We have previously described the discovery of a unique set of infant records collected in Hertfordshire between 1911 and 19481. The historical data for births between 1911-30 were linked to the NHS central register and showed that small size at birth and during infancy was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in men and women.2;3 These were the first studies based on individual data to suggest that adverse environmental influences acting in utero and during infancy might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in later life. Detailed physiological investigations of surviving men and women born in Hertfordshire between 1920-30 and still living there in the early 1990's were subsequently conducted and allowed investigation of morbidity. Studies based on men and women resident in East Hertfordshire demonstrated that small size at birth and during infancy was associated with increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus4;5, the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance6 and osteoporosis7. During the same time period (1994-5), 717 men and women resident in North Hertfordshire attended clinics where a wide range of markers of ageing were characterised. These clinics comprised the first follow-up of what will herein be referred to as the Hertfordshire Ageing Study (HAS). This study was the first to demonstrate that size in early life was associated with markers of ageing in older people8.In 2004, mortality studies were extended to include the whole 1911-39 birth cohort9 and a second follow-up of the HAS cohort was carried out approximately 10 years after the first one. Fieldwork for the second HAS follow-up was conducted at the same time as fieldwork for the larger Hertfordshire Cohort Study1 (HCS) which comprised 3,000 younger men and women who were born in Hertfordshire between 1931-39 and who still lived in the county. The HCS and HAS birth cohorts are completely distinct (with birth years ranging 1931-39 for HCS and 1920-30 for HAS) and have different, although related, research objectives. The principal objective of the Hertfordshire Cohort Study is to evaluate the interactions Correspondence and reprint requests to: Mrs Holly Syddall,

This paper uses a reflective method to gather findings with relation to a collaborative governance approach for the sociotechnical transition to a low carbon society in a regional context. As top-down and bottom-up approaches to sustainable transitions have proven insufficient in bringing about the necessary changes required to meet the demands of climate action, more collaborative approaches between local communities, national public bodies and research organisations are warranted. Within this, there is a need to understand the dynamics of collaborative governance for participants in the process. Through a process of reflective practice, this paper outlines the networks, personal capacities, organisational capacities, benefits and challenges of collaborative governance partnerships for sustainable transitions from the perspective of individuals within a collaborative committee working on a regional transition project on the Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry, Ireland. Alongside this, some solutions to challenges outlined through reflection are highlighted. This research paper highlights the need for the incorporation of reflective practice within collaborative governance for the socio-technical transition to a low-carbon society.

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Purpose Trusting and empathic relationships between project workers and people experiencing homelessness (PEH) form the cornerstone for their needs to be met. However, under the UK austerity agenda project workers practice in a context of increasing pressure and limited resources; with relationships often characterised by conditionality and disconnection. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study investigating project workers’ experiences of building relationships with PEH living in supported housing projects. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative design was employed in which focus groups were carried out in six projects, using an opportunity sample of 22 project workers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, within a social constructionist epistemology. Findings Three main themes were identified: “Working hard to build connection”, “Supporting each other within an unsupportive context” and “Draining but sustaining”. Project workers acted out of strong value systems in building relationships with residents against a backdrop of systemic disconnection. Originality/value Clear clinical implications are put forward with in a Psychologically Informed Environment framework. Services supporting PEH need to be psychologically informed and organisations need to embed reflection within their policies and every day practice. In developing services for PEH interdependence not in/dependence needs to be the aim. Finally, the responsibility for improving the lives of PEH should be placed back on society to provide a context in which PEH can thrive.