Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 05/08/2026It's a great article! Well done! Looking forward to seeing it in print. 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/03/2026And that’s what those pushing this agenda want. They want women to stop taking up space. They want women to fit in a box. To look pretty. To be feminine. To have (more) children. They are attacking a minority of women so that they can shift behaviour by the majority of women. 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/03/2026They’ll grow their hair out while wishing they could have a buzz cut. They’ll look longingly at the three-piece suit while putting on the dress. They won’t take the courses that could get them the job they want. They won’t ask questions that might draw attention to them. They won’t compete. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/03/2026Women with short hair. Women who look androgynous. Women who want to wear braces or waistcoats. Women who speak up. Women who do jobs traditionally done by men. Gradually these women will be erased. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/03/2026By calling out trans women, by making them seem less, by removing them from society (that’s what a bathroom ban does because you’re not going to go out and participate if you can’t go to the toilet) the people behind these attacks are changing the participation of all women in society. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/03/2026Now all women who want to compete have to face a test, which may or may not be accurate, on an arbitrary definition of what makes someone biologically female, which they have no control over. And no right to refuse. Yet another example of society imposing rules on women and forcing them to comply. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/03/2026No openly trans woman has medalled in an individual Olympics event. So it’s not a case of preventing someone having some kind of advantage over their competitors. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/03/2026Women will be eligible to compete if they pass a genetic test looking for the SRY gene, which kicks in at the point when a fetus switches from female to male. A similar rule has not been imposed for male categories of future events. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/03/2026It could be losing a position you have worked hard for because the rules changed. Last week the International Olympic Committee officially banned trans women from competing in female categories. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/03/2026That could be being called out in the street. It could be being forced to undergo a medical check. It could be being forced to comply with dress or behaviour codes. It could be the refusal of medical care. It could be violence. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 29/03/2026How do you feel about being wrong? rewrites.rachelextance.com/we-need-to-b... #amwriting #blogging #musingsrewrites.rachelextance.comWe need to be willing to be wrong - re:writesI've been struggling to write this blog post for a couple of hours now. What if I write about the wrong thing? What if I haven't researched enough about the topic I am writing about? This blog post co... 000
Reposted by Rachel ExtanceRob Bignell, Editor/Author @inventingreality.bsky.social · 14/03/2026#CreativeWriting #AuthorLife #Storytellers #amwriting #writingcommunity 1318
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 28/03/2026One of the things I need to figure out is how I'm sharing these writings more widely. If you're a blogger, what are you doing to build an audience these days? 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 28/03/2026This thread is the start of the first article I wrote when I decided to go back to daily blogging. I'm on day three now. If you're interested to read more, head to rewrites.rachelextance.com/im-attemptin... #AmWriting #Bloggingrewrites.rachelextance.comI'm attempting a daily blog (again) - re:writesAbout 8 years ago, I tried blogging every day. I managed it for about a month. Earlier this year I tried to journal every day, and again, I kept it up for about a month. So this is not a promise or a ... 110
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 28/03/2026One of the issues I struggle with is tone. I don’t want to come across as preachy. No-one likes that, including me. I read lots of things that I think need a wider audience. And then I tie myself up in knots about how to share that information. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 28/03/2026But very often I write in my head. I don't put the reps in by getting my thoughts out there. I hold off on things because I see people saying they don’t want to see this or that; or because I fear it’s not good enough. It never will be if I don’t give it a shot. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 28/03/2026I'm not a screen writer or a fiction author. I blog about what I see happening around me, politics, identity, and things that make me think 'ooh that's something I'd like to talk about'. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 28/03/2026Someone on Threads kindly threaded a Q&A with screenwriter Jacob Tierney this week and one of the things he said was the only way to get good is to work. He said: “The worst thing you can do is think about your writing. Just sit down and write. Write bad scenes. But write them.” 110
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 28/03/2026The roadblock goes like this: 💡 There's so much I want to write about 💡 I don’t know where to start 💡 I can’t write about that topic because people might not like it or it doesn’t fit this blog or who am I to write about that? 💡 It’s 2 or 3 days since I had that idea and now the moment’s passed 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 28/03/2026I'm attempting to blog daily again. I did this about 8 years ago and managed it for about a month so this is not a promise or a pledge. It’s a device to get me over a mental roadblock. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 28/02/2026Hundreds of people in Kansas had their driving licences revoked overnight. Everyday resources we rely on are now an opportunity for disruption. This is the weaponisation of infrastructure and we all need to be aware of it rewrites.rachelextance.com/the-weaponis....rewrites.rachelextance.comThe weaponisation of infrastructure: why we need to act nowFrom trans people in Kansas losing their driving licences overnight to AI being used in military raids, the infrastructure we rely on is being weaponised. Here's why we need to sound the alarm. 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 13/02/2026If you're tackling these communication challenges in your organisation, then I've written up the event on my blog rachelextance.com/make-custome...rachelextance.comHow do you make customers care about your sustainability initiatives?Three businesses share how they communicate social value to customers, from electric buses to apprenticeships. Insights from Making Sustainability and Social Value Work for You event. 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 13/02/2026What came across clearly was no two organisations go about implementing social value the same way, and everyone wrestles with how to share their values with customers. How do you demonstrate the impact? How do you persuade people to be part of that work? 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 13/02/2026The panel talked about: 🟣 When investment in sustainability doesn't lead to an obvious return 🟣 Why Skanska's social value strategy starts by listening to what the local area actually needs 🟣 How Stagecoach turned buses into safe spaces through the award-winning Buses Against Abuse initiative 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 13/02/2026The event was held at @angliaruskin.bsky.social in Cambridge to mark the launch of their Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner Apprenticeship. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 13/02/2026How do you get your customers to value your sustainability initiatives? That's one of the questions Sarah Coates from Tees Law, Fiona McArthur from Skanska, and David Boden from Stagecoach discussed with Rachel Hales at Making Sustainability and Social Value Work for You this week. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 01/02/2026I wrote my first book blog article yesterday. Gosh it makes you feel self-conscious. Anyway, if you are curious about the books I read during January, here it is (kinda got hijacked by Heated Rivalry tbh) rewrites.rachelextance.com/books-in-jan....rewrites.rachelextance.comI read 9 books in January (including 24 hours of hockey smut) - re:writesThis year I decided to step up my reading. I’m doing a master’s degree, so I need to read for that, but I also wanted to get back into fiction, instead of endlessly scrolling on my phone. This article... 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/01/2026This is fascinating! Do you queue up now or do you still just go to the bar? www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...theguardian.com‘It’s ridiculous’: publicans bemused by rise of single-file queues to get servedBar owners say they struggle to dissuade people from forming a line as behavioural experts point to post-pandemic ‘new norms’ 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 31/01/2026If you're wrestling with an idea and it just won't come together, go and have a shower. Works every time. 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/01/2026Read the full roundup on my blog rachelextance.com/reading-camp...rachelextance.comNew reading campaign, rail investment, and your chance to choose an iconic trademark: this week’s government newsNot all headlines are doom and gloom. The government has released news about a range of issues over the past seven days. Here is my selection of headlines relating to businesses, communities, and the ... 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/01/2026Vote for your most iconic UK trade mark ™️. The UK’s trade mark registry celebrated its 150th birthday on January 1st and people are being invited to vote for their favourite. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/01/2026The UK's first mine water heat Living Laboratory in Gateshead is attracting international researchers 🔋. Thousands of hours of data are being used to develop low-carbon heat solutions. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/01/2026UK publishes Guiding Principles on Supporting Human Rights Defenders 🌎Many face intimidation, violence and criminalisation. This guidance sets out how government will support them. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/01/2026Offenders screened for mental health and addiction issues in new healthcare pilot scheme 🧑⚕️. NHS professionals to work from probation offices in move to reduce reoffending. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/01/2026Major north-west rail investment announced 🛤️. New route between Liverpool and Manchester, improved Pennines connections. Three new stations planned. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/01/2026UK Town of Culture 2028 applications are open until March 31st 🏘️. Towns can bid based on their unique story, cultural programmes for all, and delivery plans. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/01/2026National Year of Reading launches 📚. People are encouraged to go 'Go All In' and read about their interests. Only 1/3 of young people aged 8-18 read for pleasure. Events throughout the year include storytelling weeks, writing competitions, and author conversations. 100
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/01/2026Your weekly government news roundup 🧵 From reading campaigns to rail investment - here's what's happening across the UK this week: 100
Reposted by Rachel ExtanceMarsh Naylor @marshnaylor.net · 15/01/2026#academicsky #philsky #edusky 1186
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 15/01/2026Hasn't this always been the case? You certainly didn't when going out for the night in the 90s (I've never understood it either, I much prefer to be warm). 000
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 15/01/2026I'm doing an MSc and it's taking some getting used to reading books online. I want to be able to flip back and forth. I want to picture where the quote is on the page. That said, my bag is a lot lighter. 010
Reposted by Rachel ExtanceAddie - inky, pinky, thinky @addiebabe.bsky.social · 15/01/2026#phdsky #academicsky #musicscience #psychscisky please can you help me promote my survey? I need to reach as many people with hearing loss as possible. Unfortunately Reddit has deleted all my posts (which I am appealing) but I need other places where I can share my call for participants. Thank you! 057
Reposted by Rachel Extancefesshole 🧻 @fesshole.bsky.social · 15/01/2026I keep the birthdays of old Doctor Who actors memorised so I don't panic if I see them trend on that day. 734339
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 15/01/2026It's a scary time to be queer. There's a lot of negativity. So the response to Heated Rivalry is a joy. I've written about why storytelling, and seeing yourself in stories, is so important rewrites.rachelextance.com/heated-rival...rewrites.rachelextance.comWhen hockey fans embrace queer drama: the Heated Rivalry effect - re:writesTwo things brought me joy this week: watching footage of people packed into a bar watching a pivotal moment in Heated Rivalry; and watching the hosts of hockey podcast Empty Netters respond to a speec... 000
Reposted by Rachel ExtanceLarry the Cat @number10cat.bsky.social · 08/01/2026People fatally shot by UK police in 2024/25: 2 People fatally shot by US law enforcement in 2025: 1280 491950659
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 30/12/20252025 was a year of going back to my roots and rediscovering long-held interests. Like many people my age, I felt I had lost myself along the way. I’ve been sorting through who I am, what my skills are, and how I want to spend my time. Read what I learned rewrites.rachelextance.com/what-i-learn...rewrites.rachelextance.comCreating the Conditions for Change: What I Learned in 2025 - re:writesThis post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This year, nothing has gone wrong in my personal life. No-on... 010
Rachel Extance @rachelextance.bsky.social · 17/12/2025I wasn't planning on going back to university this year but it was a great decision. If you're curious about life as a mature student, or what a political communications course is about, here are my musings on my first term at Birkbeck in London. open.substack.com/pub/bbkbritp...open.substack.comGoing back to university in my 40s: why I'm studying political communication“One of the things I am taking away from this term is that it’s a great way to get comfortable with not knowing.” 020