Fay Bound Alberti, University of York Some UK care homes are to deploy robots in an attempt to allay loneliness and boost mental health. The wheeled machines will “initiate rudimentary conversations, play residents’ favourite music, teach them languages, and offer practical help, including medicine reminders”. They are being introduced after […]

Vergani Fotografia/Shutterstock Nigel Holt, Aberystwyth University There’s a good chance that you when you leave the house today you’ll put on a face mask that obscures your mouth. Such coverings can affect our ability to communicate and provides a particular challenge to those that need to see lips to understand […]

Pexels Avril Rowley, Liverpool John Moores University Most adults will remember spending much of their childhood playing outdoors without much parental supervision. But fears for children’s safety plus the demands of modern life mean many parents don’t allow their children the same freedoms. We live in an age where people […]

Pexels Carol Southall, Staffordshire University For many of us, the forced confinement of lockdown has reiterated the importance of being out and about in nature – along with the benefits it can bring. So as the UK begins to reopen, it’s likely that many people will be craving space away […]

A government policy introduced eight years ago tomorrow is causing mental health issues, one parent households and severe poverty for 10s of thousands of families dealing with long term separation because they don’t earn enough. Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and chronic stress levels are amongst some of the issues experienced […]

Pexels Simon Duncan, University of Bradford Our names lie at the heart of our identity. But in Britain nearly all married women – almost 90% in a 2016 survey – abandon their original surname and take their husband’s. The survey found that even most of the youngest married women – […]

If you’re looking to improve your family life, then ‘Meee in a family minute; 60 ways to improve your family life in 60 seconds’ is the perfect book to have in your pocket.   It is part of the ‘Meee in a minute’ books from Sid Madge of Meee.   […]

New laws to spare divorcing couples having to apportion blame for the breakdown of their marriage took a step closer this week, as a Bill seeking to reduce family conflict gained Royal Assent. Currently, one spouse has to make accusations about the other’s conduct, such as ‘unreasonable behaviour’ or adultery, […]

As lockdown sends many relationships to breaking point …   … mais le divorce est facile. from www.shutterstock.com Veronica Shleina, City, University of London The coronavirus pandemic has put new pressures on relationships and many are feeling the strain. With families locked in houses, schools closed and job losses on […]

Storytelling and empathy – the power of sharing your dreams. Julia Lockheart/Sleep Lab, Author provided Mark Blagrove, Swansea University and Julia Lockheart, University of Wales Trinity Saint David When you wake up from a strange or particularly memorable dream, how likely are you to share it? Maybe you might tell […]