PS

CLEANING... the natural way

CLEANING . . .the natural way. Regular readers will know Queenie is a committed fan of industrial-strength, bargain bleach so I wasn't hopeful that the batch of eco-friendly cleaning products sent to me by a company called Green Works would meet with her approval. After testing their natural bathroom cleaner for a few weeks, though, she declared it to be "och, brilliant, the smell is nicer, it's not so full of chemicals as the stuff I'd usually use". www.greenworkscleaners.com

SUPPORTING . . . Anam Cara.The national organisation set up to support bereaved parents turns one year old this week. Gráinne Quinn, whose only child Ronan died at 15 months says Anam Cara is unique because the support is given by other bereaved parents, who are in a position to give empathy rather than sympathy. "Anam Cara is about supporting families after the death of their child and trying to help reduce the feelings of isolation that can follow," she says.

Róisín Ingle

Róisín Ingle

Róisín Ingle is an Irish Times columnist, feature writer and coproducer of the Irish Times Women's Podcast