The State We’re In Interactive

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The State We're In: The Board Game!

As individuals, we can all make choices about how to live happily and healthily. But is it really as simple as that?The paths we take through life are complex, sometimes determined by decisions we make, sometimes by situations and events beyond our control.Play the game to explore how your life is influenced not only by the choices you make, but also by factors you may never have even considered.

Start

Community Health

Being in Care

PRISON

Take a Chance Card

Old Age

Environment

Teenage Years

Neurodiversity & Justice

Early Years

GCSEs

Housing

Maternity

Legal Aid

Higher Education

Starting Education

Primary School

Mental Health & Justice

Legal Aid

Choose your piece, click on the dice to roll, and click on the square you land on to learn about the topic (alternatively, you can click on any square you'd like to know more about!).

Ok, let's play!

Instructions to Play

Choose your piece, click on the dice to roll, and click on the square you land on to learn about the topic (alternatively, you can click on any square you'd like to know more about!).

Ok, let's play!

Instructions to Play

Higher Education

Did you know?

In 1965, only 5% of school leavers went to university; nowadays, more than 40% of young people start undergraduate degrees – but it comes at a cost, with tuition fees alone typically ranging upwards of £27,000, with few able to clear the full debt within 30 years (House of Commons, 2012).

Those from wealthier households are more likely to goto a high-ranking university with increased employmentprospects (IFS, 2020). So, degrees may not always be the socialleveller universities often hope.  

If you have a degree, you are likely to earnmore during your working life, but howmuch more depends on where you go to university,if you are male or female, or what subject you study. 

 Pay isn’t the only benefit of going to university, though! Studies show thathighly educated populations tend to have better health outcomes and may have less crime.

The number of people living with long-term health conditions has increased substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic. There are now over 2.5 million people economically inactive because of long-term sickness, an increase of over 400,000 since the start of the pandemic. Many of those affected have multiple, interlinked, and complex health issues affecting not only their ability to work but also their capacity to care for family members and contribute to society in other ways. 

What do you think?

Groups supporting those living with disabilities and long-term health conditions are increasingly campaigning to improve the health and wellbeing of society. What would be your message to your local MP?  

Long Term Health Conditions

References

• Census (2021) Rising ill-health and economic inactivity because of long-term sickness, UK: 2019 to 2023. Office for National Statistics. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk [Accessed 12 January 2024].
• Criminal Justice Joint Inspection (2021) Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System. Available at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/cjji/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/Neurodiversity-evidence-review-web-2021.pdf [Accessed: 29 January 2024].
• Donovan, N.J. & Blazer, D. (2020) 'Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults', American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(12), pp. 1233–1244.
• HM Inspectorate of Prisons (2022) Annual Report 2021–22. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62cc11a1d3bf7f2ff9806b1c/hmip-annual-report-2021-22.pdf [Accessed: 29 January 2024].
• HM Inspectorate of Prisons (2023) Children in custody 2021–22. London: HM Stationery Office.
• Hunter, K., Francis, B., & Fitzpatrick, C., (2023) Care experience, ethnicity and youth justice involvement: key trends and policy implications. Administrative Data Research UK report. Available at: https://www.adruk.org/fileadmin/uploads/adruk/Documents/Policy_Briefings/Policy-briefing-Katie-Hunter.pdf [Accessed: 29 January 2024].
• LawWorks (2023) LawWorks Clinics Network Report 2022. Available at: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/solicitors-and-volunteers/resources/lawworks-clinics-network-report-2022 [Accessed: 29 January 2024].
• MBRRACE UK (2022) Missing Voices Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care: Lay Summary.
• Ministry of Justice (2023) Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/family-court-statistics-quarterly-april-to-june-2023/family-court-statistics-quarterly-april-to-june-2023 [Accessed: 29 January 2024].
• Newman, E. et al. (2015)
• Prison Reform Trust (2023) Prison: the facts. Available at: https://prisonreformtrust.org.uk/publication/prison-the-facts-summer-2023/ [Accessed: 29 January 2024].
• Roadwise (2015) The chance of a pedestrian surviving. Available at: https://roadwise.co.uk
• Sturge, G. (2023) UK Prison Population Statistics. Available at: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN04334/SN04334.pdf [Accessed 9 January 2024].
• The King's Fund, (2023) What are health inequalities? Available at: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk [Accessed 12 January 2024].
• Unicef, (2023) Trends, Promising Practices and Gaps in Remote Learning for Pre-Primary Education. Innocenti Research Briefs. 2020-36(1), p. 1. [Online]. Available at: https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/1167-covid-19-trends-promising-practices-and-gaps-in-remote- [Accessed 9 January 2024].
• Wilkinson, R. & Pickett, K. (2010) The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone. London: Penguin.

Mental Health & Justice

Did you know?

In 1900, there were 86 prisoners per 100,000 people in the general population, and in 2022, there were 159, with the total prison population at 83,100 (Sturge, 2023). Many factors explain this increase, such as more effective policing techniques; nevertheless, increasing custodial sentences puts pressure on available support resources (Sturge, 2023).

Recent reports state that 51% of men and 76%of women experience mental health difficultiesin prison, yet only a third found it easy to see amental health worker (HM Inspectorate of Prisons,2022). Other studies have shown that 42% of prisonershave been diagnosed with a mental illness before enteringprison, most commonly personality, anxiety and psychotic disorders.

Providing effective treatment for mental illness can reduce the likelihoodthat someone will reoffend after being released, yet only around 10% of prisonersare receiving the treatment they need (Prison Reform Trust, 2023).

Early Years

Did you know?

A positive early years experience lays the foundation for a person’s future. Infants and young children need a close bond with their caregiver(s). When care meets their needs (like responding to crying or playing together), it helps build positive emotional bonds known as secure attachment.

Understanding attachment theory can help us to support people who may be experiencing difficulties arising from insecure attachment or trauma. For example, it’s a positive approach for teachers, carers and other people who support care-experienced or adopted children (Newman et al. 2015).

If this is disrupted, it can cause emotional and psychologicaleffects, which can last throughout life (Bowlby, 1997). Neuroscience studiesalso show how the bond affects early physical brain development, where parts of the brain may develop differently. This can make it hard to manage emotions, control certain behaviours or establish relationships with others (Newman et al. 2015).  

Neurodiversity & Justice

About 15-20% of the population have some form of neurodivergent condition, compared to about 50% of people entering prison (Criminal Justice Joint Inspection, 2021).

Did you know?

‘Neurodiversity’ is a broad term covering a range of conditions, including autism, learning difficulties and disabilities, and the effects of brain injury. Like the general population, only a small minority of neurodivergent people enter the criminal justice system. Still, they might find

experiences with the police, courts and prisons more difficultthan someone without neurodivergence. An influential 2021criminal justice report found ‘patchy and inconsistent’ help forneurodivergent people. It recommended that justice, health andeducation departments develop a joint strategy to improve outcomes forthose people. The strategy should include processes to identify an individual’s needsearly in their engagement with the criminal justice system, further training for police, prison and probation staff, and improved rehabilitation programmes (Criminal Justice Joint Inspection, 2021).

When catastrophic events happen – such as floods, pandemics, or terror attacks, everyone will be impacted somehow. This is where individual choices are about more than what is right or wrong ‘for me’. Communities come together to support the wellbeing of others, as demonstrated by the growth of neighbourhood networks and schemes such as ‘Cabs for Jabs’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. People checked in on their

Did you know..?

Leisure centres aren’t only spaces to keep local communities fit and healthy. They are a vital staple of UK emergency plans as they are the spaces where people are taken for safety in a crisis. But since 2010, government cuts to council funding have led to the closure of such essential spaces up and down the country.

National Crisis!

vulnerable neighbours, and schools provided safe spaces for the children of key workers.It is particularly important to think about national infrastructure at times of national crisis and its role in supporting the health and wellbeing of everyone, young or old, rich or poor.

Prison

There are notable differences between prisons in the UK and Norway, with Norway putting greater focus on rehabilitating prisoners. While reoffending rates may be lower in Norway, the UK spends about £45,000 per prison place per year, whereas Norway spends almost three times that, at around £120,000 per prisoner (Sturge, 2023). While the UK is cheaper, the expenditure does not factor in the cost to society of a prisoner reoffending following release.

Did you know?

What do you think?

How much should prison be about punishment, and how much should it be about rehabilitation?

When catastrophic events happen – such as floods, pandemics, or terror attacks, everyone will be impacted somehow. This is where individual choices are about more than what is right or wrong ‘for me’. Communities come together to support the wellbeing of others, as demonstrated by the growth of neighbourhood networks and schemes such as ‘Cabs for Jabs’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. People checked in on their

Did you know..?

Leisure centres aren’t only spaces to keep local communities fit and healthy. They are a vital staple of UK emergency plans as they are the spaces where people are taken for safety in a crisis. But since 2010, government cuts to council funding have led to the closure of such essential spaces up and down the country.

National Crisis!

vulnerable neighbours, and schools provided safe spaces for the children of key workers.It is particularly important to think about national infrastructure at times of national crisis and its role in supporting the health and wellbeing of everyone, young or old, rich or poor.

Legal Aid

The Open University Law School opened the UK’s first fully online law clinic in 2016.

Did you know?

Legal aid – government funding to pay legalfees – was removed or restricted acrossmany areas of law in 2013, resulting in millions across the UK living in legal aid deserts with little or

no access to legal aid lawyers. If you were involved in alegal matter, perhaps concerning the arrangements for thecare of children or an employment issue, would you feel confident representing yourself in court? In the family courts in England and Wales, both parties represent themselves in about 40% of cases, up from 14% in 2013 (Ministry of Justice, 2023).

Still, free legal support is available from organisations like Support Through Court,law centres and university law clinics. Demand for support continues to rise; in 2022over 11,000 volunteers in around 300 law clinics helped over 51,000 clients in England and Wales alone (LawWorks, 2023).

Teenage Years

How does this knowledge affect the way you consider some of these milestones in a pre-teen and teen’s life?  1) Criminal age of responsibility at ten years of age  2) Choosing your future career  3) Studying for important exams

What do you think?

Did you know?

Your brain goes through a second major growthdevelopment in your teen years. Alongside puberty,which can affect your mood and change your body, theteen brain is being re-wired – pruning unused neural pathwaysand forging new links as you learn. Your brain doesn’t fully develop until you are around 25 years old. This means that until then, a teen’s brain is learning faster, which can feel overwhelming.

It can also affect decision-making, with teens more prone to taking high risks oracting quickly without thinking much!  

The number of people living with long-term health conditions has increased substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic. There are now over 2.5 million people economically inactive because of long-term sickness, an increase of over 400,000 since the start of the pandemic. Many of those affected have multiple, interlinked, and complex health issues affecting not only their ability to work but also their capacity to care for family members and contribute to society in other ways. 

What do you think?

Groups supporting those living with disabilities and long-term health conditions are increasingly campaigning to improve the health and wellbeing of society. What would be your message to your local MP?  

Long Term Health Conditions

Being in Care

Children with experience of the care system are significantly over-represented in securetraining centres (46%) and young offender institutions (62%) (HM Inspectorate of Prisons, 2023).

Did you know?

A recent study reports that care-experiencedchildren (i.e. those who have spent time in localauthority care) in England are much more likely to havebeen involved in the youth justice system than other children.

The data showed that about 2% of all children experience thecare system, and 4% receive a caution or conviction, yet 33% ofcare-experienced children born between 1996 and 1999 received acaution or conviction between the ages of 10 and 17. (Hunter, Francis and Fitzpatrick, 2023).

While many children thrive in care after being removed from harmful family situations, earlier and more effective intervention in families, including in the areas of health and education, could result in fewer children entering the care system.

The number of people living with long-term health conditions has increased substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic. There are now over 2.5 million people economically inactive because of long-term sickness, an increase of over 400,000 since the start of the pandemic. Many of those affected have multiple, interlinked, and complex health issues affecting not only their ability to work but also their capacity to care for family members and contribute to society in other ways. 

What do you think?

Groups supporting those living with disabilities and long-term health conditions are increasingly campaigning to improve the health and wellbeing of society. What would be your message to your local MP?  

Long Term Health Conditions

GCSEs

Did you know?

In Wales, The Open University is the first to offer flexible part-time and employment-based teaching routes so aspiring teachers from all walks of life can study for the PGCE around existing commitments. This helps attract and retain teachers who bring new skills and different experiences to schools. 

Children from the poorest households are less likely than their wealthier peers to achieve higher GCSE grades, with white working-class boys often cited as the lowest-attaining group. Schemes such as free school meals and uniform swap shops aim to reduce poverty’s effects on attainment. Yet, studies showthat one highly influential factor in improving

educational outcomes is the skill and quality of the teacher.Managing workload conditions, good parent-and-pupil relationships, effective school leadership, and opportunities for higher-level learning are all factors that can support teachers in improving their practice. 

The number of people living with long-term health conditions has increased substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic. There are now over 2.5 million people economically inactive because of long-term sickness, an increase of over 400,000 since the start of the pandemic. Many of those affected have multiple, interlinked, and complex health issues affecting not only their ability to work but also their capacity to care for family members and contribute to society in other ways. 

What do you think?

Groups supporting those living with disabilities and long-term health conditions are increasingly campaigning to improve the health and wellbeing of society. What would be your message to your local MP?  

Long Term Health Conditions

Environment

The climate crisis is the biggest environmental threat to life on earth, and even this is linked to societal inequalities. The richest 1% of people worldwide account for more carbon emissions than the poorest 66%.

Did you know?

People are often blamed for making ‘poor choices’that negatively impact their health, but many choicesare beyond our control.

Let’s take diet as an example: The poorest 10% ofUK households would need to spend 74% of theirincome (after housing costs) on food to follow thegovernment’s official guidance on a ‘healthy diet’,compared to only 6% of income for the richest 10% of households ​(King's Fund, 2023)​.

Add to this the fact that those areas in highest need are often food deserts when it comes to fresh, affordable items, and it’s clear that ‘individual choice’ can be more complex than it appears.

Maternity

Maternal mortality for Black women is 3.7 times higher and for Asian women 1.8 times higher than for White women. This is due to structural inequalities as well as embedded institutional racism.

Did you know?

Even before birth, your and your mother’s life chances are already influenced by where you live.

Mothers living in the most deprived areasof the UK are more than twice as likely to die during or up to six weeks after the end of pregnancy,compared to mothers living in the wealthiest areas.

Community Health

In the UK, there is a lot of emphasis on enhancing ‘individual choice’, but given the inequity in society, how meaningful or fair do you think those choices really are?

What do you think?

Did you know?

There’s extensive evidence that connectedand equal communities are healthy communities(Wilkinson & Pickett, 2010, Et al.). Unfortunately, theUK is one of the most unequal European nations andis getting worse. Austerity measures led to the closure ofvital health-enhancing services such as leisure centres, transportinfrastructure, school fields and swimming pools, disproportionately affecting those who are worse off already.

People in the bottom 40% of the income distribution are almost twice as likely to report poor health than those in the top 20%, and poverty is strongly associated with worse health outcomes.

Housing

If a pedestrian is hit at 40 mph, there is a 90% chance they will be killed. At 30 mph, it's 20%. At 20 mph, the chance of being killed drops to just 2.5%.

Did you know?

The quality of your environment has a huge impact on your health and wellbeing. Poor-quality and overcrowded housing conditions are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as higher levels of depression and anxiety.  

Road traffic in housing areas is a major contributing factor torespiratory disease. Children in the most deprived areas of the UKare also more likely to be victims of road traffic accidents. For example, twice as many people are killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents in the most deprived areas of London compared to the least deprived areas.

Old Age

Social isolation and reduced mobility in an ageing population are associated with poor mental health, increased stress levels, and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (e034967.full.pdf (bmj.com)).

Did you know?

Loneliness is described as a ‘modern epidemic’. While it can affect people of any age, there are particular concerns about loneliness for older people. Exploration of intergenerational approaches to care, such as pairing nurseries and schools with care homes, can be beneficial for tackling loneliness in the older generation whilst also supporting children’s social and emotional skills and enhancing their learning.

Starting Education

Teachers report that up to half of allchildren are not ready to start school andthat this has worsened since the pandemic. This may be a consequence of early yearssupport not being as readily available.

Did you know?

Parental involvement in early childhood education significantly impacts children's academic achievement and social-emotional skills, enhancing their overall wellbeing (Unicef, 2023).

In one survey of a thousand primary teachers, 90% ofteachers said they had at least one child in their class whowas not toilet trained, and 91% said they had several childrenwho could not demonstrate basic communication skills(for example, being able to tell their name).

Primary School

When do you think is the best time for children to start school, and why?

What do you think?

In the UK, children start school aged five.

In some areas, intervention programmes mayenable children from the poorest householdsto start early education at two years old.High-quality early learning has been shown to helpchildren achieve well at school later on and improve theirchances of success. Yet, in countries like Finland or Sweden, often considered to have better educational outcomes than the UK, children do not start school until seven years old.

When catastrophic events happen – such as floods, pandemics, or terror attacks, everyone will be impacted somehow. This is where individual choices are about more than what is right or wrong ‘for me’. Communities come together to support the wellbeing of others, as demonstrated by the growth of neighbourhood networks and schemes such as ‘Cabs for Jabs’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. People checked in on their

Did you know..?

Leisure centres aren’t only spaces to keep local communities fit and healthy. They are a vital staple of UK emergency plans as they are the spaces where people are taken for safety in a crisis. But since 2010, government cuts to council funding have led to the closure of such essential spaces up and down the country.

National Crisis!

vulnerable neighbours, and schools provided safe spaces for the children of key workers.It is particularly important to think about national infrastructure at times of national crisis and its role in supporting the health and wellbeing of everyone, young or old, rich or poor.

When catastrophic events happen – such as floods, pandemics, or terror attacks, everyone will be impacted somehow. This is where individual choices are about more than what is right or wrong ‘for me’. Communities come together to support the wellbeing of others, as demonstrated by the growth of neighbourhood networks and schemes such as ‘Cabs for Jabs’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. People checked in on their

Did you know..?

Leisure centres aren’t only spaces to keep local communities fit and healthy. They are a vital staple of UK emergency plans as they are the spaces where people are taken for safety in a crisis. But since 2010, government cuts to council funding have led to the closure of such essential spaces up and down the country.

National Crisis!

vulnerable neighbours, and schools provided safe spaces for the children of key workers.It is particularly important to think about national infrastructure at times of national crisis and its role in supporting the health and wellbeing of everyone, young or old, rich or poor.