Wellbeing

Colourful mural pays tribute to nurses

Sue Ryder mural
Sue Ryder mural

Artist Saroj Patel has painted a beautiful mural to thank nurses for the care and support they give daily.

That’s great! Tell me more.

The heart-shaped painting has been unveiled at The Oracle shopping centre in Reading to pay tribute to Sue Ryder palliative care nurses working in the Thames valley. 

Throughout the artwork, messages express gratitude for the hard work of nurses who care for hundreds of people across hospitals and hospices.

The healthcare charity, Sue Ryder, commissioned the painting as part of the We Are Sue Ryder campaign to celebrates the lasting impact of their nurses.

Charity check-in 

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.

Sue Ryder. This charity offers palliative care and bereavement support for people with serious illnesses and their families. Find out more.

Cancer Research UK. The UK’s largest charity looking into cures for cancer. Learn how to support them here.

Marie Curie. They are help provide end of life care to people with terminal illnesses. Learn more here.

This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.

Categories
Culture

How this year’s Eurovision winner supports human rights

Eurovision 2023 Loreen
Eurovision 2023 Loreen

You may have heard Sweden won Eurovision this year – I mean, who hasn’t heard?! What you may not know is that the winner has a great track record for supporting human rights.

Go on…

Loreen, who wowed Eurovision viewers with her song, Tattoo, has many other winning qualities. Most notable is her support for social justice.

In February 2022, the Swedish singer was performing in Ukraine, just one night before Russia invaded! Soon after, she sang for a fundraising gala dedicated to supporting Ukraine.

When she won Eurovision 2012, Loreen met with local grassroots activists in Azerbaijan, who she learnt of through Civil Rights Defenders, a Swedish NGO.

While performing in Belarus, she met with the wife of pro-democracy activist and Nobel Prize winner Ales Bialiatski.

She’s also supported girls’ education in Afghanistan and has regularly used her performances to platform LGBT+ communities.

Charity check-in 

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.

Civil Rights Defenders. A Swedish NGO supporting grassroots activism. Find out more here.

Peace Direct. An international organisation hoping to create world peace. Support them here.

Oasis of Peace. This UK organisation works with communities to build peace. Find out more and support them here.

This article aligns with the UN SDG Reduced Inequalities.

Categories
Equality

New laws end ‘no fault’ evictions in England

Renting
Renting

Legislation to offer 11 million renters well-needed protections.

In long-awaited legal protections for renters in England, landlords will be forbidden from evicting tenants without any justification.

Hooray! Tell me more.

New laws will be tabled in Parliament to protect renters against unfair evictions. They will allow renters to keep pets and will prevent landlords from rejecting applications from people on benefits.

Matt Downie, the chief executive of housing charity Crisis, said: “After years of waiting, the publication of the Renters Reform Bill is an important moment for the millions of people currently renting their home across England who are in desperate need of some stability.”

What else will this change?

The Renters Reform Bill will be pivotal for renters, ending Section 21 evictions – the legislation which permits landlords to evict without giving a reason.

After passing through Parliament, the legislation will also make it illegal for landlords to reject tenancy requests from families with children or people on benefits.

It will contain clauses to ensure tenants can request to keep a pet in their home, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse.

“Over the coming months, we look forward to working with the Government as the Bill progresses,” added Matt. “Now is the time to finally put an end to unnecessary evictions that force people into homelessness and ensure that everyone has a safe, secure place to call home.”

Charity check-in 

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.

Crisis. The UK’s national charity aiming to end homelessness. Find out more here.

Shelter. A housing and homeless charity supporting over a million people each year. Support them here.

St Mungo’s. One of the only organisations with volunteers working nightly to support rough sleepers. Find out more and support them here.

This article aligns with the UN SDG Reduced Inequalities.