ABSTRACT
The project is situated in a part of England termed by the Government as ‘The Northern Powerhouse’, and termed by opponents as ‘Northern Poorhouse’. The north is characterised as having been much harder hit by austerity policies: poorer, with overcrowded housing and fewer jobs that can be done at home. Austerity cuts by the Government and councils have severely affected staff hours and the renewal of equipment. The station struggles to pay its rental. It is important to restate the effects of the United Kingdom (UK) Conservative government’s austerity agenda, increased global, national and local poverty, and the specific impact of mental distress upon women. The context of mental distress is detailed in The Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health and Sustainable Development, which argues for major improvements in income and gender equality and ‘intensive opportunities’ for education in community settings as well as for ‘occupation, employment and social inclusion’ across the life course.
