From the costly gym membership you never use to the fat-shaming of women and bragging about marathon training on social media, has our fascination with keeping fit turned unhealthy?

At the start of the new year there’s more pressure than ever to exercise. But does this just mask a new form of snobbery? Are we creating a narcissistic culture that celebrates great abs over emotional wellbeing and treats the overweight like second-class citizens? Being fit is high fashion but can everyone afford to join in?

Listen to speakers Lorraine Candy, Luxury Content Director at The Sunday Times and former Editor-in-Chief of Elle, Tim Weeks, Olympic trainer and fitness thinker, and Morgan Rees, Content Director of 3CMedia, in a debate chaired by Observer columnist Miranda Sawyer, exploring the role of fitness in modern society.

Thing 17: Is Exercise The New Elitism (part 1)

Thing 17: Is Exercise The New Elitism (part 2)

Long hours, low pay, endless emails, sexist bosses, stupid meetings, management-speak… when did modern work become quite so awful? Modern workplaces were meant to be creative and fulfilling places, but in reality we’re just working longer hours than ever for less pay. A record number of us have now ditched the 9-5 to work for ourselves but with 80 per cent of the self-employed living in poverty, the dream of flexible working brings its own nightmares. 

Tune into our podcast to explore what can we do to make work better. Join Lucy Kellaway, Associate Editor and management columnist at the FT, Robert Kelsey, best-selling author of What’s Stopping You, and leadership expert Gareth Coombs, in a debate chaired by writer and journalist Stephen Armstrong.

#18 Modern Work Is Rubbish Part 1

#18 Modern Work Is Rubbish Part 2

The House of St Barnabas is a charity pledging to break the cycle of homelessness and social exclusion in London. They run a social enterprise, a not-for-profit members’ club, to help the people they support back into lasting paid work. Their Employment Academy offers accredited qualifications, on-site work experience, real job opportunities and mentoring. The House of St Barnabas are seeking to redefine the notion of a members’ club, to challenge stereotypes around the idea of exclusivity and to create a different kind of membership. The club is a creative, socially conscious and vibrant space.

The House of St Barnabas is a Nesta New Radical 2016, has been shortlisted in the final three for the London Homelessness Awards, won the Dot London Social Enterprise Awards in 2015, has been recognised as a Coolbrand for the past three years, and is a London Living Wage Employer. They have also been shortlisted for a Social Enterprise UK award in Employment, Training and Jobs and the Third Sector Awards Brand Development category.

If you would like to find out about how you can support the work of The House of St Barnabas, please get in touch via contact@hosb.org.uk 0207 437 1894 or visit their website www.hosb.org.uk  

Mini Manifestos were a week long series of thought sparking talks that challenged the audience to think differently. Expanding on the themes of start, create, discuss, encourage and disrupt, the talks take you on a journey following the life-cycle of an idea, from incubation to action to creating real impact, exploring what society can do to nourish lasting positive change.

The House of St Barnabas

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