Matthew Mckeague
@memckeague.bsky.social
CEO @archhfund.bsky.social | communities, built environment & social infrastructure | interested in all kinds of places | music and running most of the rest of the time
'...for all its flaws, it (UKSPF) was predominantly revenue funding and this was a strength. It could be (and often has been) spent on people-based projects...' > a big, at risk / missing part of the funding mix in many places and projects at the moment...
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund was deeply flawed but regional development still needs day-to-day funding.
Hopefully the budget will bring clarity
pathdependent1.substack.com/p/after-leve...
Hopefully the budget will bring clarity
pathdependent1.substack.com/p/after-leve...
After Levelling Up?
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund was flawed, but regional development still needs day-to-day funding
pathdependent1.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:48 PM
'...for all its flaws, it (UKSPF) was predominantly revenue funding and this was a strength. It could be (and often has been) spent on people-based projects...' > a big, at risk / missing part of the funding mix in many places and projects at the moment...
Two days in Stoke on Trent with several of the @archhfund.org.uk Heritage Development Trusts and once again struck by how much potential this city has, despite the challenges.
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Two days in Stoke on Trent with several of the @archhfund.org.uk Heritage Development Trusts and once again struck by how much potential this city has, despite the challenges.
'...our education system still operates on the basis that high-flying academic success is the only sure route to a secure career and a good life.' > really important this issue gets more attention and investment.
Latest from me: on the million young people not in education, employment in training, & generational debts still not settled www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
With a million young people locked out of work, the UK’s hidden jobs crisis is only growing | John Harris
Held back by Covid and then phased out by AI, Britain’s so-called Neets are desperately seeking a secure future. Who will offer them hope? asks Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
'...our education system still operates on the basis that high-flying academic success is the only sure route to a secure career and a good life.' > really important this issue gets more attention and investment.
Reposted by Matthew Mckeague
Attention is on NEETs today, but the problem is much worse.
NEETs include stay-at-home parents & jobseekers.
Strip those out to focus on people not working, not seeking work, not in education & not parenting: this group of economically & socially dislocated young adults has *doubled* in a decade.
NEETs include stay-at-home parents & jobseekers.
Strip those out to focus on people not working, not seeking work, not in education & not parenting: this group of economically & socially dislocated young adults has *doubled* in a decade.
November 20, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Attention is on NEETs today, but the problem is much worse.
NEETs include stay-at-home parents & jobseekers.
Strip those out to focus on people not working, not seeking work, not in education & not parenting: this group of economically & socially dislocated young adults has *doubled* in a decade.
NEETs include stay-at-home parents & jobseekers.
Strip those out to focus on people not working, not seeking work, not in education & not parenting: this group of economically & socially dislocated young adults has *doubled* in a decade.
Went to two talks last night where 'the future' was a big theme. Excellent @powertochange.org.uk event @britishacademy.bsky.social with @anooshc.bsky.social, @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social & @hetanshah.bsky.social. Thought calls for more ambitious plans for community biz, tech, housing etc were 🎯.
November 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Went to two talks last night where 'the future' was a big theme. Excellent @powertochange.org.uk event @britishacademy.bsky.social with @anooshc.bsky.social, @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social & @hetanshah.bsky.social. Thought calls for more ambitious plans for community biz, tech, housing etc were 🎯.
Well it's not quite Costa but it'll have to do.
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Well it's not quite Costa but it'll have to do.
Reposted by Matthew Mckeague
Keys found embedded in jam sandwich. Apologies.
November 19, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Keys found embedded in jam sandwich. Apologies.
"Like with a lot of the city centre in Bradford there are buildings that aren't being used and we want to see this place flourish." > Special place is Little Germany; glad @archhfund.org.uk able to assist the plans here. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Bradford community group buys building in Little Germany - BBC News
The 19th-century building in Bradford city centre has been bought by People's Property Portfolio.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 8:56 AM
"Like with a lot of the city centre in Bradford there are buildings that aren't being used and we want to see this place flourish." > Special place is Little Germany; glad @archhfund.org.uk able to assist the plans here. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Matthew Mckeague
🔎🏚 #HeritageDevelopmentTrusts Spotlight – Haverfordwest Heritage.
@haverfordwestheritage.org.uk aims to revive key neglected heritage buildings in Haverfordwest & bring them back into use for community benefit, creating a better place to live, work, learn & visit.
Read more:
👉 bit.ly/3LDmasr
@haverfordwestheritage.org.uk aims to revive key neglected heritage buildings in Haverfordwest & bring them back into use for community benefit, creating a better place to live, work, learn & visit.
Read more:
👉 bit.ly/3LDmasr
November 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
🔎🏚 #HeritageDevelopmentTrusts Spotlight – Haverfordwest Heritage.
@haverfordwestheritage.org.uk aims to revive key neglected heritage buildings in Haverfordwest & bring them back into use for community benefit, creating a better place to live, work, learn & visit.
Read more:
👉 bit.ly/3LDmasr
@haverfordwestheritage.org.uk aims to revive key neglected heritage buildings in Haverfordwest & bring them back into use for community benefit, creating a better place to live, work, learn & visit.
Read more:
👉 bit.ly/3LDmasr
Great @archhfund.org.uk event @buildingcentre.bsky.social last night, featuring excellent research insights from @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk & @anooshc.bsky.social in conversation with a host of top projects. Emphasised once again the importance of heritage assets as vital social infrastructure.
November 13, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Great @archhfund.org.uk event @buildingcentre.bsky.social last night, featuring excellent research insights from @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk & @anooshc.bsky.social in conversation with a host of top projects. Emphasised once again the importance of heritage assets as vital social infrastructure.
Reposted by Matthew Mckeague
Ancient buildings and old bones aren’t getting in the way of the transition. www.wired.com/story/let-th...
British Churches Are Putting Their Faith in Heat Pumps
Ancient buildings and old bones aren’t getting in the way of the transition.
www.wired.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Ancient buildings and old bones aren’t getting in the way of the transition. www.wired.com/story/let-th...
Reposted by Matthew Mckeague
Off to London for an @archhfund.org.uk event. Some particularly relevant reading for the train:
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Why Historic Places Matter Emotionally
Cambridge Core - Archaeology: General Interest - Why Historic Places Matter Emotionally
www.cambridge.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Off to London for an @archhfund.org.uk event. Some particularly relevant reading for the train:
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
Reposted by Matthew Mckeague
NEW: The End of the Line: the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s Neom gigaproject - a 500m tall, 170km long wall-like building intended ultimately to house 9 million people - can’t get out of the ground, say more than 20 former Neom architects, engineers and senior executives.
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled
Mohammed bin Salman’s utopian city was undone by the laws of physics and finance
ig.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:56 AM
NEW: The End of the Line: the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s Neom gigaproject - a 500m tall, 170km long wall-like building intended ultimately to house 9 million people - can’t get out of the ground, say more than 20 former Neom architects, engineers and senior executives.
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
"With these additions, seven grassroots music venues across the country are now permanently protected for further generations and it proves the power of community ownership." > more great work from Music Venue Properties👌 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The Joiners and The Croft grassroots venues to be protected
Music Venue Properties has purchased The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 5:53 PM
"With these additions, seven grassroots music venues across the country are now permanently protected for further generations and it proves the power of community ownership." > more great work from Music Venue Properties👌 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Matthew Mckeague
'The Sheerness Dockyard Church shows that when heritage, design and community ambition come together, the results can be transformative, for both architecture and society.' @news.architectsjournal.co.uk @archhfund.org.uk www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion...
Adaptive reuse drives innovation and social impact. Just look at Sheerness
Hugh Broughton Architects’ inspiring reinvention of Sheerness Dockyard Church shows just what historic buildings can contribute if we don’t preserve them in aspic, argues the Architectural Heritage Fu...
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:29 PM
'The Sheerness Dockyard Church shows that when heritage, design and community ambition come together, the results can be transformative, for both architecture and society.' @news.architectsjournal.co.uk @archhfund.org.uk www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion...
'The Sheerness Dockyard Church shows that when heritage, design and community ambition come together, the results can be transformative, for both architecture and society.' @news.architectsjournal.co.uk @archhfund.org.uk www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion...
Adaptive reuse drives innovation and social impact. Just look at Sheerness
Hugh Broughton Architects’ inspiring reinvention of Sheerness Dockyard Church shows just what historic buildings can contribute if we don’t preserve them in aspic, argues the Architectural Heritage Fu...
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:29 PM
'The Sheerness Dockyard Church shows that when heritage, design and community ambition come together, the results can be transformative, for both architecture and society.' @news.architectsjournal.co.uk @archhfund.org.uk www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion...
I suppose we don't have enough betting shops so giving over our limited public space (in this case KX) to pop up versions seems like a great idea 👍
November 4, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I suppose we don't have enough betting shops so giving over our limited public space (in this case KX) to pop up versions seems like a great idea 👍
Reposted by Matthew Mckeague
Good news for owners of pre-1919 buildings: the latest EPC assessment system better recognises energy-saving features like shutters, draught-proofing & secondary glazing 🏛️
Dr Moses Jenkins at Historic Environment Scotland explains the RdSAP 10.2 changes:
Dr Moses Jenkins at Historic Environment Scotland explains the RdSAP 10.2 changes:
How energy performance certificates are calculated - Engine Shed
The way Energy performance certificates (EPCs) are generated has changed. Find out what this means for traditional buildings in Scotland.
blog.engineshed.scot
November 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Good news for owners of pre-1919 buildings: the latest EPC assessment system better recognises energy-saving features like shutters, draught-proofing & secondary glazing 🏛️
Dr Moses Jenkins at Historic Environment Scotland explains the RdSAP 10.2 changes:
Dr Moses Jenkins at Historic Environment Scotland explains the RdSAP 10.2 changes:
"I’ve come to feel that, in our atomised era, sport is a relatively healthy obsession." > strong agree with @simonkuper.bsky.social on this. www.ft.com/content/f41c...
How sport unites us
In a divided world, fandom is a social superpower
www.ft.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:55 PM
"I’ve come to feel that, in our atomised era, sport is a relatively healthy obsession." > strong agree with @simonkuper.bsky.social on this. www.ft.com/content/f41c...
Local GP's getting into the Halloween spirit by trying to make the surgery hotter than hell.
October 31, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Local GP's getting into the Halloween spirit by trying to make the surgery hotter than hell.
Reposted by Matthew Mckeague
Index of Multiple Deprivation shows highly deprived areas are concentrated in the North of England
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Index of Multiple Deprivation shows highly deprived areas are concentrated in the North of England
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Millions of people need homes. That’s not up for debate. But confusing need with demand has caused a massive policy failure." 🎯 v good piece.
My latest for the FT
New homes: even if you build them, there’s no one to buy them
www.ft.com/content/9080...
New homes: even if you build them, there’s no one to buy them
www.ft.com/content/9080...
New homes: even if you build them, there’s no one to buy them
We’re often told housing demand exceeds supply — so why are new homes struggling to be built and bought?
www.ft.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
"Millions of people need homes. That’s not up for debate. But confusing need with demand has caused a massive policy failure." 🎯 v good piece.
It is barmy that we think this is the best use of prime land. Bury St Eds has a great market, lots of really good foodie places - am sure it could be put to better use!
I’m in Bury St Edmond’s where of course a pretty town square is… a big car park.
October 28, 2025 at 12:23 PM
It is barmy that we think this is the best use of prime land. Bury St Eds has a great market, lots of really good foodie places - am sure it could be put to better use!