About Us

4 Photos of me in a collage
Claire

I’m Claire, a qualified social worker, freelance journalist, podcast host, blogger and sub-editor based in Sussex and Suffolk.

Mental health awareness and maintenance is something I advocate for across my social media. I host a self-care podcast, Mind Vox, that explores mental health, neurodivergence and wellbeing.

I enjoy blogging about parenting, blended families, getting older, relationships, children’s wellbeing, reviewing days out and more!

I’m a single parent to my gorgeous 11-year-old son, and we live in Sussex.

I’m in a long distance relationship with a really great guy who’s a plumber from Ipswich giving me two stepsons, aged 15 and 13, who I visit regularly in Suffolk.

The Boys

We have a gorgeous, crazy Chorkie dog called Yogi, who enjoys coming with us on adventures and trying out new things.

Writing is my passion, particularly if it can help to raise awareness and/or empower people in a positive way. As a teenager I spent my spare time working as a youth consultant for local councils, charities and organisations to advocate for the needs of young people/mental health/sexual health and more. Through this voluntary work I began to write for my local newspaper (The Argus) on their monthly young people’s page about the different ways young people could fight for their rights, feel empowered and access support services in the area.

Yogi

This gave me the ‘writers bug’ and I’ve been a writer ever since. When I became pregnant I began to blog about my pregnancy journey (see The Pregnant Pessimist), and from there on it has become a passion and concrete part of my life.

Journalism and social work are two careers where writing (and writing well) is essential, and I strongly believe the written word is the most effective way to engage and expand your customer base.

Please contact me if you want a copy of my Media Kit.

This Blog

This is a blog about my life as a single parent to my beautiful little man and about life in general. 

Mental health is a huge focus, as wellbeing for both children and adults is something I advocate passionately for.

I became a single parent when my son was 6 weeks old, and I’ve done literally everything (financially, emotionally and practically) for him ever since, and I’m still alive to tell the tale!

My first blog, The Pregnant Pessimist, detailed my experiences of my pregnancy in all its detail and this is the next chapter.

I call myself a single parent pessimist,  because I’m blunt, honest and realistic: something many of those optimists out there would describe as pessimistic 🙂

As well as my rants, advice and general chit chat, I also review places/products/services that are relevant to parents, home, lifestyle and children and families, from parenting books to potties and mummy pampering products! 

You may also find the odd competition giveaway and random post about my love-life.

Nothing I write is to offend, it’s purely a space for me to vent and reflect on my achievements and failures in the wonderful, but scary world of lone parenting.