Fear of flying, also known as aerophobia or aviophobia, is surprisingly common in the UK. According to TUI, around 1 in 10 British adults experience significant anxiety related to air travel. Anxiety UK supports this, estimating around 10% of the population has a serious fear of flying, with some studies suggesting even higher prevalence.

That translates to over 6 million people in the UK living with real distress at the thought, let alone the reality of boarding a plane. What’s more, YouGov data shows that 41% of those with fear-of-flying say their phobia is so intense they avoid long-haul holidays altogether. Many miss out on family trips, weddings, or work travel because of it.

Losing a parent is one of the most heart-breaking experiences a child can go through. When a child is grieving, they often don’t have the words to explain what they’re feeling, but their bodies and behaviours tell the story. Trouble sleeping. Tummy aches. Sudden outbursts. Withdrawal. These are all common signs of anxiety, worry, and sadness in children trying to process grief.

We recently heard from a parent who shared the emotional story of their children’s journey after losing their dad, and how a Calmness Crew plushie became an unexpected source of comfort during their darkest moments.

I’m thrilled to share some incredible news with our amazing community!

Our mission to support children’s mental health through the Calmness Crew—our range of mental health, voice-guided, weighted plushies, just received a huge boost. We were chosen by none other than Theo Paphitis, entrepreneur and former Dragon from Dragon’s Den, as one of the winners of his Small Business Sunday (#SBS) community.

From Panic Attacks to Mental Health Plushies: How my daughter’s struggles inspired the creation of mental health plushies.

A few years ago, coming out of lockdown, my daughter was so gripped by anxiety that she couldn’t leave the house, sit in the car, or go to school. It was heart breaking to watch, and like many parents, I felt completely lost. I’d find myself crying on many occasions feeling as though I’d failed as a parent, as I was completely helpless, unable to change how my daughter was feeling.

I’ll be honest. Just a couple of weeks ago, I found myself completely overwhelmed and questioning my decision setting up a side hustle business, on top of my HR role.

I’d been working full time in my ‘normal job’ in HR for a couple of weeks, in charge of a process, which was the hardest period in my professional career. It was also on top of having the everyday busy life of being a mum and wife, (with everything that brings) but also working hard to bring my vision for the Calmness Crew mental health plushies to life.

It’s easy to overlook how much the little things shape the way children feel about themselves. Among the simplest yet most powerful tools we can offer them is the habit of using positive affirmations.

Affirmations are short, uplifting phrases that children repeat to themselves, helping them build a strong and healthy inner voice. Phrases like “I am brave,” “I am calm,” or “I am kind” might seem small, but the effect they can have on a child’s self-belief and resilience is anything but.

When a child starts to feel anxious, overwhelmed, or on the verge of a panic attack, one of the most effective things they can do is breathe—but not just any breathing. Box breathing, also known as square breathing, is a simple yet powerful technique backed by science and recommended by psychologists, pediatricians, and educators for helping young people regulate their emotions and calm their nervous systems.

🌟 A-Z Tips to Boost Your Wellbeing (Especially for Young People)

🩵 Let’s be real—life can feel a lot sometimes. Whether it’s school, friendships, family, social media, or just trying to figure things out, there’s so much being thrown at young people every day.

📒 That’s why I created something simple, supportive, and completely free: an A–Z guide full of daily tips to help young people feel better, think better, and live well.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and daily pressures. But what if there was a simple, effective, and completely free way to improve your mental wellbeing? Journaling is a powerful tool that helps process emotions, reduce stress, and boost clarity. And the best part? You can start today with my free downloadable daily journal!

Team GB athlete Georgia Carmichael shares how she’s faced brain injuries, paralysis, and recovery using mindset, routine, and movement.

Game artist Kev Bayliss shares his creative journey, mindset advice, and how he brought the Calmness Crew Koala to life.

Have you ever looked into calming tools for anxiety, autism, or ADHD? If you have, chances are you’ve come across weighted blankets and weighted plushies.

Resilience is something that everybody has, and it plays a major role in your life.  No matter how old you are, resilience is an essential skill that helps us all keep going when times get hard.

Get some guidance and support for you or your teen, with a free skin analysis, from skin specialist Rebecca Willshee.

When starting a new school or returning from a holiday, it is normal to feel nervous. Here are some top tips to help you! As a parent or carer we can also do things to help the transition so check out this blog from Laura O’Leary, headteacher at Blessed Robert Sutton School.

If you have coursework to do, college revision, course assignments, work reports, but don’t have internet or a computer at home, you can use Burton Library for free.

Are you a teenager? Are you struggling with confidence and feeling down?

Personal Development Coach and NLP Practitioner Rebecca Hadley, talks about the issues teenagers face and how she can help to support parents and teenagers. Rebecca is offering a free one hour session.

Are you washing your hair correctly? Award winning hairdresser, Mary Geoghegan shares the fundamentals of washing your hair properly depending on your hair type!

Do you currently have a girl in year 7 and worry about her wellbeing, as she approaches teenage years?

Learn more about the radio industry, podcasts even give it a go. You have nothing to lose yet everything to gain!