Friendship is essential for our wellbeing, yet more people are reporting having few or even no friends. To help address this need, we at Friendship Lab are designing an evidence-based course to help us all form and deepen adult friendships. Three years of preparation have gone into its design, and pilots will soon be run.

One of my favourite Christmas artworks is a painting called The Nativity by contemporary artist Brian Kershisnick. The first thing that strikes you is the hundreds of angels swooping across the canvas to get their first glimpse of Mary’s new-born son. After this your eye falls on two delightful details—first, that it isn’t Mary or