The Human Library, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, allows people to volunteer as ‘books’ to interact with ‘readers’ in 30-minute conversations. Chit-chat, small talk, surface-level nattering — do you love it or loathe it? Do you often just want to have a one-on-one, real, meaningful and present conversation? One that doesn’t come with expectation, judgement, criticism or distress. To talk to empathise with others, gain understanding of their perspectives and to be social. I fi

Do we ever reach the end of an era? Or are we just beginning a new one? I notice how this may seem entirely meaningless and insignificant when we are going through a global pandemic. And it is. My intention for writing here is not to trivialise the scary and strange times we’re currently in, but to use this as a forum to explore my own emotions to everyday events throughout this crazy ride we call life. Those that raise questions, prompt reflection and influence change. Right now, those emotio

I’ve never really had just one dream. But there’s always been several things that I’ve loved to do: performing, reading, writing, exploring, music, analysing, asking questions. Always. Ever since I was a child. Along the way, as I’ve tried to navigate ‘adulthood’, I’ve often lost sight of these dreams ― and how happy engaging in them makes me. I guess as we get older dreams can simply pale into insignificance amid daily life and the responsibilities of rent, bills, relationships. Along the way

The Covid-19 pandemic is having the greatest detrimental impact on the mental health of women, parents of under-fives and young people aged between 18-to-24-years old, a study by researchers at The University of Manchester, King’s College London and the National Centre for Social Research and the National Centre for Social Research has found. While the country has seen a substantial increase in mental distress, the UK population has not affected all people the same. In April, the UK saw a 33% r

Black Lives Matter: Creating Change Is A Priority For ALL Of US Together with so many people around the world, I have been watching and reading about the protests over the death of George Floyd. The outrage and despair continue as the lives of so many black people have been cruelly taken. Lives including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many more, in a long-standing, abhorrent and shameful history of systemic tragedy. I have struggled with knowing what to write, what to say that can even be

The long-awaited Cumberlege review, which shines a much-needed light on women’s health, suffering and medical treatment, has been published. It reveals how women’s lives have been ruined by three key health scandals: The hormone pregnancy test Primidos, epilepsy and bipolar drug, Sodium valproate, and pelvic mesh implants. Baroness Cumberlege, who led the review, heard how women were shamed into being called “hysterical”. The pain, suffering and enduring agony they experienced was ignored. And

What does success really mean? It’s an odd word, success. Look it up in the dictionary and you’ll find success described as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose”. Now, factually, I believe that. I agree. But dig a level deeper behind that definition and I see that, actually, there’s a whole load of other meanings, thoughts — an entire system of mistruths — attached to that very word, that I’d assumed were connected. And those perceived demands were crippling me. Here’s what it looks like?

Together with so many people around the world, I have been watching and reading about the protests over the death of George Floyd. The outrage and despair continue as the lives of so many black people have been cruelly taken. Lives including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many more, in a long-standing, abhorrent and shameful history of systemic tragedy. I have struggled with knowing what to write, what to say that can even begin to describe how saddened and heartbroken I am. Because I kno

After a major change in the law in Sweden two years ago, the country’s rape conviction has risen by 75%, with calls now urging others countries to undertake similar legal reforms. In 2018, the Scandinavian country changed its law on rape to sex without consent. The legal change means that prosecutors no longer have to prove coercion or that the use or threat of violence took place. The conviction rate for rape in Sweden has increased from 190 in 2017 to 333 in 2019. These figures, which indica

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May) and at a time, when so many of us are struggling and paying even closer attention to our, our loved ones and our community’s mental health, this year’s theme is a universal one — kindness. Championing the power and potential of kindness, the Mental Health Foundation thinks this year’s theme “could be the most important week we’ve hosted”. Not only does kindness have the “singular ability to unlock our shared humanity”, the Organi

Expert tips on how to avoid falling foul of criminals ● Do not respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details. Fraudsters send these to steal email logins, passwords and banking details. ● If you’re purchasing goods or services from a company or person you have not bought from before, don’t know and trust, research it first. You can ask friends or family for advice before engaging in buying the goods or services. ● If you’re using a loan company you’re unfamiliar wi

Regulators urge consumers, companies and charities to protect themselves against scams and schemes during Covid-19. With governments around the world trying to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, agencies are urging consumers, charities and businesses to be extra-vigilant as fraudsters abuse people’s vulnerabilities. Since the outbreak started, law enforcement and regulatory agencies have seen a rise in the number of scams and schemes that prey on collective fears to manipulate victims into maki

So today, the third Monday of January is officially known as ‘Blue Monday’. Why Blue? Well nope, it’s not the naughtiest day of the year (although that might perk us up a little!), nor is it the day when the music genre gets a special little appreciation! Nope — it’s often thought of as the day that the entire nation is as a collective, the most unhappy. What with Christmas now feeling like an eternity ago, it’s freeeeeezing outside, our Dry January and Veganuary attempts have fallen in favour

Women in the Workplace 2019 is designed to provide insights on workplace equality, and how companies can progress workplace diversity. Advocating for gender equality in the working environment, the report seeks to address the “broken rung” in the career ladder. In its fifth year and with five years of data to now analyse and draw information from, McKinsey & Company reveals in its latest study that there are “bright spots at senior levels”. Yet, to make this the case throughout industry, compa

Who Are The Hidden Competitors You Can’t Afford To Neglect? As business owners, we know about the competition. But what about hidden competitors? Being (and staying) unique is not easy. After all, it’s possible that whatever you’re doing, there are other businesses doing exactly the same thing. This is open and obvious competition, and most businesses know how to cope with it well. But what if that wasn’t the only competition we had to face? What if there were other hidden competitors out there

Video conferencing company, Owl Labs, surveyed more than 1,200 workers for its Owl Labs found that people who work remotely are happier than their on-site counterparts. In fact, the happiness levels of those who worked remotely full-time were 22% higher than those workers who commuted to an on-site environment. Various factors influenced the decision to go remote, namely: • None 91% of survey respondents opted for remote work for an improved work-life balance • None 79% stated it was to improv