I've been very lucky to work with mental health charity, Mind, over the last few months and without doubt, one of the nicest projects I've picked up is Crafternoon. Mind's Crafternoon is a fundraising event whereby supporters sign up as 'hosts' and hold a Crafternoon with friends / colleagues / neighbours who all get together … Continue reading Have yourself a merry crafty Christmas
Autumn bliss
The festivities begin, the nights draw in and the heating kicks in...with an awkward thud and a familiar sense of warm dust tantalising your nostrils. It's finally here! Chunky old knits and crochet scarves re-surface. The coffee's topped with cinnamon sprinkles. And kitchen cupboards wink at you, enticing you with maple syrup and roasted nuts, … Continue reading Autumn bliss
Review: Clear White Light
Live Theatre, Newcastle, 24 Oct - 10 Nov It's a brave move to use Gothic horror as the backdrop for a story exploring mental health problems - you've got to be pretty confident in your approach. However, writer Paul Sirett and the production team at Live Theatre have managed to pull it off. When I … Continue reading Review: Clear White Light
Pilled Up
Trigger warning - the anti-psychiatry movement are at risk of foaming with fury at this one... Sorry if the headline feels like click bait. Because no, this 40 year old is not pilled up in that sense. I spent my Saturday night reading my new Christmas magazine and wearing my new pink slipper boots (with … Continue reading Pilled Up
Ode to a Tormented soul
TW: description of depression I want to share this poem that my dad sent to me today. I hadn't seen it before, but he wrote it back in the 90s. It's about depression. It's pretty powerful I think. He's always been really artistic - he writes, plays music and he used to paint, too. He's … Continue reading Ode to a Tormented soul
My head, write now
I'm writing this right now to calm my brain. I've no idea what I'm about to write but I am hoping it will untangle the restless procrastination coupled with a sense of urgency that is whirring round my head right now. I joked last night on Twitter that: "Today I feel like that 14 year … Continue reading My head, write now
Book review: Confessions of a Menopausal Woman by Andrea McLean
I'm not sure if I'm peri-menopausal yet. I've often wondered over recent years given the hot flushes, restless legs and night sweats. And my period's visits have become as random and infrequent as Dr Legge's visits to Albert Square. However, there's so much at play in our bodies (especially mine with thyroid issues, coming on … Continue reading Book review: Confessions of a Menopausal Woman by Andrea McLean
