Depression in a Digital Age
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July-August-September 2019 Vol 124 • No 3 The Proceedings of the Depression in a Digital Age by Fiona Thomas p7 Depression in The Meaning The Ethical Society a Digital Age of Darkness at War 7 Fiona Thomas 9 Nina Edwards 13 Dr Jessica Beck Anna Wheeler on World Bee Day Atheism in the ‘The Rights of Women’ at Conway Hall Nineteenth Century 18 Alicia Chilcott 20 22 Selina Packard BECOME A MEMBER CONWAY HALL ETHICAL SOCIETY Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL www.conwayhall.org.uk Trustees’ Chair: Liz Lutgendorff • Honorary Treasurer: Carl Harrison Please email texts and viewpoints to the Editor: [email protected] Staff IN THIS ISSUE Chief Executive Officer Jim Walsh Editorial [email protected] 5 Kheira Hadjazi Arts & Partnerships Manager Martha Lee Depression in a Digital Age [email protected] 7 Fiona Thomas Finance Manager Linda Lamnica The Meaning of Darkness [email protected] 9 Nina Edwards Head of Visitor Operations Maggie Nightingale The Ethical Society at War [email protected] 13 Dr Jessica Beck Visitors Services Assistant Conserving our Pamphlet Collection Kheira Hadjazi [email protected] 16 Alicia Chilcot Systems Manager Anna Wheeler on Conway Hall hosts a wide variety of talks, concerts, exhibitions, courses, performances, community and social Sid Rodrigues ‘The Rights of Women’ events. For nearly a hundred years, Conway Hall has been home to Britain’s bravest thinkers and boldest [email protected] 18 social movements. Alicia Chilcott Evaluation Officer / Production Editor Ethical Record It is owned and operated by Conway Hall Ethical Society, which is an educational charity (no. 1156033) World Bee Day Deborah Mohanan 20 at Conway Hall whose object is the advancement of study, research and education in humanist ethical principles. The [email protected] Society itself programmes up to 150 events per year including Thinking on Sunday, Sunday Concerts, Learning Marketing & Fundraising Manager Atheism in the Nineteenth Century courses, art exhibitions, poetry and literature events as well as collaborations with like-minded charities and Jeff Davy 22 and Today community groups. [email protected] Selina Packard Library & Archives Officer We are an independent charity and receive no funding from the government. That means that everything Alicia Chilcott The Emerson Bust we do is dependent upon our commercial activity and the generosity of members and supporters like you. [email protected] 24 Olwen Terris Venue Hire Managers Support our work by joining the Ethical Society and enjoy a range of membership benefits: Carina Dvorak, Brian Biagioni Autumn 2019 Sunday Concerts • Free entry to our Thinking on Sunday talks series [email protected] 26 Simon Callaghan • Discounted/Free entry to selected events at Conway Hall, including the Sunday Concerts Operations Coordinator • Discounted fees for our own courses and those from London School of Philosophy Eva Aubrechtova [email protected] Please see the Ethical Record section of conwayhall.org.uk • Access to our archives and Library for book loans for regularly updated content, additional articles and Duty Managers also take a look at the online archive, where every issue • Quarterly digital edition of the Ethical Record Ola Gierszynska, Adrian Sobers, Atlas Corsini published since 1895 is available in digital form. • Access to digital copies of Ethical Records dating back to 1895 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] • Voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting and participation in Membership consultations The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the Society. Maintenance Officer Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash Membership fees: Standard: £35 per year • Concessions: £25 per year Chris Bird Registered Charity No. 1156033 Founded in 1793, the Society is a progressive [email protected] movement whose Charitable Objects are: the advancement of study, research and education in humanist ethical principles. To2 join, Ethical go to: Record conwayhall.org.uk/membership | Autumn 2019 | Vol 124/3 Not Just A Refugee EDITORIAL A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION BY ADIAM YEMANE 17 June – 31 August 2019 • Info: conwayhall.org.uk/refugeeweek19 Visitor Services Apprenticeship at Conway Hall Kheira Hadjazi It all started on 15th of November, the day I began and thought Conway Hall was a cultural type of venue working at Conway hall. But first I’ll start with how I that put on educational talks and that was it. ended up here. In early 2018, I came to realise I had to When I came to Conway Hall for an interview, my find a career I enjoyed. My previous work hasn’t had first impression was “A church that has talks”. the kind of environment where I could learn anything Interestingly but surprisingly I could feel a really good new. My goal was to find a career that would benefit me vibe towards the place. I was welcomed by Eva who then in the future. contacted Maggie to let her know I had arrived. My For example, I was a receptionist at a hotel where they interview with Maggie and Martha went really well – didn’t understand my needs as a young mum. They they made me feel really comfortable and were very expected me to work really long hours. I never felt understanding, which helped me to open up. I thought appreciated and didn’t see myself going anywhere. I the interview went smoothly, and shortly afterwards I ended up leaving the job after a personal tragedy in my was offered the position. I was so excited that finally life and was out of employment for nearly seven months all my hard work had paid off and was looking forward and hoped for a breakthrough at some point. to starting. Once I got back on my feet again and was able to think Since I began working at Conway Hall my Front of clearly, I went on a search for a career, not knowing what House role has been productive. I started with I really wanted to do, and that’s where my journey began. familiarising myself with the staff and the building, As a first step, I needed to find a quick opportunity to then began listing daily events. I quickly moved on to financially support my daughter and myself. re-opening the shop and selling merchandise, answering I started looking at ads in the local newspapers and enquiries over the phone and face to face, leading searching the internet. Nothing was paying off, every path operation meetings and also furthering my learning I took was a dead end until I visited a local children’s through studies in my course in the creative and centre where I spoke to an employability worker. He cultural sector. asked me if I had considered an apprenticeship, and During my time working here I have come to learn that thought it would be the best direction for me as I had no Conway Hall is the oldest surviving freethought qualifications but plenty of work experience, and told me organisation in England, possibly the world, with a Camden had an apprenticeship department. I thought history spanning two centuries. It now advocates secular 25 Red Lion Square • London • WC1R 4RL this was a great way to gain a qualification and cultivate humanism and is a member of Humanists International. new skills and experience, while earning at the same It is also an Educational charity hosting a wide variety of time. So I applied for apprenticeship roles in schools, for talks, concerts, exhibitions, courses, performances, and Room Hire in a unique and historic Central London location accountancy apprenticeships and even council community and social events. apprenticeships all over the borough of Camden, but had My time here has had a huge impact on my life. It has Offering Grade II listed charm and a distinct choice offour rooms, big and small, no luck. I had so many interviews but kept being rejected given me knowledge and confidence and I have managed Conway Hall is ideal for meetings, conferences, receptions, wedding celebrations, because I lacked the right qualifications. to improve my customer service skills and find the right The apprenticeship department in Camden offered me career path for me. I really appreciate the time and effort workshops, exhibitions, concerts and talks - with state-of-the-art PA and AV systems. a level 2 Admin and Cultural Heritage qualification at that Conway hall staff have shown me – I couldn’t ask for a Contact us to discuss your event: Conway Hall. I seized this opportunity even though I had better or more understanding support system. I have no no idea what I was signing up for. I did some research, doubt that I’ll enjoy the rest of my time here. [email protected] • 020 7242 8032 Kheira Hadjazi is an apprentice at Conway Hall, as Visitors Services Assistant. She is in charge of the front desk and her duties include providing information and customer care to visitors and hirers, managing the shop, and listing daily events. Her apprenticeship will earn her a Certificate in Community Arts Administration and an award in Principles of the Creative and Cultural Industry, for which she is undertaking studies in the creative and cultural sector. 4 conwayhall.org.uk Ethical Record | Autumn 2019 |conwayhallethicalsociety Vol 124/3 conwayhall conwayhall Ethical Record | Autumn 2019 | Vol 124/3 5 THINKING ON SUNDAY LECTURE, 10 February 2019 Depression in a Digital Age Fiona Thomas “From the outside, it looks like nothing is When I stand up in front of an audience to talk about my mental illness, I’m terrified. wrong, but to the person having the attack, it feels like their world is ending.” Even though I’ve done it several times and I know logically that everything will be fine, my body never seems to get the memo.