Original subscribers to the GLST mailing list will be moved across to Substack, where they’ll receive our latest news, stories and updates. All of our content will remain free to read, with the option to upgrade and become a Friend of the Trust to help support our work. Paid subscribers will also be able to join the conversation through comments. Thanks for your support!
Editorial note: This is an official GLST statement.
Written by Al Aitken, GLST Board Chair
Unveiling the New Daily Vale!
Once upon a time I loved newspapers. Before the digital age made them old, slow and small, newspapers were a treasure trove of different stuff. From news to opinion to mundane facts, newspapers were a daily information pipeline. Television delivered the immediate, newspapers provided depth.
Delivering a deeper understanding of Gloriavale, the related issues and our work is the purpose of the Daily Vale Blog.
Previously, The Daily Vale was an archive of blog posts about Gloriavale gathered from across the internet, alongside pieces written by GLST Trust Manager Liz Gregory. We decided to make the Daily Vale an official trust blog. Making it official means a development of both tone and content. It’s a bit like a newspaper.
Going forward Daily Vale content will be organised around four different themes.
1. GLST News, Statements and Impact
This includes official statements, media releases, announcements and reports on trust activities. The focus is on informing leavers and supporters.
2. Voices and Lived Experience
This includes things like personal stories of Leavers both in and out of Gloriavale, informed commentary and opinion from staff, trustees, leavers and external voices. Identity protection through pseudonyms may be provided where needed. The focus is on the personal and reflective.
3. Advocacy, Accountability and System Change
This includes analysis and summaries of litigation against Gloriavale, government investigations, responses to official reports and breakdown of government legislation. The focus is on information.
4. Educational Context and Professional Resources
This includes materials for social workers, psychologists, educators, government agencies and anyone working with Gloriavale or leavers from Gloriavale. The focus is on education and training around high-control, coercive groups, trauma & recovery.
A Final Word
I can’t guarantee that all of our readers will agree with everything we say all of the time, but I hope that the Daily Vale will be a continued and increasing help in our work toward better lives for people both in and out of Gloriavale.
Alan Aitken, GLST Board Chair
Note: You can choose to read the Daily Vale articles from the GLST website, or on Substack.