"Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world"

On Tuesday 4th October I joined Rethink Mental Illness at the Conservative Party’s Political Conference. For it was a great opportunity to try and influence the people about to carry out the new NHS, social care and welform reform.

But the inspiration for this blog came about whilst listening to the music track – “What a Wonderful World” – by the late, great Louis Armstrong (Satchmo).  I really don’t know if my own wonderful world is a product of intelligent design or an act or acts of nature; all I know is that I sometimes marvel at everything that’s around me.  The constellation of stars on a clear night, through to beautiful landscapes that have evolved over the centuries, and through to the empathic and non-judgemental people who have supported me on my journey throughout life – “Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”

Reality, though, may suggest that not everything in life is perfect!  Oh dear, he we go again!  Current plans to reform the NHS, social care and welfare provision immediately spring to mind!  That, partly, is one of the reasons I decided to attend the Conservative Party Conference on Tuesday 4th October 2011 in my role as a Rethink Activist/Volunteer.

I sometimes look on my beloved NHS, social care and welfare provision as a lump of clay on a Potter’s Wheel.  Bear with me, as it should make sense in the end.  It – the lump of clay – doesn’t much to start with, but at least the raw ingredients are there.  With a little moulding by a skilled pair of hands, the introduction of a little water and the attention to detail of the Potter, then this lump of clay can turn into something that is beautiful, tactile, and stand the test of time. 

I, too, am very much like that proverbial potter.  I truly believe that with respect to the NHS, social care and welfare provision the raw ingredients are there.  You and I, however, may need to mould the Service and provision so that it meets with our specific needs and wants.  This, for instance, may include integrated services or differentiation based on cultural or spiritual needs.  If we don’t get involved, get our hands dirty and mould the NHS, social care and welfare provision into what we need and want it to be, then who knows what the final product will end up looking like.

Like the Potter adding water to his or her work, we too could add much value to the moulding process of NHS, social care and welfare reform by, for example, becoming actively involved at a local level.  This, for instance, may include lobbying healthcare professionals and elected members at the said local level or organising an awareness raising day.  These, I believe, are vitally important ingredients in the make-up of the finished article.

Finally, you and I may wish to consider paying particular attention of what may be occurring nationally, regionally and locally.  Vigilance, arguably, is a key theme in the whole moulding process.  A near perfect pot can collapse into what it started out as – a lump of clay – unless vigilance is maintained to the very end.

So, to summarise, if you and I can mould the NHS, social care and welfare reform; if we can add vital ingredients by immersing ourselves in, say, the commissioning process; and if we can remain ever vigilant; then we may all be able to sing in harmony, “Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”  All together now, Oh Yeh!”