Chair of Change

23/09/2026

Sometimes people come to see me knowing exactly what they want to change.

Just as often, they don't.

They may simply know that something isn't working as well as it used to — perhaps they feel stuck, anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated with a repeated pattern, or they know they want something to be different but haven't yet worked out what.

You don't need to arrive with the answer.

Part of my work is helping people slow things down enough to understand what is happening, what they would like instead, and what might help them move towards it.

That's also why I begin with a Discovery Session.

It's a free, informal hour to meet, talk through what is happening, ask as many questions as you want and decide whether working together feels right for you.

There is no obligation to continue.

If you've been thinking, “something needs to change, but I'm not quite sure where to start”, you're welcome to get in touch or find out more at Chair of Change.

17/09/2026

Sometimes we don't need a whole new solution. We need to return to the simple things that we already know work for us.

Excitement and anxiety can feel surprisingly similar in the body — and when our mind is busy anticipating what comes next, sleep can sometimes be the first thing to disappear.

A little time spent slowing things down, calming the body and quietening a busy mind can help.

That brings me back to something I often talk about with clients: **the Golden Hour** — the hour before bedtime.

Your Golden Hour doesn’t need to be perfect or complicated. It might mean putting work away, dimming the lights, stepping away from your phone, laptop or tablet, having a warm drink, reading, listening to something calming or simply allowing yourself to slow down.

The important part is creating a routine that works for **you** — and returning to it when you need it.

What would you include in your Golden Hour?

12/09/2026

Recovery journey is as personalised as the individual travelling it.

Stigma can be one of the biggest barriers to recovery.

Fear of judgement can prevent people from reaching out for help, sharing their experiences or accessing support when they need it most.

By talking openly about recovery, we can help create communities where people feel safe to ask for help and proud of the progress they make.

What's one thing you wish more people understood about recovery?

10/09/2026

This is more than sad. Its terrifying that services and support for young people continues to be reduced by underfunding.

We're so sad to hear that PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Su***de, the youth su***de prevention charity, has gone into administration. Papyrus has been a beloved organisational member of the Society for many years and has been a support for some of us on a personal level too.

For nearly 30 years they've done extraordinary work to prevent young su***de across the UK. But it's HOPELINE247 that so many of us will remember them for, which was a free, confidential, round-the-clock helpline, staffed by people who would sit with a young person in their hardest moments, and which the NHS and CAMHS teams referred to when they couldn't offer that support themselves.

The impact they must have had over the years is impossible to quantify.

Sadly, we know that Papyrus isn't alone in having to shut their doors in the current climate. We're actively engaging with our members on exactly this at the moment, so we know in detail just how hard things are right now; how precarious funding is, and how many organisations are struggling to keep going. Heartbreakingly, this isn't the first charity we've seen close its doors these past couple of years. Often, third sector services are being asked to support statutory services, but are provided little to no state funding to do so.

The people who relied on these services still need that support. It doesn't disappear when the funding does. And we can't keep watching the number of places offering mental health support dwindle - so what's got to change?

But in the meantime, to everyone at Papyrus: thank you for the hope you gave to so many young people and their families.

If you're struggling right now, please know support is still there. You can reach Samaritans any time on 116 123, text SHOUT to 85258, or contact NHS 111 for urgent mental health support. Or you can find a counsellor on our directory: https://buff.ly/CtALUDi

08/09/2026

Recovery isn’t linear and it looks different for everyone. But recovery is possible.

We want to remind you that it’s okay if you’re not where you want to be, or you’ve had a relapse.

Whether you are days, months, or years into your recovery, you should be proud of the progress you’ve made. Recovery is an ongoing journey, and we are here for you every step of the way. 💜

We offer free and confidential support that is tailored to you and your needs.

Contact your local service and see how we can support you

https://www.changegrowlive.org/local-support/find-a-service

05/09/2026

Co***ne overdose can happen. Knowing the signs could save a life. ⚠️

Signs that someone may be experiencing a co***ne overdose can include:

❤️ Chest pain
🥵 Overheating
🤢 Nausea
💓 A very fast heart rate
😵 Confusion, agitation or seizures

If you think someone is having a co***ne overdose, call 999 immediately and stay with them until help arrives.

Using co***ne? You can reduce some of the risks by starting low, going slow and avoiding mixing substances where possible.

If you’d like confidential, non-judgemental advice about co***ne or other drug use, our teams are here to help. 💚

***neAwareness

11/06/2026

27/05/2026

Really good reminder if you or someone you know use any if these medications

16/05/2026

Some powerful, creative pieces from young people in our Evolve and Rise groups, sharing what mental health means to them in their own words and style 💚
Let’s continue to listen, learn and support each other - not just this week, but every day.

25/04/2026

A bit late to the party but...