Homeless

Blog compiled from various commentators at the Gatehouse drop-in centre, Oxford. Visit Homeless

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Oxford Credit Union

Oxford Credit Union

What is the Oxford Credit Union?
The Oxford Credit Union is a registered financial co-operative, owned
and operated by its members who live or work in Oxford.
It provides basic financial services, such as savings accounts and affordable loans

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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Self harm survey

Needed - more than 1,000 people over the age of 18 to take a survey that asks what problems you've faced and how you've coped with them. About 4% of the population will turn to deliberate self harm (such as cutting or attempted suicide) as a way of coping. Why? How are they the same and/or different from others who don't self harm? Different problems? Different support structures?


In order to address these questions, I need people from all walks of life to fill out the survey. Whether you've ever turned to deliberate self harm or not, your response to this survey is important.


You're answers are 100% anonymous.

And 1000% appreciated.

Would you be willing to take 15 minutes to complete a survey in support of my study?


www.survey.bristol.ac.uk/psych-ox/life

Thank you in advance,

Emily

Monday, March 12, 2007

East meets West

One could get the impression, listening to today's politicians and mainstream media that this co-called 'War on Terror' is a battle of Good (The Christian West) versus Evil (The Muslim East). The truth is more likely that there is good and evil on both 'sides'. This image of the courageous and worthy knight going forth to challenge the devious cruel Saracen is one that has been in European minds since at least the time of the Crusades. Then as now, many died and suffered in the name of religion, as two groups fought for control of the Middle East.

But that's not the whole story. The East and the West have had a close and complex relationship for so long that we don't even see it anymore. Our national religion of Christianity came from the Middle East as did our numbers and much of our early science. Even the idea of Chivalry that the knights prided themselve on, was of Muslim origin.

But even more than this, historians, archeologists and anthropologists suggest that writing, agriculture, the domestication of animals and even mankind itself originated here. This is no small contribution, and one that should not be taken for granted by the young upstart that is modern Britain. What made Britain great was its empire and colonies. The Muslim taught us the navigation and sailing that Britannia used to 'Rule the Waves.'

So many great Englishmen 'went native' in Eastern countries, learning the language and engaging in a cross-cultural pollination that is and has been the lifeblood of human development. The modern English speaking world is now dominating the world's culture, and a crass, cheap and tacky veneer is spreading over an old and beautiful picture.

I am British (my passport says so!). My parents are British. However I spent much of my early life in Arab countries. The lady I wish to marry is British. Her parents are Indian. For the sake of any children that she and I may have; and for all our children, let's hope we remember who we are.