United Kingdom
I am a Scottish-based journalist & writer, charity CEO, and transformational coach.
Currently, I am CEO of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) an organisation born out of the Big Issue, and operating a global newswire service.
My passion is about the role that journalism has in its ability to change lives, create opportunities and challenge perceptions. Most of my writing is centred on social justice, equalities, and mental heath. I have published in a number of national news outlets including the Thomson Reuters Foundation, The Times, The Scotsman, amongst other publications.
My autobiographic short story, 'The Janets', is a coming-of-age short story set in the mid-90s in Glasgow and Stirling and was published in 'Writing Our Space - An LGBTQ+ Anthology' by the Arkbound Foundation.
I am an experienced book reviewer. I also write features about people and organisations who do inspiring work in the charity/communities sector.
Having built a successful career in over the last 20 years in the public and third sectors, working in both London and Scotland, I have developed my writing portfolio over the years.
I'm happy to be approached about ideas for writing and projects.
Below is a selection of writing by myself, and articles about my work projects that I have contributed to.
If you live in the UK, you've likely come across a Big Issue vendor in their bright red tabard. Founded in 1991, the Big Issue is one of the most successful street papers in the world, with a circulation of over 40,000 copies per week and more than 3,000 active vendors.
Street papers like The Big Issue have long provided income for people affected by homelessness. From content sharing to mentoring, this is how you can help these essential publications thrive
UK charity The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) is to host the Global Street Paper Summit at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) this...
Scotland's well-known compassion isn't necessarily as deeply embedded as the more socially conscious of us might like to think
Exciting opportunity offered by leading organisation
Transforming Lives Through INSP's Global Network with Mike Findlay Agnew
The world's largest collection of street newspapers - including landmark editions of The Big Issue - has been gifted to Glasgow Caledonian...
Have you ever met a charity leader who is not under pressure? Hint - they don't exist! Us charity leaders tend to believe so deeply in the cause we are representing. We will work those extra hours. We will sacrifice our weekends and friends and family time.
"Homelessness is a policy choice" is a mantra we often hear, highlighting how first-world governments and leaders sometimes fail to address the issues associated with poverty on their own doorsteps. In Scotland, we have seen the number of people classed as homeless hit an all-time high, an increase of 11 per cent this year.
I recently attended a special event in Brighton. It was the launch of the new book Young Mungo by Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain, Glasgow's own Douglas Stuart. The event was hosted by fellow Scot and writer, Damian Barr, author of Maggie & Me and the face of the BBC's The Big Scottish Book Club.
Scottish-based charity, the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), has announced the appointment of its new CEO. Mike Findlay, a third sector leader with 20 years of experience working in senior communications roles in both London and Scotland, will take over at the helm of the charity from May 2.
Mike Findlay is Head of Communications & External Affairs at Victim Support Scotland Over Christmas, people within the LGBTQ+ community may experience loneliness and a lack of support from family and friends in relation to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Estrangement from family and friends is an unfortunate reality for some people who are LGBTQ+.
By Mike Findlay Westender readers would be hard pushed not to notice Brian Toal's complimentary review of Sarah Smith's Hear No Evil in the January/February edition of the magazine. Glasgow-based Sarah Smith has worked previously as a creative writing tutor, family history researcher and project worker with charities, including Deaf Connections, who supported her in the creation of this enticing book.
How understanding trauma can help us all care for children better. By Mike Findlay Everyone who is a parent, or has cared for a child, aims to do their best. But the reality is that sometimes 'doing your best' isn't quite enough when it comes to caring for some children, particularly those with complex needs.
Mike Findlay investigates the trend for people training as life coaches as their second profession Many years ago, when I was living in 'that London', I hit a major rut in my working life. I was managing a team for the first time and it was hard work.
Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, according to the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and other major mental health charities. Let that sink in for a minute. It's not cancer, addictions or heart failure that kills most men. It is the decision to take their own life.
262 total views, 5 views today Lockdown may seem like an odd time to write about the health benefits of running. Many major marathons are cancelled. But looking outside, it's hard not to notice the increased number of runners on our streets and in our parks - frustrated gym bunnies are pounding the pavements rather than the treadmill during these COVID-times.
Nearly everyone's mental health has had a knock at some point during the pandemic. Even the most positive of us have had our moments, particularly with changing restrictions and lockdowns. The more cooped-up inside we are, the more our mental health suffers. This much we know.
Book Reviews
4 total views, 4 views today Coaching is fast becoming more popular both in and out of work. You may recall that in the early noughties that the former UK Prime Minister's wife, Cheri Blair, made headlines when it was revealed she had a 'lifestyle coach'.
151 total views, 4 views today All of us have been there; either at home, or in the workplace. We have good intentions. We have 'important' things to do - big projects, smaller tasks, housework, 'life admin'.
Mike Findlay, (2019, October 5). The Book She Almost Never Wrote: Book Review of Kerry Hudson's 'Lowborn'. Psychreg on Books. https://www.psychreg.org/kerry-hudson-lowborn/ 730 total views, 2 views today Thank you Kerry Hudson for baring all in this eloquently written yet gritty book.
275 total views, 3 views today In the recent blockbuster film Jojo Rabbit, the main character Jojo has an imaginary friend. His friend is Adolf Hitler. While it is not uncommon for children to have imaginary friends, it is fair to say that making friends with a deceased dictator is.
Mike Findlay, (2019, May 11). You Can Stay Sane by Choosing the Right Book to Read: Book Review. Psychreg on Books. https://www.psychreg.org/choosing-right-book-to-read/ 1,184 total views, 2 views today Those of us with an interest in mental health have a job on our hands.
600 total views, 2 views today Approximately 320,000 people are homeless in the UK and the number is increasing, according to reports last year from the country's leading homelessness charity, Shelter . This number is not far off the entire population of Iceland. In other words, it is far too many.
Mike Findlay, (2019, September 1). The Gender Variant in Us All: Book Review of 'A Reflective Guide to Gender Identity Counselling'. Psychreg on Social Psychology. https://www.psychreg.org/gender-variant/ 940 total views, 1 views today You would be hard pushed to have missed the media hype and public dialogue that is around just now about gender identity.
Mike Findlay, (2020, October 4). Build Comfort in Being Uncomfortable: Book Review of Ben Aldridge's 'How to Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable. Psychreg on Books. https://www.psychreg.org/being-uncomfortable/ 3 total views, 3 views today Do you have a real fear of public speaking that you want to get over?
37 total views, 9 views today You may be new to the coaching business. Maybe you have just completed a qualification, or you are an experienced coach wanting to take your skills and experience in coaching to the next level.
Carol Craig believes her 'miserable' childhood affected her adult health Photo Credit: TINA NORRIS Can Scotland's overall poor health record be explained by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)? This is the simple but undeniably challenging question that forms the basis of Carol Craig's book, the third in the series of short books - Postcards from Scotland - that are written to spark new thinking about why us Scots are the way that we are.
I love it when two passions combine. Adam Stones' recently published Influence does that for me. Changemakers take note: this book is filled with expert advice, guidance and tools to improve the communications for your cause or business (as a third sector communications leader this resonates with me) but not only that, it takes on an almost coaching approach to the subject, empowering readers to take control of their own influence (as a trained coach, I love the connectedness between comms...
It is widely accepted the earliest months and years of a child's existence have the most profound impact on the rest of the lives. Attachment theorists believe the early bonds and relationships a child forms with his/her carer(s) or parent(s), informs that child's ability or inability to form successful and healthy relationships in the future.
Equalities and third sector
Geri, who is a trans woman living in Glasgow, recently told me about an incident where she overhead a member of staff at a train station commenting about her loudly to a colleague. "That's a geezer!" he said to his two colleagues, and then to a passer-by who responded, "Aye, definitely a guy, f*cking poof."
Mike Findlay says its vital to think about how we can support the LGBT+ community as Pride Month draws to a close June is Pride month. Normally at this time of year we see LGBT+ celebrations taking place globally involving marches, floats, and rainbow flags hanging from buildings.
group of students who undertook an inclusive publishing programme visiting a commercial printer. Many vulnerable or so called "disadvantaged" people and groups in society have become even more vulnerable at this time - mentally, physically and financially. But it's not all doom and gloom.
Like most third sector organisations, Victim Support Scotland has seen many challenges during the Coronavirus pandemic. With the switch to remote working, we've had to rely on Microsoft Teams and good WiFi connections, to deliver our work and services.
Mike Findlay, (2019, September 28). What We Should Know About Scotland's Conversation on LGBTQ+ Mental health. Psychreg on LGBT Psychology. https://www.psychreg.org/scotland-lgbtq-mental-health/ 828 total views, 2 views today 'I felt like a project, not a person.' This quote comes from a gay man's description of his experience of accessing counselling service while he was at university.
Mike Findlay introduces a new charity to Glasgow that has the ability to transform lives through writing. Us Scots like our literature. We can also boast about our number of well-kent writers: A L Kennedy, Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin, Louise Welsh, to name a few.
Imagine you walk out of your front door tomorrow and experience a crime for the first time. It's hard to picture how you would feel about the trauma of the crime itself, let alone getting to grips with the complexity of the criminal justice system.
Professional / business
Running your own profitable business can be taxing. From identifying your USP (unique selling point), recruiting the right team, establishing your loyal customers, through to financial planning. Is it any wonder that many local businesses struggle to find their feet? But fear not, help is at hand.
Mike Findlay meets an inspiring community group in Glasgow who are supporting addictive eaters on the road to recovery. The current lockdown is exacerbating some people's behaviours, for better and for worse. If you are an obsessive or addictive eater, this is a particularly prickly time.
Mike Findlay, (2019, October 11). What Can F-Up Nights Do for Our Mental Health. Psychreg on Positive Psychology. https://www.psychreg.org/f-up-nights/ 863 total views, 1 views today Last week I received an intriguing email inviting me to the first 'F-up Night' in my hometown, Glasgow.
Like most comms professionals, I have a curiosity about learning. Be it about the latest craze on social media, or the newest news platform that I could try and get my organisation into. I have been fairly diligent about keeping my skills set up-to-date.
