Helen
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helenmew.bsky.social
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
Posts Replies Media Videos
helenmew.bsky.social
12 miles this evening to contribute to #Belay2025in2025 along with some gorgeous sunset views :)
Sunset over a field
July 27, 2025 at 9:37 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
… which totally justifies nothing more than a wander into town and an ice cream today, surely?

If you’re able to donate to support @thebelayfoundation.org.uk … we’d be super grateful!

>>>

www.justgiving.com/page/belay20...
A “99” being held in front of a wall, quickly being photographed before … yum!
May 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
22 miles on the bike yesterday! (And the joyful gift of lunch with a friend too.)

#Belay2025in2025
Blue sky, a few wisps of cloud, the open road (well lane), shade cast by an overhanging tree … Bike leaning against a gate - even the slowest laziest cyclist deserves to properly stop and breathe! Another lane with a tree in profile!
May 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
On a train on the way to London to support and steward at the @asgsfprotest.bsky.social - with the amazing @sarahfry.bsky.social

#FundNowOrPayLater
#CareNotCuts
#ACutTooFar
Two women smiling with coffee cups and @thebelayfoundation tops on
May 3, 2025 at 9:37 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
Meant to attach the photo!
Laptop, drink and homemade sandwich in the shade, looking out over a sunny garden
April 29, 2025 at 12:19 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
I think I’ve managed to make my signup link for #Belay2025in2025 into a QR code …

Anyone feel like trying it out?
QR code that hopefully links to justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025 for #Belay2025in2025 Fingers crossed
April 28, 2025 at 1:46 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
So lucky to live where I do :)

Makes cycling a joy (and #Belay2025in2025 feel like a privilege rather than a chore!)
Westbury white horse in the background with houses and fields in the foreground
April 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
Sun and then these views make the miles feel worthwhile :)

That’s 7.5 miles today - still compensating for a lazy Easter holiday but still, getting there!

#Belay2025in2025

Justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025
Heywood House viewed from near the car park through some really rather splendid trees View across the plain with trees and water and a gorgeous blue sky
April 28, 2025 at 8:17 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
I’m not sure this isn’t an over-generous reward for 5 miles of cycling but treating myself nonetheless :)

#Belay2025in2025
justgiving.com/page/belay2025in2025
Partially drunk green smoothie with a straw, with half a panini in a cafe
April 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
Reply in to Emily Frith, @adoptionuk.bsky.social CEO, re the #ASGSF …

Children need to be able to carry on with their therapy! Families need to know what is happening!

As soon as possible just isn’t good enough at this point.
Letter from Janet Daby to Adoption Uk re the ASGSF saying “an announcement will be made as soon as possible… but much of the wording is basically the same as the letter I received over three weeks ago.
March 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
Sunny! Yay!

Flipping chilly though.

And a picture taken just now to try to show the sun that actually makes it looks like it’s night.
Photo of a tree with sun in a blue sky - but that looks a bit like a dark night with moonlight
March 18, 2025 at 1:03 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
Quick update (ish) for anyone following the saga around the DfE delay in announcing the future of the #ASGSF (Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund) ...

I emailed my MP some weeks ago. He emailed DfE & heard back today & fwded onto me - see (presumably standard) letter attached.
Text of a letter from Janet Daby (Minister for Children and Families) regarding the ASGSF which basically says still no update re funding for 2025-2026.
February 26, 2025 at 11:36 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
Still at #AWConf25
Before lunch the brilliant Sara Taylor shares with everyone the wonders of the new #ItTakesAVillage … peer support from adopters for adopters all across the Adoption West space …
Banner for It Takes A Village
February 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
Ruth: potential benefit of having a proper contact plan to support contact …

#AWConf25
Slide showing a flow chart style planning tool to help decide upon and plan contact arrangements
February 5, 2025 at 10:46 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
Ruth: sharing a slide illustrating some of the complexity around “maintaining relationships” and how many different parties can be involved - although who may also have varied views on their agency, access and support

#AWConf25
Photo of slide with various parties potentially involved in contact all highlighted - both family members of all kinds and professionals
February 5, 2025 at 10:38 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
Quote tweet with a bridge from your gallery
Bridge on a canal or river, with lots of greenery around,framed by a tree/branch in the near ground
January 24, 2025 at 7:15 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
Incidentally if you haven’t read The Girl on the Train it’s a recommend. Looks like this. Visit your local independent bookshop or several fabulous independents on here too.
Picture of a book, title: The Girl on the Train, author Paula Hawkins, cover is a blurry landscape picture of blue at the top, then green, then brown at the bottom, as if from a fast moving vehicle
December 22, 2024 at 10:31 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
Mmmmmmmm …

Smells *so* good

@pactcoffee.bsky.social
Turquoise coffee dripper with filter, coffee and water in. The photo doesn’t manage to share the gentle dripping sound or the gorgeous smell however.
December 14, 2024 at 11:16 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
Recommended to anyone for anyone (except those who don’t want to see the world through the eyes of others who may share complex and difficult stories).
Photo of a book - title “Free Loaves on Fridays” - subtitle “The Care System as told by people who actually get it” Cover pic has a silhouette person sitting on a bench watching birds fly; and one bird watching from the side.
December 11, 2024 at 9:05 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
Such a privilege to get to be here - thought I’d share a couple of the photos of the grounds as I head home!

#HeywoodHouse
#CoWorkingSpaces
#OutAndAbout
Landscape picture with trees in the foreground, hills into distance, and if you look very carefully a tiny chalk white horse too. River with trees and their reflections, all calm with just a few ripples to break the surface - and a few clouds to decorate the skies
December 4, 2024 at 3:15 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
Sometimes for work I am lucky enough to get to hang out at Heywood House in their co-working space.

And today I also treated myself to what we have started to call a #WhateverSalad

Yum! Thank you :)
Salad in a bowl with leaves; hummus; mozzarella; peppers; avocado - lots of colours and gloriousness!
December 4, 2024 at 1:37 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
And still the water seems to be rising 😢

Not at all convinced that the poor shops and families in town are at all comforted by even the prettiest of photos.

#Flooding #Water #Floods #BoA
November 25, 2024 at 6:36 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
Beautiful gorgeous sunny day in Bradford on Avon … but also the water continues to rise …
Water on both sides of a fence with trees sticking out of the floodwaters Water overflowing onto a path as seen through an arch Water as far as you can see up high against walls and with trees and posts sticking out A view of flooding around the shops in the middle of town
November 25, 2024 at 1:49 PM
helenmew.bsky.social
Morning lovely people. No snow today but a really rather beautiful morning even in our not very exciting corner of the world
White and frosted pathway along a cut through with trees and a cloudy wintery sky
November 20, 2024 at 8:53 AM
helenmew.bsky.social
It might be really rather chilly outside but it makes curling up in front of the fire all the more glorious …
November 15, 2024 at 7:50 PM