The damaging effects of loneliness and fad eating will be two of the topics tackled at events as part of a special wellbeing programme hosted at Victoria College as part of this year’s Jersey Festival of Words.
The events will be sponsored by Saltgate Ltd, and builds on the firm’s previous association with the VCJ ‘Promoting Healthy Minds’ conference, in partnership with Mind Jersey.
Author Richard Roper, whose novel Something To Live Forwas inspired by an article he read about the council workers who deal with situations when someone dies alone, will be discussing the effects of loneliness at a panel event with journalist Nick Duerden, whose own book A Life Less Lonely explores the growing problem of social isolation.
The event, which will also feature a presentation by local charity Thrive Jersey on their plans to combat loneliness locally, will conclude with afternoon tea, allowing attendees to socialise.
Also appearing at Victoria College will be writers and bloggers Eve Simmons and Laura Dennison, cofounders of the popular blog Not Plant Basedand joint authors of Eat it Anyway. Drawing on their own experiences of eating disorders the pair will offer expert-led practical advice to KS4 students from Victoria College and JCG, while separating nutritional nonsense from scientific fact.
“Jersey Festival of Words is such a positive, inclusive and uplifting part of Jersey life and the Saltgate team are incredibly excited to be part of it,” said Saltgate Communications Head Justine Ballard.
Healthy eating will also be on the menu during a festival appearance at Samares School by blogger and presenter Emily Leary, whose book Get Your Kids to Eat Anythingis an achievable ‘how to’ for parents in the battle to overcome picky eating.
The event, which is sponsored by local charity Caring Cooks, will conclude with a cooking demonstration in the school’s kitchen garden from Emily Leary, whose recipe blog A Mummy Too has become one of the most popular websites in the UK for parents and is consistently listed in the top 10 in UK blogging charts.
Festival Chairman, Jennifer Bridge said: “We are very grateful to Saltgate and Caring Cooks for their sponsorship as this generous support has enabled us to develop a meaningful and relevant wellbeing programme.”
Jersey Festival of Words will take place between 25 and 29 September. More information on the festival can be found at www.jerseyfestivalofwords.org.
