It is an incredible honor to be named the first-ever Global Patron of the @LCityFoundation. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to represent a community and a cause that mean so much to me. I want to sincerely thank Martin @Hickerton for his unwavering support and inspiring leadership. His commitment to the Foundation’s mission is truly remarkable. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to @LincolnCity_FC. Their support for the Foundation is a powerful example of how football can be a unifying force, one that uplifts communities and creates lasting impact.

A whole lot of #GirlPower this month! @WSHEnglishHub #LincolnshireReadingPledge @CHickerton

Last week's developments in social media and AI underscore the urgent need to address the misinformation crisis. With platforms like Meta and X deprioritising fact-checking, and AI tools generating false claims, it’s clear that navigating today’s information landscape increases in complexity almost daily. It seems more urgent than ever that we nurture curious, compassionate critical thinkers in our schools—young people equipped to successfully navigate an increasingly complex information landscape. The news last week was been filled with worrying developments: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced his social media platforms will no longer use fact-checkers. Instead, they will rely on user-based notes, following a similar approach to Elon Musk’s X. Critics fear this move will make it even harder to discern what is true online. Nobel Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa has warned that this shift could lead to a “world without facts.” The size of the issue cannot be underestimated - we know that social media is the primary source of news for over half of adults, with over 70% saying they consume online news in some capacity - the figure is even higher for young people. Musk himself has used his vast social media influence this past week to spread unsubstantiated claims, as well as attack elected officials in the UK. Such actions highlight the dangers of unchecked information spreading at scale. Meanwhile, Apple’s AI feature has been generating inaccurate news alerts on its latest iPhones. The product is meant to summarise breaking news notifications but has in some instances invented entirely false claims - seemingly trusted sources also spreading misinformation. We really do seem to be in unprecedented times - we have seen significant developments in just a week, we can only dare to imagine what developments the rest of this year will hold. What is certain is that we need to equip our young people with the tools and competencies they need to navigate this changing landscape. By fostering critical thinking, curiosity and compassion, we can empower students to question sources, evaluate evidence, and engage thoughtfully with information. The ability to think critically and compassionately isn’t just a skill—it’s a cornerstone of responsible citizenship in today’s world. If we hope to create a future where truth matters, nurturing these qualities in young people must be a top priority. Read more about the topic here: bit.ly/4fRBM4Y

Yesterday was inspiring and humbling. Read about it here, please Discovering Lincoln City Foundation's Fighting Fit staceywest.net/2025/01/15/di…

Our #BookOfTheWeek this week celebrates #MartinLutherKingJr Day. For our younger children the ‘Little People Big Dreams’ books are perfect for shining a spotlight on significant people in a way they can understand 📚#DEI @CHickerton @the_laat