Thing is the library 21 Dec...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Things about our Randomised Coffee Trial...

Thank you to everyone (104 people) who took part - these are the results of the feedback. If you didn't take part in November 2018 watch out for our next one when it is announced.
96% said it was a positive experience and they would probably take part again
88%  said they learnt something new
78% said it widened their professional network

"It was a great idea, a really great way to meet new people"
"It's always good to talk!"
"I learnt a lot about SCH that I didn't know as we work in such different areas."
"We had a lovely chat for around 40 minutes and I loved every minute!"
"It was only half an hour and tricky to co-ordinate but it felt that it was a real luxury to step outside the workplace"
"we pass people on corridors but have no idea who they are / what they do"

We had a good range of staff taking part too.

Thank you all - I have had such positive feedback that I would certainly like to make this a regular event - something that becomes part of the SCH culture. 

Things about headaches...

Headache disorders are common in children and adolescents. Most of the studies on non-pharmacological treatments have however been carried out on adults. In this review they provide information on recent studies examining non-pharmacological approaches for managing headache in children and adolescents.

Things about milk cereal drinks...

This Swedish study looked at the association between daily consumption of  milk cereal drinks at 12 months of age and BMI at the age of five. The main finding of this study was that the daily consumption of milk cereal drinks at 12 months of age was independently associated with almost double the risk of a child being overweight at five years of age. A family history of obesity, low paternal educational level and paternal smoking were also independently associated. 

Things to make...

We love eating up 'left-overs' in our house and nothing on the turkey gets wasted - it is eaten cold in sandwiches, in fricassee and curry and then eventually stock and soup with the carcass - which you can freeze. If you want inspiration for using up other gluts of food then there is a nice selection of ideas here. 

Things to return (hopefully not!) ...

If you haven't come across Resolver for helping sort out complaints I can recommend it. They have also produced a helpful list showing the extended holiday returns policies of UK retailers....so if Father Christmas delivers something in the wrong size or colour this might help!

We close today at 5 pm and re-open on Wed 2nd January, whether you are working or on holiday we hope you all have a great time.

Things in the library 14 Dec....

Things closed...
On Tuesday 18th December we will be closed all day as it is our "dust creating and pre-Christmas workout" day...otherwise known as Stocktaking Day. If you need to return books please use the book drop box situated outside the library and emails will be dealt with the following day.

Things about food allergies...

The aim of this review article in Nutrients is to summarise randomised studies that have investigated whether there is a time window for the early introduction of allergenic foods (both in infants at high-risk for atopy and in the general population) that could effectively prevent food allergy, ascertained by the diagnostic oral food challenge test. They conclude that  "In practice, during the first year of life, the child can progressively be introduced to all foods, according to his/her requirements and the ability to chew, keep head still and sit propped up. Allergenic foods that may be inhaled (i.e., nuts) because of immature oral motor skills, should be avoided or given in a form that is safe for infants, such as peanut butter."

For infants with food allergy and/or severe eczema "an oral food challenge under medical supervision, before introducing the food into the diet, should be considered. This should be taken into account not only for egg and peanut, but also for the other foods, including cow’s milk, tree nuts and seeds, which contain allergens resistant to heat, pH and enzymatic digestion and capable of sensitization via the oral route"

Things about poverty...

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have published their Poverty UK 2018  report. The research focuses particularly on changes to poverty among children and workers, as well as giving an overview of trends among pensioners and other groups. This research reveals that, in our society:

• Child poverty has been rising since 2011/12; 4.1 million children are living in poverty, a rise of 500,000 in the last five years; 
• Four million workers are living in poverty –a rise of more than half a million over five years; and 
• In-work poverty has been rising even faster than employment, driven almost entirely by increasing poverty among working parents. 

Things new...

A new selection of books has just arrived and will be available to borrow in the New Year. If there is something you fancy then by logging in to our online catalogue with your library reader number and PIN (ask us if you don't have one) you can reserve them - or contact the library.

Things to make...
An old fashioned but lovely easy pudding I am making this weekend is 'Queen of Puddings'. I'm making mine from my mothers 1950's version of Good Housekeeping (which also includes instructions on managing kitchen staff!). This recipe from Mary Berry is virtually the same although the meringue never gets piped in our house ...just dolloped on top..and the jam (raspberry) has been known to come out of a jar!

Things in the library 7th Dec...

Things to read next year...
We had our reading Group Christmas party this week and spent most of the time choosing our reading for next year. If you have ever fancied joining us on (usually) the first Wed of every month at 17:15 in the library then please give us a try next year. We just chat about the book we have been reading and there are always drinks and nibbles available. Over Christmas we will be reading either (or both) of these: The night before Christmas by Nikolai Gogol or A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg and discussing them at our meeting on January 9th (not the first Wednesday).

The books for the rest of the year are:
6th  Feb:  The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger
6th Mar:  Murder of my aunt by Richard Hull
3rd Apr:  This is going to hurt: Secret diaries of a junior doctor by Adam Kay 
1st May:  Hold My Hand by M.J.Ford
5th Jun:  Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry 
3rd  Jul:  Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult 
7th Aug: The Librarian by Salley Vickers
4th Sep: tbc
2nd Oct:  Penguin Book of the Contemporary British Short Story   Philip Hensher (Ed.) (2018):
6th Nov:  The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Things about health in England...

The Health Survey for England (HSE) monitors trends in the nation’s health and care. It provides information about adults aged 16 and over, and children aged 0 to 15, living in private households in England. The survey is used to monitor overweight and obesity and to estimate the proportion of people in England who have certain health conditions and the prevalence of risk factors and health related behaviours, such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
The survey consists of an interview, followed by a visit from a nurse who takes some measurements and blood and saliva samples. Adults and children aged 13 to 15 were interviewed in person, and parents of children aged 0 to 12 answered on behalf of their children for many topics. Children aged 8 to 15 filled in a self-completion booklet about their drinking and smoking behaviour.
There are various summaries available online - one of the key facts is that only 18% of children had the recommended 5+ portions of fruit and veg daily

Some things West African...

At The Workstation, on 13 Dec The University of Sheffield and Zongo Music present The Calabash: A celebration of West African film, live music, art and culture. Free entry but you can register in advance
7pm: African Bazaar - traditional African wares on sale. Bar opens.
8pm: Join Dr Afua Twum-Danso Imoh (School of Sociological Studies) in the premiere of her documentary film, 'Growing up colonial on the Gold Coast (Ghana)'shot in Ghana, West Africa to explore her British Academy-funded research into a 'proper' childhood for colonised subjects in the Gold Coast. Includes Q&A.
8.30pm onwards: Live acoustic music and DJ set and Spoken Word and Poetry

Things about future health...

From the Health Foundation a report A Place to Grow: Exploring the future health of young people in five sites across the UK. the key points are below.

•  In five UK towns and cities, the Young People’s Future Health Inquiry team listened to the perspectives of young people and youth organisations about access to the assets needed for a healthy transition into adulthood.
• Our visits uncovered common themes and a strong sense of place, shaping the young people’s identity and how they described themselves. 
• But young people’s access to the opportunities and relationships that can ensure a healthy future varies across the UK.
• Young people are profoundly affected by the nature of their local economy, housing and labour markets, and by the strength of the social fabric around them

Things about loneliness...

From the Office of National Statistics a report on Children’s and young people’s experiences of loneliness: 2018. This analysis of children's and young people’s views, experiences and suggestions to overcome loneliness, using in-depth interviews, the Community Life Survey 2016 to 2017 and Good Childhood Index Survey, 2018.

Things to eat...

I can't comment on its authenticity but this Spicy African stew should definitely warm you up this weekend.