In the podcast episode, hosted by presenter Danni Menzies, Helen Fields candidly recounted her experiences working as a barrister, highlighting the diverse range of cases she handled and the profound impact they had on her perspective. From defending clients in criminal trials to witnessing stories of resilience and transformation, Fields emphasised the importance of recognising the positive aspects often overlooked in the criminal justice system.

Fields whose latest propulsive crime thriller novel Profile K is out now, also discussed her transition from law to literature, describing the pivotal moment when she decided to pursue her passion for writing. “My husband very realistically said that my life at the bar was unsustainable in terms of family…[so] I made the decision to come away from the Bar,” she explained. “What I had always wanted to try doing was to write a book, and he gave me the time and space to try that.”

Reflecting on her journey as an author, Fields expressed gratitude for the support she received from fellow authors and the writing community. “Other authors are extremely kind when you start as a debut…it creates this lovely warm atmosphere whereby we’re able to properly support each other and build each other up,” she noted.

Throughout the interview, Fields emphasised the importance of paying it forward and supporting others, whether through mentoring aspiring writers, volunteering in the community, or advocating for fellow professionals in the industry. “I spend some of my time working with the Society of Authors…it is really important work,” she stated. “We all sleep better when we’ve done at least one good thing in a day.”

As the episode concluded, Fields offered words of encouragement to aspiring authors and individuals hesitant to pursue their dreams. “Go ahead and do it…don’t get hung up on what everybody else writes or how you should do it. You must do it the way that feels right to you,” she advised.

Listeners to Helen Fields on The Health Lottery’s Paying it Forward podcast available on major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music on Thursday 24^th October.

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We have more planning and collaboration coming for 2025, but before then, this year in October, eight Sistas will be having a breathtaking experience and walking Hadrians Wall, starting at Carlise and finishing at Newcastle, we will spend five days walking between 7 and 10 miles – part of the wall. I thought it would be a great opportunity to keep breaking down those barriers, and to tread in those places where we can gain knowledge and experiences and gain more confidence branching out further afield.

Also, there has been some filming happening, to promote our group even more from

Home – Sustrans.org.uk and https://www.jmpuk.com/

Who have been greatly interested in our work and has help us a great deal with being confident behind the cameras and exploring more of unknown green spaces to the group.

We will be back on board attending another First Aid Survival weekender early November – Outdoor pursuits, offered through Remote Pre Hospital Training, Peter Cook is the main training facilitator and managing Director, https://remotefirstaid.co.uk who has so far offered Bristol Steppin Sistas the opportunity to reach a great potential, so far we have attended 6 weekenders with Peter and his team at different locations in the South West and Wales

November will be our last walk of the year – making it more inclusive for walkers to come together and walk, plus to socialise in beautiful country surroundings all welcome over 18.

So, Next year – Yes !!! were taking bigger steps to hike in Croatia – April 2025 and the Great wall of China – October 2025.

WE GOT THIS !!

In between those dates there will be more walks for men – lead by myself, more family walks and more Steppin Sista walks. 

More inclusive taster walks are in the pipeline in collaboration with the Asian Community . 

We will have three new walk leaders being assessed for a level 3 low land walk leader qualification, making our walks more often and accessible for the community. 

A great article was written by John Craven, giving us a mention – you can read the article here

https://www.countryfile.com/people/opinion/how-bad-is-racism-in-the-countryside?fbclid=IwY2xjawFf2K9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHb77wGE4tEZOztdB6ZFklICjxCbiJYYiBB-aIHFX87G73bikasrpqpG2SQ_aem_nSHBYNq2eQ6j1hVlj-pvDg

 And a great article from online BBC News – addressing the barriers we sometimes face.

National Trust drive to get more diverse communities walking – BBC News

For more information and how to join us please take a look at our website

www.bristolsteppinsistas.co.uk 

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Alison has written a series of popular books based on her dog Corrie, who passed away four years ago. She has chosen to donate all profits from her books, including her brand-new fifth story, Corrie’s Paper Capers, to the charity. 

The latest adventure, Corrie’s Paper Capers, available from 1 July, sees Corrie finding the one and only VIP pass for the maiden voyage of a brand-new ferry that everyone on Arran wants to be a part of. She knows it doesn’t belong to her, yet she really wants to keep it. Corrie finds herself grappling with her conscience. But does honesty prevail? With adorable alpacas, an introduction to spinning, weaving, tartan, a ferry and even a smidge of Scots, Corrie’s Paper Capers will undoubtedly appeal to all generations across Scotland and beyond. 

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals in 17 of the world’s poorest countries, many of which are impacted by conflict and natural disasters. The promise of a nutritious meal attracts hungry children into the classroom where, instead of working or looking for food, they can gain an education and hope for a better future. The charity feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day.  

The real Corrie passed away in 2020. However, her memory is helping to feed hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries, including Haiti, India and Malawi. Since the release of the first book, The Westie Fest, in 2018, Alison and Corrie have raised an incredible £27,027 for Mary’s Meals, which is enough to feed more than 1,410 children with Mary’s Meals for a school year. 

Alison, who lives in Lamlash on the Isle of Arran, says: “It costs just 10p to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a day, yet there are millions of children starving in this world of plenty. I enjoy writing stories about my wee Westie and take great pleasure in independently publishing Corrie’s Capers books. That pleasure increases tenfold knowing the profits donated from book sales help Mary’s Meals to reach the next hungry child.” 

The Corrie Capers series, based on Arran, includes adventures of Corrie becoming a Highland Games champion, heading to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, taking up curling and running a mobile library.  

The grandmother of six says the thought of making children happy with her charming stories – all while benefiting a cause close to her heart – inspires her.  

Sarah Mallon, Supporter Engagement Officer for Mary’s Meals says: “Alison’s fabulous Corrie stories have not only captivated children across the UK, but her amazing support for Mary’s Meals has helped us to provide a daily school meal to so many hungry children. We are delighted to see Alison’s books become so popular and we can’t wait to see what future capers lie ahead!” 

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a whole school year.  

Please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk for more information. 

Corrie’s Paper Capers and the other books in the series are available to buy now from westie.scot 

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