World Mental Health Day Not so long ago mental health and mental health issues were not recognised. Issues like stress or depression were often dismissed as signs of weakness and shame (cf the approach during World War I to what we now recognise as PTSD). Now (in most cases) we see mental health as being

Extra restrictions coming into force or being talked about are creating ructions North and South of the Border. Some people will not notice much of difference to their lives, others will notice a big difference – to their ability to travel, their ability to socialise in the usual way, their ability to run their business/

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day Most, if not all, of us will know people who have been in a Hospice, or have received palliative care at home. Some may also know people who work in this sector of care – either as volunteers or as trained professionals. By its nature it is an area

World Smile Day It is said that less effort is required to smile than frown, though many of us seem to prefer the extra exercise. Often when you smile at someone they will smile back, and you both feel better because of it. Under the current restrictions, with a mask over half your face, it

National Poetry Day Actually last Thursday was National Poetry Day, but too many things happen in October! Can you remember any poems you learned at school? I remember discussing with a retired primary school teacher, then in a care home, the poem ‘I wish I lived in a caravan’. I can still quote some lines

5 October World Teachers Day Over our years in school we probably encountered quite a number of teachers, teaching styles, and influences that they had on us. Some may have been scary, some really had no control over the class; some may have inspired us to learn or develop a skill or interest, some may

St Francis Francis of Assisi (11181/2-1226) is often pictured preaching to the birds. Some then and now consider him as ‘away with the birds’ – but it is perhaps worth noting that Pope Innocent III (probably the most powerful pope ever in terms of political and military power) saw something special in Francis and gave