A recent study by BAAPS (the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) saw an increase in cosmetic surgeries. The number of procedures were 51,140 in 2015, up from 45,406 from 2014. This follows a decline in procedures in the past years which has been blamed on the recession. Interestingly, the majority (9/10) of procedures were […]
Written All Over Your Face: Smile Value
There is something inherently wonderful in a smile. In seeing someone smile. Whether it is a full blown idiotic grin or a secret smirk. Whether it is expressed openly with others or an automatic reaction. Smiling is great. I’m all for it. When I see others smiling it makes me smile. It makes me pause […]
Binary Gender Banished in Brighton
Brighton college has replaced its traditional school uniform with a “trouser uniform” and a “skirt uniform” which students can chose between. There is no longer skirts for girls and trousers for boys. Headteacher Richard Cairns said this change came following requests from “a small number of families”. Cairns was happy to comply as the choice […]
The Cat that Isn’t: Loneliness in an Ageing Population
Alan is the cat that isn’t. In fact, he is one of many cats that aren’t. He is a robot cat that is part of Hasbro’s new Joy for All Range (buy here). These cats have been specifically designed as a companion pet for the elderly. Jim McGuckin, living in Lake Park – a care […]
Clothes Maketh the Man: Fashion & Insensitivity
This week has not been a good week for the fashion world as far as I’m concerned. For all those catwalk enthusiasts I am not talking about high fashion. In fact understanding fashion continues to elude me. No, I am talking about the clothes we wear everyday. The clothes we buy on the hight street. […]
Better Than I Thought or Being Thankful
The new year is the time to reflect and make new resolutions. I don’t really buy into this idea. I believe we should have resolutions throughout the year encouraging us to adopt better habits and make ourselves better people. Having not had the best festive period, (alone and ill), I began the new year feeling […]
Housing the Homeless: Michael Sheen’s Activism
It is always wonderful to see famous people putting their hard earned fame to good use. I am particularly thrilled to write about Michael Sheen, one of my favorites, petition to the Welsh government for better provision of housing for homeless teens. Sheen’s use of his media presence to lobby government for social change renews […]
Thought We Said Never Again: Genocide Continues
In a recent study of over eight hundred 11-16 year old students a group of Year 11 pupils found that 81% could not name any modern genocides but 78% agreed they would benefit from more genocide education. This study comes in the wake of representatives from 15 schools around the country visiting the House of Commons […]
Rowlings Stand Against Racism: HP & The Cursed Child
I was thrilled to see J.K. Rowling tweeting her approval of black actress Noma Dumezweni as the choice to play Hermione in the new production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (previews on 7th June @ Palace Theatre). After so much doom and gloom reporting on this blog, it was nice to have the […]
Brothers in Arms: #FindMike
It was my pleasure and privilege to hear Jonny Benjamin tell his story of the Stranger on the Bridge. For those of you thinking this sounds familiar, the Stranger on the Bridge was a Channel 4 documentary following Jonny through his journey to find the man who saved his life. To roll the story back […]