Trust is the glue of life: Trust in government and its statutory services is an essential part of social cohesion. But in recent years, continued revelations of mismanagement, bad behaviour, poor governance, scandals and cover ups in Whitehall and town halls have soured trust. How do we restore it? In this episode Steve’s guest and expert witness is Anne Longfield CBE, former Children’s Commissioner for England. In part one Steve sets out his eighth principle, in part two Anne responds.

“This is my conversation with my guest and expert witness Anne Longfield CBE, Chair of the Commission on Young Lives, and the former Children's Commissioner for England. We talk together about Principle 8: Trust is the glue of life. It was brilliant talking with Anne, because I've admired Anne for so many years before I knew her. I've watched her work in her role as Children's Commissioner for England and before that as she worked alongside the Labour government years ago to introduce the idea of Sure Start and children's centres working with young parents and young children, creating for them a better future. She is a brilliant thinker and strategist. You'll enjoy what she has to say.”

– Steve Chalke

About Anne Longfield

Former Children’s Commissioner for England (2015-2021) Anne Longfield is a passionate champion for children, influencing and shaping the national debate and policy agenda for children and their families. She established and chaired the Commission on Young Lives, as well as founding the Centre for Young Lives in 2024. Anne previously led a national children’s charity and worked on the delivery of the Sure Start programme in the No 10 Strategy Unit. She regularly authors articles, and appears in national media, and her new book, Young Lives, Big Ambitions is published in April 2024. Anne was awarded a CBE in 2021 for services to children.

About this podcast series

This podcast series, and the accompanying book by Steve Chalke, sets out ten tried and tested practical principles for ‘how’ to develop joined up, cost effective, community empowering work, gleaned from the hard-won experience that sit at the heart of the mission of Oasis over the last four decades.

Steve talks to 13 expert witnesses who help him bring his book to life with their own thoughts and lived experiences.

Steve’s book is available wherever you buy your books but we recommend you buy it from Bookshop.org an online bookshop with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops.

This book is also available on Audible.

The Manifesto for Hope podcast is brought to you by Oasis. Our producer is Peter Kerwood and the sound and mix engineer is Matteo Magariello.

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