Ben Dickenson
@benjitoon.bsky.social
Dad. Hat wearer. Creative type. Lesser half of Nathalie. Grownup who annoys teenage son.
MD @bylinesnetwork.co.uk
Associate @alphabettitheatre.bsky.social
Trustee @bohoarts.bsky.social
Read my “50 by 50” here: https://substack.com/@bendickenson
MD @bylinesnetwork.co.uk
Associate @alphabettitheatre.bsky.social
Trustee @bohoarts.bsky.social
Read my “50 by 50” here: https://substack.com/@bendickenson
My latest 50 by 50 post shares a nightmare about my son that shook me to my core – instigated by real-world threats of men in uniform and repression.
First of a two-part essay on ICE, Iran, family history lessons and releasing your child into a fractured world.
open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
First of a two-part essay on ICE, Iran, family history lessons and releasing your child into a fractured world.
open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
January 22, 2026 at 5:45 PM
My latest 50 by 50 post shares a nightmare about my son that shook me to my core – instigated by real-world threats of men in uniform and repression.
First of a two-part essay on ICE, Iran, family history lessons and releasing your child into a fractured world.
open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
First of a two-part essay on ICE, Iran, family history lessons and releasing your child into a fractured world.
open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
Come over and read about my wedding...
...and why I'm calling on us all to put love first this year.
After what happened in Minneapolis, it feels even more important to fight for connection, community and humanity. We can't let hate and repression win.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-9...
...and why I'm calling on us all to put love first this year.
After what happened in Minneapolis, it feels even more important to fight for connection, community and humanity. We can't let hate and repression win.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-9...
January 8, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Come over and read about my wedding...
...and why I'm calling on us all to put love first this year.
After what happened in Minneapolis, it feels even more important to fight for connection, community and humanity. We can't let hate and repression win.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-9...
...and why I'm calling on us all to put love first this year.
After what happened in Minneapolis, it feels even more important to fight for connection, community and humanity. We can't let hate and repression win.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-9...
Job done.
2026 has started pretty well.
2026 has started pretty well.
January 2, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Job done.
2026 has started pretty well.
2026 has started pretty well.
Last evening living in sin.
Wedding bells tomorrow.
Wedding bells tomorrow.
December 30, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Last evening living in sin.
Wedding bells tomorrow.
Wedding bells tomorrow.
My latest post is about my wedding (which is in 3 days, eek!) and will be the happiest moment of my life.
It will be missing one person - my cousin, who was murdered in 2011. Today would have been her 53rd birthday. I wish she could be there when I get married.
open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
It will be missing one person - my cousin, who was murdered in 2011. Today would have been her 53rd birthday. I wish she could be there when I get married.
open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
December 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
My latest post is about my wedding (which is in 3 days, eek!) and will be the happiest moment of my life.
It will be missing one person - my cousin, who was murdered in 2011. Today would have been her 53rd birthday. I wish she could be there when I get married.
open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
It will be missing one person - my cousin, who was murdered in 2011. Today would have been her 53rd birthday. I wish she could be there when I get married.
open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
What films have you been watching this festive season? If they're present-day Hollywood, they're unlikely to challenge the Trump world order. It wasn't always like this – it doesn't have to be!
Revisiting my cinema specialism in this article. Come join me.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-7...
Revisiting my cinema specialism in this article. Come join me.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-7...
December 26, 2025 at 5:25 PM
What films have you been watching this festive season? If they're present-day Hollywood, they're unlikely to challenge the Trump world order. It wasn't always like this – it doesn't have to be!
Revisiting my cinema specialism in this article. Come join me.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-7...
Revisiting my cinema specialism in this article. Come join me.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-7...
Hanukkah ended yesterday. The Bondi shooting was over a week ago. Unity and connection across cultural divisions feels more immediately relevant than ever.
Come and read my take: open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
Come and read my take: open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
December 23, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Hanukkah ended yesterday. The Bondi shooting was over a week ago. Unity and connection across cultural divisions feels more immediately relevant than ever.
Come and read my take: open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
Come and read my take: open.substack.com/pub/bendicke...
Come over to Substack and have a read. Thoughts welcome. Humanity expected.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-60-6...
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-60-6...
December 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Come over to Substack and have a read. Thoughts welcome. Humanity expected.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-60-6...
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-60-6...
Moonlighting at Midsommar Bakery.
Today’s workplace is pretty cool. Plenty of writing inspiration to be found amongst those buns, and in conversations with the lovely humans eating them.
Today’s workplace is pretty cool. Plenty of writing inspiration to be found amongst those buns, and in conversations with the lovely humans eating them.
December 13, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Moonlighting at Midsommar Bakery.
Today’s workplace is pretty cool. Plenty of writing inspiration to be found amongst those buns, and in conversations with the lovely humans eating them.
Today’s workplace is pretty cool. Plenty of writing inspiration to be found amongst those buns, and in conversations with the lovely humans eating them.
2011 - cousin murdered.
2018 - Mum died.
2025 - Dad gets cancer.
2012 - start a theatre company.
2019 - storytelling programmes for excluded young people.
2026 - Bylines Network and Substack.
Honouring those I love through creativity and resistance: bendickenson.substack.com/p/the-heavy-...
2018 - Mum died.
2025 - Dad gets cancer.
2012 - start a theatre company.
2019 - storytelling programmes for excluded young people.
2026 - Bylines Network and Substack.
Honouring those I love through creativity and resistance: bendickenson.substack.com/p/the-heavy-...
December 9, 2025 at 7:53 AM
2011 - cousin murdered.
2018 - Mum died.
2025 - Dad gets cancer.
2012 - start a theatre company.
2019 - storytelling programmes for excluded young people.
2026 - Bylines Network and Substack.
Honouring those I love through creativity and resistance: bendickenson.substack.com/p/the-heavy-...
2018 - Mum died.
2025 - Dad gets cancer.
2012 - start a theatre company.
2019 - storytelling programmes for excluded young people.
2026 - Bylines Network and Substack.
Honouring those I love through creativity and resistance: bendickenson.substack.com/p/the-heavy-...
My take on the Farage schoolboy accusations. It's personal, revealing my own experience of racism in school, and explores why journalism and other forms of storytelling need to do one thing - ask the right questions.
Please click, read and subscribe.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-3...
Please click, read and subscribe.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-3...
December 2, 2025 at 6:38 PM
My take on the Farage schoolboy accusations. It's personal, revealing my own experience of racism in school, and explores why journalism and other forms of storytelling need to do one thing - ask the right questions.
Please click, read and subscribe.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-3...
Please click, read and subscribe.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-3...
You're invited to join me on my 50 by 50 journey.
This is post #3 - all about racism, journalism and the questions storytellers should be asking.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-3...
This is post #3 - all about racism, journalism and the questions storytellers should be asking.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-3...
December 1, 2025 at 8:25 PM
You're invited to join me on my 50 by 50 journey.
This is post #3 - all about racism, journalism and the questions storytellers should be asking.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-3...
This is post #3 - all about racism, journalism and the questions storytellers should be asking.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-3...
Happening now Newcastle’s Grainger Market - Midsommar Bakery grand opening!
Queues formed early, and have been running out the door all day. Buns, open sandwiches, cakes flying into happy bellies.
It already feels like a hub of lovely humans. Fika has been enjoyed by all!
Queues formed early, and have been running out the door all day. Buns, open sandwiches, cakes flying into happy bellies.
It already feels like a hub of lovely humans. Fika has been enjoyed by all!
November 29, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Happening now Newcastle’s Grainger Market - Midsommar Bakery grand opening!
Queues formed early, and have been running out the door all day. Buns, open sandwiches, cakes flying into happy bellies.
It already feels like a hub of lovely humans. Fika has been enjoyed by all!
Queues formed early, and have been running out the door all day. Buns, open sandwiches, cakes flying into happy bellies.
It already feels like a hub of lovely humans. Fika has been enjoyed by all!
Some words about my Dad, who has just been diagnosed with cancer. A better man than many - a better, fairer and kinder human.
Stop by my Substack to read more - including two poems in the latest post and a brand new post every week: substack.com/@bendickenso...
Stop by my Substack to read more - including two poems in the latest post and a brand new post every week: substack.com/@bendickenso...
November 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Some words about my Dad, who has just been diagnosed with cancer. A better man than many - a better, fairer and kinder human.
Stop by my Substack to read more - including two poems in the latest post and a brand new post every week: substack.com/@bendickenso...
Stop by my Substack to read more - including two poems in the latest post and a brand new post every week: substack.com/@bendickenso...
Two images that felt relevant on International Men’s Day.
We need more good men, not toxically masculine but driven by kindness and hope.
We need more good men, not toxically masculine but driven by kindness and hope.
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Two images that felt relevant on International Men’s Day.
We need more good men, not toxically masculine but driven by kindness and hope.
We need more good men, not toxically masculine but driven by kindness and hope.
A tiny bit of one of my poems for my Dad. Cancer is a bastard huh?
Revisiting a lot of words I’ve written for him right now.
He might well be ok. He could survive this. His legacy - of kindness, humanity and good values - certainly will.
Revisiting a lot of words I’ve written for him right now.
He might well be ok. He could survive this. His legacy - of kindness, humanity and good values - certainly will.
November 19, 2025 at 12:29 PM
A tiny bit of one of my poems for my Dad. Cancer is a bastard huh?
Revisiting a lot of words I’ve written for him right now.
He might well be ok. He could survive this. His legacy - of kindness, humanity and good values - certainly will.
Revisiting a lot of words I’ve written for him right now.
He might well be ok. He could survive this. His legacy - of kindness, humanity and good values - certainly will.
Oh the canny wee cards Substack makes for your posts! Here’s one for this piece: bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-1...
Any reads, shares, comments and feedback welcome. And please do hop over there and subscribe to 50 by 50 when you feel so inclined. You’ll be very welcome.
Any reads, shares, comments and feedback welcome. And please do hop over there and subscribe to 50 by 50 when you feel so inclined. You’ll be very welcome.
November 14, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Oh the canny wee cards Substack makes for your posts! Here’s one for this piece: bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-1...
Any reads, shares, comments and feedback welcome. And please do hop over there and subscribe to 50 by 50 when you feel so inclined. You’ll be very welcome.
Any reads, shares, comments and feedback welcome. And please do hop over there and subscribe to 50 by 50 when you feel so inclined. You’ll be very welcome.
Here's post #1 of my 50 by 50 collection.
Trains, shame and school toilets.
When a stranger risked his life to stop a knife attack on a train, something deep stirred in me – a journey through trauma and identity, and a reminder that we are one humanity.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-1...
Trains, shame and school toilets.
When a stranger risked his life to stop a knife attack on a train, something deep stirred in me – a journey through trauma and identity, and a reminder that we are one humanity.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-1...
November 13, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Here's post #1 of my 50 by 50 collection.
Trains, shame and school toilets.
When a stranger risked his life to stop a knife attack on a train, something deep stirred in me – a journey through trauma and identity, and a reminder that we are one humanity.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-1...
Trains, shame and school toilets.
When a stranger risked his life to stop a knife attack on a train, something deep stirred in me – a journey through trauma and identity, and a reminder that we are one humanity.
bendickenson.substack.com/p/50-by-50-1...
30 years without justice. Silenced, ignored and blocked. These survivors need your attention and support. Something needs to change.
If you do one thing before you retire to bed tonight, read this: bylinesnetwork.substack.com/p/when-power...
Isabella is one of 100s who deserve your time.
If you do one thing before you retire to bed tonight, read this: bylinesnetwork.substack.com/p/when-power...
Isabella is one of 100s who deserve your time.
November 9, 2025 at 3:56 PM
30 years without justice. Silenced, ignored and blocked. These survivors need your attention and support. Something needs to change.
If you do one thing before you retire to bed tonight, read this: bylinesnetwork.substack.com/p/when-power...
Isabella is one of 100s who deserve your time.
If you do one thing before you retire to bed tonight, read this: bylinesnetwork.substack.com/p/when-power...
Isabella is one of 100s who deserve your time.
November 5, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Community journeys of change start with story. Of course they do! That’s why @bylinesnetwork.co.uk is so important and so powerful.
Brilliant to be with @neweconomics.bsky.social @makevotesmatter.bsky.social @europeanmovement.co.uk and others today talking about community.
Brilliant to be with @neweconomics.bsky.social @makevotesmatter.bsky.social @europeanmovement.co.uk and others today talking about community.
October 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Community journeys of change start with story. Of course they do! That’s why @bylinesnetwork.co.uk is so important and so powerful.
Brilliant to be with @neweconomics.bsky.social @makevotesmatter.bsky.social @europeanmovement.co.uk and others today talking about community.
Brilliant to be with @neweconomics.bsky.social @makevotesmatter.bsky.social @europeanmovement.co.uk and others today talking about community.
If you’re in Newcastle in a couple of weeks, this could make your Monday evening much better.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
October 19, 2025 at 12:26 PM
If you’re in Newcastle in a couple of weeks, this could make your Monday evening much better.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
Please do complete the survey and share your view on Substack in the final comment section. Also, are you aware we have an anti-hate live event on 4 November?
October 15, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Please do complete the survey and share your view on Substack in the final comment section. Also, are you aware we have an anti-hate live event on 4 November?
A think that @bylinesnetwork.co.uk is doing. Come along - bit.ly/BylinesHope
October 9, 2025 at 8:36 AM
A think that @bylinesnetwork.co.uk is doing. Come along - bit.ly/BylinesHope
Newcastle says no to fascism.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
September 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Newcastle says no to fascism.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.