Whilst playing games, whether it’s a board game or a video game or team sport can be a great way to spend your time, there are numerous benefits that games can have on our mental health.
Neal from SudokuCraze outlines five of the biggest benefits that playing games can have on our mental health:
Reduces stress
Games have been shown to slow our breathing, our heart rate and our blood pressure and can result in giving us a calming effect, therefore reducing stress. By engaging in a gaming activity, whether it be a physical sport, a board game or an online game on a regular basis, can leave us feeling more relaxed and better able to cope with stressors around us from work and home.
Keeps your brain active and healthy
Games and activities that require problem solving and critical thinking are fantastic ways of stimulating our brain to keep it healthy. Grey matter in the brain decreases as we age – a part that is directly responsible for memory, emotions, and cognitive ability. Studies have shown that the more mentally active we are throughout life and into our later years, the more grey matter that we retain and therefore the more healthy and active our brains are as we age. Board games, video games and puzzles are all excellent ways to stimulate our minds and stay sharp, whether we are young or old.
Boosts your mood
Not only are playing games fun, they also work wonders in boosting our mood. When we engage in an enjoyable group activity, our body begins releasing feel-good hormones, such as dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins. These chemicals reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, boost our mood, increasing feelings of happiness.
Increases self-esteem
Often when faced with a new challenge or situation, we may question if we are capable of pushing through and succeeding but through regular games, teamwork activities or sports, we are better able to build our trust in ourselves. Although it may feel scary, or place us out of our comfort zone, consistently working with others on a team can help us to feel more confident both in and out of the team environment.
Increases attention span
Having a longer attention span means that we are able to focus on a single task, for a longer period of time, without becoming distracted. Attention span and focus is a skill that can be improved upon and can benefit us in all areas of our life, from focusing on lectures and schoolwork to sitting through meetings and staying focused on a project at work.
Playing any type of game that requires concentration, whether it be a board game like monopoly or chess, or a video game, can help to increase our attention span and therefore improve both the length of time and the quality of our focus.
Next month, for Childhood Day, schools across Scotland and the rest of the UK will come together to raise funds for the NSPCC. This will help us deliver our services and support children across the country.
Childhood Day is the charity’s flagship fundraising event, when the public are encouraged to embrace their inner child, celebrating play to put the fun into fundraising.
As part of the celebration on 10 June, we are encouraging schools and nurseries to take part in The Big Breaktime – an extra hour of play with pupils, staff and parents being encouraged to give a small donation towards funding vital NSPCC projects, like Childline.
https://youtu.be/mMcOHBaKkN0
Schools can sign up for The Big Breaktime via the NSPCC’s Childhood Day hub The Big Breaktime | NSPCC From there, they will be able to download lots of exciting resources to help them plan a Big Breaktime in their school.
To sign up to the Big Breaktime, all you have to do is visit the NSPCC website, search for The Big Breaktime and fill in your school’s details with the registration form.
It’s a popular line with this government. And it should be true – but sadly, it isn’t.
The majority of people in poverty (57 per cent, or 8.3 million people) live in a working household. That rises to 75 per cent of children in poverty.
The government’s record on this is atrocious. The number of people in in-work poverty has increased by 2 million since they came to power in 2010. It’s now at a record high, as is the number of children in poverty living in a house where at least one adult is in work.
If work is to be the best route out of poverty, the government must do more to get pay rising. In the meantime, it can’t use “work is the best route out of poverty” as a cop out for not properly addressing the cost of living crisis. We need proper action. Structural solutions – such as improved trade union rights, nationalisation of energy companies, and improvements to the benefits system – are needed alongside a windfall tax to fund urgent support to pay energy bills.
17-year pay squeeze
A key reason for the rise of in-work poverty is that work simply doesn’t pay enough. The government’s minimum wage, even the one it calls a living wage, isn’t a real living wage.
And we’re in the midst of a 17-year pay squeeze. Real pay is currently lower than it was in 2008, and the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts that it won’t return to above 2008 levels until 2025. This 17-year pay squeeze is, by far, the longest in living memory.
The impact of this on workers’ pay packets has been massive. If real weekly wages had continued growing at the pre-2008 rate, they’d now be £111 per week higher than they are. By 2026, if forecasts are correct, this’ll be £164.
Impact of energy costs
It’s against this background that real pay is falling again. Inflation, at 9 per cent, is hitting wages hard. In March 2022, average weekly earnings fell by £16 per week (-2.7 per cent) compared to the same month a year ago. Public sector pay growth is the worst on record – falling by £30 per week (4.9 per cent) over the same period.
The news that the energy cap will rise by around £800 in October is incredibly worrying. If this does happen, it means that between December 2021 and December 2022, energy bills will have risen by a massive 119 per cent. In contrast, nominal wages will have risen by just 5.2 per cent. The standard benefits payment will have risen by just 3.1 per cent. This means that energy bills are set to grow 23 times faster than wages and 38 times faster than benefits this year.
Pushing work as the route out of poverty is also often the government’s way of refusing to improve the welfare system. decent work and social security must go hand in hand, not be seen as alternatives.
Since it came to power, the government has repeatedly cut benefits payments in real terms. The real value of the standard benefits payment has fallen by £51 per month since 2010.
As set out above, in the face of massive rises in energy bills, the government has made real term cuts to benefits payments. When the price cap rises again in October, energy bills will be £1,523 per year higher than they were a year before. The standard benefits payment will only be £121 per year higher.
A common proposal around benefits is to bring forward the increase in benefits and pensions that would be expected in April 2023/24 to autumn of this year. For example, if inflation hit 10 per cent in September of this year (September is the reference month for benefit uprating), rather than waiting to increase benefits in April, they could be increased in October, and then maintained at that level from April onwards.
But this would increase benefits by around £7.70 a week, meaning it wouldn’t even go close to making up for cutting the £20 uplift.
Like the standard benefits payments, pensions also went up by just 3.1 per cent in April this year. Government made an active decision not to maintain the triple-lock – which would have seen pensions rise by around 8 per cent in line with the wage figures last autumn. This will cost pensioners almost £500 across the year.
Good, well-paid work is a route out of poverty
The current government has a proclivity towards badly funded temporary schemes and half-baked novelty ideas, which has again become clear during the current crisis. If it’s serious about tackling the cost of living crisis, we needed proper solutions to support people right now, alongside structural changes to fix these problems in the long term.
It’s not enough to just say that work is a route out of poverty. The reality is that too much work is low-paid and insecure. If government wants work to be a route out of poverty, it needs to ensure all work is well-paid and secure.
When it comes to pay, government should stop attacking trade unions, and instead improve trade union rights. Trade unions need stronger powers and better access to workplaces to drive up wages and conditions.
Fair pay deals need to be implemented in whole industries, negotiated with unions, and designed to get pay and productivity rising in every sector. We also need an emergency boost to the national minimum wage, as well as the long-awaited introduction of that employment bill they’ve been promising for ages to tackle insecure work.
To help people with energy costs, the government must recognise that energy is an essential public good that should come under public ownership, and implement an accelerated programme to insulate homes. To help people right now, we need a windfall tax to pay for additional grants to help with the costs of energy. With the energy cap rising by £1,523 in the space of just a year, this support will need to be substantial.
Government must also fix the benefits system. We want much more generous benefits payment (with the standard payment raised to £260 per week), alongside the scrapping of the cruel aspects of the system, such as the five-week wait, the benefits cap, the two-child limit and no recourse to public funds.
Work isn’t currently a route out of poverty, but it can be if government takes steps to ensure that all work is good, well-paid work.
With exams well under way, millions of young people across the UK are hitting the books to brush up on their knowledge before they head into the exam hall.
But for many, who after months of home learning will be facing their first formal exams since lockdown, exam season already seems like a daunting prospect.
But, revision doesn’t have to be scary, and to prove it virtual learning experts Minerva’s Virtual Academy have shared some of their top tips for staying focused and getting the most out of your revision.
Tidy space, tidy mind
We’re big believers in the clear desk, clear mind philosophy here at Minerva. Revision can feel like a big task and trying to work amongst lots of clutter can make things feel overwhelming. After all, you don’t want to be rummaging through stacks of science notes when you’re trying to revise Shakespeare!
A quick tidy of your workspace and gathering all of the relevant notes can be a nice way to get yourself into the revision mindset and make sure you’re focused on the task at hand.
Priorities
We’ve all got subjects that we feel more comfortable tackling and often, those are the ones we enjoy the most. To use your revision time effectively, you should think about the subjects you’re less up to speed on and make those your priority.
Giving yourself the time to get to grips with the things you find tricky will pay dividends in the exam hall and make you feel much more confident from the offset.
Divide and conquer
It’s easy to panic and try and revise everything all at once but that’s not the best way to get your mind working at its best. Breaking your revision down into smaller chunks, whether that’s by subject or individual topic will make things much easier to navigate and also will make it easier to identify the topics that you could do with a little more help on.
You’ll likely find that you’re able to take in more information this way too as you won’t be bombarding your brain with lots of information in one go.
Timing is everything
Much like breaking your revision into chunks, the same goes for your time. Long stints of revision might seem to be the best way to cram in all that information, but it’s really not the most effective way to learn, plus it can also be boring!
Dividing your revision time into smaller 10 or 15 minute bursts will keep you engaged, stop your mind wandering and will make things feel much more manageable.
Switch off the social
We’re all guilty of getting distracted with a quick scroll through our social feeds but before you know it you can waste a huge amount of time that could have been spent getting some revision in.
Try using your ‘Do Not Disturb’ or ‘Focus’ function while you’re revising to make sure you aren’t being distracted by constant notifications or even, just switch your phone off during your revision to make sure you can really focus.
Take a break
Revision can be mentally tiring, so it’s important to give yourself regular breaks to recharge. Step away from your workspace and try taking a walk to get some fresh air, doing some exercise or watching an episode of your favourite TV show.
Revision can feel monotonous so breaking it up to do things you enjoy will make it much easier to manage. Remember, exams are important but you still need to have a life so don’t be afraid to have a day off if you need it!
Use your teachers
Your teachers want you to do well and they’re there to help so if there’s anything you’re not sure of, don’t be afraid to ask. Sometimes if you’re struggling with a topic, it can be as simple as someone explaining it in a slightly different way – a new perspective can really help you to get your head around things and after all, that’s what teachers are there for.
Don’t leave it to the last minute
Sticking your head in the sand and avoiding your revision until the very last minute is a surefire way to amp up your anxiety on the way into the exam hall. Make a plan and spread your revision out in the days or weeks leading up to your exam.
You’ll learn far more this way than trying to pull an all-nighter the night before and you’ll go into it feeling a lot more prepared.
Write it down
We’re used to doing everything through a screen (after all, we’re virtual learning experts!) but going back to basics and writing your notes with a pen and paper can be a great way to help things stick in your mind.
Also try to keep your notes as short and snappy as possible – think flash cards, minimal information, maximum impact.
Get creative
Sometimes it’s the weird things that are most likely to stay front of mind so thinking of quirky ways to remember things can be a great way to jog your memory.
Think funny acronyms, songs, even raps – it sounds silly but you’re more likely to remember a rap about Henry VIII’s wives than a whole page from a textbook!
For more tips and tricks or to find out more about Minerva’s Virtual Academy, visit:
Hello. As most of you will know, Davidson’s Mains Gala will take place on Saturday 18th June this year.
We are super excited and have already filled all stall holder spots, secured both Mordor Gundogs and Drakes of Hazard display teams, as well as the fair ground rides returning.
However, we desperately need volunteers to help us put on this historical community event. If you can donate some time to any of the following, please let me know.
Your help would be very much appreciated:
Friday 17th June 1.30pm – putting up tents.
Saturday 18th June –
•11.30 – 17:00 Help to run stalls
•17:00 Take down of tents, clear up of field and returning tents, tables etc
Are you hosting someone from Ukraine? Scottish Refugee Council is holding free online info sessions on the Scottish Government’s Super Sponsor scheme.
If you have questions about the process, join us on Tuesday, 31 May or Thursday, 9 June to find out more.
We’ve teamed up with the Scottish Government to run online information sessions on the Ukraine Super Sponsor Scheme.
When:
Tuesday, 31 May from 12.45 pm-2.15 pm
Thursday, 9 June from 10am-11.30am
These sessions are for anyone who is interested in hosting, or has registered to host people from Ukraine, either privately, or through the Scottish Government’s Ukraine Super Sponsor scheme.
We will:
Introduce the Scottish Government Ukraine Super Sponsor Scheme: Guidance for Hosts
Cover key aspects of hosting such as eligibility criteria to become a host, the role and expectations of hosts
Share information about resources and further support available for hosts
Respond to questions around hosting.
How to join our information session:
The sessions will be held on Zoom and will run for 90 minutes.
Farzan Dalal, a Design for Change student from Midlothian is running 22 miles to raise money for refugees this June.
Edinburgh resident Farzan, age 30, has set himself the goal of covering 22 miles as part of the British Red Cross Miles for Refugees challenge, which is the equivalent of a journey across the English Channel.
For the month of June, anyone can take on one of six distances that highlight the life-risking journeys refugees are forced to take to reach safety.
Farzan, says he is taking part in Miles for Refugees for very personal reasons: “The refugee crisis is very close to my heart. People forced to leave everything they know to be home, in search of safety is heartbreaking but at the same time unfathomably courageous!
“In my home country, as a queer person in a closeted society, I have experienced continuous inner conflict. A fear of rejection, and a constant effort to maintain a front that hides my queer identity.
“It is exhausting, emotionally unfulfilling, and a looming fear for my safety.”
Farzan, who moved to the UK just before the coronavirus pandemic, added: “My experience does not at all equate to people fleeing homelands on account of conflict, oppression or climate change., I am highly privileged to be moving countries at my will, but I can still empathise.
“All I want is for more and more people to empathise and understand that home is not something we can take for granted. Some of us have to fight hard to find and make our own. Let us support and welcome those who need to do exactly that.”
Alex Fraser, Director of Refugee Support & Restoring Family Links for the British Red Cross, said: “People who have had to leave their countries due to war, persecution, extreme famine or devastating natural disasters have experienced the worst things in life. We have seen just how heart-breaking these journeys have been for families arriving in the UK.
“The British Red Cross has been calling for a kinder, more compassionate asylum system to support people who have been forced to leave their home behind and take dangerous journeys. We believe every refugee matters.
“A wave of people in the UK clearly care about people seeking refuge and asylum in the UK. Remarkably, we are seeing so many eager to help personally. By taking part in Miles for Refugees this June, you are showing the very best of humankind.”
The money raised will go towards the charity’s work supporting refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK.
With more than 6 million people forced to leave their homes in Ukraine this year, and ongoing crises in Syria and Afghanistan and around the world, standing with refugees is more important than ever.
British Red Cross teams are supporting people from Ukraine arriving at ports and airports in Scotland and throughout the UK.
Staff and volunteers are providing support through things like food, water, hygiene items, nappies, a hot cup or tea or coffee, and essentials to help people keep in touch, like SIM cards, mobile phones and chargers.
A welcome pack with essential information available in English, Ukrainian and Russian, about life in the UK, and one-off cash sum, provided via a debit card, to help people buy what they need when they arrive. We are also providing people with mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, if and when they need them.
To download our Spotify playlist created by some of the nation’s most loved celebrities in support of refugees, visit:
Road Policing officersin Edinburgh are appealing for information following a hit-and-run crash on Old Dalkeith Road.
The incident took place at the junction with Walter Scott Road, around 11.35am yesterday (Saturday, 28 May, 2022). It involved a cyclist and a van, which did not stop at the scene.
The cyclist, a 39-year-old woman, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment for serious injuries.
Enquiries to trace the vehicle, which is believed to a small white van or similar, are ongoing and officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Constable Gary Barkham, from Edinburgh Road Policing, said: “We are asking for anyone who was in the area around the time of the crash, or anyone with information on the vehicle involved, to please get in touch. Any information could prove useful to our investigation.
“Please call police on 101, quoting incident 1468 of 28 May. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
Over 347,000 unemployed people on benefits have found work in just four months through the government’s Way to Work campaign – an ambitious national push to get half a million more people into jobs by the end of June.
new figures show 347,000 people have moved into work since January – thanks to a government-backed drive to fill vacancies
with one month to go until the campaign ends, the government is calling on UK employers to join forces with Jobcentres to help more people find work
alongside vital job support to lift incomes, the new £15 billion package to help with the cost of living will help millions of households
The Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary haveurged employers of all sizes to use the free recruitment support from their local Jobcentre to help fill the record number of vacancies in the jobs market and support the continued economic recovery by getting people into work.
Since January, DWP jobcentres across the UK have been ramping up operations with weekly jobs fairs – bringing employers in for face-to-face appointments and offering jobs on the spot to thousands of people.
Jobseekers walking away with roles have also secured an income, with those getting full time work set to be thousands of pounds better off than if they were on benefits. Helping households improve their finances and manage current cost of living pressures is a key priority for the government, with a £15 billion package announced on Thursday to support almost all of the eight million most vulnerable households across the UK.
On a visit to the North East of England, the Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey visited CityFibre, a new employer to the Way to Work campaign who have already benefitted from 200 new recruits from around the UK, hired through their local Jobcentres.
During the visit, they also met local employees who have secured skilled jobs as a result of the campaign and the support of their local Jobcentre.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ““I was only ten years old when unemployment was last this low.
“But with a vast number of vacancies in the jobs market, it is more critical than ever to access the huge pool of untapped talent in towns and cities right across the country, which is why I am thrilled with the progress we have made with the Way to Work scheme.”
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey said: “Unemployment is at its lowest since the 1970s with full time workers across the UK £6000 better off than if they were on benefits.
“And there are still vacancies to fill. That’s why our jobcentres are helping employers short circuit the recruitment process so they can get talent in fast.
“So, if you’re hiring, make the most of the help on offer from us.”
Greg Mesch, Chief Executive at CityFibre said: “CityFibre is rolling out the UK’s finest digital infrastructure to millions of homes and businesses nationwide. To build these new Full Fibre networks, we’re creating thousands of new network construction jobs and providing industry training to those that need it.
“We and our construction partners are working closely with DWP nationally, and local Jobcentres, by engaging with schemes like Way to Work. We look forward to increasing our involvement in the future.”
Alongside vital job support to help jobseekers secure an income, the new £15 billion cost of living support package will help almost all of the eight million most vulnerable households across the UK as they are set to receive help of at least £1,200 this year, including a new one-off £650 cost of living payment.
The government has also announced a £500 million increase for the Household Support Fund, delivered by local authorities, extending it to March 2023. This brings the total Household Support Fund to £1.5 billion.
To find out more about how DWP can help fill vacancies with quality candidates, please visit the Way to Work page on GOV.UK
A trickle of Tory MPs have submitted letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson following the publication of the Sue Gray report.
Unless that trickle becomes a flood over the weekend as MPs attend constituency surgeries it appears Johnson has got away with it. Again.
