Loneliness is not an inevitable part of old age, but older people are at particular risk of becoming lonely due to the increased likelihood they will experience bereavement and ill health. What’s more, the risks of being lonely are increasing due to changes in our social structure, including: Continue reading “Loneliness and older people”
Loneliness and mental health
Loneliness can be both a cause and a result of mental illness. We know that when people are lonely, they’re more vulnerable to common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, paranoia or panic attacks. These conditions can then cause people to become even more isolated and lonely, leading to a downward spiral of unhappiness and despair. Continue reading “Loneliness and mental health”
What does loneliness look like?
Most of us can say, from our experience, however small, what loneliness feels like, but what does it look like? That question was more than hypothetical when trying to imagine how my most recent publication Loneliness: Accident or Injustice? would be illustrated. Continue reading “What does loneliness look like?”
On being let loose in the Oxfam Bookshop
I have had the great pleasure of being let loose in the Oxfam Bookshop in Kings Heath, Birmingham. The store came up with a great idea – The Curated Shelf – to bring writers and readers closer together. During September, it invited five local authors and members of the OxfamReads! series to curate shelves from the donated offerings. Continue reading “On being let loose in the Oxfam Bookshop”
Why I love polling day
I love general elections. I like the blunt pencils on strings, the ballot boxes and the rulers that are used to prod the voting slips in. I like the names of the far-out parties, the unfolding outcome over a long night, the trip to the Queen. Continue reading “Why I love polling day”
Our solar installation day
Today was a happy day. The scaffolders arrived at 8am, followed by an electrician, roofer and 13 solar panels. I was up and down making tea, advising on cables and finding spare roof tiles until 3pm. Continue reading “Our solar installation day”
First sex, then babies
I will be doing two gigs in Birmingham in the last week of February 2015.
On Tuesday, 24 February at 7.30pm, I will be leading a workshop on sexuality for Birmingham Changing Attitude. We will be trying to find constructive ways of talking about sexuality in churches. Continue reading “First sex, then babies”
Motherhood, creativity and Katrice in Oxfam, Kings Heath
Three of my favourite things will be coming together on Wednesday, 25 February 2015.
First of all the treasure trove which is the Oxfam Bookshop on Kings Heath High Street, Birmingham will be celebrating its refurbishment. Still cosy, still welcoming, it will be enjoying a brand new look. Continue reading “Motherhood, creativity and Katrice in Oxfam, Kings Heath”
The secret fields of Birmingham
I never imagined my son’s passion for football would transform my understanding of Birmingham – but that is exactly what has happened. Continue reading “The secret fields of Birmingham”
Library of Birmingham: The day I went inside
Two months before the Library of Birmingham opens its doors to the public, I had the honour of sneaking inside for a preview of this brilliant £188.8 million building that stands bold in its bling on Broad Street. Continue reading “Library of Birmingham: The day I went inside”