Uncategorized – Page 142 – The NEN

Penguin and Twinkl to donate over 55,000 books by authors of colour to UK primary schools

Penguin Books UK and Twinkl are coming together to increase primary school pupils’ access to books by writers of colour, by giving away books including by Sharna Jackson and Malala Yousafzai to 500 schools across the UK.
Twinkl are producing a range of learning resources to accompany titles in the donation, to support teachers to integrate the new texts into their teaching.
Schools can apply to receive the books at https://www.penguin.co.uk/lit-in-colour/twinkl-partnership

Penguin Books have joined forces with Twinkl Educational Publishing to donate books by authors of colour to 500 UK primary schools.

The donation of books from Penguin, Puffin, Ladybird, and Vintage and Andersen Press forms part of Penguin’s Lit in Colour campaign, and aims to give pupils access to a wider range of authors, characters and books to tackle their stark underrepresentation in UK schools.

Each participating school will receive 100 books, covering a range of titles across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and mythology; from much-loved classics to new voices. Authors included in the selection are Matthew A. Cherry, Malala Yousafzai, Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali and more. Each school will also receive a class set of The Good Turn by Sharna Jackson.

Research by Lit in Colour, carried out by Penguin Books and the Runnymede Trust in 2021, revealed a stark picture of under-representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic authors in the teaching of English Literature in this country.

This is relative both to these authors’ place in contemporary British literary excellence and school population demographics.

According to the research, 82% of young people do not ever recall studying a book by a Black, Asian or minority ethnic author, while 70% agree that diversity is part of British society and should be represented in the school curriculum.

The research also found that a key barrier for primary school teachers was a lack of ready-made resources available from teaching sites that are focused on diverse texts. This is a significant challenge for educators who rely on these for the basis of their planning.

In response to this, Twinkl are producing a comprehensive set of learning resources that aim to make it as easy as possible for educators to create a full lesson around these titles and immerse learners through a selection of activity sheets to be used alongside the books and as follow-on activities.

Twinkl’s comprehensive series of educational resources will cover 20 titles that will support bringing new literature to classrooms. The learning materials will consist of various worksheets and activity packs.

These include 60-second reading activities, to biography fact files and writing packs. These resources will be available to freely access online and can be used in connection with Penguin’s Lit in Colour book list.

Zaahida Nabagereka, Penguin Random House’s Head of Social Impact, said: “Partnering with Twinkl on this first ever UK wide Lit in Colour Primary School donation is a really significant step in addressing the barriers the Lit in Colour report identified in 2021.

“We are committed to supporting teachers to take diverse books into their classrooms with confidence, and key to that is resources. This collaboration strengthens the argument that we can achieve more when we tackle systemic issues together.”

David Angrave, Twinkl’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “As a global education publisher, we are delighted to work with Penguin on such a meaningful campaign. Our Lit in Colour resources aim to engage learners in a wide variety of diverse titles in the classroom. Through a range of voices in books, children can discover different cultures and identifiable characters.

“We are looking forward to continuing to collaborate with Penguin with this campaign and help build an inclusive outlook which celebrates differences and what brings us together.”

Sharna Jackson, author of The Good Turn, said: “When I was younger, there was a pronounced lack of access to many books that reflected my experience – as part of the curriculum, or in my school library.

“It’s why I wholeheartedly support the transformative work that Lit in Colour does to expand and enrich the curriculum. I am so incredibly proud that The Good Turn can be a small part of this change, as this donation from Lit in Colour and Twinkl will make an enormous difference to thousands of young readers who deserve to see themselves and their experience reflected in the books stocked on their school library shelves.”

To find out more about how your school can get involved with the Lit in Colour book giveaway, please visit our website.

Primary teachers can apply by completing this short form by Friday 30th September.

Royal Life Saving Society UK’s #DontDrinkandDrown campaign targets students heading to university

The Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS UK) annual week long Don’t Drink and Drown campaign launches on 12^th September, aiming to get the message across about water safety as thousands of students head off to start their first year at university.

In a sample of UK accidental drowning cases analysed in detail by RLSS UK, at least half of those aged 16-25 who lost their life were students. As a result, the charity is urging students to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings, especially if there is a body of water within the town or city they are moving to.

3 in 4 of these accidental drowning victims were alone . The campaign aims to speak to students and encourage them to, after a night out, be responsible for their friends, be a mate, and ensure they return home safely.

As fresher’s events take place across the UK in September, many students will be heading to bars and clubs to celebrate the start of their university adventure, and this is where RLSS UK fears tragedies may occur.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “We have seen tragic stories in the past where students have been excited for a new adventure in a new city and should have been enjoying their first few weeks at university but sadly their night did not end how it should have.

“45% of accidental drownings among 16-25 year olds in the last 5 years cited alcohol and/or drugs; we know that alcohol and drugs have a number of different effects on the body including lowering inhibitions, which leads to impaired judgment, and this is where we see people taking risks and getting themselves into trouble in, on and around water.”

In line with this, the data also reveals that when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, accidental drowning victims are much more likely to have unintentionally fallen into the water; 55% compared to 36% for those who were not under the influence.

Lee continued: “We are encouraging students to get to know their new surroundings and if they have a river, canal or other body of water in the city or town that they have moved to, then ensure that the route home after a night out is one which steers clear of the water.”

Further analysis among this group highlighted that, where known, over half of drug and alcohol related drownings take place between 11pm and 5am, the time in which students may be walking home from nights out.

RLSS UK wants to reinforce the message of safety in numbers, be a mate, and stick together to make sure everyone makes it home safe.

Lee said: “Unfortunately in recent years we have seen cases of young people walking home after a night of drinking, and for various reasons getting too close to the edge and ending up in the water.

“At this time of year the water is colder than it looks and cold water shock is a significant factor, and paired with alcohol numbing senses, limiting muscle ability and slowing down reactions, it makes it extremely difficult to be able to swim and self-rescue.

“As we see, mainly young men, walking home alone, sadly in these cases there is nobody around to help we see nights out turn into tragedies.”

For more information on the campaign and to support RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign this September visit www.rlss.org.uk/dont-drink-and-drown.

Thérapie Clinic opens New Clinic in St James Quarter

‘At Thérapie Clinic, we want to inspire you to look good, to feel good, and get the best out of life’

Thérapie Clinic announces the launch of its latest clinic at St James Quarter, Edinburgh. Set to be their second clinic in the historic capital of Scotland.

With over 65 clinics in the UK and Ireland and a team of over 200 qualified doctors on its roster, the multi award-winning Thérapie Clinic has cemented its reputation as Europe’s number one medical-grade laser and skincare specialists for face and body.

With this its new clinic opening, Thérapie Clinic is expanding its availability in the area with further plans nationwide.

Founded over 20 years ago, Thérapie Clinic provides affordable, accessible, and up-to-date laser and aesthetic

treatments backed by medical expertise. Across its network of clinics, Thérapie has established a loyal

clientele throughout England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and has delivered more than ten million

doctor-led treatments. The family-run aesthetic clinic offers a wide range of the most advanced and high tech,

nonsurgical treatments for the skin and body, at the most competitive prices on the market.

Specialising in laser hair removal, skin treatments, cosmetic injections and body sculpting, Thérapie Clinic provides treatments for all cosmetic needs.

St James, Edinburgh will be the latest location offering an extensive menu of treatments including laser hair removal, anti-wrinkle injections, skin treatments, lip, and dermal filler and Profhilo. The highly advanced and rapidly expanding medical clinic brand has already attracted an array of VIPs including Pixie Lott, Vicky Pattison, Martine McCutcheon, and Dani Dyer to name but a few.

Phillip McGlade, CEO of Thérapie Clinic, comments: “We are absolutely delighted to continue our expansion across the UK and to announce the opening of our second Thérapie Clinic in the heart of Edinburgh.

“The new state-of-the-art clinic will provide marketing leading face, body, and skin treatments for the people of Edinburgh and in surrounding areas. The destination reflects our core ethos of excellence and trust, while giving us a great foothold as we enter this area.

“Consultations with our expert team are free of charge and we look forward to welcoming residents of Edinburgh to experience our world-class aesthetic services”

Thérapie Clinic offer Free consultations giving customers the opportunity to sit down with one of its expert team to discuss the best course of action to meet the customers’ needs through safe, trusted, and proven treatments. Prices for laser hair treatments start at £9.95, skin treatments and peels start at

£59.95 and cosmetic injections start at £120.

Thorntons launches Charity Wills campaign to support local children

Leading Scottish law firm Thorntons has pledged its support for Cash for Kids as it announces the return of its renowned Charity Wills campaign.

Taking place across its offices in Fife, Dundee, Perth, Angus and Edinburgh, Thorntons won’t charge a fee for Wills written throughout the month of September. Instead, the firm asks clients to make an equivalent donation to Cash for Kids.

More than £550,000 has been raised for Cash for Kids through this initiative since it first launched 26 years ago – with hopes that the 2022 total will set a new record for the firm.

The donations from last year’s campaign allowed Cash for Kids to support 2,982 families with basic essentials like supermarket vouchers and clothing, with the aim of making a difference to young lives, directly supporting families who often have nowhere else to go for support.

Victoria Hendry, Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids Charity Manager said: “We are thrilled to yet again be partnering with Thorntons on their Charity Wills Month this September.

“To say this campaign has been a success over the years would be an understatement. Through Thorntons innovation, commitment and hard work this campaign goes from strength to strength and supports more local children year on year.

“We are so delighted to be the beneficiary of this wonderful campaign and we cannot thank Thorntons’ people and their clients enough for getting behind it. We have managed to help thousands of local children live a happier and fuller life thanks to Thorntons’ Charity Wills month.

“If you are looking for a Will or updating your current Will, look no further than contacting Thorntons and in turn, you’ll be supporting local children right on your doorstep.”

Murray Etherington, Partner and Head of Wills, Trusts and Succession planning at Thorntons said: “By taking part in our Charity Wills campaign this September, you’ll not only be safeguarding your future but also supporting some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in your area.

“As the cost-of-living crisis worsens across the country, the work that Cash for Kids do to provide families with basic essentials such as food, toiletries and clothing, has never been more important and we’re proud to support them once again this year.

“Many people assume they don’t need a Will, or a fear it’s an expensive or morbid process. However, if you own a property, have savings, are responsible for children or other dependents, then you should have one in place to protect your wishes and to reduce the stress and cost for your family when dealing with your affairs.

“All appointments are being held virtually so you can make your Will from the comfort of your own home. With a set number of appointments available during September, we advise you to book early to ensure you don’t miss out.”

Anyone wishing to make a new Will or update an existing Will during Thorntons’ Charity Wills month this September, can find out more online at: https://www.thorntons-law.co.uk/charitywills

Food Festival returns to Dalkeith Country Park next weekend

The Great British Food Festival is back this year at the lovely Dalkeith Country Park on the weekend of the 10th & 11th September and it promises to be a fantastic foodie weekend.

Over 75 different traders will be in attendance, amongst them artisan food producers and award winning street food stalls.

Along with wonderful food and drink producers there will be a great line up of local bands, fantastic chef demos, foodie talks, man vs food competitions and a bake stage.

Dan Maycock, one of the organisers said ‘We have got a great mix of local Scottish produce and some coming from further afield. On the hot food front you will be able to try anything from traditional hog roast to Indian and Thai dishes, so hopefully something for all tastes!’

The Chef Demo stage hosts great local chefs and Instagram stars cooking up their favourite dishes and sharing tips, with five demos taking place each day.

One of the highlights is the ‘Great British Cake Off’, where amateur bakers compete head to head in two baking categories (see www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com for details and to enter), and best of all, if you enter a cake you get free entry to the festival!

There is entertainment for all the family over the weekend, including kid’s cookery lessons, free circus skills, and live music. The perfect recipe for a fun, foodie day out for the whole family. See www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com for advanced tickets.

Police appeal: Do you know this man?

POLICE have released images of a man they believe may have information that can assist their ongoing enquiries into an attempted robbery. The incident occurred at around 1.50 am on Monday, 1 November 2021, on Gayfield Place.

Officers believe that the man shown in the images may have information that could assist them and would appeal to him or anyone who recognises him to contact them.

The man shown in the images is described as aged 20-30 years of age, around 5 foot 8 inches tall, with dark hair and was wearing a black and white jacket, black jeans and dark shoes and carrying a rucksack at the time.

Detective Constable Claire Riley, of Gayfield CID, said: “This was a frightening experience for the victim and our inquiries have been ongoing. I would urge the male in the images or anyone with information relating to him to contact police as soon as possible.”

Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 0298 of 1 November 2021, or if they wish to remain anonymous, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Appeal after pedestrian dies on Edinburgh City Bypass

A pedestrian has died following a collision involving a car on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass yesterday.

The incident happened around 5.10am on Saturday, 3 September eastbound near the Straiton junction.

The 25-year-old male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 39-year-old male driver of the BMW 3 Series car involved was uninjured.

The road was closed until around 12.40pm to allow for an investigation at the scene.

Sergeant Barry Sommerville of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friend at this difficult time.

“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and I would ask anyone with information which could help to get in touch.

“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage which could help our investigation.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 0714 of 3 September.”

Oxfam: Second Hand September

Is sustainability your bag? Sign up to Second Hand September and show the world that any outfit looks fabulous when it’s helping to protect the planet!

By shopping only second hand for 30 days with Oxfam, you can give everything from t-shirts to trousers a brand new lease of life.

Plus, you’ll reduce demand for new clothes, help reduce damage to our planet, and raise money to help communities hit by poverty and the climate crisis.

Sign up to get:

Handy tips and tricks on how to revamp your wardrobe sustainably
20% discount code for the Oxfam online shop
The chance of winning front row tickets to the Oxfam London Fashion Week show

Share your eco-friendly outfits on socials using #SecondHandSeptember and tag @OxfamGB

Which? How to save as a student

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, many university students will be looking for ways to cut back.

A recent study by the National Union of Students (NUS) found that a third of students are living on less than £50 a month after paying rent and bills. With the cost of living soaring, 96 per cent of students are cutting back on spending as a result.

Which? has nine tips for students wanting to save money while they study:

1. Choose the best student bank account

Choosing the best student bank account should be a priority. When looking for an account to suit your needs, Which? recommends finding one with a generous 0% overdraft that lasts for the length of your course.

Student bank account providers offer different perks and offers – so it’s worth making sure you get the deal best suited to you. For example, Santander offers a free four-year railcard which is worth around £90 but it doesn’t offer the largest interest-free overdraft and you’ll need to pay in £500 per term.

While NatWest offers one of the largest overdrafts for first-year students, the freebies, such as its one-year Tastecard membership, aren’t as valuable. Other accounts offer cash incentives of up to £100.

2. Consider what kind of laptop or computer you need

Most students find a laptop, rather than a desktop computer, better for university as they’re easy to carry around and don’t take up too much space. Don’t overspend on a laptop that’s too powerful for your needs. Between £250 and £400 should be enough if you’re only going to be researching and creating Word documents.

It’s worth searching for student discounts and deals on laptops. For instance, Lenovo offers up to 30 per cent off for students, but you might need to show a valid student ID. You can often find the best deals direct from manufacturers’ websites. For example, HP offers £150 cashback if you trade in an old laptop for a new one. Buying second hand or refurbished laptops is another way to save.

If you plan to work from home most of the time and you’re on a tight budget, a desktop computer might be a cost-effective option, especially if you already have a computer monitor, keyboard and mouse. Desktops typically have a faster processor, more ports and more RAM and storage, compared to the same-priced laptop.

Most universities have computers around campus for students to use, and some have laptops that can be used in their libraries.

3. Find out what additional support is available

Most universities offer additional financial support, particularly – although not exclusively – to students from lower-income families. The most common examples are bursaries and scholarships to help with some or all of a student’s tuition fees or living costs. Companies, charities and special-interest groups are all common sources of funding, too. Bursaries and scholarships may be awarded based on academic merit (i.e. achieving high grades at A-level), a talent or skill, and extracurricular achievements.

If you have a disability or dependants who rely on you for care or financial support (for example children, or parents you care for), you might be eligible for grants or allowances to help you. Students will be asked about this when applying for student finance, but it’s worth researching what your university, charities and other groups offer, too.

4. Share subscriptions with your flatmates

Lots of student accommodation doesn’t come with a television or TV licence, and many students rely on streaming services as a result. You can cut this cost by sharing streaming subscriptions within a household. Most services have plans that could help users save money, without losing their personalised features. For example, Spotify offers a Premium Duo plan for £13.99 a month for two people in the same household, saving £71.88 a year compared to the price of two individual subscriptions.

For larger households, the Spotify Premium Family plan for £16.99 a month allows up to six users to get premium benefits, saving a whopping £515.40 a year over six individual subscriptions. Amazon Prime also allows users to share benefits with another person in their household, halving the cost of having two separate accounts.

5. Buy books second hand

Students will no doubt be presented with a long list of books that they’ll need to buy as part of their course. Tutors often insist you buy them all, but it might be worth checking how many are mandatory and how many are ‘nice-to-haves’. Find out if any necessary books are available in your library to borrow, or if the relevant bits are available online to download for free. Some departments have their own second-hand book schemes, and many university bookshops sell second-hand copies as well. It could also be worth searching for cheaper second-hand copies on online marketplaces.

6. Find student discount codes

It’s always worth checking if you can pay less with a student discount, whether you’re going out for a pizza with friends or treating yourself to a new pair of jeans. Discounts can range from around 5 per cent to 40 per cent, so there are often big savings to be made. While students can typically use their physical student card in shops and restaurants, there are also online cards and schemes you can sign up for such as Totum, Tastecard, Unidays, Student Beans and International Student Card. Each service offers its own exclusive online discounts, so you’ll get different deals with each.

7. Look for freebies

Several companies offer freebies for students, so it’s worth searching for the best ones. For example, Amazon Prime offers six months free when you sign up to an Amazon Prime Student Trial. Students can also sign up for Microsoft’s Office 365 Education for free with their university email address. McDonald’s also offers a free cheeseburger, mayo chicken, or McFlurry Original when you buy any extra value or wrap meal and show a valid student or Student Beans ID.

8. Save money on bills

While those living in student accommodation will likely have their utilities included, students living off campus usually need to pay for this themselves. Think about ways you could reduce energy use for cheaper bills, such as cooking with housemates, charging your laptop on campus and not leaving gadgets on standby. Students are also exempt from paying council tax.

9. Save on transport

There are several ways to save on transport as a student. For example, the 16-25 railcard gives a third off rail journeys for just £30 per year, or £20 a year if you purchase via the Trainline before 31 August 2022.

You can also buy a railcard with £10 of Tesco Clubcard vouchers. National Express offers a Young Persons Coachcard for £15 that grants a third off journeys as well. It’s worth checking if you can get local travel cards or bus passes – different cities around the UK will have different options.

It might also be cost-effective to take a bike with you to save on transport costs. Some universities have their own bike loan schemes, so it’s worth checking when you arrive.

Reena Sewraz, Which? Senior Shopping and Money Editor, said: “University is already expensive and the rising cost of rent, food, energy and train fares, as well as books and other student essentials, means that many will be feeling the squeeze and looking for ways to cut back.

“There are ways to stay on top of things. Try sticking to a budget to keep track of your spending. Find a student bank account that offers a decent 0 per cent overdraft and perks that meet your needs. You can also save in a wide range of shops and restaurants with student discounts and offers – so it’s always worth keeping an eye out for deals.”

WellChild Awards: Dr Pat Carragher rewarded for exceptional work for seriously ill children

Dr Pat Carragher has been named as a winner in the prestigious national 2022 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, having been nominated by his colleague Emma Craig.

Pat will be off to collect his award in London on September 8^th.

The Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children, and will be attended by the charity’s Patron, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. The Duke will deliver remarks.

Dr Carragher, who is Medical Director at Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the Legacy category in these Awards which celebrate the resilience of children living with serious illnesses or complex conditions and honour the dedication of those individuals who go the extra mile to help these children and their families.

In summer of 2022, Dr Pat Carragher will be retiring as Medical Director at CHAS after nearly 39 years of working as a doctor. He has encountered periods of great change in his years as a medic including in Primary Care when he was a GP in Kinross before becoming Rachel House’s first hospice doctor and formally beginning work in Children’s Palliative Care in March 1996.

Dr Carragher has led the changes to CHAS’s medical service provisions through the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges the pandemic brought, alongside the team, he was determined to find ways to continue to reach the thousands of children with life-shortening conditions that rely on CHAS.

He helped establish new and innovative ways of working using technology to provide help to families across Scotland and proved himself to be a strong and resilient leader through immense change. He has reshaped CHAS’s medical services, helping families during what continues to be an isolating and unpredictable time.

Within three to four weeks from the start of the Coid-19 Pandemic, CHAS completely adapted its service offering to survive and to maintain the very best standards of care for children with palliative care needs, and to support their families.

Dr Carragher also led on virtual work through the “Near me” consultations via the NHS and by the use of Microsoft Teams, to interact with and assess children at home, and to work with their parents.

CHAS’s pioneering virtual children’s hospice was also launched at the beginning of the pandemic and has rapidly developed since proving to be extremely successful.

Dr Carragher has also helped lead the CHAS hospital teams in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh through this period of transformation, providing clinical leadership and support in the planning and delivery of palliative care whilst working closely with the NHS and local authorities.

He was key in launching the first hospital-based Supportive and Palliative Care team in Scotland at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow and has continued to provide specialist advice through the pandemic.

Rami Okasha, the Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, who nominated Dr Carragher for the WellChild Award, said: “Dr Pat’s leadership and strength of character has enabled the team to adapt in ways which they never imagined. He’s shown resilience and an unwavering drive for reaching all of those who require CHAS’s help, and he’s inspired not only the medical team but all teams.”

“Dr Pat was continuously able to inspire and encourage teams to ‘keep going’ during the pandemic and to embrace the new and innovate ways to deliver care. He has provided solid leadership throughout this period of immense change.

“Dr Carragher ends many presentations with the following which he feels is vital for us all to understand: ‘The death of a child has serious and lasting effects on parents and other family members, effectively for the rest of their lives. Any attempt to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in the final days or weeks, must not only be good for a child but, in the fullness of time, be helpful to those left behind‘.”

WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with long-term, serious health needs.

“The WellChild Awards 2022, in association with GSK, will be a unique opportunity to recognise and highlight the immense challenges they have faced and to celebrate the remarkable positivity, resilience and spirit they have demonstrated.

“It will also help us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings, professionals and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help them through such challenging times.”