There are going to be a few changes to my blog over the next couple of months. To add to the blogs you enjoy I’ll be stretching my journalistic wings with a variety of monthly blogs in addition to my day to day ramblings.

Starting at the end of January 2010 I will be doing a monthly feature and I’d like to hear from you. If you (or anyone you know) would like to share your story the details and deadlines are below.

If you have a story to share send your contact details (name/email/number) and a brief outline of your story to hello@helenthornber.com

Bullying at Work
According to a TUC sponsered survey* in 2008 bulling in the workplace is on the rise. Although the bullying itself can be traumatic enough, the effects can last for years afterwards. From personal experience I know how difficult it can be to recover and rebuild your life, yet the information out there with advice on how to do this is minimal and hard to find. I’d like to share the stories of how others have survived workplace bullying and raise awareness of the issue.
•     Have you experienced bullying at work at all in the past five years?
•     Did you report it?
•     Did you leave your job?
•     What steps have you taken to recover and move on with your life?
Get in touch by Friday 8th January 2010

Climate Change & the Recession
The combination of climate change and the recession we’ve been made aware of how wasteful our society can be. We’re encouraged to save energy, make more informed choices about the products we use and raise awareness ourselves. I would like to share your stories of the interesting ways of making the most of the resources you have.
•     Have you made significant/extreme changes in one or all areas of your lives?
•     Have you had success in business, life or even love because of changes you’ve made?
•     Have you experienced a crazy coincidence or life-changing event because of changes you’ve made?
•     Have you had a big reaction to the changes you’ve made?
•     Are the changes you’ve made because of climate change, the recession, or both?
Get in touch by Friday 5th February 2010

Married too young?
A significant proportion of people who marry in their early 20s are getting divorced before they hit 30. There doesn’t seem to be a week goes by without a report of another young celebrity splitting with their fiancé or divorcing their other half. I’d like to speak to couples who’ve married young and stayed together. I’m also interested in hearing from those who’ve separated or divorced.
•     Are you between the ages of 26-30 and did you marry before 25?
•     Why did you marry so young?
•     Did anyone have a problem with you marrying at the age you did?
•     If divorced, how soon after marrying did you know it wasn’t going to work? Do you think age has anything to do with it?
Get in touch by Friday 5th March 2010

Please Note: All contributions will be treated in strictest confidence and where necessary can be anonymous in the features I write. They will be used as portfolio pieces to submit to magazines and newspapers as well as being available on helenthornber.com

* Data taken from surveys conducted by UMIST and sponsered by the TUC and CBI in 2000 and 2008 http://www.emplaw.co.uk/content/index?startpage=data/12mar00.htm