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In the first issue this year (volume 8, issue 1), Network profiled self‐employment support programmes offered by Business Ability and East Lancs into Employment. In this, the final issue of the year, we look at another self‐employment scheme, operated by West Norfolk MIND ‐ one that demonstrates how much can be achieved by seizing local opportunities, despite quite limited resources. Hopefully, the new Phoenix Development Fund monies now available from the Small Business Service (see action point 14 of the Social Exclusion Unit report (www.socialexclusion.gov.uk)) to support further pilot initiatives will give this sector a much‐needed boost … We also profile the new regional maps and networks for learning developed by NIACE in partnership with NIMHE, as well as some new publications that may be of interest to readers.

Bob Grove looks with sadness on the decision by the Department of Health not to follow through on the implementation of Welfare to Work Joint Investment plans. But this is not the end of the story — promises have been made and Bob believes that disabled people should ensure that they are kept.

Over the past six years, Bob Grove has provided clear leadership for the editorial group of A life in the day and established the journal as a valuable resource for mental health services. As he passes the editor's red pen to me, I want to begin by recording my thanks to Bob for his consistent encouragement and expertise.

Ten years ago the Greek island of Leros became notorious throughout Europe as one of the worst examples of the inhumanity of the ‘total institution’ still existing within the European Union. With the expansion of the Union in the next century we may well find more such examples and we will need to apply the lessons learned from the transformation of Leros ‐ both the successes and the unresolved problems. This account by John Henderson and Bob Grove ‐ both of whom were involved in monitoring the reform programme for the European Commission, is inevitably the view of outsiders. It does, however, set the scene for one of the most dramatic processes of escape into ordinary life that has been seen anywhere in the past decade. We hope that in future editions of A life in the day we will be able to persuade the participants to give first hand accounts of their experiences.

This inspiring article describes a series of activities that have taken place in the UK over the past year (2001) aiming to generate interest in user/survivor/consumer‐run social enterprises. The writers want to let others know about these activities, about the survivor‐run businesses in Ontario, and hopefully to create more interest in this type of work/community initiative. As editor of this journal I hope that the article will provoke those of you already running user/survivor‐led businesses in the UK to rise to the challenge and write about your work for future issues. Can't let the Canadians have things all their own way… Bob Grove.

In May 1998 I was commissioned by the Mental Health Framework Employment Sub‐Group for Aberdeen to review the current mix of employment services for people with mental health problems and ‐ taking account of previous reviews and proposals for the development of new services ‐ to make recommendations for the establishment of modern, comprehensive, cost effective local services in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.