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karenpollock.bsky.social
Karen (they/them)
@karenpollock.bsky.social
430 followers 680 following 580 posts
white, queer, non binary, autistic, working class psychotherapist, supervisor, writer and geek.
"But in the end it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass"

counsellinginnorthumberland.com

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karenpollock.bsky.social
Karen (they/them) @karenpollock.bsky.social · Jun 26
Just why did I start a podcast about mental health and tolkien? Some thoughts on my podcast -Go Not To the ELves for Counsel #AureEntuluva #SelfCare
Authentic Self-Care: Beyond Capitalism’s Promises
I talk a lot about self care, not commodified "spend this money to somehow magically make everything better" self care as promoted by capitalism. Instead the self care which gives us time and space to check in with ourselves and ask - what do I need and how do I meet that need. Self care can totally mean bubble baths and chocolate, but it can also mean saying no, cutting contact, putting aside a project, changing plans, boundaries and protections.
counsellinginnorthumberland.com
karenpollock.bsky.social
The holiday season can be difficult for many people, some ideas on #survivingchristmas Surviving Christmas – Counselling in Northumberland share.google/WtX4K4EhhdNu...
Surviving Christmas
We are told that it is the season to be jolly, however for many Christmas is not the most magical time of the year, but the most difficult. Sometimes it brings back memories of pain at Christmas. F…
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December 12, 2025 at 9:09 AM
karenpollock.bsky.social
I've n pondering a lot how the end of the accessible, free/low cost FE based counselling courses that provided opportunities for ppl like me to train has coincided with the rise of Scoped and the demand for govt regulation.
Training was handed over to capitalism - what did they think would happen?
December 10, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
stevecooke.org
Most of us will be baffled at the stupidity: deliberately imposing personal aesthetic preferences over inclusivity & communication. But it’s a good illustration of the importance of aesthetics to the right, & of the fact that authoritarians don’t just want to impose values but also pure preferences.
phillewis.bsky.social Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 2d
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
mimmymum.bsky.social
Remember when Helen Joyce was called out as "not an expert" by Australian courts - Now Maya Forstater has been told the same in the Peggie judgment! 👏👏👏

The judgement states outright that the evidence submitted by her & Sex Matters was “not skilled evidence.”

This is the Tribunal’s exact wording!
Highlighted paragraph: Evidence from Ms Forstater and Mx Valentine 1038. We turn to address the evidence from Ms Forstater and Mx Valentine, which the parties had described as “research evidence”. That is not, so far as we are aware, a term of law. Nothing was cited to support the use of that term. It is not skilled evidence as explained below, and the parties did not suggest that either witness was skilled or expert in that sense. It was not necessarily inadmissible, given the terms of Rule 41, and until read and considered the extent to which it might be relevant could not be assessed, but the weight to attach to it was a different consideration Highlighted sections: 1040. In many respects the evidence in the statements was more in the nature of material for the public debate on wider issues as to what the law should be, and on occasion it appeared to us to be polemic, rather than evidence relevant to the issues at an Employment Tribunal. 1041. Opinion evidence was addressed in Walker and Walker on Evidence, Fifth Edition (“Walker”), which explained the distinction between evidence of fact, and of belief or opinion. Opinion evidence may be led from what Walker describes as an ordinary witness (the classification of witnesses is between ordinary and skilled), and examples of that are given. Ms Forstater 1042. The statement from Ms Forstater was not presented as impartial evidence, but specifically as one given in support of the claimant. It had at paragraph 10 an argument as to facts, of which Ms Forstater said that she was certain. They are however we consider not facts, but expressions of her opinion. The assertion at 10 (b) for example was “Sex is in general readily perceptible and is salient to other people.” That we consider cannot be other than her opinion, for which no support from any document in the Supplementary Bundle appeared to be referred to in her written witness statement. It was contradicted by other evidence, and the terms of a Note issued by EJ Tinnion on 5 January 2025 in relation to the second respondent. It did not appear to be an assertion related to the second respondent in particular, but as a more general proposition. 1043. The assertion at (d) had a further series of propositions which were opinions although presented as facts. If the 1992 Regulations, then as discussed they are not within this Tribunal’s jurisdiction, and the comment appears to be an argument over the policy of the law, or how the law should be interpreted, neither of which are relevant evidence before us. 1044. The sub-paragraphs include, by way of example, (ii) “women are in general more fearful of men than men … Highlighted sections: That is again an expression of opinion without cross reference to any document in the Supplementary Bundle. Sub-paragraph (v) was “unless rules about single-sex spaces are clearly stated and enforced it leaves women open to risk of sexual harassment and assault, and makes these spaces feel unsafe.” That again is an expression of opinion. The witness statement purports to expand on the comments at paragraph 10 stating that the facts stated are true. In our view they are not reliable as evidence from a person not a skilled witness on the propositions that are advanced. 1045. Where there was reference to documentation it is in our view both partial and incomplete. Part of it is based on research undertaken by Sex Matters, an organisation of which she is the Chief Executive Officer. It is a campaigning organisation, as set out in paragraph 4. There is an obvious risk that that research is impacted by the nature of it, which is not suggested to be an independent academic study .... In our view it would not be dealing with a case fairly or justly to rely on expressions of opinion from a person campaigning on one side of the argument on such an issue. We did not consider that the case of Connor on which the claimant founded, cited above and which indicated that in some situations evidence which was not expert in nature could be sufficient, was applicable to such a matter. 1047. Our review of the literature referred to by Ms Forstater reveals that the broad generalisations she seeks to take from it are not sufficiently supported by the document or document founded on, both from the terms of the document and the other documents in relation to the same broad issue, to be treated as reliable evidence.
December 9, 2025 at 10:36 AM
karenpollock.bsky.social
Surviving Christmas – Counselling in Northumberland share.google/WtX4K4EhhdNu... this can be such a hard time of year especially when we are shamed or blamed for "doing Christmas wrong" #Christmas #survivingXmas #survivingChristmas
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December 9, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
miriamellis.bsky.social
🌟New Prints Available Now of "Walking Down Into Hobbiton". Meticulously based on Tolkien's own illustration, but in reverse so that you can see past the bridge into the rest of the village. More details in comments!

www.miriamellis.com/product-page...

#Hobbiton #Tolkien #TolkienArt #Hobbits
December 9, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
goodlawproject.org
An important point to come out of the Sandie Peggie case is that 'gender critical' employees can't take matters into their own hands and confront trans employees. If they do that it is likely to be harassment/ bullying/ a hate incident.
So far as her other comments are concerned, they were impermissible manifestations of her belief and were in our view what amounted to an incident of harassment by the claimant of the second respondent related to the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, reasonably perceived by the second respondent to be so, and were a breach by the claimant of section 26 of the Act and of the Bullying and Harassment Policy. The second respondent was entitled to view the actions of the claimant in those particular regards as being such harassment, or as a “hate incident” within the policy, and the first respondent was entitled in principle to act on the complaint made, but the detail of how it did so depends on all the circumstances as more fully addressed below. The second respondent was also entitled to regard the claimant’s actions as a breach of the second respondent’s Article 8 rights, so far as the claimant’s expression of her beliefs was impermissible. 1034. We also considered that the claimant had acted deliberately to be able to challenge the second respondent whilst they were alone. What she did was to wait until other members of staff had left the changing room, and for the second respondent to leave the cubicle, before raising her own beliefs directly with the second respondent in the manner we have set out. 1035. Whilst the claimant had not been informed as promptly and in the detail we considered appropriate, and the first respondent did not consider whether to revoke permission at all, the claimant did not herself raise any formal grievance under the policy. She is an experienced member of staff who had access to union advice. She knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the first respondent having granted permission to the second respondent she required to have raised her concerns with the first respondent as the decision-maker rather than with the colleague to whom it had been granted, and in any event ought not to have done so in the manner that she did.
December 9, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
rangedtouch.bsky.social
Everyone imitates Tolkien all the time except when it comes to the one way it would really matter: making the protagonist of your novel for children a short, fat, 50-year-old man who doesn't want to do anything.
December 9, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
ameresolicitor.bsky.social
All the claims against Dr. Beth Upton failed.

She’s entirely vindicated and her evidence was found more reliable.

Let’s see if a single paper actually represents that fairly…
December 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
karenpollock.bsky.social
made little books today and now having great fun pondering what to use them for - self care is as much about making the space as it is about what you do in that space #SelfcareSunday
2 small paper books with leaves decorating them and hand made bindings
December 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
karenpollock.bsky.social
In the therapy room with Fatty Bolger - a much darker and sadder story than I realised it would be when I started thinking about his role in the story open.spotify.com/episode/5iYb... #tolkien #lotr #lordoftherings #TRoP
In The Therapy Room With - Fredegar "fatty" Bolger
open.spotify.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
karenpollock.bsky.social
Historically American evangelical money has been used to impose whute supremicist anti lgbtq values across large parts of the world
Now that money is being used to influence UK policies and politics, and terfs are happily lining up to fill their pockets
December 5, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
leguinbot.bsky.social
I’d rather get bad news from an honest man than lies from a flatterer.
December 5, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
zackpolanski.bsky.social
The right try and distract us by constantly talking about immigration.

Cost of Living, the NHS, the climate crisis - let's keep them on the agenda.

Join.greenparty.org.uk
December 4, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
natacha.bsky.social
A list of the (adult) cast of HP.

For posterity.
Sorry Alt didn't work
December 4, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
natacha.bsky.social
Because too many people let him get away with using the Cass Review to take away puberty blockers.
COMMENT Why is Wes Streeting coming for my ADHD medication? The health secretary's announcement of a review into ADHD and autism assessments is another example of his missing the point, writes Kat Brown. Post-Covid Britain is on its knees, and its young people need hope and promise of a brighter future - not being told, wrongly, that they are 'pathologising feelings" Thursday 04 December 2025 14:53 GMT • | Comment
December 4, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
natacha.bsky.social
Statement by the Canadian Girl Guides Association.
Girl Guides of Canada Girl Guides • 4h • © Inclusion makes Girl Guides of Canada stronger. It ensures that girls and youth have a place to build confidence, develop the skills to thrive and connect with a community that sees them for who they truly are. Girl Guides of Canada welcomes all girls - cisgender and transgender - as well as non-binary people who are comfortable in spaces that focus on and are driven by the experience of girls. Learn more about our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility at girlguides.ca/inclusivity • • •nb
December 4, 2025 at 3:40 PM
karenpollock.bsky.social
Just recorded this week ends episode of Go Not to the Elves for Counsel and now I am sad about Fatty Bolger #tolkien #lotr
December 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
macfarlanenews.bsky.social
Reminder about Jan 6:

it really happened
It was a horror
140+ police were injured
A range of violent weapons were used by attackers
Chants to hang Mike Pence were heard
There was a gallows and guns
Pipe bombs diverted police as mob approached
December 4, 2025 at 5:19 PM
karenpollock.bsky.social
As a former Queens Guide and Brown Owl the decision of Girl Guides today to bow to bigotry goes against everything guides stood for - Everyone involved should be ashamed of themselves
Please sign the petition to call the leadership to account c.org/fQ9xXcYFW4 #girlguides
Allow transgender women and girls back into GirlGuiding UK
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
c.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
karenpollock.bsky.social
wonderful interview with Professor Michael Drout on the Reading Tolkien podcast about his new book. open.spotify.com/episode/5M7n...
Professor Michael Drout: The Tower and the Ruin
open.spotify.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
willsherwood.bsky.social
FREE TICKETS LEFT FOR TONIGHT'S TOLKIEN & BYRON TALK!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-pleasu...

@bars.bsky.social @bars-ecrs-pgrs.bsky.social @uofgfantasy.bsky.social @tolkiensociety.org #Tolkien #Byron #MiddleEarth #LotR #Hobbit #Romantic #Romanticism #Books #Reading
The Pleasure of the Perilous Woods: Byron’s Literary and Cultural Legacies
The Byron Society hosts Will Sherwood (University of Glasgow), whose talk charts the impact of Lord Byron on J.R.R Tolkien.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
davidallengreen.bsky.social
Streeting to next launch inquiry into “over-diagnosis” of left-handedness.

“Never used to be like this,” he insists.
December 4, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
jonburkeuk.bsky.social
In the Netherlands, where the Dutch invest in safe cycling, the over-65s cycle around a quarter of their journeys, while the over-80s cycle around 10% of theirs.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and cycle lanes don't 'restrict freedom', they expand it.
Two women - one older; one elderly - cycling on a segregated cycle lane in the Netherlands.
December 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
weratedogs.com
This dog was spotted politely waiting by a pizza truck. He doesn’t have to say what he wants. They already know his order. It is pizza. 13/10 (IG: lauren.bardini)
a vertical shot of a placid, cloudy day. on the left, a barren tree reaches up to the overcast sky. on the right, a boxy white food truck has parked with its little window propped open for business. you can just make out the word “pizza” in black curly lettering on the front of the truck. in the center of the photo, sitting squarely in the middle of a green bike lane, a rather large dog that resembles a golden retriever or great pyrenees is sitting patiently in profile, staring expectantly at the food truck’s window while basking in the glow of its lights.
December 2, 2025 at 5:53 PM