- Happy Handbag
- Reiki from Folk Art to Professional Practice
- Complementary Therapies – Let’s Face It
Last weekend proved to be very interesting as, being a member of Mensa, I gave 2 small talks at a European Seminar/Gathering in Newport South Wales (1) Reiki from Folk Art – Reiki in a Professional/Conventional medical setting; (2) Happy Handbag.
41 countries were represented at the gathering (even though it was a European gathering) – but I didn’t have 41 countries attending my talks (!)
Below are copies of the talk listings…………..
Friday 8 Aug, 2025
Happy Handbag
Speaker Jeanne Louise Long.
Happy Handbag is a local charitable cause, created in 2016 in the West Country. Its goal is twofold (i) to support women and families in need (ii) to promote a very basic concept of help, and understanding, for women in crisis that can be utilised anywhere. There are no ‘conditions’ attached to the distributing of Happy Handbag other than they are handed out by Service Providers, charities supporting women – currently in Gloucester, Swindon, Bristol, Cirencester, Bridgwater and Newport. Happy Handbag has no direct contact with the recipients of the bags. Big Yellow Self Storage in Gloucester support Happy Handbag with the use of a storage unit for bags waiting to be filled. https://www.bigyellow.co.uk/gloucester-self-storage-units . This was essential through Covid and they still give the crucial much needed space for storage. Happy Handbag scheme has evolved to include ‘Happys’ these being much needed bags of clothing (including underwear which is often forgotten about), bedding etc, which are also given to the Service Providers to distribute. The majority of donations come from women’s groups such as the WI – Women’s Institute’s, Pilates and other such groups around the Gloucester and Bristol areas along with a few collection points in the local area. On hearing about Happy Handbag some ladies arrange collections amongst their friends to donate. More information can be found on www.happyhandbag.co.uk where there is a breakdown of the number of Happy Handbag and ‘Happys’ given out and a list of those donating. Happy Handbag has progressed to the point of being in the 2023 Kings Birthday Honours List, being awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) For charitable services to Disadvantaged People in Bristol, Gloucestershire and Swindon, also receiving a Points of Light certificate from the then PM Rishi Sunak.
Jeanne Louise Long B.E.M.
Friday 8 Aug, 2025
Reiki from Folk Art to the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
Speaker Jeanne Long
Through the eyes, and heart, of a Reiki Practitioner, Teacher and Reiki Course Provider this talk demonstrates how the practice of Reiki has progressed from a simple Folk Art to being offered to patients in some medical institutions including hospitals and hospices. The talk starts with Reiki, what it is, where it originated, the mantra – or code, how it is given and how it is taught. Some examples of using Reiki are given. Then the consequences of the House of Lords asking the Government, in 1999, about regulation surrounding the giving and teaching of Complementary and Alternative Therapies are explored. The GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE HOUSE OF LORDS SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY’S REPORT ON COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE in 2001 states – This Report publishes the results of the first ever comprehensive Inquiry into Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the UK by a Parliamentary Select Committee. The result of this report was, in 2003 and initially with Government funding, a number of CAM therapies chose to work with the Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health and Skills for Health – producers of the National Occupational Standards for healthcare workforces across the UK – to produce a robust, voluntary, self-regulation system for the ‘verifying’ of practitioners, therapist, and courses. In 2008 the Government supported Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council was formed – the independent UK regulator for healthcare practitioners. CNHC hold the register for Practitioners and Courses, their register being Professional Standards Authority accredited.
I also give talks locally, mainly to small groups including the Women’s Institute ( in Gloucestershire I am listed as an approved speaker ).