Last week was emotional, and really unexpected. For two reasons. First the sudden passing of Ben, known in the wrestling world as PAC. A wonderful human, aged just 40, born the same year as me.I’ve ne...

Happy International Podcast Day! Gosh, do you remember when podcasting was niche? It was so hard to get started, you had to have so many different things sorted. You needed to have a podcast .PNG imag...

Release a thought. Receive one from someone, somewhere.

Mental Health Podcast · Monthly · Open Journal Podcast (part of the BlogCast) focuses on the many aspects of mental health; including illness, wellness, stigma and support and the lives affected by me...

Following on from my recent health checkups and reflections, it's become increasingly apparent that I need to re-engage with support. I have spoken to a GP, who is recommending Talking Therapies, a lo...

Open Journal · Episode

How? How has this happened? And I don't mean that in the way it's often said; as in 'how am I 40 years old, I was just 20'. No, I mean, I didn't think I would be alive at 30, how am I still here?At 28...

It's a campaign week! This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, a prompt to reflect on our own mental wellbeing and how we can best support that of those around us. What's going on?We are starting to...

Over the weekend (2nd and 3rd May) Portsmouth Guildhall hosted the annual Portsmouth Comic Con. A wonderful event full of performances, workshops, panel sessions, guest speakers, stalls, exhibitions a...

This weekend a campaign I've been following for a little while gained a lot of mainstream attention, as the Push for Paternity Leave Walk(s) happened in London, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham, timed...

After a planned 3 to 6 month break turned into over 12 months, I’m so delighted to be hosting and sharing conversations again.Our house move and changing family needs has meant it's not been possible ...

Sleep, good quality sleep; I miss it! As a new parent it’s definitely something I’ve noticed a lack of.We have been very lucky with how well Henry has slept, most of the time. Like any baby there’s at...

How? How has this happened? And I don't mean that in the way it's often said; as in 'how am I 40 years old, I was just 20'. No, I mean, I didn't think I would be alive at 30, how am I still here?At 28...

We are coming into Spring, there's plently of rain right now and the sun is just around the corner. But what's next?I have been having that feeling recently, a kind of mixture of emotions. I feel very...

Tomorrow is Parent's Mental Health Day, and this year my thoughts have very much been around finding your support network as a new(ish) parent. I'm not sure if we still count as 'new parents' with our...

Lately, social media has been filled with throwback photos and captions reflecting on 2016. Apparently that's a decade ago! 2016 seems somehow both yesterday and a lifetime away. As I scroll through o...

I did it! I crossed the 750 mile finishing line on my final run of 2025. Concluding an awesome year of running. Running has long been part of my wellbeing (more so than leisure) routine. It helps to b...

This week I realised, there’s more going on. There's trauma still at work.My lived experience, like all of us, impacts what I do/ think, how I do/ think and why. This week we've had time and headspace...

It’s over ten years now… over tens years more of life than I thought I would have. And not just any ten years, while there’s difficult days, struggles and danger, it’s also been ten years filled with ...

What a month it’s been! May has been packed with changes, challenges and successes.We finished April and rolled into May by agreeing our house sale and onward purchase, meaning May has involved lots o...

Each Spring I look forward to attending Portsmouth Comic Con at the Guildhall, and discovering the exciting additions and developments the organising team have made to the event. This year was no diff...

What a weekend this was; from the amazing atmpsopare and experinces to the cosplay and panels. Each year this event becomes... more; and there's so many things to mention.Initial arrivalThis year my e...

Podcast Episode · Open Journal · 15/04/2025 · 38m

April is Stress Awareness Month and has come at a time when I am continuing to make changes to better manage my own stress and mental wellbeing. Having written a few times over the last year about the...

The first Portsmouth Comic Con was held in May 2018, and wow, has this event grown and evolved since it's impressive begining. I'm really looking forward to attending Portsmouth Comic Con again this y...

Following on the routine of posting after awareness and celebration days/ weeks, I wanted to reflect on Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17th to 23rd March 2025). I'm quite liking utilising the dates ...

Discussing mental health, illness, wellness, stigma and support. Featuring events, activities and a range of awesome advocates.

Last week it was World Book Day. A day that often focuses on the wonderful colourful and imaginative characters that fill our pages; and that can sometimes underplay how important those characters and...