Hope for Life
Yesterday I attended the Hope for Life UK Conference at the Yorkshire Events Centre – a gathering that was far more than a conference. It was a community united by one shared mission: to create a suicide-safer society where every person feels they belong and has hope for the future. What struck me most was the atmosphere. The sense of belonging that suicide prevention needs – connection, compassion, and collective action. I shared the space with existing connections Farzana Khanum Mike McCarthy and made new ones, and had a chance in-person...
read moreHolding the Weight: Wellbeing for DSLs
Safeguarding leads are the unsung guardians of our schools. Every day, they carry the immense responsibility of protecting children from harm, listening to disclosures that can be deeply distressing, and making critical decisions under pressure. Their role is vital — but it is also emotionally demanding, isolating, and often overlooked when it comes to wellbeing. The Hidden Weight of Safeguarding • Emotional toll: Safeguarding leads are exposed to some of the most challenging aspects of school life — neglect, abuse, and trauma. Without proper...
read moreSeasonal affective disorder support programme expands across Scotland
A project which helps people struggling with low mood during the winter months checkout some sunlight from their local library is heading to one of Scotland’s most remote communities this winter. Residents of the Orkney Islands will be able to borrow a Wintering Well Box from their library after the clocks go back on Sunday 26 October and days become shorter. The introduction of the boxes to Orkney marks a significant expansion of the Wintering Well programme, following a successful pilot of the loan scheme in East Dunbartonshire libraries...
read moreRunning voted most beneficial exercise to manage mental health, as 80% of those who struggle say exercise helps manage issues
Ahead of World Mental Health Day 2025 (10th October), new research by natural active foot care specialist, The Feets, reveals that more than 80% of people who experience mental health challenges find physical exercise to be an effective way of managing their symptoms – with running being voted the most effective activity of all. The survey of the UK public*, commissioned by The Feets, found that over half of us (54%) have experienced mental health challenges such as stress, depression, and anxiety at some point in our lives. For those...
read moreBaton of Hope – Lasting HOPE brought to North Lincolnshire
Today, the Baton of Hope arrived in North Lincolnshire—and it left a profound mark. I had the honour of carrying it as a Baton-bearer, and I did so for three deeply personal reasons. 🔹 First, to raise awareness of the devastatingly high rates of suicide within the Autistic community. Research shows that 66% of Autistic people have considered suicide, and we are disproportionately represented across the entire suicide continuum—from ideation and attempts to lives tragically lost. 🔹 Second, I carried the baton as an Autistic person who has...
read moreWORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY: The Importance of Family, Friends & Hope for those Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts
A new YouGov survey commissioned by suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has highlighted the reasons people experiencing suicidal thoughts made the decision to stay in one of the first studies into survival of its kind2. The research coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day, as the charity is working to raise awareness of the importance of stories of hope and survival in suicide prevention. Of the people surveyed, over 30% had previously experienced suicidal thoughts3. For them, “family and loved ones” were...
read moreThrive Neurodiversity in the Workplace Training
Thrive offers a robust and thoughtful approach to supporting neurodiversity in the workplace, aiming to shift the narrative from mere awareness to genuine inclusion and empowerment. What Thrive Provides Thrive’s Neurodiversity In The Workplace training is designed to help organisations: Understand neurodiversity: It challenges the outdated notion of a “normal” brain and embraces the full spectrum of cognitive differences—including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and Tourette syndrome. Recognise neurodivergent talent: The...
read moreDyslexia: The strengths too often over-looked
While dyslexia is often framed around challenges with reading and writing, it also comes with a fascinating array of cognitive strengths that deserve just as much attention. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most commonly recognised strengths associated with dyslexia: Cognitive and Creative Strengths Big-picture thinking: Dyslexic individuals often excel at seeing overarching patterns and connections that others might miss. This can be a huge asset in strategic planning, storytelling, and systems thinking. Exceptional creativity: Many...
read moreMental Health & Neurodiversity Support a Priority for Students this A-Level Results Day
More than 75% of students responding to a recent survey said access to high-quality mental health support was now a key factor in choosing their university. The study also showed that almost a third (29%) of those asked had been identified or self-identified as being neurodivergent. Furthermore, almost half (47%) identified as having a disability, difference or condition. The research commissioned by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) ahead of A-Level results day (August 14), highlights how important inclusivity and support is in helping...
read more🧠 The Cost of Ignorance: Why Employers Must Invest in Mental Health Training, by Jane McNeice
In today’s workplace, mental health isn’t just a wellbeing issue—it’s a legal, financial, and cultural imperative. Yet many employers remain underprepared to support staff with mental health conditions, leading to a surge in disability discrimination claims and a growing risk of litigation. 📈 The Legal Landscape Is Shifting—Fast Recent data shows a 41% rise in disability discrimination cases in the UK, with mental health disputes at the forefront. In 2024–25 alone, 11,958 cases were referred to Acas following tribunal claims, up from 8,496...
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