Author: Gavin Haines

Asking someone what they’ve changed their mind about can reveal a lot about a person. Politicians in particular are known for doubling down on their positions, but changing your mind can be a sign of strength. In fact, the question of what people have shifted their stance on is a regular topic in the “Life… Continue reading Tell us: what’s the big thing that you changed your mind about?

From Romania to India, this week offered up plenty of good news. Firstly, preventative cancer treatment moved another step closer through research at the University of Oxford. The study showed that proteins which can indicate cancer can appear in people’s blood more than seven years before they are diagnosed with the disease. Identifying these proteins… Continue reading What went right this week: the good news that matters

Last year marked a “turning point in the history of energy” as the world received more than 30% of its electricity from renewable sources, according to climate thinktank Ember. The share of renewables was sufficient to allow “a new era of falling power sector emissions”. Global demand for electricity rose last year, however, this was… Continue reading What went right this week: the good news that matters

In Africa, mental illness remains taboo despite having the highest suicide rate in the world. There is access to very little, if any, professional care for those with severe mental health conditions, which can range between 85% and 95%. This issue is mainly found in young people, who suffer the second-highest cause of death after… Continue reading Salon therapy: the Ivory Coast hairdressers tackling a mental health crisis

A recent study has shown that conservation efforts around the world are working to save species and slow climate change. The study, published in the journal Science, analysed hundreds of conservation projects globally and found that interventions such as the creation of protected areas and eradication of invasive species boosted biodiversity or slowed declines in… Continue reading What went right this week: the good news that matters

The Whitley Awards, organised by the UK charity Whitley Fund for Nature, were held last night, celebrating grassroots conservationists and their work to protect imperiled species and ecosystems. Each of the winners were awarded at least £50,000 to scale up their projects. These conservationists have saved charismatic songbirds, rehabilitated the reputations of persecuted animals, and… Continue reading Seven conservation pioneers who are ‘saving the world’

This week saw a series of good news stories that brought hope and optimism. From slowing time to new treatments for brain cancer and increasing butterfly numbers, the articles highlighted innovation and success across several sectors. Scientists at George Mason University in Virginia found that memorable visual stimuli can slow our perception of time. The… Continue reading What went right this week: the good news you should know about

A non-profit organisation named Light Up is offering trauma-informed therapy to young adults from low-income and vulnerable communities in India through its flagship programme Project Phoenix. This one-year programme provides one-to-one therapy, group exercises and life skills training to develop their social and emotional learning (SEL). Light Up aims to work with individuals who have… Continue reading A class act: the therapy school for children raised in Delhi’s red light district

Secondhand fashion is becoming more mainstream, with bargain hunters hunting for preloved garms in charity shops, online marketplaces such as eBay, and swapping clothes with friends. The trend towards preloved clothing is driven by a desire for new looks at a lower cost, as well as concerns over the environmental impact of fast fashion. Charity… Continue reading Tell us about your relationship with secondhand fashion

The Brighton Festival, England’s largest multi-arts festival, has a guest director for this year’s events. Frank Cottrell-Boyce, best known for his work as a children’s book author and screenwriter, is focused on the power of hope and how it can extract joy, even during turbulent times. In an interview, Cottrell-Boyce said: “I’ve been looking for… Continue reading ‘I would like people to feel like kids again – to be amazed’