Blogs

By Dr Jan Macfarlane (May 2025) Would you press a magic button for constant happiness? Most of us, on reflection, would say no. Why? Because life’s full emotional range gives meaning to our experiences. It’s through joy, sadness, challenge and triumph that we truly grow. We are naturally wired to scan for threats—an evolutionary survival mechanism. But with intention and the right tools, we can shift our mindset. This is where positive psychology comes in—a scientific approach to wellbeing that helps us live more fulfilled lives. The Past – From Healing to Flourishing Positive psychology explores what makes life worth living. Although the term only gained popularity in recent decades, its foundations are rooted in ancient philosophies, including Stoicism a...

The book Grit & Grace was launched this month, on International Women’s Day. This book is more than just a collection of stories, it's a movement of strength, resilience and empowerment. Within the chapters of this book, you will find a collection of inspiring journeys of women who make a difference in our world. Grit and Grace is a testament to the strength, courage, and resilience of women everywhere. Within these pages, you’ll meet trailblazers who have turned challenges into stepping stones, fears into fire, and ideas into impact. These women have navigated paths that weren’t always paved, carving out their own space in industries, communities, and causes that matter. I was honoured to be involved in the creation of this book, not only because every story in Grit & Grace is ...

Louise Walden Edwards, the winner of the 2024 SheInspires Award in the Women in Fitness & Wellbeing category, continues to exemplify dedication and innovation in promoting women’s health and well-being. In the true spirit of giving back, Louise has developed a seven-day fitness challenge specifically tailored for the SheInspires community. “Winning the SheInspires Award for Woman in Fitness & Wellbeing last year meant the world to me. To gain such recognition for the work I do and the passion I have for it was a dream come true. The awards process alone changed me and helped me grow and develop. For me, SheInspires has been more than an award—it’s a journey that I’m still on, from being a finalist in 2023, winning in 2024, and in 2025 I’m going to be a judge and collab...

When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” – Paulo Coelho The state of being healthy, comfortable and happy. Children's wellbeing is, without doubt, at the centre of the Early Years Foundation Stage. A child's level of well-being is intrinsically linked to their levels of involvement and motivation to learn. Being happy includes managing their emotions and understanding the impact it can have on their daily lives if regulation is not addressed.  Regulating your Child’s emotions is becoming increasingly difficult. We are asked regularly by parents How they can get help.  So let’s look at ways you can help your child. "Emotional regulation is not about suppressing feelings, but teaching children to understand and express them...

It is my pleasure to introduce myself to the wider SheInspires Community. My name is Louise Walden-Edwards, I was the winner of the Woman in Fitness & Wellbeing SheInspires Award 2024 and also UK Coaching’s Online Coach Of The Year 2024. There are many facets to my career, who I am and what I do but essentially I am a former British and International Ice Dance Champion, who represented Team GB for many years before turning professional and then performed in some of the World’s most prestigious Ice Shows. Now, I am a busy working mummy to two beautifully chaotic little boys, who are 4 and 6 years of age. I am a Sports Commentator for Eurosport, Discovery Plus and Warner Bros. TV Networks. I am the founder of VO:ICE Fitness and Wellbeing Academy an online, inclusive and non-dis...

I started a ‘Women into Leadership’ programme at the Sixth Form Bolton five years ago. Why? Because I have always believed that the girls in our sixth form were disadvantaged in their preparation for next steps, and in particular for the ‘world of work’. I saw so many young women working hard on their studies, but lacking the confidence and broader awareness to compete with their male peers in the workplace, for work experience placements and other opportunities. Since I was no longer as able to influence individual females in my classroom, as I no longer taught, I used my position and time to nurture, encourage and support our young women by setting up a college wide programme. And so our Women into Leadership programme was born.  The programmes aim, much like the ethos of She Ins...

Julie Robinson Eagley School House Nurseries has long stood as a beacon of excellence in early education within the Bolton community. With consistently outstanding ratings from Ofsted, the nursery is celebrated for its dedication to providing children with a nurturing and high-quality learning environment. However, what truly distinguishes Eagley is its commitment to fostering good values and strong relationships with both parents and the broader community. Through their holistic approach, children are not only taught academic skills but are also instilled with core values such as kindness, respect, and responsibility. At the heart of this incredible work is Julie Robinson, the nursery’s founder and owner. Julie is an inspirational leader and a true pillar of the Bolton community...