Sam Mercadante
@mercsam.bsky.social
Policy & Public Affairs Lead @ BookTrust. Opinionated American in London.
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
Councils are increasingly focussed on acute services (social care, homelessness) used by few people. All the median voter sees is that pot holes arent fixed + libraries are closed. @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social argues that Labour's reelection chances will be harmed if they don't fix council finances
Failing to fix local government could hurt Labour’s re-election chances | Institute for Government
There are signs of severe financial distress in local government.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Councils are increasingly focussed on acute services (social care, homelessness) used by few people. All the median voter sees is that pot holes arent fixed + libraries are closed. @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social argues that Labour's reelection chances will be harmed if they don't fix council finances
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
"Claiming there is an ‘over-diagnosis’ of our children is a cheap, unchecked attempt to grab a headline." In reality, thousands of families face record waits in a system that makes getting support very difficult.
Read our response to Policy Exchange's Out of Control report⬇️
https://bit.ly/47jXHkQ
Read our response to Policy Exchange's Out of Control report⬇️
https://bit.ly/47jXHkQ
Speech and Language UK: Policy Exchange’s Out of Control report would strip children of an education and put families out of work
bit.ly
August 28, 2025 at 9:44 AM
"Claiming there is an ‘over-diagnosis’ of our children is a cheap, unchecked attempt to grab a headline." In reality, thousands of families face record waits in a system that makes getting support very difficult.
Read our response to Policy Exchange's Out of Control report⬇️
https://bit.ly/47jXHkQ
Read our response to Policy Exchange's Out of Control report⬇️
https://bit.ly/47jXHkQ
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
This morning The Guardian has thrown its weight behind the campaign for oracy education.
This is an important moment for the oracy movement.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This is an important moment for the oracy movement.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on talking in class: the writers speaking up for oracy education are right | Editorial
Editorial: Verbal communication has always been crucial. But today more than ever, young people must be equipped for jobs that can’t be done by machines
www.theguardian.com
July 28, 2025 at 7:33 AM
This morning The Guardian has thrown its weight behind the campaign for oracy education.
This is an important moment for the oracy movement.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This is an important moment for the oracy movement.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
It's great to see @stephenmorganmp.bsky.social opening the #BestStartInLife debate here.
Our Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and Co-CEO @dianajgerald.bsky.social enjoyed meeting Stephen this week to discuss the Best Start in Life and our #ReadingRights campaign.
Our Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and Co-CEO @dianajgerald.bsky.social enjoyed meeting Stephen this week to discuss the Best Start in Life and our #ReadingRights campaign.
Our Best Start in Life strategy will bring together early years and family services, putting children’s first years at the heart of work to improve life chances👇🏻
July 18, 2025 at 11:05 AM
It's great to see @stephenmorganmp.bsky.social opening the #BestStartInLife debate here.
Our Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and Co-CEO @dianajgerald.bsky.social enjoyed meeting Stephen this week to discuss the Best Start in Life and our #ReadingRights campaign.
Our Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and Co-CEO @dianajgerald.bsky.social enjoyed meeting Stephen this week to discuss the Best Start in Life and our #ReadingRights campaign.
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
Thanks so much to @helenhayes.bsky.social for highlighting our #ReadingRights campaign with Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social in the House of Commons yesterday.
July 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Thanks so much to @helenhayes.bsky.social for highlighting our #ReadingRights campaign with Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social in the House of Commons yesterday.
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
Our new report with @cpaguk.bsky.social reveals the worsening impact of child poverty on children’s health and growing strain on health services.
One year since the Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce launched, the need for bold action is clearer than ever. 👇
cpag.org.uk/news/child-p...
One year since the Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce launched, the need for bold action is clearer than ever. 👇
cpag.org.uk/news/child-p...
July 17, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Our new report with @cpaguk.bsky.social reveals the worsening impact of child poverty on children’s health and growing strain on health services.
One year since the Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce launched, the need for bold action is clearer than ever. 👇
cpag.org.uk/news/child-p...
One year since the Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce launched, the need for bold action is clearer than ever. 👇
cpag.org.uk/news/child-p...
Can't overstate how much I enjoyed my first @coalitionedcare.bsky.social policy forum. Always love an opportunity to think about the big picture stuff - and, even better when you're doing that thinking with incredibly smart experts across a lot of different technical areas!
It was great to be part of yesterday’s @coalitionedcare.bsky.social policy forum.
It’s always so valuable to put our heads together with brilliant organisations from across the sector – especially when so much exciting change is on the horizon!
#BestStartInLife
It’s always so valuable to put our heads together with brilliant organisations from across the sector – especially when so much exciting change is on the horizon!
#BestStartInLife
July 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Can't overstate how much I enjoyed my first @coalitionedcare.bsky.social policy forum. Always love an opportunity to think about the big picture stuff - and, even better when you're doing that thinking with incredibly smart experts across a lot of different technical areas!
I've been at @booktrust.org.uk 5 months this week! Three favourite moments that stand out:
🗣️ The Reading Rights summit - we brought together so many different sectors to envision a future where every child benefits from shared reading
🗣️ The Reading Rights summit - we brought together so many different sectors to envision a future where every child benefits from shared reading
June 13, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I've been at @booktrust.org.uk 5 months this week! Three favourite moments that stand out:
🗣️ The Reading Rights summit - we brought together so many different sectors to envision a future where every child benefits from shared reading
🗣️ The Reading Rights summit - we brought together so many different sectors to envision a future where every child benefits from shared reading
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
A mixed picture for the 'best start in life' strand of the Opportunities Mission in the SR today.
Welcome news on investment in schools, but early years provision for 0-4yrs is comparably absent - surprising given the PfC milestone commitment for 75% of 5-yr-olds to be school ready by 2028.
Welcome news on investment in schools, but early years provision for 0-4yrs is comparably absent - surprising given the PfC milestone commitment for 75% of 5-yr-olds to be school ready by 2028.
June 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A mixed picture for the 'best start in life' strand of the Opportunities Mission in the SR today.
Welcome news on investment in schools, but early years provision for 0-4yrs is comparably absent - surprising given the PfC milestone commitment for 75% of 5-yr-olds to be school ready by 2028.
Welcome news on investment in schools, but early years provision for 0-4yrs is comparably absent - surprising given the PfC milestone commitment for 75% of 5-yr-olds to be school ready by 2028.
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
📢 NEW: Our #ReadingRights report with Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social is out now!
It shares 5 focus areas that will turn the tide on reading inequality and unveils plans for our City of Stories place-based pilot:
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
It shares 5 focus areas that will turn the tide on reading inequality and unveils plans for our City of Stories place-based pilot:
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
May 21, 2025 at 7:01 AM
📢 NEW: Our #ReadingRights report with Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social is out now!
It shares 5 focus areas that will turn the tide on reading inequality and unveils plans for our City of Stories place-based pilot:
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
It shares 5 focus areas that will turn the tide on reading inequality and unveils plans for our City of Stories place-based pilot:
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
📻 Tune in to Today on BBC Radio 4 now to hear our brilliant Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social discussing the launch of the #ReadingRights report!
Read the report here 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
Read the report here 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
Reading Rights: Books Build a Brighter Future
"For too long, the life-changing benefits of children’s reading have not been taken seriously. And now – as our children face an unknown future – we risk…
www.booktrust.org.uk
May 21, 2025 at 7:29 AM
📻 Tune in to Today on BBC Radio 4 now to hear our brilliant Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social discussing the launch of the #ReadingRights report!
Read the report here 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
Read the report here 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
We've been working with Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social on a #ReadingRights report to explore how we can make real change to children's lives.
We're delighted to be publishing the report tomorrow, so stay tuned!
We're delighted to be publishing the report tomorrow, so stay tuned!
May 20, 2025 at 6:57 AM
We've been working with Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social on a #ReadingRights report to explore how we can make real change to children's lives.
We're delighted to be publishing the report tomorrow, so stay tuned!
We're delighted to be publishing the report tomorrow, so stay tuned!
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
🚨 NEW: Opportunities for the poorest young people in London far outstrip the rest of England, we have found.
Our new Opportunity Index reveals how the area young people grow up in shapes their life chances, with huge differences between constituencies across the country 🧵⬇️
Our new Opportunity Index reveals how the area young people grow up in shapes their life chances, with huge differences between constituencies across the country 🧵⬇️
May 15, 2025 at 6:35 AM
🚨 NEW: Opportunities for the poorest young people in London far outstrip the rest of England, we have found.
Our new Opportunity Index reveals how the area young people grow up in shapes their life chances, with huge differences between constituencies across the country 🧵⬇️
Our new Opportunity Index reveals how the area young people grow up in shapes their life chances, with huge differences between constituencies across the country 🧵⬇️
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
'It seems strange to be so silent on something that has such a profound and harmful effect on people’s health and happiness, and across generations.'
Julia Cream says drop the euphemisms and stop sugarcoating poverty in a new blog. buff.ly/RHxCuW4
Julia Cream says drop the euphemisms and stop sugarcoating poverty in a new blog. buff.ly/RHxCuW4
Drop The Euphemisms And Stop Sugarcoating Poverty | The King's Fund
There appears to be an unusual reticence within the NHS when it comes to acknowledging poverty. Could identifying it more explicitly be beneficial? Julia Cream explores this matter.
buff.ly
May 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
'It seems strange to be so silent on something that has such a profound and harmful effect on people’s health and happiness, and across generations.'
Julia Cream says drop the euphemisms and stop sugarcoating poverty in a new blog. buff.ly/RHxCuW4
Julia Cream says drop the euphemisms and stop sugarcoating poverty in a new blog. buff.ly/RHxCuW4
Absolutely! And I'd add, 'to early shared reading programmes, to ensuring access to high-quality and diverse books, to supporting children and families to read together and develop a lifelong love of reading' - the evidence is so clear! www.booktrust.org.uk/resources/re...
April 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Absolutely! And I'd add, 'to early shared reading programmes, to ensuring access to high-quality and diverse books, to supporting children and families to read together and develop a lifelong love of reading' - the evidence is so clear! www.booktrust.org.uk/resources/re...
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
Children read to from an early age have a significant head start in life. Public #Libraries are ideally placed for a major role in @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and @booktrust.org.uk's #ReadingRights campaign.
www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qHG...
www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qHG...
Waterstones Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce: Reading Rights for Brighter Futures
YouTube video by BookTrust
www.youtube.com
April 11, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Children read to from an early age have a significant head start in life. Public #Libraries are ideally placed for a major role in @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social and @booktrust.org.uk's #ReadingRights campaign.
www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qHG...
www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qHG...
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
We support calls to address shortages in the child healthcare workforce so that families, especially the most vulnerable, receive support for essential activities such as shared reading and more.
Here's an example of the impact health visitors can have:
www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-fea...
Here's an example of the impact health visitors can have:
www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-fea...
April 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
We support calls to address shortages in the child healthcare workforce so that families, especially the most vulnerable, receive support for essential activities such as shared reading and more.
Here's an example of the impact health visitors can have:
www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-fea...
Here's an example of the impact health visitors can have:
www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-fea...
Reposted by Sam Mercadante
On #WorldHealthDay, we're celebrating the ways in which shared reading and reading for pleasure can support healthy development and behaviours.
Explore the research here 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/i...
Explore the research here 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/i...
April 7, 2025 at 6:47 AM
On #WorldHealthDay, we're celebrating the ways in which shared reading and reading for pleasure can support healthy development and behaviours.
Explore the research here 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/i...
Explore the research here 👇
www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/i...
I'm a trustee of my neighbourhood food bank, and these dismal statistics are absolutely playing out on the ground in the number of guests we're supporting. We're open for only 3 hours per week, and typically serve 350ish people collecting for 1,200ish people.
3.
So-called "absolute poverty," which really always ought to be falling, is instead markedly up this time
This translates into rampant hunger -- across the whole population 3.4% lived in homes that had had recourse to a foodbank last year, which has surged to 4.2% this time
So-called "absolute poverty," which really always ought to be falling, is instead markedly up this time
This translates into rampant hunger -- across the whole population 3.4% lived in homes that had had recourse to a foodbank last year, which has surged to 4.2% this time
March 27, 2025 at 11:10 AM
I'm a trustee of my neighbourhood food bank, and these dismal statistics are absolutely playing out on the ground in the number of guests we're supporting. We're open for only 3 hours per week, and typically serve 350ish people collecting for 1,200ish people.
I finally left X the other day. The ick of being one more tiny affirmative voice (i.e., active user, however inactive I was in reality) bolstering its owner's ego and terrifying power overtook my sense that it was a useful tool for catching policymakers' attention.
February 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I finally left X the other day. The ick of being one more tiny affirmative voice (i.e., active user, however inactive I was in reality) bolstering its owner's ego and terrifying power overtook my sense that it was a useful tool for catching policymakers' attention.