Radical Help

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The welfare state was revolutionary: it lifted thousands out of poverty, provided decent homes, good education and security. But it is out of kilter now: an elaborate and expensive system of managing needs and risks. Today we face new challenges - and our resources have changed. We need to recover the original, powerful intention behind the welfare state and design a better way forward.

Hilary Cottam is an internationally acclaimed innovator and social entrepreneur. In her new book Radical Help: How We Remake the Relationships Between Us and Revolutionise the Welfare State, she shows us a new design for the welfare state, and a new way of working with human connection at its heart.

Upending the current crisis of managing scarcity, Hilary shows that our capacities for strong and productive human relationships are abundant. She shows how we can, and must work with individuals, families and communities to grow the core capabilities we all need to live, learn, work, care for each other, and flourish. 

Sharing her vision at the RSA, Hilary Cottam is joined in conversation by award-winning journalist Gary Younge to explore the principles behind this radically new approach, the design process that makes the work possible and the challenges of transition.

Please accept our apologies, but due to building works currently taking place at RSA House we are unable to offer step-free access to this event. Please contact us if you have any further access queries, and don’t forget you can watch the event live online via our YouTube and Facebook Channel.