Vets are advising anyone planning to travel abroad this summer with their pets or assistance dogs to book an appointment with their vet practice well in advance to allow plenty of time to complete all the required health checks and paperwork.
With school summer holidays here, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is calling on owners to first carefully consider if it would be in their pets’ best interests to travel overseas with them.
For anyone choosing to holiday abroad with their pet, BVA has issued a handy checklist to remind owners about the checks their animal will need before travel. This includes trips from Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the European Union, as post-Brexit rules mean owners now have to get the more complex and time-consuming Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from a vet trained to issue them no more than ten days before travel.
British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Justine Shotton said:“The countdown to summer break has begun. While we should all consider whether a holiday abroad is appropriate for our pets’ welfare or their carbon pawprint, if you are making plans that include travelling with your pet or assistance dog, now is the time to contact your local vet for information on pet travel requirements.
“Book an appointment as soon as possible to make sure your pet has all the necessary paperwork and is fully protected against diseases they may encounter in their travels.
“We’d like to remind owners that the post-Brexit requirements for travel to the EU are a significant change from the previous and much simpler ‘pet passport’ system, so they will take longer to complete and cost more. A pet travel consult at the vets can now take around an hour and even longer where there are multiple animals.
“Vet practices are already under a huge workload pressure. To help make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for yourself, your pet and your vet, we would urge you to contact your vet as early as you can ahead of travel to make sure there’s a vet available for this certification work and enough time to complete the required health checks and paperwork.”
Prior to Brexit, as many as 250,000 cats and dogs from the UK were taken to the EU on holiday every year.
BVA has prepared a seven-point checklist for to help pet owners:
Timings: Contact your vet well in advance to ensure that you can get an appointment at least three weeks before your planned travel. Dogs, cats and ferrets need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip from Great Britain to an EU country or Northern Ireland. Unlike pet passports, AHCs are 9-12 pages long, which means a much more complex, time consuming and costly paperwork process. Some vaccinations, like rabies, are time-sensitive, so even a one-day delay could result in your papers being rejected at the border. As Northern Ireland remains part of the EU pet travel scheme, travellers from the country can use an EU pet passport as an alternative to an AHC. Contact your vet to update the pet passport.
Destination: Be clear about the countries you intend to travel to so that your vet can identify specific health risks your pet may be exposed to, such as ticks, sandflies, heartworm or tapeworm.
Rabies: Check that your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date.
Microchip: Ensure your pet’s microchip is working and contact details are up to date.
Heat: Talk to your vet if going somewhere hot to discuss prevention of heatstroke and how to recognise symptoms in your dog.
Emergencies: Identify a local vet in the area where you will be holidaying in case of an emergency and to administer compulsory tapeworm treatment to dogs one to five days before arrival back into the UK.
Return: If your pet becomes ill after returning to the UK, it is very important to tell your vet that you have been abroad with your pet, even if it was some time ago.
National charity Family Action polled over 1,000 parents/carers to find out how this summer looks for families facing increasing financial pressures.
Over three quarters (76%) of parents/carers are worried about activity and entertainment costs for the summer holidays due to the rising cost of living.
A third (33%) of parents/carers surveyed will be going without a family holiday, and over a quarter (26%) will be going without days out for their family during or in preparation for this summer holiday, when compared to previous years.
Almost half (46%) of parents/carers surveyed think they will compare the school summer holiday they give their child/ren, this year, with what other parents around them give their children. The same figure feel more stressed and anxious about the school summer holidays this year than excited.
Over a third (36%) of parents/carers anticipate they will need to seek financial and/or emotional support to get through the school summer holidays this year.
Family Action’s free advice line FamilyLine is available 24/7 for families looking for support this summer
National charity Family Action polled over 1,000 parents/carers to find out how this summer looks for families facing increasing financial pressures.
Findings revealed that 76% of families are worried about the cost of days out, such as travel, entry fees and equipment costs, because of the cost of living crisis. In the run up to and during the school summer holidays, 26% of families will be going without days out completely, and 33% will be forgoing a family holiday this year, due to the rising cost of living.
Further findings from Family Action also highlighted an increase in mental health issues facing families this summer, with nearly half (46%) of parents/carers feeling more stressed and anxious about the school summer holidays, rather than excited.
The survey reveals that this year the school summer holidays are set to be a time when inequalities are amplified, with almost half (46%) of parents/carers surveyed set to compare the school summer holiday they give their child/ren, this year, with what other parents around them give their children.
David Holmes CBE, CEO at Family Action said: “Every family wants to make happy memories during the school holidays but, for many, this summer will be more difficult than ever. From juggling childcare to coping with the cost-of-living crisis and searching for affordable ways to have fun, the pressures can really build up.
“At Family Action we are here to help to make the summer a memorable one for the families we work with, and our services will be providing a range of ideas for simple and often free activities that all families can participate in. As our survey shows, 80% of parents/carers agree that making happy memories with their children can be free, so providing free or low cost activities is a great way to take some of the pressure off families this summer.”
Family Action runs over 170 services across the UK and this summer they will be coming together to make happy memories for the families they support, and providing the financial, practical or the emotional support needed to reduce shame and reassure families that making happy memories doesn’t have to cost a lot.
Family Action Service Manager, Leanne Best, said: “The families, volunteers, staff and colleagues we work alongside share with us that there is an expectation that summer school holidays should be a really happy time, where we spend lots of quality time together as families, doing fun activities, going on summer holidays and making special memories, but it is sadly not the reality for most this year.
“Many families are worrying that due to the cost of living crisis they will have to find more money for the basics, such as food, bills, childcare and school uniform. This means that they aren’t going to be able to afford holidays, days out, or activities which can result in stressful households and can leave people feeling guilty about ‘not being good enough’ or ‘not doing enough’ for their families.
Sanna uses our service and said: “I’m worried about trying to save up for 6 weeks because it will be quite a struggle financially because obviously the gas and electricity bill increased twice and the support we were getting from the government has stopped and has taken a chunk off the family budget, so I am worried about how I am going to keep the children entertained through the holidays.
“Family Action trips are the only time I’ll go out on a trip, as I don’t have the budget to take my kids out. Even if you go on a train its expensive and then you worry about the entry tickets. I do all the free things I can do with my kids I go to the park, for picnics, take them for a walk, but if you think about taking them somewhere where you need transport, entry tickets and food it can come to easily £100!
“When you do it by yourself you have all these worries, all these stresses, and all these anxieties, but when everything is provided, like the Family Action trips, all you need to do it sit, relax and make beautiful memories with your children.”
Leanne Best adds: “We have listened to these worries and in response, we will be enhancing the support we already offer to children, young people and families in Stockton, with the addition of our Summer Action Packs.
“Summer Action Packs will contain a variety of summer essentials, activities, tips & ideas, vouchers and information – which will hopefully enable families to worry a little less and have more resources and affordable opportunities, which will help them to enjoy some special family times over the Summer.”
David Holmes concludes: “At Family Action we believe that all children and families have the right to thrive. Together we can overcome the summer struggle and make it one to remember for all the right reasons.
“We know that families agree that the best memories don’t have to be expensive to make, but we also see the stress families feel under to provide the best possible summer holidays for their children, and we can help.
“Our services provide a lifeline to families with direct, practical, emotional and, where we can, financial support, all year long and our free adviceline FamilyLine is there for families across the UK, to provide advice and support.”
Ensure your social media profiles are private, and do not share that you will be away on holidays, as thieves are cyber-aware and may target your property whilst you are away.
Please see the advice above to consider before you head off on your holidays.
Conservation charity reveals the epic three-month journey of Mar’verick, the rare white-tailed eagle which hatched at Aberdeenshire’s Mar Lodge Estate before journeying across Scotland
Adventure, fun and exploring new places is the order of the summer at the National Trust for Scotland, with Mar’verick, the rare white-tailed eagle, taking members, visitors and other supporters in Edinburgh under his wing.
Mar’verick, born at Aberdeenshire’s Mar Lodge Estate and named after Maverick, the iconic fighter pilot in the film Top Gun, has been closely monitored since birth as part of the RSPB Scotland’s East Scotland Sea Eagle introduction project, allowing the National Trust for Scotland and the RSPB to form a map documenting his travels around the country.
Until 2020 white-tailed eagles had not been bred successfully in Deeside, making it even more special to have this rare raptor species nesting at Mar Lodge Estate.
The National Trust for Scotland hopes that not only will this unique tracking data help experts to monitor the growth of Scotland’s white-tailed eagle population – which is an endangered species – but also inspire people to follow the adventures of Mar’verick around Scotland this summer.
Data provided by RSPB Scotland shows the eagle has travelled from Mar Lodge Estate in Aberdeenshire up across the north of Scotland and all the way down to the isle of Arran, between January and April 2023. In just a three-month period, Mar’verick visited over 20 Trust places.
Mar’verick’s adventures and visits have inspired the conservation charity to call on the people of Edinburgh and the surrounds to follow his example and support its work to protect, share and enjoy nature, beauty and heritage this summer, by visiting some of the most unique and special places in Scotland.
In Edinburgh this summer, visitors can experience a range of activities for all ages across Newhailes, Georgian House, Gladstone’s Land, Inveresk Lodge Garden and Malleny Garden. Moving further afield, the House of the Binns near Linlithgow is hosting a Young Historians at the Binns tour, specifically created for children aged four to 11 years old, on Saturday 8 July.
The popular Doghailes and Carhailes events are back at Newhailes on 30 July and 27 August respectively, offering a fun-filled day out for canine and car lovers. The Georgian House, in the heart of the city centre, recently opened a new exhibition on Raeburn’s Edinburgh, giving new perspectives on the life and work of one of Scotland’s most prolific artists and the city and times he lived in, running throughout the summer months.
Meanwhile, visitors to Gladstone’s Land, the Royal Mile, can take part in a range of tours – from Tables Through Time, which is focused around food, through to an Intimate Lives tour, telling tales of the history of desire in Edinburgh’s old town. Throughout the summer period, visitors can cool off by enjoying an ice cream or a cold drink in the café that was inspired by the building’s rich trading history.
Stuart Maxwell, Regional Director for Edinburgh and the East at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “The summer months are upon us and it is fantastic to see so many supporters, visitors and members enjoying our places.
“It is our charity’s privilege to share Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage with everyone, and we are very grateful to all of our supporters who make this possible. By being part of the National Trust for Scotland, and visiting our places, you are helping protect, share and enjoy the outdoor spaces and incredible historic buildings where memories are made.
“Over the coming months, we have some exciting projects coming to fruition which will give our supporters even more experiences to share this summer. Mar’verick has proven himself to be the Trust’s number one adventurer, visiting over 20 places since the beginning of this year.
“With a place for every interest, age and passion, we can’t wait to see people rise to Mar’verick’s challenge and see how many Trust places they can visit over the coming months. Through the careful conservation work the Trust is doing across Scotland to restore natural habitats and create the right environments for wildlife to flourish, the charity’s places are home to a wide range of thriving wildlife and continue to welcome new species, such as hen harriers and white-tailed eagles.”
Following the launch of its 10-year strategy, Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone, in March last year, the National Trust for Scotland has focused on caring for Scotland’s special places, providing access and enjoyment and being a sustainable charity, including the restoration and reopening of House of the Binns, creating visitor facilities at Corrieshalloch National Nature Reserve, and unveiling an innovative new garden at Pitmedden which is adapted for a changing climate.
This work is possible thanks to the support of members and donors. To support the conservation charity’s work to care for Scotland’s special places, become a member at www.nts.org.uk. Prices start from £3.20 for those aged 16 to 24, £5.50 for adults and £4.85 per month for those aged 60 and over.
For more information on the National Trust for Scotland, or the events taking place in your area, visit: www.nts.org.uk.
Now that the long school holiday is on the horizon, many parents in Scotland will be sorting out extra childcare over the break.
At the NSPCC Helpline, we often receive calls asking about the appropriate age to allow children to stay home alone. Between work appointments and other family commitments it’s inevitable that some parents will have to deal with this situation.
It can be difficult to know what’s best to do and it’s natural for parents to worry. With this in mind I thought it would be a good opportunity to give some insight into when it is safe for your child to be home alone.
There is no legal age that a child can be left home alone but it’s against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk. Every child matures differently so it would be almost impossible to have a ‘one size fits all’ law. A child who doesn’t feel comfortable should never be left home alone and, obviously, infants aged 0 to 3 should never be left, even for a few minutes. Also, we wouldn’t recommend leaving a child under 12 years old home alone, particularly for longer periods of time.
However, as children get older they may want more freedom and independence. This can present another tough decision for parents and carers, and one that will differ from child to child. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a plan in place, to help to build up their independence at a pace that is right for them.
It’s absolutely vital to talk to your child about how they feel about this situation and to ask if they are worried about anything when home alone. Regularly checking how they feel can pinpoint any concerns and will give you an idea of how to help or why they might not be ready. If they are happy to be home alone for a while, it’s always good to check in with them during that time to make sure they feel safe.
Parents can contact our helpline at help@nspcc.org.uk for more advice.
Our Childline service is available too, and children can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0800 1111 or via a one-to-one chat on www.childline.org.uk
Research from a national charity, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), shows that one in four adults in the UK would panic if they saw a stranger had fallen into open water, was having difficulty and might drown.
The charity is asking the public if they would know what to do if they saw someone in difficulty in the water. With a number of high-profile drowning cases hitting the media in the last year, the charity is looking to educate more people on the Water Safety Code to ensure everyone can stay safe around the water.
With the summer holidays just around the corner, the charity’s annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign (17-24 June) will be sharing vital messages with the public to ensure that people understand how to stay safe, and if they do see someone in difficulty, that they know what to do.
The research from the Royal Life Saving Society UK also showed that one in four UK adults would enter the water to try and help a stranger who has fallen into open water and was having difficulty. The charity also noted that a further 25% would not be sure whether to enter the water or not.
Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said: “With June, July, and August proving to be the months with the most fatalities, it is vitally important that everyone has an understanding of water safety, especially during the summer months.
“We might see people heading to the various waterways in the UK and Ireland on warm summer days and entering the water to cool off. We want people to enjoy the waters that the UK and Ireland has to offer but to do so with the right knowledge and to do so safely.
“We often see that people see someone else in difficulty in the water and they try to help by entering the water themselves, this often results in them getting into difficulty too. The best thing to do when you see someone in difficulty in the water is not to panic, call 999 and try to throw them something that floats that they can hold on to. We would then advise to keep talking to the person in the water, keep watching them, and wait for the emergency services to arrive.”
In 2022, 105 people drowned during June, July and August and the charity’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign aims to reduce this figure significantly.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has a range of free educational resources available on its website for children, young people and parents and are holding their annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign between 17-24 June to equip everyone across the UK and Ireland with the skills and knowledge to make the right decisions about water safety.
Lee Heard continued: “This year for Drowning Prevention Week we are aiming to educate more people than ever about water safety and give children the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.
“We have a range of free educational resources available on the RLSS UK website, including lesson plans for schools and resources for parents, as well as a brand-new animation to allow families to start the conversation about water safety by learning the Water Safety Code.”
Drowning Prevention Week takes place 17-24 June and free resources can be downloaded from www.rlss.org.uk/dpw.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Healthy Habits for Summer Holidays
The summer holidays can be a stressful time for many families. Whilst they are a lovely opportunity to enjoy the summer together as a family, parents and carers can find it hard to juggle having the children at home with work, household and general life commitments. Naturally, during busy periods one of the first things to be pushed aside is healthy eating and taking time for ourselves to recoup and recharge.
We’ve put together some tips to help you get through the summer holidays and keep providing nourishing meals for the family – without going crazy:
Consider an early start
If you have older children who sleep well, you could try getting up an hour before they rise. This gives you an hour of calm before the hustle and bustle of the day begins, you can use this time to get on top of the household chores, get ahead of the day’s work commitments, do some meditation to set you up for the day or just have your breakfast in peace! Of course, this means going to bed an hour earlier to make sure you are getting enough sleep (seven to nine hours per night is ideal).
Meal plan
If you don’t already meal plan, now is the time to start. Having a comprehensive meal plan over the summer holidays will really take the stress out of eating well. We recommend planning for every single meal, including snacks, and have the plan pinned on the fridge for all to see. To make it easier still, use the same meal plan for every week of the holidays, as long as you have varied meals throughout the week, there’s no reason why you can’t eat the same and it makes shopping easier, as it’s the same list each week.
Write a diary/plan
Writing a diary or a day planner the night before each day can really help lessen those feelings of overwhelm we can experience when life is busy. It can also help calm and quieten your mind before going to sleep. You could group things into ‘urgent’ – those things that are priority and can’t wait and ‘can wait’ – those things you want to get done at some point, but if they don’t happen tomorrow that’s ok.
Above all, remember to not take on too much, and try to let the small things go as children can be demanding and take up lots of our energy.
There is plenty of information available online about free and local things to do during the holidays, so be sure to have a look and get out and about in nature everyday where possible.
Cash strapped families are being offered tips on free summer holiday activities to keep the kids entertained.
The team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have identified ten enjoyable, engaging and completely free activities for children of all ages.
From spending quality time outdoors, or staying inside on rainy days, all ten activities engage the whole family and combine imagination and entertainment for those ‘no spend’ days.
During school holidays and at weekends, finding things to do with the kids can soon become expensive and tiresome.
These activities are perfect for keeping the whole family entertained at no cost.
John Stirzaker from NetVoucherCodes.co.uks aid: “It can become costly to keep the kids entertained especially through the summer holidays.
“A lot of people aren’t aware of some great activities you can put together for your kids at no cost – it just takes a little imagination.
“As well as coming up with some creative tasks at home, there are also some days out that allow kids to go free.
“If you do some research on your local area, you’ll probably find that there are free events worth taking advantage of like crafting, and sports days.”
10 free activities to do with kids:
Go Geocaching
This is a brilliant way to explore new parts of your local area with the kids. Geocaching is essentially a modern-day treasure hunt: simply download the free app and follow the directions to the nearby location, to then find and log the hidden geocache.
Become ‘Mad Scientists’ in the kitchen
It is really easy to make fun science experiments with ingredients found in the kitchen. Mix cornflour and water to make slime, or drop food colouring onto baking soda, and use a straw to drip white vinegar to create a bubbly volcanic eruption.
Visit free local museums
It takes just a quick look online to find many nearby museums with free entry which cater to families. Explore history, science, and culture during the bad weather, and take part in the free interactive events which many museums put on for kids.
Potato stamp art
A great way to use up any old potatoes, stamp art is a fun entertainment for the kids at home, completely for free. Just cut the potato in half (or anything else in the cupboard needing to be used up), cover with paint, and let the kids create their artwork. For older ones, let them carve out a shape in the potato for a patterned veggie stamp.
Free local events
Check the local council website for kid-friendly entertainment, such as crafting, library and sports days. Especially during the summer holidays, engaging with the local community in these events is a great way to do something different for free.
Obstacle course
Be inventive with things around the house! Use buckets, mops, tin cans and chairs to set out an obstacle course for the kids to let off some energy. A low prep, but highly entertaining activity inside or out with endless opportunities.
Home cinema
Amplify those cosy film nights on the TV with fort making: use pillows and blankets to create a free evening-in with the kids. Grab popcorn and sweets from the cupboard for a no cost cinema experience at home.
Treasure hunt
An alternative to Geocaching, use pens and paper to create a free treasure hunt for the kids. A good way to get outside, hide a small reward and draw out a simple map of the surrounding area with a ‘X’ to mark the treasure. To involve the kids even more, get them to colour in the trees, rivers, and other landmarks, on the map, and wipe the map over with a used tea bag for an old-fashioned pirate treasure map feel.
Tie-dye old clothes
A great way to revamp unworn clothes, tie-dying is a free activity to entertain older kids. Tie elastic bands in small sections to the clothes, and submerge into a bucket with half water, half bleach. Let the clothes sit in the mixture for 10 minutes, remove the elastic bands and rinse thoroughly. Wash the clothes, and then the kids can show off their new colourful items, without having spent a penny.
Colours scavenger hunt
Simply shade colours onto some paper and get kids to find flowers, stones, and other outside materials, which match the colours. A fun and easy way for younger ones to learn their colours whilst spending time outside at absolutely no cost.
Holiday childcare prices jump by 5%, amid cost of living crisis, as parents working full time struggle to find the childcare they need
Families across Britain are bracing themselves for a difficult summer as a sharp rise in holiday childcare prices and patchy availability of places hits working parents, Coram Family and Childcare’s 17th annual Holiday Childcare Survey has revealed.
Coram’s report finds that, amid the soaring costs of living, holiday childcare costs have jumped by 5% since 2021. The average place at a holiday club now costs £148 a week – more than double what parents pay for an after-school club during term time.
Families will now find themselves almost £900 out of pocket for six weeks of holiday childcare for each school age child, nearly £500 more than they would pay for six weeks of term time childcare before and after school. Some 42% of local authorities across Britain have reported that the pandemic had caused an increase in prices.
The survey also found considerable regional variation in prices across Britain, with parents in inner London paying an average of £161 per week compared to £135 in the West Midlands, an 18% price difference. There are also huge price differences within the same area, with some holiday childcare places in inner London costing 92% more than the average, while others cost 44% less.
Alongside the financial strain, parents are struggling to find the childcare they need, with only 27% of English local authorities having enough holiday childcare available for parents in their area who work full time, down 6% on last year. Parents of disabled children face the most acute challenge with only 7% of local authorities having enough holiday childcare for these families, plunging from 16% in 2021.
Other notable gaps in England include holiday childcare for children whose parents work atypical hours and children living in rural areas, with only 10% and 15% of local authorities respectively reporting they have enough childcare availability for these groups.
Ellen Broomé, managing director of Coram Family and Childcare, said: “Families across Britain are reeling from record inflation and this steep rise in holiday childcare will push many further into financial distress.
“Many parents, particularly mothers, will have no choice but be locked out of work altogether or struggle to pay for basic necessities such as food or rent.
“Holiday childcare is key economic infrastructure. The lack of childcare places for working parents is a serious problem – not just for families but for the country’s economic output. Children have experienced such disruption throughout the pandemic, and holiday childcare offers them a safe and fun space to stay active and connect with their friends while also helping to tackle the summer learning loss.”
Coram Family and Childcare is calling on the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments to:
Reform Universal Credit so it does not lock parents out of work – by increasing the maximum amount of childcare costs paid under Universal Credit and guaranteeing support for upfront childcare costs.
Increase support for Family Information Services to provide good quality holiday childcare information and broker access to local provision that meets families’ needs.
Expand provision of the Holiday Activities and Food programme to improve access to affordable, high quality childcare for all children who need it.
Support local authorities to ensure they have a comprehensive overview of the cost and availability of holiday childcare in their area to identify and plug gaps in provision.
