A cuppa with... Stephanie Joy Phillips from World Childless Week
Stephanie Joy Phillips
Get to know our guests and us, our alternative Q&A! We’re catching up with friends, past and present to ask them about the important stuff in life. Y’know… cake, tea and biscuits.
Here’s World Childless Week founder, Stephanie Joy Phillips
Hello Steph! Can you tell us more about you and World Childless Week?
I'm the founder of World Childless Week, which began in 2017, and aims to raise awareness, offer support and give a voice to the childless not by choice (cnbc) community. There is no one particular highlight because each submission shows the strength of that individual to put their trust in me. The courage behind sharing a single word can be colossal, so the smallest of interactions can sometimes be the biggest highlight. I hope to expand the website to show the rich diversity of the childless community and how we all interlink. I also intend to create literature so that no matter who you are and where you live you can find your way to World Childless Week, and in turn the amazing network and love our community provides.
Tell us about your morning
I enjoyed some time out with my feet up watching a bit of telly and playing Crossy Road, which is reminiscent (not sure if I've spelt that right) of Frogger. Certainly showing my age there, but who cares, age is just a number I quite often forget. There is a daily competition so hubby and I play to see who comes out on top. He is competitive so I love the days I am victorious and this morning I got the number one spot!! As I've been on the computer working on World Childless Week for a few hours now he's probably be on there are tried to overtake me but with no shouts of happiness I think I must still be on top.
Sounds good, can we get you a brew?
Water!! Never liked tea (or any herbal, fruity, weird side version of dried leaves and bits) or coffee, so it's always water.
Would you like a biccy?
Stupid question, of course, I'd like (several) biscuits. My favourite has to be a digestive, preferably one smothered in dark chocolate but happy to accept milk chocolate too. I'm not really fussy and if you haven't got one of them going spare I'm just as happy with classic custard cream or bourbon.
Do you stop for lunch?
No set lunch, happy with something simple, or better still a late lunch out at a pub.
Afternoon tea? What cake can we bake for you?
Don't really have a favourite cake. I suppose as a Devonshire lass I should say a scone. Obviously, it has to come with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Don't tell anyone (as this is a real sin) but I like to have my cream tea served the Cornish way. Oh, the embarassment of saying that out loud.
Thank you Steph! Find out more about World Childless Week which starts on 13th September on the website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also email Steph here.
How to take part in World Childless Week
There is still time to send in your submissions and remember you can remain anonymous and you don't have to be a professional writer, artist or singer. Send in what comes from your heart and you really can't go wrong:
https://worldchildlessweek.net/submission-fact-sheet
If you don't feel the time is right to send in a submission you can still participate and support World Childless Week in plenty of other ways.
The survey has already had a great response but every new voice increases the statistics and makes it harder for people to ignore the facts: https://worldchildlessweek.net/.../world-childless-week...
The wonderful #IamME gallery is growing every day and I'd love you to take part. You don't even have to show your face! https://worldchildlessweek.net/events/2021/7/6/i-am-me-photo
The competition is still open, with some amazing giveaways: https://worldchildlessweek.net/.../2021-world-childless...
How about putting a poster up on a pinboard at work, in the doctors or on a supermarket noticeboard? You could remain anonymous and post one to your doctors or a library with a note explaining wht World Childless Week is important to you. https://worldchildlessweek.net/posters-2021
Or you could send the World Childless Week press release to your local newspaper or radio station? https://worldchildlessweek.net/press-release
Every action you take has the potential to help another find the support our community offers, and we all know how important that is.
BUT if all of the above is too much to think of, then pause, take a breathe and relax. Know you are supported and everyone accepts you for where you are in this moment in time.
