Dear Lady Bountiful…..

In this series survivor, teacher and coach Alice Smith uncovers the rot inside the charity sector that is supposed to bring about social change for women…In part 1 she introduces us to Lady Bountiful 2023 As an optimist and a survivor I have been in many rooms, many trustee interviews, many projects telling me they

Stigma in schools

Stigma exists in schools. stigma thrives in school. The staff room is full of stigma. The staff room is full of the narrowest minds in the uk – teaching our young people how to label, ignore bullying and promote heterosexuality at the cost of every other gender choice. How do I know this? Because I

Defeat

I am defeated. Temporarily.

Find the key

All abuse relationships are a trade. A poor trade, an unfair trade but still – a trade. Looking at abusive relationships in this way frees us from both the victim and the survivor labels – but it’s controversial. Why? Because blame is always lurking at the door if we consider these relationships in the light

It felt safe until it didn’t

Post lockdown, there is now no collective grief. Post lockdown, there is now no mourning for what we lost. Post lockdown, there is now only chaos and rush and busy. In the West this looks like this – Ignoring the death of old structures. Been in a hospital lately? Tried to get a GP appointment?

I believe my own lies

I believe the lies I tell myself and that is why you will never win an argument with an addict. Please believe me. I believe them totally….Or is that another lie?

4 years sober

Four years on – who are you now?  We become what you think about – your mindset creates your reality. 5 hard lessons learnt. by Alice Smith. Sobriety takes courage Courage is heart strength. We can get discouraged (lose heart) and we can aim to get to a point where we can encourage others so