You have to be brave if you want to go to the next level — This week marks the 63rd anniversary of school desegregation in Louisiana, New Orleans. Perhaps that’s why it is also International Education Week (13–17 November.) Little Ruby Bridges — aged only six — braved the wrath of an enraged mob of racists to walk into her new school on November 14…

Opposing the Exclusion of Under 18s from Al-Anon Fellowship — In the heart of the United Kingdom and Eire, where the bonds of Al-Anon Fellowship were forged through shared struggles and resilience, a decision shook the very foundation of this compassionate community. In January of 2022, a group of 11 trustees, tasked with safeguarding the fellowship, voted unanimously to exclude…

I took a trip to Paris to rescue my husband but despite the heatwave, the bienvenu was not as warm as I had hoped — I was looking forward to a few hubby-free days in my hometown of London when I got an email from his truly. “I was pick pocketed at Gare du Nord and need the code sent to your phone.” My first instinct was to think arnaque! However, it was true. My…

Whether or not you think you have a right to — I know it can be a matter of age or self-confidence sometimes but I never cease to be amazed at the way some people don’t ask for what they need. I took a train journey the other day. The carriage was full and there were very few seats available. As…

Try these tips on for size — Aha! If you’re not in my biggest demographic of women aged 24 to 35 then I’m guessing that you were drawn in by the hook above. Well, it’s not exactly clickbait, but it might not be quite what you are expecting. This isn’t a blow by blow sex manual —…

Clue: criticising won’t work — You know the adage familiarity breeds contempt? It’s often the case, when we get close to those we love that we start treating them with a little less respect. One of the reasons is we can forget to exercise self control. Another is spending a lot of time with people…

(Whether or not you‘re waiting for that someone special) — How to use: You can do each one as many times as you want, but I suggest you try every one at least once. They’re not in any particular order of importance but start as soon as possible, today or tomorrow latest. The idea is to get busier and thus…

Now she has a baby with a convicted rapist — It’s been some time since I’ve written an entry in this series. So much happened so quickly it was hard to keep up. Now the dust has settled a little I feel ready to share again. I got a telephone call last week from my teenager’s social worker telling me…

A favourite childhood meal is now my signature dish — When I was a little girl growing up in Nigeria, it was not uncommon for our neighbours to gift us a leg of goat each Ramadan. They always had a few goats — 4 or 5 I seem to remember — roaming about their compound and once or twice a…