I, like many many people, have caring responsibilities. We care about the wellbeing of family and friends of course. I have loved and lost both my parents now, they set a great example of caring throughout their lives. Caring can be challenging and unrecognised, is undervalued (as are many skills which are considered to be women’s work) and sometimes leads to uncomfortable situations. I have loved and lost both my parents now, they set a great example of caring throughout their lives. Caring can be challenging and unrecognised, is undervalued (as are many skills which are considered to be women’s work) and sometimes leads to uncomfortable situations. Caring for our disabled son has meant advocating for him, facing down bureaucratic obstacles and political barriers and many hours of research. Not just the warm, fuzzy stuff we may associate with the word “care”. This is not unusual, far from it. However I have come to realise that caring is a driving force which pushes us to be better people.

Caring about how you do your work, taking care in your relationships and interactions with others – these are actions which make our lives within a community better. It may take time, may demand reflection, may require an open mind, apologies and change. It matters that we take that time and we accept responsibility for our behaviour including the mistakes we make. I’m very aware of how modern life rarely facilitates such luxuries as this so, at least in theory, care should be highly valued. Throughout our lives we experience moments when someone interacts with us in a caring manner – such moments are usually memorable, perhaps because they were unexpected.

The time has come for us all to take greater care. Demand that care should be central to human activity. Expect care from our leaders, our bosses, each other. Take a stand against those who act only in their own interests and take no care about the lives of others. An important component of care is empathy – I care because I feel your pain, I worry about your life, your future. Never before have we had a more urgent need to show the importance of such feelings. It should not be possible for leaders to profit personally for our care for each other.

Like many I find it difficult to sleep and to live with the knowledge of what is going on in Gaza, in Ukraine and in the Oval office. If you think such misuse of power doesn’t concern you please read this piece which I will also upload in case you don’t have access.

Care matters. More than money, more than popularity. Care will drive you to dig deeper, read more, find out what is really going on before it is too late to change or influence it.