Filmic Healing for the Mind

Plus: Celebrating a Royal Hen Rescue

Author

Chief Happiness Officer
August 23, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Good morning, wonderful souls! 🌞 

Today, we’re bringing you stories that not only uplift the spirit but also celebrate creativity and compassion across the UK. Here’s what’s in store:

- 🎬 Cinematic Triumph: Meet Justin Walker, who’s transforming mental health narratives through his award-winning film “Auditory” – a true testament to the healing power of art!
- 🐔 Royal Feathers: His Majesty the King proudly welcomes Henrietta, the one millionth hen rehomed by the British Hen Welfare Trust, exemplifying kindness and a love for our feathered friends!

Dive in and feel the positivity! 🎉

A Cinematic Triumph for Mental Health

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In the world of mental health, art can often serve as a powerful advocate for understanding and empathy. Enter Justin Walker, a mental health worker from Greater Manchester who has taken the plunge into filmmaking, resulting in his short film “Auditory” winning the coveted Best Experimental Film Award at the WILDsound Film Festival in the U.S.

From Support Worker to Screen Star

Justin's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Once advised to pursue a “manual labour job,” he tucked away his filmmaking ambitions. Fast forward to today, he’s not just a support, time, and recovery (STR) worker but also a creative force, combining personal experiences and professional insights into his films. “I always reflect on the service user’s perspective,” he says, further blurring the lines between professionalism and passion.

Raising Awareness Through Film

“Auditory” follows a young girl navigating the manic whirlpool of psychosis amid exam stress—an all-too-relatable scenario. The film showcases her unique way of coping by seeking quieter spaces to escape the harrowing voices. Justin believes that such narratives are essential for breaking the stigma around mental health, and perhaps even a bit entertaining on the way (who wouldn't want a dose of drama on their journey to awareness?).

A New Chapter Ahead

With awards under his belt and requests to air his films at a university festival, the horizon looks bright for Justin. He's already planning new projects, including a short film inspired by his daughter’s award-winning story. From the depths of psychosis to the light of creative expression, Justin Walker's journey is a testament to the power of art in championing mental health—proof that sometimes, the best way to heal is to tell your story.

Dive into his films on his YouTube channel: Illy-Pheebs Productions and let the creativity inspire you!

A Royal Feather in the Cap: A Hen's New Home

Photo supplied - The British Hen Welfare Trust

In a delightful twist of fate, His Majesty The King has officially become a proud parent of a hen! The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) recently celebrated a heartwarming milestone with the rehoming of their one millionth hen, affectionately named Henrietta. This auspicious event took place at the serene Highgrove Gardens, where Henrietta is now set to enjoy her golden years.

Hens: From Farm to Fowl Friend

Founded in 2005, the BHWT operates with a noble mission: to rescue commercial laying hens who are often discarded after just 18 months of production. These birds are not merely egg-laying machines; they are eager companions with many years ahead of them. As Jane Howorth MBE, the organisation's founder, puts it, "to think that so many hens have had a happy retirement gives me a great deal of pleasure."

By rehoming hens across schools, community areas, and back gardens, the BHWT is inspiring us all to cherish these charming creatures as much-loved pets rather than just breakfast accompaniments.

The Royal Touch and A Nationwide Movement

Henrietta’s journey didn’t just stop at her royal rehoming; she made her debut in style! Travelling in a bespoke, hand-crafted carrier designed by renowned British fashion designer Lulu Guinness, she has undoubtedly been treated like royalty from the very start.

Hailing from towns such as Bristol, York, and Coventry, the public's enthusiasm for pet hens is soaring. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the British populace, the BHWT has achieved its remarkable milestone. So, whether flapping around gardens or perched elegantly on their owners' laps, these hens are proving that they truly belong—one million strong!

To join the movement and learn how to rehome your own feathered friend, hop over to www.bhwt.org.uk/one-millionth-hen!

Celebrating Global Generosity: A Heartwarming Perspective

In a delightful turn of events, a record-breaking 4.3 billion people around the globe have stepped up to lend a helping hand to those in need, according to the latest Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index. This heartwarming trend not only showcases the spirit of humanity but also proves that kindness can be as contagious as laughter.

The Champions of Giving

Leading the charge in selflessness is Indonesia, proudly holding onto the title of the world’s most generous country for the seventh consecutive year. With a whopping 90% of its citizens donating to charity and 65% volunteering their time, it seems the phrase “give until it hurts” is merely a suggestion!

Next in line is Kenya, which has made a noteworthy leap to second place, while Singapore has soared up the ranks by 19 spots thanks to clever government initiatives that are turning philanthropy into a national sport. Who knew that giving could turn out to be a competitive event?

Bristol: The Heart of the UK

As if that wasn’t uplifting enough, Bristol has emerged as Britain’s most caring city, with residents nominating nearly 40,000 examples of kindness for the Movement for Good Awards. It appears that Bristolians have collectively decided that benevolence is the new black!

Neil Heslop, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, emphasized that the global generosity evident in the Index could spark a wave of community engagement across nations — something akin to starting an unstoppable kindness revolution.

So, as we navigate economic hurdles and humanitarian challenges, let’s remember the inspiring stories of compassion that unite us all. After all, a little kindness goes a long way, just like a cup of tea at a chilly British bus stop!

In other uplifting news

  • Students at Worle Community School Academy are celebrating fabulous GCSE results, with notable improvements across all key subjects, including English and maths. This achievement highlights the hard work and dedication of the students, marking a bright academic future for the year group. Read more

  • Recent research shows that Manuka honey can reduce breast cancer cell growth by an impressive 84% in both human cells and mice. This finding sheds light on the medicinal potential of honey and offers hope for future cancer treatments. Read more

  • Priory Community School has achieved outstanding GCSE and vocational qualification results for the 2023-2024 academic year. The success reflects the students' hard work and the strong support from staff and the community. Congratulations to all involved for this great accomplishment! Read more

  • Emily Lahey, a woman with terminal cancer, is auctioning off some of her final moments to raise awareness for cancer research. This moving installation highlights the urgent need for continued support in the battle against cancer. Read more

  • This week brought uplifting news, with Spain setting a wealth tax precedent, the US backing a global plastic treaty, and a giant spider making a comeback in the UK. Positive stories remind us that progress continues in various endeavours around the world. Read more

  • Structural engineers have found that shark-fin-shaped angles on building walls can significantly cool apartments during heat waves. This innovative design approach offers a simple yet effective way to enhance comfort in our homes. Read more

Inspiring Quote of the Day

"I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better."

— Georg Lichtenberg

Uplifting tweets

Some Wholesomeness from the Internet

Source: Reddit

Source: Reddit

Source: Reddit

On This Day in History

- The Baltic Way (1989): A significant non-violent demonstration where two million people formed a 400-mile human chain across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to advocate for independence from Soviet rule, marking the 50th anniversary of a pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

- David Bowie reached No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Ashes to Ashes’ (1980), a groundbreaking music video that became the most expensive of its time and continued the story of Major Tom from his earlier song, “Space Oddity.”

- Gene Kelly, famed for his dance performances in iconic films like ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, was born (1912), contributing to the golden era of Hollywood musicals and establishing a lasting legacy in dance and film.

Thanks for reading Uplifting News UK!


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