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Caring Out Loud: Giving Unpaid Carers a Voice Through Podcasting
In 2025, I was over the moon to secure funding on behalf of Get Wise as part of Hconnect, funded by the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) to deliver a podcast project with unpaid carers across Derbyshire, with Derbyshire Carers. I had never worked with carers before, and I was excited to meet a new community, learn from their experiences, and better understand the realities of unpaid caring. Little did I know I was about to meet some of the most inspiring people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. The aim of the project was to create a podcast series, but it was about so much more than producing episodes. This…
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Summer book releases (July – September) that I’m adding to the TBR.
There are some incredible books coming out this summer, and I’ve been so excited putting this list together. From emotional reads that will probably have me reaching for tissues, to twisty thrillers perfect for the stickiest of heatwaves, it feels like there’s something for every kind of reading mood. I can already picture these books being read in all the best summer settings – by the sea with salty fingers turning pages, curled up by the fire as the sun sets, or tucked into the shade during those long, hazy afternoons, under my favourite tree in the park. Here are some of the books I cant wait to read, that…
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Shared Reading – a Podcast with Derby Book Festival
I’ve been a little quiet on the sound-project front lately… but behind the scenes I’ve been working on a few exciting things. One of the projects I’m especially proud to finally share is the Shared Reading podcast with Derby Book Festival. As some of you may already know, I previously worked with Derby Book Festival as the Strategic Lead of Shared Reading, so this project is incredibly close to my heart. I truly believe in the work these groups do and the impact they have on people’s lives. Shared Reading is all about bringing people together through literature. These sessions are designed to help ease feelings of isolation and support…
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My Most Anticipated Book Releases of Spring (April – June)
Spring is the perfect season for a sprinkling of romance, days spent under cherry blossoms, some translated fiction, and books that pair beautifully with garden reading, growth, pops of colour, and picnics. It’s always such an exciting time for new releases, and this year I’ve already spotted some titles I can’t wait to dive into – from dark twists and feminist rage to forest-set fairytales and addictive romances. Here are the book releases I’m looking forward to in Spring. Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell Expected 2nd April 2026 On the edge of a forest, lonely Rory’s only companion is Daye – a girl woven from flowers and words – whose very…
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Books I’m already desperate to read: early 2026 releases
How are we already at the end of 2025?! I honestly can’t wrap my head around it. It feels like no time at all since I was writing up my most anticipated reads of 2025, and yet here we are again. I’ve been doing what I do best — watching endless bookish YouTube videos, scrolling Bookstagram, reading blogs, and saving so many upcoming releases that my TBR is already trembling. With an especially exciting batch of books coming out in the first few months of 2026, I simply had to put together a list… because if I’m going to be impatiently waiting for these books, I might as well do…
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From Derbyshire to Scotland and Back Again – in a Van
A 7 day itinerary that isn’t the North Coast 500. I can hardly believe it’s been over a year since we packed up a campervan and set off on an unforgettable adventure through Scotland. Exploring the rugged, untamed beauty of Scotland’s winding roads, towering mountains, and rocky harbours had long been a dream of mine, and in 2023, we finally made it happen—dog and all. Gwen, our beloved rescue pup, joined us for this epic journey, adding her own unique challenges and joys to the experience. Months of meticulous planning went into crafting our itinerary. I poured over maps, purchased lots of guides, compiled PDFs, scribbled notes, and bookmarked countless…
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Book Releases I’m Excited to Read in 2025
I can’t believe how quickly 2024 flew by—anyone else feel like it was over in the blink of an eye? But here we are, at the start of a brand-new year, and I’m already eagerly planning my 2025 reading list. As always, there’s no shortage of exciting releases to look forward to, and I’ve pulled together a selection of the books I’m most thrilled to dive into this year. Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list, and let’s be honest—my ever-growing TBR pile (looking at you, 100 unread books on my shelves!) means I may not get to them all. But hey, that’s half the fun, right? Here are 25…
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Making a Festive Breakfast Board
I absolutely love creating beautiful food boards—whether it’s a classic cheese platter, a ploughman’s spread, or a spooky-themed snack board. I love bringing them to life with vibrant colours and creative arrangements. With the festive season right around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to share my simple, no-cook festive board idea with you! There’s no recipe, as it’s all about the assemble. My breakfast board fed 6, and here’s what it included: 8 x croissants (I warmed these up in the oven, but you can have them cold if preferred)6 x American PancakesSmoked Salmon served in a small bowlParma hamChorizo slicesCream CheeseBlueberriesRaspberriesCranberriesPurple GrapesPretzelsChocolate Gold CoinsLuxury yogurts…
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Recipe: Orange & Walnut Autumnal Chocolate Bark
Autumn is hands down my favorite season for cozy, comforting food. Amidst the hearty stews, fluffy dumplings, and steaming bowls of carrot soup, I love indulging in a sweet treat now and then. Last year, I stumbled upon chocolate bark, and after a few trial-and-error experiments, I’ve perfected a combination that’s just right. Let me introduce you to my latest creation: a delightful blend of orange, walnut, and rich chocolate, perfect for those crisp fall days. This chocolate bark recipe is SO EASY to make and ready in no time! Orange & Walnut Chocolate Bark Recipe Ingredients:2x Terry’s Chocolate OrangesZest from 1 orangeHandful of WalnutsSea Salt to season Method:Step 1.…
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Our Home.
What Does Home Mean To You? “Our Home” was this year’s global theme for Refugee Week, held from June 17th to 23rd. Through my involvement with a local book festival, I had the honour of participating in Hello Derby: A Festival of Welcome, hosted by Derby Museums. At our stand, we posed a simple yet profound question to attendees: “What does home mean to you?” Using postcards as their canvas, residents, refugees, organisations, friends, and creatives from across Derbyshire poured their thoughts and emotions onto paper. Over 100 postcards were filled with heartfelt reflections, stories, drawings, and scribbles—each offering a unique and personal perspective on what “home” means. I was…
