Author | Lightnews

Helen

@helenmew.bsky.social

530 followers 800 following 470 posts

Juggle: books, chocolate, family & friends, sanity Work: @thebelayfoundation.org.uk Volunteer: ITAV/AUK Vegetarian, leftie, trade unionist, feminist. Aim for wisdom, settle for witchery. #Belay2025in2025 https://www.justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

www.justgiving.com

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Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jun 9

So please: if you are able to help me celebrate either my 1000-miles-in-2025 excitement OR that 1012.5-Halfway-To-Target joy (while also, far more importantly, helping struggling families and children): all donations will be so very welcome.

justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

#Belay2025in2025

#Belay2025in2025

Help Helen Willis raise money to support The Belay Foundation

justgiving.com

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Aug 7

This. So much this.

Also, I don’t wish to turn on the sound on my phone so I can listen to 2 minutes of waffle to then find out that actually this particular video won’t in fact be answering the question I had in the first place.

Simple, written instructions please.

Itsmotherswork @itsmotherswork.bsky.social · Aug 6

Where have written instructions gone? Everything is a video now.

I want to be able to glance at a page or two of text and pick out what is salient to me in seconds, rather than watching something several minutes long and having to re-view it and skip around trying to re-find the relevant bit.

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 27

12 miles this evening to contribute to #Belay2025in2025 along with some gorgeous sunset views :)

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 27

Top #MiddleAgedWomanWin (of the tmi sort for some, be warned):

I have been on #HRT. After some minor breakthrough bleeding the meds were adjusted. And … now yep, we have a period type bleed with actual period pains for added veracity.

What a privilege it is being a woman at each and every stage.

Reposted by Helen

Scott Casson-Rennie @gayadoptiondad.bsky.social · Jul 24

Out on Saturday as a podcast!

A great conversation and what @thebelayfoundation.org.uk do is quite simple but very well thought thru and managed.

Have a listen when it drops on Saturday. 🎧

The Belay Foundation @thebelayfoundation.org.uk · Jul 23

Interested in finding out more about what we do at #Belay, and thinking about what practical support for Special Guardian, Kinship and Adoptive families actually looks like? Join us as we chat live to @gayadoptiondad.bsky.social and @alcoates.bsky.social on the A&F Podcast tonight at 7pm!

Graphic with Belay and A&F Podcast logos, text says "Listen in! Belay will be live on the A&F Podcast: 7pm, today, 23 July"

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Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 24

I rather think we might actually already be founder members tbh x

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 24

We can join this gang I reckon @redwellyfeats.bsky.social

Alan Stewart @laikaalan.bsky.social · Jul 23

“Pack it in. You’re so performative. Wearing knitwear. Listening to vinyl. Reading a book. Who are you trying to impress?”

My teenage son’s just walked in the room and is not impressed.

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Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 24

PSHE classes should definitely include the interesting wins associated with the menopausal developmental era 😏

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 24

Coffee please, iced also welcome.

Also menopausal, therefore demanding.

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Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 24

Hooray! We made it to the end of term! We got to the holidays! Well done us, we are brilliant!

Oh. It’s the holidays. Oh blimey. We have to survive the holidays now?

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Reposted by Helen

The Belay Foundation @thebelayfoundation.org.uk · Jul 23

Our big #BelaySurvey is out! Are you a #specialguardianship #SGO #kinship or #adoptive family? Can you share how you feel about in-home practical support ("respite") and your experiences? We'd be VERY grateful!

Intro video: vimeo.com/1094294617
Straight to the survey: forms.office.com/e/EDfKWKgntV

Video still of Sarah Fry speaking about the Belay Survey, with details of the launch as per the rest of the post.

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Reposted by Helen

The Belay Foundation @thebelayfoundation.org.uk · Jul 23

So we did a "thing" ... we were "live" on the Adoption and Fostering Podcast earlier this evening!

If you missed it and want to watch along ... here's the link ... or the podcast should be out on Saturday for your listening pleasure any time at all ;)

fb.watch/B10BZCiUu2/

fb.watch

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Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 23

😘

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 23

Sounds good to me. With extra sleep and suspended animation spaces in the school holidays.

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 23

Quick #Belay2025in2025 update ...

***1250 miles market done! YES!!!!***

Interesting in helping out Belay (as well as motivating my somewhat tired legs to keep moving)? Donate here: justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

#Belay2025in2025

Help Helen Willis raise money to support The Belay Foundation

justgiving.com

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jul 23

Very belated but ... this was indeed a fab day out. Just what we all needed. Next excursion plan please!

Emma Thane of Cawdor @redwellyfeats.bsky.social · Jul 11

Lovely day in Chepstow with lovely friends

Just what the doctor ordered.

@helenmew.bsky.social

Me and friends in front of Chepstow 🏰. I am on the right. It's a beautiful sunny day.

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Reposted by Helen

The Belay Foundation @thebelayfoundation.org.uk · Jun 16

The Benefact Group Children & Young People Special Draw is open for 7 days from today.
Please nominate us! youth.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn...

Nominate a charity - Movement for Good

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

youth.movementforgood.com

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Reposted by Helen

Prof Sarah-Jayne Blakemore @sjblakemore.bsky.social · Jun 10

PhD studentship at Cambridge!
Closing date for applications: 26/07/25
You need to be a woman and eligible for UK home fees.
And interested in doing a PhD in developmental cognitive neuroscience and education, based in Cambridge, UK (not hybrid/remote)

Duncan Astle @duncanastle.bsky.social · May 27

Funded PhD opportunity with @sjblakemore.bsky.social and I, at Cambridge. We are looking for someone interested in developmental science, to start in the coming academic year. Please share it with anyone you think might be interested (see details attached 😁).
drive.google.com/file/d/1RIvg...

Funded PhD opportunity.pdf

drive.google.com

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Reposted by Helen

The Belay Foundation @thebelayfoundation.org.uk · Jun 10

Helen is halfway to her 2025 miles in 2025 target!

*1012.5 miles done*

We are very excited ... and if you are able to sponsor her a few pounds to keep her motivated she'd be even happier. She even cycled *despite the weather forecast* today!

justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025
#Belay2025in2025

Bike leaning against a wall, helmet nonchalantly on the handle bars, Belay lanyard making an appearance on the panniers!

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Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jun 10

So not only am I excited to be exactly half way to 2025 miles … but someone has mysteriously anonymously donated £100!

I have no idea who you are but if you’re on here please tell me! And/or just a *massive* thank you!!!

So kind x

#Belay2025in2025

justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025

#Belay2025in2025

Help Helen Willis raise money to support The Belay Foundation

www.justgiving.com

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Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jun 9

#Belay2025in2025

Help Helen Willis raise money to support The Belay Foundation

justgiving.com

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jun 9

However ... the only fly in my June celebration is that my £2025 target is falling behind my 2025 miles target.

I'll be honest: it's not the bit of this I love, asking for the cash ... but our amazing charity @thebelayfoundation.org.uk really does make such a difference.

#Belay2025in2025

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jun 9

Yep, 1012.5 miles exactly. (I even sacrificed an extra half mile I could have gained for the joy of precision half way joy - and I don't sacrifice any half miles easily!)

It's a good feeling, and a real boost after a real period of drought on the miles front. 😀

#Belay2025in2025

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jun 9

And secondly, today I hit not one but TWO milestones!

I cycled past the 1000 miles market on the way to work; and after cycling home and a short walk this evening I am excited to be - as I type - exactly half way to target.

#Belay2025in2025

Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jun 9

However, today I have two things to share!

My gorgeous teen had an amazing amazing first day at his work experience placement. He is *buzzing*. And in turn I too am *buzzing* with excitement for him. (Though carefully modulating how much I express this of course. I am still a parent of a teen!).

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Helen @helenmew.bsky.social · Jun 9

I'm conscious I've been pretty quiet here recently. Tbh there's been a lot (too much?) life going on; I just haven't been feeling the joy in a way that might drive me to post.

Also, I've been feeling despondent because "too much life" has also correlated with "very few miles".

#Belay2025in2025

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