Until there is legislation to change the way inquests are conducted and the provision of legal and psychological support to the bereaved of those who died in custody, INQUEST will continue to be a vital source of support for families. – Linton Kwesi Johnson, poet
A diary can help you remember information and keep a note of how you use your time. Some people also use their diaries to write down their thoughts or to keep a note of what they did on a particular day.
Diaries can help you:
- remember information; when you have appointments, interviews or meetings you can make a note of the time and place under the date they are due to happen
- remember important personal dates like birthdays, anniversaries and social events
- organise your time; by writing down things that are happening in the future you will avoid double booking your time
- keep track of phone numbers and addresses, because they can be stored as a back up to your phone or laptop
- provide you with a place to make a note of how you are feeling and what you did on a given day.
Tips for keeping a diary
- Whether you use an “old fashioned” diary in which you add notes and dates etc by hand, or use electronic calendars available on phones, PCs and laptops, they are only useful if you get into the habit of adding information regularly and checking on a daily basis. You could combine your diary with a to-do list and start your day by making sure you know what you have scheduled. If you are involved with meetings, campaigns and support networks you will need some kind of organiser you can refer to.
- It is also good to be able to keep a record of your feelings and thoughts about things. This is useful if you need to talk to other people about what is happening in your life, and it gives you the chance to look back and reflect on the things you have succeeded in doing or changes in the way you feel.
