Fishing For The Truth

“I think it’s the tonic that we all need, to feel that people are intrinsically good”- Julie Hesmondhalgh In early 2019, inspired by a similar group, well known stage and screen actor Julie Hesmondhalgh created 500 Acts Of Kindness, a charitable fundraising organisation. In this Fishing For The Truth, Nia sits down for a cup of tea with Julie to chat about the concept of this simple, yet incredibly effective group. It demonstrates how collectively people can help in seemingly small ways to lift the burden of others by donating just £1 a week. Loved by many for the roles she has played, Julie’s warmth and intention are evident in this episode. It’s all about human connection & increasing our awareness of those who are less fortunate. For enquires about joining the group email: Kindness500@hotmail.com Follow on Twitter: @500Actsof Follow Nia on Twitter: @niafisher For more Fishing For The Truth videos and podcasts visit www.niafisher.com Music- ‘Truth’ written and performed by Parisa Shahmir

April 2019- In this Fishing For The Truth Nia is joined by Mark, Tom, Alim and Sandy, 4 men who are opening up and sharing their stories about hair loss. From the demands of the entertainment industry to personal self esteem, this conversation is a glimpse in to some of the emotional and psychological side effects of this relatively common condition. Please see below for useful links. Music- ‘Truth’ written and performed by Pari Shamir To follow Alim on Instagram- @alimjayda According to the NHS 8 million women in the UK experience hair loss, known medically as alopecia. Male pattern baldness affects around half of all men by the age of fifty and usually starts around the late twenties/early thirties. This generally results in a receding hairline, followed by thinning of hair on the crown and temples. In some cases it progresses to complete baldness. The condition is hereditary and thought to be caused by over sensitive hair follicles that react to a by product of the hormone testosterone. Alopecia causes bald patches to appear on the scalp, this affects 2 people in every thousand in the UK, in most cases it grows back within a few months. Other types of hair loss may be temporary and can be caused by illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss or a vitamin deficiency. Some people experience more severe forms of hair loss, one of these is alopecia totalis which means no scalp hair. This is caused by a problem with the immune system and is common among people who have other autoimmune conditions such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes. The issue of hair loss can cause great distress and there are treatments one can try but most aren’t available on the NHS and some can be expensive. “No treatment is 100% effective” *Source- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/ Other options: Steroid injection (given into bald patches) Steroid creams (applied to bald patches) Immunotherapy (chemical applied to bald patches) Light treatment (shining ultraviolet light on bald patches) Tattooing (tattoo used to look like short hair and eyebrows) Hair transplant (hair cells are moved to thinning patches) Scalp reduction surgery (sections of the scalp with hair are stretched and stitched together) Artificial hair transplant (surgery to implant artificial hairs) Wigs Counselling or support groups may benefit someone who is in distress. SUPPORT GROUPS: British Hair and Nail Society- https://bhns.org.uk Alopecia UK- www.alopeciaonline.org.uk Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation- www.carfintl.org Alopecia Awareness- www.bebold.org.uk Alopecia World- www.alopeciaworld.com Help & Advice- www.alopeciascotland.co.uk www.alopeciaireland.org The British Skin Foundation- www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk British Association of Dermatologists’ clinical guidelines- http://www.bad.org.uk/ My New Hair- www.mynewhair.org

December 2018- In this second part of Nia’s conversation with Nick Hayes he continues to speak candidly about his journey towards sobriety. Nick shares the moment he reached his absolute rock bottom which led him to surrendering and accepting the disease that is active addiction. This part focuses on his journey into treatment , relapse & then into recovery. They also discuss friends & family of addicts & what they can do ... Al-Anon Family Groups, (a worldwide fellowship that offers a program of recovery for the families and friends of alcoholics) https://al-anon.org/ 3 years clean and sober, Nick’s story is one of hope. Watch Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/rDFBWeZewsY Follow Nick on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nickhayesuk Follow Nia on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/niafisher ‘Truth’ written and performed by Pari Shahmir *Useful links* Siam Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre Thailand- http://www.siamrehab.com Information and support on Addiction and Dependency. Mind, the mental health charity- http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/addiction-and-dependency/#.W_wtuRanyaM For LGBT people in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction- http://www.gayandsober.org

July 2018- “We have the ability as an industry to change lives and open eyes, we have a responsibility to make a change.” - Alim Jayda. In this eye opening conversation, Nia meets & chats with Alim about the changes needed within the world of theatre, film and television that will enable both the deaf and sign language communities to be seen and represented in a more truthful and respectful way. As a Coda (child of deaf adults) Alim is shining a light on not only this issue, but the ripple effect that is felt both politically and socially. To read Alim’s article in The Stage follow this link https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/2018/theatres-deaf-community-sign-language/ Please help to continue this conversation by sharing my video...thank you x Follow Alim on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlimJayda Follow Nia on Twitter:https://www.twitter.com/niafisher For more Fishing For The Truth: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx60zAP1HgWY3enXmKlqJdIb4roK6opAT

December 2018- In this Fishing For The Truth podcast, Nia sits down with the wonderful Parisa whose debut single ‘Let Me Go’ entered the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart Top 10 on its release in late 2018. Together over a cup of tea, they chat about the inspiration for that song, handling anxiety, what it means to be vulnerable and what the future holds for this talented artist at the start of her exciting journey. The single ‘Let Me Go’ will play at the end of the conversation & to purchase see links below. SPOTIFY LINK TO LET ME GO https://open.spotify.com/track/3T3gnRxUgX2Ejt8CI1psdK?si=S2F97ghPT-mLq32tzoZLng APPLE MUSIC LINK TO LET ME GO http://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1442310617 ITUNES STORE LINK TO LET ME GO http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1442310617?ls=1&app=itunes follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsparisamusic/ follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/itsparisamusic follow on Instagram https://instagram.com/itsparisamusic?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=a3gz1josfpsi