Mad Tunes: My New Podcast on Music & Mental Health
Music has, in so many ways, been a lifeline for me. As a teenager I wrote songs to survive. As an adult I have playlist upon playlist that I can cling to when life gets a bit much. So many musicians – myself included – have stories that weave in and around the songs we […]
Talking about life, living & madness
A few weeks ago, I spent an evening chatting with Beth and Tom from ‘Notes on the Mind’ – a new podcast that aims to demystify experiences that are often seen as ‘mad’ or hard to talk about. I went in to the interview really questioning whether I had anything of interest or use to […]
Walking 874 miles for HVN and me
As those of you who follow me on social media might already know, I’ve taken the mad/courageous decision to walk 874 miles (the equivalent of trekking the iconic route from Lands End to John O’Groats) in 80 days to raise funds for the National Hearing Voices Network. This might not sound much, but if you […]
Rai on Tour: Australia Feb 2019
As the weather gets colder here in the UK, I’m gearing up to head to warmer climes. Next month I’m lucky enough to be spending a few weeks in Australia – Melbourne and Sydney, more specifically. Whilst it’s primarily a trip to introduce my daughter to some of my closest friends, it would be weird […]
‘Believing me is crucial’: How to talk to somebody who is hearing voices
An article by Lucy Nichol that appeared in The Metro on Sunday 20th May 2018. There’s definitely a lack of understanding around the idea of psychosis. In fact, the word itself carries certain connotations that many find unhelpful and often distressing. But we don’t have to use that word if it doesn’t seem to fit with the […]
BBC Horizon: Why Did I Go Mad?
This week I was one of three contributors with personal experience of things that often get called ‘psychosis’ (hearing voices, seeing visions and paranoia) on the BBC Documentary ‘Why Did I Go Mad?’. The title, suggested by one of Jacqui Dillon’s voices, was deliberately provocative in order to challenge what we mean by madness and – […]
Radio Times: The Voices in My Head
What’s it like to battle with a dozen people talking inside your head? Rachel Waddingham tells her remarkable story. By Moya Sarner, published in Radio Times Rachel Waddingham sits cross-legged on the sofa and, with the enthusiasm of a children’s TV presenter, talks about travelling the world, the Masters degree she’s doing in psychology and […]
Research: Young People who Hear Voices & Open Dialogue
In recent years I have taken a step into research – consulting on other people’s studies (e.g. Hearing the Voice at Durham University), taking part in research committees (e.g. Open Dialogue, Intervoice) and undertaking my own research. You can find my Researchgate profile here: www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachel_Waddingham I am currently recruiting participants for two studies: Exploring and engaging […]
Help: Share Your Experiences of Surviving Victimisation
I’m working with Chocolate Films to create a series of animation shorts aimed at people with either a learning disability and/or a mental health problem. Each one of these will feature a particular barrier that has emerged from our engagement with community groups and people with lived experience of these issues. I need your help to share ideas, experiences and quotes that people can relate to.
My 6 Month Sobriety Marathon for Charity
As anyone who knows me can tell you, I love beer. Settling down with a pint of real in my hand after a hard day’s work is one of life’s pleasures. Our mutual love of beer even motivated me and my husband to move from SE London to Faversham (home of Shepherd Neame and some seriously great […]
Recent Comments