In the past year COVID-19 has shone a spotlight on healthcare systems around the globe, and many of us have had to reassess how we spend our time and focus on our wellbeing. This issue explores some of the ways that Johnians relax and recharge when times get tough.
Bearing in mind the adage ‘laughter is the best medicine’, this issue starts and ends with comedy. In the profile feature, Chris Sussman, Former Head of Comedy at BBC Studios and current Director of UK Original Scripted Series at Netflix, provides insight into the commissioning decisions behind award-winning series such as People Just Do Nothing and Fleabag. Comedian and actor Hugh Dennis (who was coincidentally also involved in Fleabag) closes the magazine with a fast-paced summary of his life ‘in a nutshell’.
Music is another popular way to unwind, whether you’re playing or listening, and you can find musical recommendations from Declan Costello, a surgeon who sings, in our playlist feature. Larmor Award Winner Nacho Mañá Mesas’s article details his career plans as a saxophonist and composer, and Shruti Badhwar’s article explains the benefits that personalised headphones can bring to your music-listening and gaming experiences.
Alongside her work at a mobile games company, Abi Adebayo has set up her own business, and in this issue she shares how hobbies geared towards clearing the mind have helped her achieve a healthy work life.
Consciously choosing to concentrate on our health – physical, mental and social – is the subject of Nigel Crisp’s article, in which he explores the different roles that the NHS, government and communities play in healthcare and ‘creating health’.
I hope these pages prove a good diversion for those of you in need of a break. Remember that even in isolation you are part of a larger, supportive community, and you can connect with one another online on Johnian Hub. Once a Johnian, Always a Johnian.
PS Please email me your thoughts on the magazine and look out for more College updates and Johnian stories on our news pages and in our monthly alumni enewsletter.
The opinions expressed in Johnian magazines are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of St John’s College and the University of Cambridge.
You can also download the .pdf of this issue if you would rather read the magazine in that format.
Written by
Hannah is the Alumni Relations Officer (Publications) at St John’s. Overseer of the alumni blog and Editor of Johnian magazine and The Eagle, she commissions, writes and edits articles from and for Johnians. Previously, she worked for Clare College and the Cambridge Schools Classics Project, and she holds an MA in Classics from the University of Cambridge (Trinity Hall).
