

Spirit of Christmas
Christmas is almost upon us again with all its attendant pressures and expectations, commercial, social and emotional. Some, if not most, of these are obvious and have had many words written about them over as many years. The voices denouncing its increasing commercialism are as perennial as the festival itself - the lost spirit of Christmas, the devastating effects it can - indeed does - have regarding personal debt. Exhortations to be charitable at this time of year are end

Loneliness
Loneliness is the latest subject gaining traction in the media. A decision to shine a light on such a state of being can only be welcomed. Once again, though, I sense it being linked to the issue of ‘Mental Health’ in order to fit into the ‘national discussion’ currently being promoted. Put into the context of findings (in a recent self-selecting questionnaire) that not only the (expected) result of a high percentage of elderly people profess loneliness but so too do young pe