Two British dads are hosting the UK’s first LGBTQ+ exclusive family planning event in a bid to normalise same-sex and trans-parenting The Modern Family Show, announced this month in honour of Pride, is dedicated solely to the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on exploring the physical and emotional possibilities and realities of becoming an LGBTQ+ parent. It
Mental Health
A father tells, for the first time, how he struggled to come to terms with his child’s non-binary sexuality, depression, and suicidal impulses – and how their journey to understanding showed him how to become a better parent “You two created this beautiful miracle with the help of God!” exclaimed a stranger, looking at our
Grief is a normal, natural reaction to loss – whether that’s of a person, or a job we love. Giving ourselves the time and space to reflect on what we have lost is an important part of the process of coping with redundancy Grief is a natural reaction to the loss of someone or something
Masquerading as decorative houseplants, these everyday greens are working behind the scenes to bring the benefits of the great outdoors into your home We may not all be fortunate enough to have a garden at our disposal, and when we’re confined to the same four walls, the need to get outside, see green spaces, and
Columnist Grace Victory explores the nature of cyclic beings, how to connect with the lunar language, and how to make the most of this divine energy I’ve been fascinated by the moon for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would spend hours staring at it from my bedroom window, always feeling
It’s well-known that laughter is a great stress-reliever, and a regular dose of hysterics can do us the world of good. But what happens when we’re feeling low and struggle to find the ‘funny’ side? In the words of philosopher and psychologist William James: “We don’t laugh because we’re happy, we are happy because we
We share two campaigns that are tackling diet culture during lockdown, because you do not need to lose weight during a global pandemic Even during the Coronavirus outbreak, diet culture is rife. And if you’re really tuned into its toxicity, you’ll notice that it’s not remotely subtle. You’ll hear it in the jokes about gaining
Our connections with other people are truly joyful things, but balancing how we spend our time with each special person can be tricky. How can we strike the fine balance between pals and partners? Having a partner you adore and a couple of very good friends is a wonderful thing. But sometimes, trying to divide
Rebecca was trapped in a cycle of despair as her eating disorder steadily destroyed her life – but eventually she found a way to break its hold I was standing at my own front door, terrified, unable to move. My mum and sister tried to get me inside, but I just froze. It was 4pm
Mental Health Foundation and WWF have joined forces to create a new mental health support guide How often have you gone outside in order to ‘clear your head’? For many of us, stepping out into nature offers a moment of pause and relief from daily stressors. Countless studies have discovered links between nature, wellbeing and
Treating yourself with love and care can make the world of difference to your wellbeing. For those with additional challenges, such as an illness or disability, it’s not always an easy task. Here we share tips on how to bring self-love into your life Self-love undoubtedly plays a key part in our mental health and
A new report from The Childhood Trust has warned that the pandemic is having a significant impact on children’s mental health, leaving those who are disadvantaged extremely vulnerable. What can be done to help? The coronavirus pandemic has affected us all. Whether it’s through the loss of someone we care about or the drastic changes
Empathy, escapism, or insight, a good book can be like a friend in troubled times. In this entirely subjective list, we’ve compiled must-read books from our readers and colleagues, which have made a huge impact on their lives in times when they needed it most 20. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo Joint winner of
We could all use a little peace right now, so we’ve put together a short guide to help you enjoy an at-home spa experience From the moment you step foot into a spa to the moment you leave, everything is designed to help you feel relaxed. Therapists talk in soothing tones, while the lighting is
How much stress and anxiety is normal? What should I try to feel better? We share everything you need to know about experiencing stress and anxiety whilst pregnant, and explain how holistic therapy can help you feel more relaxed and in control Whether it’s your first time expecting or you’ve had previous pregnancies, being pregnant
Discover the history behind the day, and learn how it’s relevant today Juneteenth is the national holiday that marks the anniversary of the emancipation proclamation in Texas, the last un-emancipated state in the USA, and the final step to freeing enslaved black Americans. While the emancipation proclamation was first signed by President Abraham Lincoln in
Nine in 10 working parents want to retain flexible working once life has returned to normal Without denying the life-changing challenges that have come with the COVID-19 pandemic, for many, there have been some positive aspects of lockdown life – and flexible working is one element at the forefront of many parent’s minds. A survey
Stories have the ability to guide us through life’s biggest challenges, and offer an escape when we need it most. Bibliotherapy is the practice that prescribes clients reading lists based on their needs and circumstances. But how does it work? Find more exclusive wellbeing content in Happiful magazine’s July 2020 issue. Order your printed copy
New survey results have revealed 80% of Brits feel that working from home has negatively impacted their mental health I think we can all agree: 2020, as a whole, has been tough. With Covid-19 leading to many being furloughed or losing their jobs entirely amidst a health crisis like we have never seen before, we
Find joy in the little things. Listen to the podcast bringing families together, explore the beauty in your local area, and discover the app that helps you express yourself through music 1. Page-turners How Do We Know We’re Doing It Right?: Essays on Modern Life Modern life is full of choices. But how do we
Beneficiaries of government funding to tackle loneliness have been announced. Feelings of loneliness are something almost all of us can relate to. For some these are one-off pangs of isolation, for others, it’s a chronic feeling that seeps into their everyday. By taking away our ability to see and connect with people in real life,
Reported levels of lockdown anxiety have started to ease, but homeschooling stress and loneliness are increasing, according to a new report Ever since lockdown was announced in March in the UK, there has been much concern about the impact of being confined at home on our mental health. It’s hardly surprising that many people have
Staying in touch with friends and family has never been more important, so how can you keep things exciting? 1. Desert Island Discs Based on the Radio 4 show that asks guests to pick eight tracks, one book, and one luxury item to keep them entertained while stranded on a desert island – doing your
Today marks the day that many streets in the north of England welcome Big Issue North vendors back to their pitches In the biggest ease of lockdown yet, all non-essential shops are re-opening and Big Issue North vendors are now making a phased return to selling the weekly magazine, after 11 weeks. Over the course
Across Great Britain, millions of adults are experiencing loneliness and poor wellbeing as a result of lockdown measures Since lockdown began on 23 March, people across the UK have been thrust into a new way of life. And that hasn’t come without consequences. A study from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that, from
Stop settling for crumbs, you deserve the whole damn cake What are crumbs you ask? Crumbs are the audaciously small tokens and gestures that people throw us, in order to keep us under the illusion that they deserve a place in our lives – despite bringing very little (or no) value to it. We often
The webinar will offer a global perspective on racism, and look at the practical things each and every one of us can do to create an equal world We all have the power to make real and tangible change in the world around us. Standing up and addressing the racism that is still very prevalent
How do I talk to my child about Black Lives Matter? A new, free guide has been created to help British parents explain Black Lives Matter protests to children and teens There’s so much going on in the world right now, it can be tough to face the newscycle as a fully grown adult –