By Abhra Pal As a wordsmith myself, I am often mired in the myth that true art form would be one with artlessness. Every progress closer to that artlessness makes us see some form of nihilist beauty of existentialism. The paradox lies in simplicity. I do not know whether the time
Childhood trauma kills 1,401 Americans every day. That’s one death every 61 seconds — more than tobacco, more than car accidents, more than diabetes. It’s the number one cause of addiction, suicide and incarceration. And until now, no one connected the dots. Michael Menard did. In his new book, Greater Than
Editor’s letter In this special winter edition, we’re focussing on beating addictions with tips from people who have stayed sober for good, to myself knocking a 40-a-day smoking habit on the head. Experts also share their tips on beating all kinds of addictions, and we’ve even discovered beautiful necklaces to
By Paul Nicholls I’m Paul Nicholls, and Marrakesh was one of the most memorable trips I’ve taken as a wheelchair user. The city is a whirlwind of colours, sounds, and scents, and navigating it with wheels brings both challenges and unexpected joys. The highlight of my stay was the Park
By Erica Crompton I appreciate colour blocking and adored the Park Hyatt Marrakech’s architecture this winter. The exteriors are all pink-hued walls, off-set by my verdant green and fuchsia roses and tall palm trees smiling at the skies. And this blue sky makes this scene look even more remarkable. At
By Erica Crompton A stone’s throw from all the action at The Enchanted Forest and set on the fringes of Pitlochry’s lively-yet-quaint grey stone village, finding The Craigatin House & Courtyard is like discovering hidden treasure. Amid pine trees, red-spotted toadstools and a backdrop of Scotland’s most majestic mountains, lies
By Erica Crompton Apart from being the only one at parties reeking of cigarettes, I was beginning to encounter some real health issues caused by what had become a 40-a-day habit. My teeth were loose, I’d recently had a molar removed and my dentist informed me, if I continued smoking
By Paul Tomkins The warning signs were there early. Growing up in an alcoholic household, I started drinking at 14. It seemed to give me confidence I didn’t naturally have – socialising without it was impossible. But it was also escapism, and I’d drink to blackout throughout my teens. Alcohol
By Wellness coach, forest bathing expert and children’s author Nigel Grimes Winter can make addiction recovery more challenging. Shorter days, limited sunlight and colder weather often increase isolation, low mood and anxiety, all of which can heighten relapse risk. During this period, breathwork offers a simple but powerful way to
By Lee Hawker, Clinical Programs Director, The Edge Gaming has become one of the dominant global pastimes for young men, and for many it’s a healthy outlet. But for others, it slowly becomes the organizing principle of their lives. By the time they arrive at The Edge, they’re not “lazy” or
By Omorogieva Sylvester Ihonwa Some days, it only takes a cup of tea to save you. There was nothing special about that Tuesday. The Lagos sky was steel-grey, and my neighbour’s generator rattled like a grumpy beast. I’d been counting my sober days on a scrap of receipt tapes to
By Derek Slayter I didn’t wake up one day and decide to destroy my life. It started small—just smoking pot with friends in high school. It felt harmless, like just being part of the group. But small compromises became a pattern, and that pattern grew into a path I never
By Megan & Natasha Makara We’re Natasha and Megan, lifelong friends who never expected that our hardest chapters would one day become the foundation of something that helps other women heal. Between us, we’ve faced domestic violence, grief, trauma, severe illness, crippling anxiety and moments where coping meant turning to
Cuore di Dante (Dante’s Heart), drawn by Iluá Hauck da Silva, on the day/night of the 700th anniversary of his death. Through me you go to the healthy city Through me to everlasting wellbeing you go Through me you go and pass among saved souls Justice inspired my exalted Creator. I
There’s something quietly restorative about spending an afternoon in good company, swirling a glass of wine, and learning something new. At 28°-50° Marylebone, a wine tasting workshop becomes more than just a lesson in grapes – it’s a gentle act of self-care. The setting is warm and elegant, with soft
As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, we welcome you to the heavenly autumn edition of Hopezine, a celebration of the little pieces of heaven scattered across our earthly planes. This season, we invite you to slow down, take a deep breathe, and notice the divine in
by Just Ben When I think about Heaven, I don’t see it as some distant realm we escape to after death, but as something deeply interwoven with life itself. For me, Heaven is not only a destination but a reality that begins here and now—whenever we open ourselves fully to
By Jordon Horn When faced with the task to describe heaven – my brain instinctively goes straight back to the psalms, the hymns, and the many masses I experienced in all those cold draughty hours spent in the various churches I attended in my childhood. All those hours of not
By Star Zahra The afterlife is a topic that hangs over our heads, heavy with speculation and controversy. But really, it is an extension of our fears. We desperately want to believe that there is meaning to our lives. Transition is an essential element of human nature, everything always leads
By Star Zahra The closest I ever felt to heaven as a child was wandering through the shrubs for hours, chasing butterflies, grasshoppers and the shy touch-me-not flowers. Those flowers fascinated me most. They were probably my first window into questions about nature and its ways. How could such a
HEAVENLY By Brian Beard `Different strokes for different folks` might well be a universal take on what `Heaven` means to people. A sweetshop, wherein to help yourself, might be heaven for a child, mountains of cash might be an adult`s take on what it means to be in heaven. In
by Amanda Nicholson If there’s a heaven Tailor made to each of us You’ll be in yours Winding all the angels up With just one more Christmas decoration A light up Santa, or an inflatable snowman Until your house up there Begins to look like Lapland In your own personal
By Christopher Bird At the end of the quiet alleyway the shadows surrounded an old wooden door. Beyond the relentless rush of the crowded city streets twilight fell slowly over the hidden side street. The city pursued money and status in gaudy everyday colours and gestures. Great glass banks had
By Erica Crompton Nestled in Newcastle’s cobbled heart,You Meow’s charm is feline art.A velvet hush, a gentle purr,Soft whiskers stroke, my thoughts all blur. Mugs of coffee and sleepy eyes,Tail flicks under cloudy skies.Each tabby curled in sunlit grace,Turns time to silk, slows down the pace. No chapel’s hush, no
By Erica Crompton Newcastle’s walking tours, hosted by knowledgeable volunteers, are a superb way to take in a city before really digging into it. Our tour guide on this drizzly morning is Laurence, a sprightly figure full of energy and facts about Newcastle. We begin atop the city centre streets,
By Paul Nicholls Our visit to Newcastle upon Tyne was nothing short of celestial: a city that blends history, hospitality, and hearty indulgence with ease. Accessibility was seamless throughout, making it a joy to explore without barriers in my electric power chair. We checked into the Maldron Hotel, where the
Hopezine’s Founding Editor, ERICA CROMPTON, falls under The Enchanted Forest’s spell… As the sun sets over Scotland’s Pitlochry village, with its silver stone cottages and independent shops and cafes, the nearby Faskally forest lights up at the Enchanted Forest. I’ve just returned here with my wheelchair-tooting partner – it’s Scotland’s
Editor’s letter Summer is here and with it comes the latest edition of Hopezine. For this special edition, writers have come together from Nigeria to Brunei to make their dreams come true – quite literally! We’ve written up our dreams to share with you and to see them in 3D.
By Star Zahra A few years ago, I had surgery. The details are traumatic, and the wounds linger—not just on my body but deep within my heart. I remember the cold, sterile room: a bed in the centre, tools neatly arranged on a tray. The dream opened to a big
Embodiment of an Aesthetical lit summer Memory lanes like cake icings I recall – my subconscious The dream I had The dots splicing My anxiety and OCD Would not stop me From finishing the papers It felt like the sofa Was my support system Woke up for research papers To
By Chrisopher Bird The ladders reached up from the rooftops toward the stars. Some of the ladders were silver and others resembled the colour of iron. The ladders wavered and wobbled precariously but nonetheless they appeared to almost reach the shining stars.Below on one of the rooftops a ceremonial band
By Erica Crompton Yeah. So, self-compassion was really important to me during that time. I mean, I remember when I was isolating myself, I’d kind of been out and bought a yoga DVD a few months before and I was kind of doing yoga in my bedroom at home just
By Paul Nicholls In Hull where Humber’s waters gleam, There stirs a voice, part fact, part dream. A steady step, a knowing glance— He guides you through the city’s dance. Paul Schofield, master of the lore, Unlocks each alley’s secret door. With bowler hat and timeworn shoes, He weaves the
By Erica Crompton Birds, beaches and the odd barnacle – Bridlington has it all. But it’s also one of the most accessible coastal towns in Britain. With its coastal charm and rare birds, we visited this month to test it out. We started our day driving through the countryside, which
By Erica Crompton The working class city of Hull has been quietly redefining itself since winning the City of Culture in 2017, and for wheelchair users, the city offers a warm and reasonably accessible welcome. From cultural landmarks to thoughtful accommodation, Hull’s approach to inclusivity is a pleasant surprise. The Truck
By Erica Crompton There’s a magical place, we’re on our way there, Where twilight shimmers in crisp autumn air! The Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry calls, With lantern-lit trails and cascading leaves. A symphony of colour, of music and light, Transforms Highland woods into pure delight. Laser-lit lochs and trees dressed
By Paul Nicholls If you’ve ever dreamed of feeling like royalty with a pocketful of fish food and a fanbase of gaping-mouthed admirers, Burnby Hall Gardens in East Yorkshire is your kingdom—and the carp are your most loyal (and slightly overzealous) subjects. Nestled in the charming market town of Pocklington,
By Christopher Paul Jones, Harley Street phobia expert and author of ‘Face your Fears – 7 steps to conquering phobias and anxiety’ Stress triggers our body’s primal fight or flight response, flooding our system with hormones that increase our state of readiness, which is beneficial in dangerous situations but detrimental
Editor’s letter You may remember we did an edition of Hopezine last year using only AI. In contrast to this, this spring we welcome you to a dose of reality and ask contributors what’s real to us? In a world of lip-fillers and Instagram filters, where we’re often only seen
By Star Zahra My husband and I are both writers. Our daughter, Zurain Ali is two years old. She’s crazy about Peppa Pig, loves to eat custard and absolutely enjoys school. I wake up everyday except weekends at 5:30am, burn incense and get started on her lunch which I like
By Debbie-Lyn Connolly Lloyd Adaptive fashion is real, and I know this from both personal experience and the growing recognition of its importance in the fashion world. Adaptive clothing refers to garments specifically designed to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities or those experiencing physical challenges, such as limited
By Gwenne Dickson In my work, I help people connect with something greater—their higher selves—so they can release fears, heal, and transform their lives. But even with all my understanding of transitions, grief still held its weight after my Mum passed. She had been ready. In her final days, I
By Erica Crompton I go make-up free most days I’m home and have a lo-fi beauty regime of wash-and-go-without-the-blow! I bathe in the evening, wash my hair, then let it dry naturally over night to save on time and heat-damaged hair. It’s a low-maintenance routine that’s real and has also
By Regina Martin We live in a world that every day feels more and more curated. AI writes our emails, filters smooth our flaws, and social media shouts louder than real conversations so it can be so hard to filter out what’s real. For me, it’s simple: human connection. This
by Amanda Nicholson Without the right chair to sit on, I wouldn’t be able to make a living, even if it is only part-time. I also never would have written eight novels under several names and more than a dozen shorter books. I began to get neck and back pain
By Caleb Hupfield This is a photograph of my foster brother, who has only recently joined my family, just a handful of months ago. Despite this, he is now a permanent addition to our house. I know it is real because I can remember how he asked me to take
By Emma Redfern Nature is an escape for me; away from built up, urban environments. Being in a town or city feels exhausting, nothing around me is natural or meant to be there. Going on walks and experiencing nature how it should be is relaxing. I enjoy watching the birds
By Riya Matharu In a world full of AI and fake news, I think there are very few things that are real left in today’s day and age. Initially, I thought to present an image of my family or a portrait I’ve taken. After reflecting on some of my working
By Gemma Abigail I can never tell anymore whether what I am seeing is the truth or whether it is a figment of my imagination, curated from the edited society we have come to occupy. But what I do know is that I have always run and hidden from the
By Erica Crompton We pull-up to Taghazout’s Hilton Hotel in a large, white people carrier and are greeted with a sprawling foyer in sandy-hued marble, thoughtful designer lighting and friendly smiles at reception. Nothing is too much to ask of staff here at the 5-star resort. In fact, we came
This winter, Paul, Dan, Coz and I took the flight from a drizzly Birmingham to a colder climb – Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. Prague is a majestic city and we discovered the best way to sightsee was the Prague CoolPass cruise along the Vltava River which
BY Erica Crompton Whether it’s a button-free T-shirt or a velcro fastening shoe, dressing with a disability often needs a little thought. Laces are too fiddly for a single hand, buttons are too. So, I recently handed over my Amazon account to Paul, my wheelchair-wonder boi, and he was impressed
I did not start expressing myself through clothing or hairstyle until my 20s. My religious upbringing meant lacy dresses on Sundays and presenting myself with delicate, long blonde hair. When I recognized the effect of clothing style on gender expression, I gravitated towards cheap, second-hand shirts that nearly posed as
By Katrina Robinson Style isn’t the same as fashion. The day you look in the mirror and think, ‘Actually, this top would look better on me if I wore it loose instead of tucking it into my waistband,’ is a style milestone. It is the day you stop being brainwashed
By Erica Crompton I used to walk from Stafford College to my parental home in Acton Trussell in spray-on Armani jeans and 5-inch heals. It took two hours and I never compromised comfort over style (if that is indeed what you’d call it in 1996 middle-England). Soon after I went
5 Things I Love: 1. Heart & Key Necklace – A gift to myself on my 26th birthday, this necklace symbolizes my commitment to holding the key to my heart, opportunities, and life journey. 2. Dhuku/Headwrap – Wearing a dhuku, or headwrap, makes me feel like a queen, connected to
I remember being very fashionable as a child. Living in Warri, sketching dresses and standing in front of the mirror all day. Uniforms weren’t my favorite thing but they were mandatory at school. The thing with fashion, whether you like to call it that or not, is that it is
By Lavanda Contrabanda When I told my dad I was designing a robot and clown costume, his response was, “So, you’re making a CLOBOT?” And that, dear reader, is how the name for my most experimental costume to date was born. This is the story of how I brought it to life. As a
Editor’s letter In the pages of Hopezine,A magazine like no other seen,Written and illustrated with A.I.Recovery stories for tears of joy. Guided by those with schizophrenia,Their voices clear, their stories richer,With Paul by their side, a beacon of light,Ensuring accessibility is always in sight. Erica’s editor’s letter shines bright,An autumn
By Alan Hartley In the quiet corridors of the mind, where shadows dance and whispers linger, there exists a path—a winding, treacherous path toward recovery. Schizophrenia, that enigmatic specter, casts its veil upon the soul, distorting reality, fracturing identity. Yet, dear reader, let us not dwell solely on the abyss;
By Alan Hartley In the quiet of her room, Ella traced her fingers along the windowsill, where sunlight tiptoed. She was a wisp of a girl, her reflection a fragile echo. Anorexia had whispered promises—control, beauty, escape—until it became her shadow. But life, like a stubborn daisy, insisted on blooming.
By Alan Hartley In shadows deep, where sorrows weep, A soul adrift, its secrets keep, The night’s embrace, a heavy shroud, Yet hope persists, a fragile cloud. The moon, a witness, whispers low, “Life’s tapestry, a vibrant flow, Each thread, a chance, a fleeting dance, To seize the day, to
By Alan Hartley In the quiet chambers of the heart, Where shadows linger, and fears depart, There blooms a garden, tended with care, Where friendships thrive, beyond compare. When storms assail, and skies turn gray, Friends gather close, their warmth at bay, They weave a tapestry of solace and song,
By Alan Hartley In the quiet of soil, where roots entwine, A sanctuary blooms—a refuge for the mind. Gardening, a balm, a gentle embrace, For those who battle storms within their space. 1. Seeds of Hope In rows and furrows, seeds nestle deep, Their promise hidden, secrets they keep. For
By Erica Crompton In the land of tulips and windmillsWhere Farmer Gracy’s roots extendA sanctuary for plants and bloomsWith love and care, they tend Each bare root a promise of lifeReady to blossom and growIn Farmer Gracy’s hands they thriveA beauty only nature could bestow Today we walk through the
By Paul Nicholls The TerrainHopper, which Yorkshire charity Access the Dales puts on for wheelchair users free of charge, is an impressive all-terrain wheelchair designed to provide accessibility in rugged environments like the Yorkshire Dales. Here are some highlights I found: Off-Road Capability: The TerrainHopper excels in challenging terrains, including
By Erica Crompton In Clitheroe, where history meets the day,Paul and Erica set out, in their own special way.With wheels that glide on paths so clear,They explored the town, with nothing to fear. The castle stood proud, on the hill so high,With accessible paths that reached the sky.They wandered through
Through the rolling hills of Staffordshire we ride,In a Dacia, our trusty steed by our side.A wheelchair friendly road-trip, an adventure so grand,As we make our way to Amsterdam, across the land. The wind in our hair, the sun on our faces,We travel with joy to new and exotic places.The
Hopezine is a small, printed independent magazine and blog and now book – right here! – by me, Erica Crompton, a journalist with schizoaffective who survived a suicide attempt. Launched in November 2018 at an NHS suicide prevention conference at the Bet365 stadium, Hopezine aims to share stories from people
Can art change how we think about this thing called ‘schizophrenia’? Are all artists ‘mad’? Are people with schizophrenia more creative than those without? A freelance journalist with a history of paranoid schizophrenia aims to address these questions and more in ‘A look at schizophrenia in art’. With a master’s
Editor’s letter Lately, I’ve been feeling content and have let coincidence into my life – something that feels very spiritual to me. I believe that we can find a great deal of strength and hope, not just in spirituality but also in the lights that illuminate the way for atheists
By Erica Crompton We knew as soon as we heard Ms Swain had booked in for a house viewing that destiny was at play. My lovely home and safe space, a wee white cottage in a leafy street was up for sale and if I’d had any doubts about selling-up
By Sobanan Narenthiran In the veiled halls of existence, where shadows intertwine,I walked, bound by karma, through the tapestry of time.Within these walls of illusion, under the cosmic eye’s gaze,I found an ancient wisdom, a love that burns and blazes. Unconditional love, the alchemist’s stone, in my journey’s night,A beacon
By Sobanan Narenthiran In the grand tapestry of existence, the concept of time has always fascinated and perplexed humanity. We measure it, chase it, and often feel we’re running out of it. Yet, what if I were to tell you that time, as we understand it, is merely an illusion?
By Katrina Robinson I can honestly say fear no longer frightens me the way it did that day many years ago when I realised I had apparently inherited my mother and her family’s tendency to mood disorders. When you are young and inexperienced you think that having any mental illness
By Knuckles Everyone has a spark inside A spiritual guiding light To illuminate the paths ahead On our darkest nights It doesn’t matter if you pray Or don’t believe in God at all Awakening to your inner light Is like answering a helping call
By Erica Crompton As inky as the night-time sky As brightening as the moon A sparkle glimmering in an eye And dancing through monsoons When times are hard And all is lost The moon is here for all In the darkness of the night, The angels hear your call. There’s
Poem by Koo Solid, kind patience and so full of love, The odd nod or wink but never a nudge! That would happen when you needed to budge, A guiding light that fitted like a cashmere glove! In panic, or fear, reassurance was near, A call on the phone and
By Erica Crompton Many mental health professionals will tell you to meditate or go on a yoga retreat for better well-being, but I always find the best breaks involve fun like a mid-week pint and lunch with a loved one. We arrive at Newmarket at 1pm on the Friday and
By Paul Nicholls Over the years I’ve stayed in many places, some accommodate my wheelchair, others not so much – with steps, steep hills and bath suites all being obstacles to enjoying a break away. So I’ve become an expert in researching the best accessible places to stay in the
Moojag and the Lost Memories is a fast-paced, action-packed cli-fi mystery and the sequel to N.E. McMorran’s first novel, the award-winning Moojag and the Auticode Secret. Whether read after the Auticode Secret or as a standalone book, this second instalment in the series is the perfect balm for any restless soul looking for
For my 15th editor’s letter, I thought I’d check-in with readers to remind us why we began this hopeful journey. Launched in November 2018 at an NHS suicide prevention conference at the Bet365 stadium, Hopezine aims to share stories from people who have survived adversity in all its forms to
Most days, when possible, I would walk for an hour or so, alone. Each day a different direction from my hotel. I am a stranger here, a wanderer, a tourist with a camera. The streets provided me with pleasure, moments of joy, even here amongst the debris of all-inclusive hotels
I took this picture while on holiday with my family at Easter time in 2023. This holiday was very surreal due to the environment, allowing me to fully indulge myself into the pleasure of nature surrounding us. Every morning or night I would have a walk up to the beach
For me, dance provides escapism. Personally I view dance as a form of art created through a physical medium of a range of movements used to either tell a story or as a distraction from the stresses of the outer world. Dance was first opened up to me when I
In a garden lost to whispers of the wine, A lone sunflower stood, its journey pinned. Through solitude, it sought the sun’s warm kiss, A tale of hope, in some quiet reminisce With petals open to the vast expanse, It faced trials, a solitary dance. Roots intertwined, seeking strength below,
A little bit of life, Hope. Not all is lost, A little bit of brightness In your smile I think to myself how happy I am for you, And for you being here Found in the spiral of hope. Hope is found in the smallest things, learning to appreciate, everything
For me flowers create hope, they come in many forms: dried, fresh, weeds and pressed. Also, in different types and colours. I find this inspiring and hopeful as it reflects people and how everyone is unique and individually different. Flowers are everywhere and present through every season – some more
For me saving money is an act of hope, and so is wearing colour! So seeing this £200 dress from Harvey Nichols is just £15.18 on Amazon is hopeful news for cash-savvy fashionistas! The ‘It dress’ of the spring by Greek-smock dress designers Devotion Twins is now available in a
Last month I discovered my dream lounge suite on Amazon. As I write, I’m laid-up on the sofa typing on my laptop – it’s firm, supportive and comfortable enough to fall asleep on! This particular set is in a navy velvet Chesterfield style by a brand called Bravich. It’s proving
By Erica Crompton My partner Paul, a wheelchair user, and I have just returned from a trip where we spent a day out in Aberlady, on the Scottish coast. We found Craigielaw Golf Course hotel very accessible (we paid £72 for one night for two with a Scottish breakfast included)
~with VisitScotland.com By Paul Nicholls and Erica Crompton During a recent luxury stay at the Marine Hotel in North Berwick, Scotland, Paul and I found a wealth of wheelchair-friendly culinary wonders. Whether it’s a cut steak for Paul or neeps and tatties for me, bon bons or oysters to share
Photo via Pexels Many parents who have children with disabilities are familiar with the deep sense of exhaustion that comes from providing round-the-clock care. This level of fatigue is beyond tiredness. It cannot be resolved through rest and sleep and can impede a parent’s ability to cope with everyday challenges.
NOMAD DIGITAL are a world leading provider of passenger and fleet connectivity solutions and trackside networks. Nomad connects passengers, vehicles and organisations using their own robust and future-proofed solutions. Here they write for HOPEZINE.COM about how they’re making travel more accessible for all… The railway network is important to everyone
A mosaic that was produced by patients and staff at Leeds and York NHS Partnership Foundation Trust’s (LYPFT) Perinatal Mental Health Service, (PMHS) based at The Mount Hospital, Leeds has won the prestigious Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) 2023 Art Competition. The Mount Hospital works with women who are either
Debt and money troubles can have a huge impact on mental health. And it’s a growing problem. In the UK, people owed a whooping £1,843.8 billion at the end of this summer. This is up by £37.3 billion last year, according to The Money Charity. I hope to address this
By Paul Nicholls Erica and I returned from a wheelchair accessible winter sun break in the Algarve late last Thursday, booking the cheapest Ryanair flights we could afford to head to Faro (£70 return trip each). We stayed in Quinta Do Lago which we liked as it’s only a 50-years
By Erica Crompton There’s something about a winter-sun holiday that helps promote a sense of well-being. For this money special issue of Hopezine we popped a trip to Portugal on the credit card to try out a stay at one of Europe’s most exclusive hotels, the Wyndham Grand Algarve. From
By Erica Crompton If you live with a psychical or mental illness you maybe eligible to claim PIP (also known as Personal Independence Payments) to help with your illness or disability. Even if you work, it’s still a benefit you can claim. There are 3 stages to claiming PIP: It
By Erica Crompton With work and a serious mental illness comes a few clauses: too much work could cause a relapse, none at all could pull at your purse strings. With this in mind it’s good to know that there’s a safety net for people in the UK who like
By Rachel Melinek The woman looks up at me. ‘We need a record that accounts for all your time.’ ‘Absolutely all of it?’ ‘Yes, you can’t work in social care unless we know what you’ve been doing.’ ‘I have it on my CV; I’ve mainly been self-employed.’ ‘We need a
By Kamalyn Kaur Money and finance can have a significant impact and influence on our mental health in a number of ways: · Financial stability is important because it also provides emotional and psychological safety. Constantly worrying about money; your finances; or how your next bill will get paid is
By Georgina Sturmer, Counsellor MBACP Everyday life can be overwhelming. We are bombarded with news, messages and notifications all pulling us in different directions. This can be difficult to cope with, even if everything else is running smoothly. But if you have underlying worries about money, about paying your bills,
By Dr. Hana Patel, NHS GP & Medico-Legal Expert Witness. Financial and money worries are often reasons that patients consult with me, as, this can impact on our mental health. Sadly with the increased cost-of-living pressures, I am seeing first hand with patients how this can lead to more financial
For the winter issue of Hopezine, Erica asks STEVIE SHAW, a former monk, what his money tips are. In his philosophical article here, he reveals all… “MONEY DOESN’T GROW ON TREES!” By Stevie Shaw “You need to buck your ideas up sonny Jim,” shouted Father. “Money doesn’t grow on trees,
“A dram for Dad,An evergreen present,Beautifully festive,A gift so pleasant.A Bladnoch or a 47,Both alluring gifts,Sent from heaven.” Erica Crompton, Hopezine’s Editor As the weather starts to change, and the colour of the sky begins to turn whitish grey, my thoughts turn to Christmas gifts. My Dad is the one
Editor’s letter Welcome to autumn’s Hopezine, an ode tothe animals we take care of.In this special issue, award-winning authorsfrom my publishers Victorina Press, pentheir own vignettes about the pets theylove. I’ve taken to bird twitching. And aProfessor of Psychology tells us all aboutthe benefits of taking care of a pet,
By Professor David Clark-CarterIt’s a formula that works and there’s robust science to supportthe idea that caring for a pet is good for our mental health.At nearby Staffordshire University, Emeritus Professor ofPsychology, David Clark-Carter, agrees that caring for animalsand pets can both remedy some of the factors that contributeto poor
Every cat that has ever employed me has been a madcap character.I’ve saved adult ducks and rabbits (and the neighbour’s kid’s soft toys)from the jaws of expert hunters, climbed a rickety fire escape to rescue adeaf, cross-eyed tom who scarred me for life in the process, andcollected another (the Devil’s
By Wendy BeasleyFor most people, taking the dog out in the car is not a problem, but the logisticsof travelling with four, five or even more dogs is akin to a military operation.I am one of the relatively few dog owners that take part in the little known,but challenging and
I’ve never been a pet owner although my husband is proud of the goldfish livingin our pond. When we moved to Dorset in 2007, our children begged us to get adog but we didn’t succumb. This year, my now grown-up daughter announced shewanted a puppy. I was underwhelmed at the
By Erica Crompton To purchase your own Outsider Art like the one above, visit leading specialist Henry Boxer Gallery at www.outsiderart.co.uk. Bright, beguiling and saccharine are all words that can be associatedwith this month’s cover kitty, and the illustrations of cats, printed in thismonth’s animal special. Known as the Mona
By Erica Crompton Since recently moving into an accessible bungalow that backs on towoodlands, I’ve discovered the joys of bird watching. Take a look atmy view from the French windows! All green and woodland.By far the best investment has been a metal bird-feeder to hang ona branch outside. It does
Dressed in glitter,with silken train,here comes baby,in curly frame. Pledge salad leaves,for him to eat,glides across,with wide-foot feet. And then he curls into a ball,into his house, his home, his hall. And if you watch him,you’ll grow fonder;curling, climbing,Pet of yonder By Erica Crompton
By Paul Nicholls For this issue we visit a very special night of VIP hospitality,The Gallery Restaurant at Manchester United’s stadium,Old Trafford. The accessibility part of our evening was wellplanned by staff ahead of our visit and they arranged afar-reaching corner box for us to watch the game in. We
With over 12 million people in the UK holding a criminal record, it’s time Hopezine handed over it’s pages to law-abiding citizens who have criminal records. This summer is the specialedition made with members of the charity, Unlock, for people with criminal records. Think it doesn’t apply to you? Tried
University was my entire world. I thrived there both on and off my course. I edited the studentnewspaper, had a show on the student radio station and organised an international development summit. I loved my course – politics with international relations – and made friends from around the world. Then
Were those words actually attached to the police station, the courtbuilding, the prisons or probation offices I visited during the course of my criminal journey?No, they weren’t.They actually refer to Dante’s Inferno and an inscription above the gates of Hell.Did I abandon all hope as I frequented those establishments?With hindsight……Not
Addiction is cruel, that’s the main rule.Abstaining from the vein, is the ultimate aim.Whether inhaled, ingested or intravenous injected.Drugs don’t discriminate who are infected.Loneliness, lies and broken family ties.No trees of green, just dark cloudy skies.Whatever ya poison, its basically the same.Nobody lives long in this perilous game.So a trip
Do we live in a fallen world? What is the evil at work? Did God intend it thisway?This is something I have contemplated and prayed about.As with all things of God I have found a lot of paradox when seeking an answer.I believe that I have been lead to an
Prison was the beginning, the lowest of the lows,I remember telling my mum, the only thing worse was death,It’s difficult to think of a punishment so pointless,Yet, an experience that makes your life a mess,My first day in prison was hard, I felt so deeply lost,When you think about crime,
When I left prison, I was anxious, stressed and worried- it wasn’t goingto be easy. The stigma of being an ex-offender coupled with being youngscared me, how would I get a job? How would I tell people where I’d beenfor the last year? How would I deal with all the
By Erica CromptonWe stayed in a development that, like many contributors in this month’sissue, had a second chance. At Mollett’s Farm in Saxmundham, Suffolk,a former waste land on the farm has been transformed into a series ofaccessible accommodations. I went along with our resident wheelchairuser and Accessibility Consultant, Paul Nicholls.
Paul and I recently gave an interview to The Daily Mail’s travel section about our accessible road trips and featured in the paper and online. In the piece we tell journalist Rob Crosson the highlights of our wheelie friendly UK trips including Perth, York and Belfast. Have a read, here.
Editor’s letter Spring is upon us and as the daffodills start to bloom, we at Hopezine are taking a moment to ponder what makes us happy. In mental health care, focussing on things that bring us happiness is known as positive psychology or compassion focussed therapy, which I’ve taken part
Tucked at the bottom of a rolling hill and overlooking the Perthshire Scottish countryside, is the Orchard Cottage at Blairmore farm. It’s a delightful, quaint space with the fields dotted with wildlife and farm animals. As Hopezine’s Accessibility Consultant, I reckon this is my favourite spot to stay in Scotland
There’s something about a lit up forest that soothes and beguiles. At the Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry there’s a seasonal light show where you can absorb the magic and submerse yourself in feeling happy. There’s all the colours of the rainbow to behold in a truly beautiful forest setting as
What makes me feel happy? Food, of course! Paul and I recently inhaled the most splendid of seafood supers at Ballintaggart restaurant in the Grandtully countryside by a wee river in Perthshire. We are pushed to think of a time we had tastier fish. The razor clams were doused in
The Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel ticks all the boxes for accessibility. It has five rooms with sea views that are wheelchair-friendly. And my girlfriend Erica says a sea view and the sea breeze is good for her mental health because it feels both relaxing and refreshing. We stayed here on
I’ve said it earlier on in this issue and I’ll say it again – food improves my mood and can help make me feel happy! Comfort food especially can help sooth anxious and gurgling stomachs. For this special happy edition of Hopezine I ordered my favourite comfort food at Moshimo
If we were eating a lot of food for this special happy issue of Hopezine, we couldn’t do so without a good watering too. So, we drank all the liquid at The Cauldron, a magical-themed pub set in Clarence Gardens in Brighton. We took an aperitif outside first and then
Paul and I went veggie for this issue of Hopezine and it was surprisingly good! Terre a Terre is a restaurant set within Brighton’s famous ‘Lanes’ that has a reputation for the best vegan and vegetarian food in the UK. Now, I was surprised Paul agreed to visit with me
Once upon a time I thought I was clinically depressed as I slept so much (a side effect of my antipsychotic medication) and spent a whole lot of time in bed feeling sorry for myself. I mentioned this to my care co-ordinator and she booked me onto a course of
★★★★★ The Mind Surfer is journalist Erica Crompton’s memoir, a collection of first-person prose and journalism that details exactly what psychosis is and how she learned to manage it in her late teens to mid-thirties. This book is aimed at all people, young or old, whose lives have been touched by psychosis: themselves,
Photo by Johnny Holden Living with a mental illness for two decades has not dampened ERICA CROMPTON’S desire to dress well. Here she explains how fashion helps her with managing her psychotic illness and staying comfy… Fashion boosts my self-esteem, helps me create an identity outside my diagnosis and I
Welcome, winter Hopezine, 2022! As the nights draw in, we offer you some different thoughts on medications for mental illness. I’ve included a few different perspectives for you to decide for yourself though there’s no shame or judgement whichever course you decide to take. Your mind, your choice. For the
she sucks on her menthol e-cigarette it tastes like the outside desperation in a tube. she turns her head from side to side staring blankly all around her taking nothing in but nicotine. a step forward, she’s at the counter name? turn the page a little paper cup, with little
I was 16 when I first experienced social anxiety. I was on a half empty train to London when it pulled up at the last stop and then, a tsunami of passengers spilled onto the train. I panicked as I got squeezed amongst the passengers and broke into a cold
I’ve made the artwork opposite to show how my brain might look when I’m unwell with psychosis. I call these collages the ‘brain surgery series’ as to make them I take a scalpel to pictures of people in magazines! Since 1999 I’ve taken different measures of antipsychotic medication to treat
As one of the UK’s biggest tourist destinations, Paul and I fiddled with chocolate buttons and ate like Fat Dan from Rate My Takeaway recently in York. For our stay we drove 20 miles North East of the city centre to Sandburn Hall Hotel which had the most sophisticated wetroom
With its recent reign of City of Culture, Coventry has had a revamp. Think flat streets: the silver lining to a a rebuild after the World War II bombings. There’s chic retro restaurants and the viral sensation that is Binley Mega Chippy, too. We went along to see what it
As the nights draw in once more, I’ve taken to stargazing after being dazzled by the perseid meteor shower last August and September. Don’t fret if you missed those shooting stars as there’s more ahead on 21st October and 22nd October: the Orionid Meteor shower or the Taurid meteor shower,
This pretty edition of summer 2022 Hopezine has been brought to you by students studying A-level photography at Stafford College. Its’ been inspired by Project Soothe, a citizen science project that urges participants to photograph what soothes them and to share this with others. Leah Greenaway-Lewis has been guest editor
One thing I find very soothing is watching the sun set. I’m very lucky as Ilive in a dark sky part of the country so there is no noticeable lightpollution to obscure the sun. One of the biggest draws for me to watchingthe sun set is that it is different
On a recent trip to Devon my boyfriend Paul drove us to Dartmoor tosee if we could spot some of the wild ponies. We were in luck! Here’s apicture of the most gorgeous wild ponies and their foals that wediscovered there. Whether it’s my own cats or wild ponies, I
I’ve found fishing to be a very soothing and calming activity. It helps me toconcentrate on the tranquil waters. Whether I’m sea fishing or fishing in alake, being near water and nature is always good for my mental health.I only tried fishing recently, on a trip with my boyfriend, but
Something that soothes me is stopping for a moment. To take a break andnot allow things to move at a rushed pace all the time is one of the mostsoothing things you can do. Life can move very fast and feel uncontrollablea lot of the time, so whenever I feel
hese images that I have taken and included are what ‘soothe’ me.As we all know, life is overwhelming and hard, many obstacles anddifficulties get thrown our way, but there are so many wonderful ways wecan deal with this. For me, going on a walk with my camera is my time
I think my images reflect a feeling of peaceful solitude, which, as a personwho spends most of her time energised and around other people, I relateto as an isolated environment is where I feel the most relaxed. Duringmy alone time, I find that reading, writing, and watching TV soothe me
As a child, I lost somebody inmy family to suicide. This took atoll on me, and I lost myself tothe overbearing thoughts, I lostall hope. I’ve survived multipleexperiences, and this has given metime to find a place, in which helpssoothe me. I struggle sometimes,so routine is important to meand helps
This is the image of where I go to ensure I am soothed. The noise of thebirds, especially seagulls, the crashing of the sea/waves, the smell of theseaside, walking on the beach, the breeze in my hair all soothe my mindwithin minutes. When I was a little girl, each weekend
After Elizabeth Bishop’s Visits to St. Elizabeths She was the house of Bedlam. She was the woman. She was—past—She was the moment you realize there may be no God. Facial expressions are faulty. Roots grow in the throat of that damaged woman. Voices are not modest in one’s head, ears,
As the crocuses and daffodils begin to show, Erica Crompton says there’s no better time to take a day trip to the Estate of the Scottish poet. Having recently toured the eclectic home of Scottish poet Sir Walter Scott, I can recommend a visit. It’s wheelchair friendly, too! I went
For a taste of Scotland try this Balmoral chicken recipe complete with haggis, courtesy of Delicious Magazine. And for the best Balmoral chicken head to Kingsknowes Hotel in Galashiels, an imposing Scottish baronial mansion, built in 1869 for the local textile mill owner, Adam Lees Cochrane. Ingredients: Heat the oven
Gallery finds its forever home in Scottish Border, writes Erica Crompton Beginning with large, fabric squares depicting the glacial formation of mountains and glens more than 420m years ago, up to Andy Murray’s Wimbledon victory of 2013. It’s said to be one of the longest tapestries in the world at
Ardmore, the sea and me By Graham Morgan I must sound like a stamp collector! Nothing wrong with that! I say to myself; remembering a very distant childhood. I collect seaglass or sometimes I do. It is not good for my mental health like medication might be, or my CPN
Our Editor, Erica Crompton, explores a new moon installation at Durham Cathedral This winter a trip to the ecclesiastical Durham Cathedral saw an art installation that is currently touring the UK. Luke Jerram’s artwork, Museum of the Moon, illuminated the high vaulted ceiling and colossal carved pillars of the Cathedral
How I bought a house with an income under £16k By Erica Crompton The sunset glows red. I’m sat on the end of my double bed. With a glass of Chianti, I look out over the lilac tree outside and across the bowling green and feel a tremendous sense of
Emily Blain, Fintel’s HR Director, speaks of speaking up if you’re struggling I’m sure that, just like me, by the second week of January you’re sick to the back teeth of saying, and hearing, ‘Happy New Year’ in every single interaction! In addition to getting tedious quickly, the traditional new
Tweetster @Joe0Tuesday writes about telling people about your mental illness “Hi, my name is Joe and I have schizophrenia!” Is that how you’d expect to start a conversation with someone you don’t know? Would it shock you? Whether you are from within the mental health community or not it is
Experiencing difficulty can positively impact you, says writer Caoimhe Clements It was January 2021; the weather was cold and unkind identical to my emotions. I was a university student, in my final year studying Photography with Video. With the pandemic creating a public health scare, the degree teaching of my
An imagination is sparked with the arts, a poem by Rachel Melinek My sister imagination sparked as a child. As we get up to leave a magic show, she asks the magician on stage whether he dwelt in a cave. I was spellbound as a child by performance, I sometimes
Erica & Paul experience DIY tipples overlooking the River Tweed It was back to school last month, with a seriously magical twist – Paul and I were visiting a wheelchair-friendly gin school where we learned to make out own gin, and try it, too! The school itself is set within
Erica Crompton discovers peace & calm at Kailzie gardens “People that visit us here in Kailzie gardens all say it’s such a special place,” says Steve, our accessibility guide for the afternoon tour of the gardens. There’s a dedicated off-road wheelchair here that Paul uses, and Steve pushes today as
The Cringletie is the Scottish hotel that wins on accessibility, says Hopezine Editor Erica Crompton As a white snow blankets the rolling hills that frame the River Tweed, we take a left from the scenic Edinburgh Road and over a private bridge to discover the Cringletie, a secluded baronial mansion.
A poem about relocating to Scotland from Spain By Laura Menéndez In the busy morning of a train I have found silence -I was missing- The quiet was daunting, almost oppresing. A monotonous fog had taken over. I had nowhere left to go. In the silence and the quiet, the
Scotland is the place that will always feel like home, says Laura Menéndez I vividly remember the day I stepped on a plane to change my life forever. After a year of university in Spain, I knew it wasn’t for me. I accepted an offer to study in Scotland. And
For writer Alan Hartley, rewarding work came along after some nasty incidences of discrimination: When I was first diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia I was about 26 years old and my world fell apart. I had been a well paid sales representative with my own 3 bedroom semi-detached house and doing
Staffordshire based writer, Caroline Butterwick, has featured us in Happiful magazine this month
By Erica Crompton Some years ago, I attempted to board a flight to Ibiza but had to check out last minute due to some mild hallucinations (thinking I could see people from the past). I’ll admit, it wasn’t very well planned on my part – the flight from Manchester airport
By Eleanor Lees Birdsong is something my blind friend has come to be able to identify – enjoying being able to tell me which songs are coming from which birds despite not being able to see them. She imagines them in her mind’s eye and describes to me how she
By Erica Crompton Pentahotel in Birmingham rests just a stone’s throw from the Chinese Pagoda monument and, also, the city centre. I arrived with Paul and we found ourselves pent-up with excitement – the parking just outside left enough change for drinks and its entrance was accessible not to mention
By Erica Crompton Hungry and in a hurry? Thai cuisine café Rosa’s is unlikely to disappoint as the sun sets over Birmingham’s former Paradise Parade site. Set atop the high and mighty Hill Street, it’s quite the journey to arrive here in a wheelchair, but the Panang curry, Pad Thai
By Caroline Butterwick North Staffordshire has been my home for over a decade. I love exploring where I live, and I’m still discovering places to visit for a great day out. Being partially sighted and experiencing tiredness from medication I take for my mental health, accessibility is key when planning
By Erica Crompton Hope Street, Belfast’s Holiday Inn lights up green in the evening which makes for an eerie entree. But we don’t mind this at all as we enter as it boasts both steps to the entrance and a step-free entrance for wheelchair users. A bottle of Pinot Noir
By Erica Crompton “Is this the Quail or the egg?” It’s only after sampling the vast array of local Belfast beers and whiskeys that I ask this, but the friendly staff take it in their stride: “It’s the bird,” offers the understanding waitress all pristine black shirt, matching apron and
By Erica Crompton Opening a conversation with local residents is how you really get a feel for the charm and elegance of Belfast and a sense of how this UK city has emerged from conflict to become a safe, popular short-break city. Today it stands as one of the world’s
By Erica Crompton In 2002 I booked a one-way ticket to New York City with no plans to return. I took a job at the late Santa D’Orazio’s photographic agency and spent my time eating Burritos in Brooklyn by night, while chugging photographic portfolios around magazines based in Lower Manhattan
Memories of the Rave By The Last Skeptik I love performing anywhere in California. The vibe of being in the sunshine, playing music in LA – the city which birthed so many of my favourite records is a mad concept, and there is no better feeling. Everything feels like you’re
By Jim Leftwich, CEO NoLongerLonely.com Clasping at air All thought in celestial space My thoughts I do not own All originality is banal It makes no difference Locked inside or put upon the page Puncturing the rind of the mind Thoughts flow in But others are sucked out I stand
By Joe Tuesday Having recently come out of a relationship and feeling sorry for myself I decided it would be a good idea to see if the stuff I’m made out of is still somewhat sought after by the opposite sex. I’ve never been great at dating and forming relationships,
The writing community on Twitter is a place where you can read beautiful words, showcase your work and meet lovely people. Just last week, while promoting my zine on twitter, I checked all three when I stumbled across poet Darren Hobson. The below poem, Flames of the Furnace chimes with
The Easter prior to lockdown was a long sunny weekend. Families got together, couples went for romantic meals – I had nothing planned. I was just lay on my bed in my room listening to the parties outside and feeling a deep sense of regret that I not only didn’t
Dear friends, family and colleagues, Hello from a sparklingly frosty Staffordshire. I’m delighted to present issue 4 of Hopezine today, attached, which is hot off the press. You can buy yours today. And past issues as well as paintings can be brought here. In this special winter 2020 edition of
By GC In early June 2019, I came home from hospital without the twins I was expecting. My beautiful son and daughter were born alive, but too small to survive for long. I can’t find adequate words or phrases – in this language at least – to describe how dark
By Stevie Saranga One day a wandering holy-man, a mysterious mendicant visited our hill-top ashram. He had taken a vow of staying no longer than three days in any one place and like a bumble bee, travelled the earth taking a little nectar from each tiny flower, pollinating as he
By Erica Crompton Today, as coronavirus sweeps across the globe, everyone is staying at home and it feels like the playing field has evened out for people with severe mental illness (as well as the elderly and disabled). It’s made hermits of all of us. There are various things I
By Bhakti Vinode, Gardener (as seen in The Guardian) My story begins in London when I was 20 years old. Myself, and my new friend Glen were walking around the West end of London. We spent all of our money and Glen suggested we go to the Hare Krishna temple
By James Leftwich, CEO NoLongerLonely.com I’ve never tried to commit suicide. However I certainly have thought about it. I’m not a religious person but I do have a belief that life is quite precious and that abandoning it is something of a violation. Suicidality is a repudiation of long-term thinking.
Feeling low in lockdown? You’re not alone, as Editor Erica Crompton shares her nostalgic tragedy and urges readers to make the most of what they have Once upon a time, in a world where I had a secure job, partner and Herne Hill mansion; I had had a meeting with
By Rachel Melinek I watch on terrified. I can see a woman in white in the doorway holding a baby. The figure stands there looking at me, I’m so scared I run back to bed and put my head underneath the covers. Seeing the vision makes my ability to sleep
By Nutan Modha There are cold facts about ‘suffering’ with mental illness in this age. It’s a cruel and silent isolator. However, here we are in 2020, with Corvonavirus and the external world is on the brink of a shrinking populous, and mass isolation. News sources from MSM to independents
By Erica Crompton A very strange time for the whole of the world Testing times ahead! An ill-fated holiday yesterday evening And we could finally return to our beds But today has been quite wonderful Compared with recent times A bright spring day with fresh new growth On the trees
Many papers cover creativity and mental illness. Here, Hopezine Editor Erica Crompton delves into the discussion… Abstract Many papers have written about creativity and mental illness, and whether mental illnesses can improve creativity (Waddell, 1998). This report aims to address this conundrum. Furthermore, according to Waddell, there are limited scientific
Child of the world, María Llewellyn, suffered sleepless nights and self-doubt until losing a loved one to suicide prompted her to see a therapist and learn to love herself.
By Hopezine’s Editor, Erica Crompton “Ever since I was a child, I’ve had an appreciation of antiques. I grew up with parents who loved car boot sales, charity shops and all things vintage (before it became cool). More recently, I’d brought myself a tiny, white cottage in a little village
Author Graham Morgan tells of his life and small wonders that help keep him sane and breathe much love into his life… Graham Morgan is the Author of START – a memoir of love and compulsory treatment for mental illness, Twitter: @GrahamM23694298; Facebook: Graham Morgan – Author. Image: The boat
By Divya Modha The fluid undertones of the first few bars had me captivated. It’s make or break, I know then if I should listen or skip to the next tune. An impressive intro makes me believe, and feel like a hip-hop head produced and wrote this EP with friends
