Things in the library 20 Dec...

Things festive and dusty...
We will be having our annual pre-Christmas workout in the library on Monday....our stocktake day. We will be closed all day but will be open in the evening from 17:00 until 19:00.

We are then closed over Christmas and New Year, re-opening on Thursday Jan 2nd so we wish you all a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. If you need to return items when we are closed then a book-drop box is available outside the library.

Things about cell genomics...
There is a SITraN external seminar  on January 10th 12:00 - 13:00 in Meeting rooms B02/B03, SITraN, 385a Glossop Road. The speaker is John Marioni - Cancer Research Uk, Cambridge / European Bioinformatics Institute , University of Cambridge
Title: "Using single cell genomics to understand cell fate decisions"
With recent technological developments it has become possible to characterise a single cell’s genome, epigenome, transcriptome and proteome. However, to take advantage of such data it is critical that appropriate computational methods are applied and developed. In this presentation, I will describe some of the computational challenges and the solutions we have developed, focusing particularly on applications in the context of cell fate decisions in early mammalian development.

Things about neonates...
The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership has published National Neonatal Audit Programme 2019: annual report on 2018 data.  The National Neonatal Audit Programme (NNAP) reports on key measures of the care provided to babies in 181 neonatal services across England, Wales, Scotland and the Isle of Man.  Included in this annual report for the first time is network level reporting of mortality until discharge from the neonatal unit, and adherence to neonatal nurse staffing standards.

and also...
NHS England has published Implementing the recommendations of the Neonatal Critical Care Transformation Review.  This action plan to implement the recommendations of the Neonatal Critical Care Transformation Review sets out how the NHS will further improve neonatal care with the support of funding set out in the NHS Long Term Plan.

Things about Paediatric Intensive Care...
The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership has published Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network: Annual Report 2019.  This is the sixteenth annual PICANet clinical audit report summarising paediatric critical care that took place in the United Kingdom and Republic of  Ireland between 2016 and 2018.  It provides data on five key metrics: case ascertainment; retrieval mobilisation times; number of qualified nurses per bed; emergency readmissions within 48 hours and mortality in PICU.

Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay 

Things carolling...
If you want to catch some Christmas carol singing in Sheffield over the next few days then this search should bring you plenty of choice.





Things to eat...
If you are catering for vegetarians (or anyone else!) over the Christmas period there are some fantastic recipes here like this savoury spiced baklava.

Things in the library 13th Dec...

Things to listen and watch...
The Snowman: Live   Saturday 21 December, 3pm Family ticket: £40 (up to two adults) Under 18s £10 / Adults £14 Babies go free
Raymond Brigg’s heartwarming tale of a snowman that comes to life, and his adventures with the little boy who built him is magically brought to life in this breathtaking performance!
A full orchestra (Sheffield Rep.) will play Howard Blake’s musical score live as you watch the film. The orchestra will also be playing a medley of music from the film FROZEN, alongside other Christmassy favourites; timeless Christmas magic for the whole family!
This concert takes place in The Octagon, Clarkson Street, Sheffield S10 2TQ.
The event is seated but specific seat numbers are not allocated.

Things inside...
The human microbiota plays a crucial role in educating the immune system and influencing host health right since birth. Various maternal factors along with the vertical microbial transfer from the mother, as well as the horizontal environmental transmission and internal factors relating to the infant, play a crucial role in modulating the gut microbiota. The early life microflora is highly unstable and undergoes dynamic changes during the first few years, converging towards a more stabilized adult microbiota by co-evolving with the host by the age of 3-4 years. Microbiota studies have underlined the role of dysbiosis in developing several metabolic disorders like obesity, diabetes and immune-related disorders like asthma, to name a few. Thus, understanding early life microbial composition and various factors affecting the microbial community will provide a platform for developing strategies/techniques to maintain host health by restoring gut microbial flora. This review focuses on the factors that affect the microbial composition of the foetus in utero, during birth, infancy through childhood.

Things about delivering care with magic...

This article discusses five unconventional health and care organisations. These are organisations that have considered deeply the needs of people in their care and found substantively different ways of supporting them, in some cases adopting practices that might seem unusual or even risky to people working in traditional health and care services. There is also evidence that they have been successful, including in coping with increasing demand for services, delivering humane and compassionate care with limited resources and providing effective support for people with complex needs. The long read highlights common features of these organisations’ approach: their ways of working with service users, their approach to providing care, their organisational structures and their management practices. Magic is one of the examples used in Evelina London Children’s Hospital with children with hemiplegia.

Things to drink...
Research shows that what children drink – from birth through age 5 – can have a big impact on their health, as beverages make a significant contribution to dietary intake during this period. However, with so many choices available in the marketplace, it can be confusing for parents and caregivers to know which drinks are healthy and which ones to avoid. Many authoritative bodies have issued guidance and recommendations for healthy beverage intake, but important gaps exist as these recommendations have not been comprehensive in the age groups covered or in the types of beverages discussed. Given the importance of beverage consumption in early childhood and the need for comprehensive and consistent evidence-based recommendations, Healthy Eating Research convened an expert panel representing 4 key national health and nutrition organizations to develop comprehensive recommendations for beverage consumption consistent with a healthy diet for children from birth to age 5. The 4 organizations represented on the expert panel are the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Association. The beverage recommendations put forward by this expert panel are based on the best available evidence and provide consistent messages that can be used by health care providers, public health practitioners, and parents and caregivers to improve the beverage intake patterns of infants and young children. This consensus statement presents the expert recommendations and an overview of the evidence for why certain beverages are or are not healthy for young children.

Things to attend...
Journal Club F Floor Stephenson Wing,  Thursday 19 Dec 8.00 - 9.00 am, the article being presented and discussed is 'Chromosomal Microarray Analysis and Whole-ExomeSequencing in Children With ASD'. Please contact the library if you wish to see a copy of the paper.



Things to read next year...
The full list of books we will be reading in our Reading Group next year and the dates are as follows. As always we will have one copy of each available to borrow in the library - we have an extensive fiction collection now so do come and choose some Christmas reading.


8th  Jan   The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey 

5th Feb    Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

4th Mar   Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

1st  Apr    Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

6th  May  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 

3rd  Jun    God’s Own Country by Ross Raisin

1st  Jul     Before the Coffee gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

5th Aug    The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

2nd  Sep   When I had a little sister by Catherine Simpson.

7th  Oct     The versions of us by Laura Barnett

4th Nov    John Wyndham: Day of the Triffids

2nd  Dec  The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier

6th Jan 2021 The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Things to eat...

A breakfast dish for today, Papas a lo pobre with chorizo,

Things in the library 6th Dec...

Things to read...

We had our Reading group Christmas Party this week with a bumper attendance of 14 people. The books for next year are all chosen and will be announced shortly when we have confirmed which book will be read when. I can tell you however that the book we will be reading over Christmas and discussing in our meeting on 8th January will be 'The Snow Child' by Eowyn Ivey set in Alaska in 1920.



Things to attend...
ScHARR are running a course in May next year on 'The Identification and Review of Evidence to Inform Cost Effectiveness Models' there is an early Bird booking fee available until March 6th. The course will enable participants to develop an understanding of the methods available for the identification and review of evidence to inform cost effectiveness models. The course will meet the needs of those involved in health technology assessments and is particularly suited to:

• Health economic modellers wishing to extend their knowledge of how to identify and review evidence

• Information specialists who wish to advance their skills in identifying evidence for cost effectiveness models

• Systematic reviewers who wish to extend their reviewing skills related to cost effectiveness models

Alice Roberts (illus)

Things of beauty (and to use)...
Professor Alice Roberts makes programmes and write books about human anatomy, physiology, evolution, archaeology and history. She is also a medical doctor, and now a university lecturer. She taught human anatomy to students and doctors, and did research into human origins and disease in ancient skeletons - her talents also include watercolours and illustrations. This week she has uploaded many of her anatomy illustrations to her flickr page and says they are free to download and use for private use or any sort of teaching - please credit her as the illustrator.

Things about microbes...
The Annual Christmas Lecture on antimicrobial resistance by pioneers in the field, Professor Simon Foster and Professor David Hornby of the University of Sheffield is taking place Mon 9th Dec at 18:30 Man vs Microbe: Battle to the Death in Lecture Theatre 2 ,The Diamond Building. Whilst everyone is welcome, this event is suggested for those 16 and over, the event is free and open to the public The event is first come first come first served.

Things to make...
Today is Sinterklass in the Netherlands - last night shoes would have magically been filled with biscuits and sweets. My eldest son was born in the Netherlands and is staying with us at the moment so we thought we had better make an effort this year - courtesy of Tesco! However much nicer is to make your own Kruidnoten, Pepernoten or Speculaas. These biscuits are spiced with ginger, cinnamon, white pepper, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg, with a hint of molasses. The origin of these traditional treats is intricately linked to the history of the Netherlands. The Dutch controlled the spice trade with the East in the 17th century, making the use of spices more accessible to ordinary Dutch people. Spices were still expensive, however, which is why their use was reserved for the holidays.

...and read

An interesting read around the history of this time is Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Minton an adventure story of unthinkable hardship and savagery, the navigation of uncharted waters, and the exploitation of new worlds, not always easy to read but is it a remarkable chapter in the history of the colonial powers of that time.




Things to sing...
The local carol workshop will be held again this year for University staff and friends - a chance to sing some well known and lesser known Christmas carols, many originating from the villages to the north of Sheffield. These workshops were originally put on for staff in what was LeTS, and expanded quickly to include friends in other parts of the University as well as family members and friends.
There will be one session this year:  Friday 20 December  from 12.30-1.50pm  (come and go as you please - no need to book)

The venue is St Andrew's URC Church on Upper Hanover Street (the church with the spire near University tram stop). Supported by members of Worrall Male Voice Choir (Musical Director: Nigel Russell-Sewell) and Broomhall Community Choir (Musical Director: Stephen Vickers), due to popularity the workshops have grown from a few people meeting in the Union TV studio, to Firth Hall, to moving five years ago to St Andrew's.

If you have a copy of "The Blue Book-The Joy of Christmas" please take that with you, otherwise the carols will be available on the day (and copies of the Blue Book will be available for purchase).

Things in the library 29 Nov...

Things about our RCT...
If you are new to the trust you may not have come across our Randomised Coffee (or other drinks) Trials. Anyone can join in and you will be randomly matched to someone else in the trust to meet and chat for 30 mins. The idea is to share knowledge and meet up with people you might otherwise never come across - you can talk about anything -it doesn't have to be work. Our last one was held in November and thank you for all those that took part and gave feedback. 100% said they had learnt something new and 85% said it had widened their professional network. Some quotes:

• Can't recommend this enough, really worthwhile.
• Very informative and was able to  find out info about an area I knew only a little about and correct some  misunderstandings regarding my role 
• We spoke about our current roles, as well as career path overall, how our roles interacted, and about our hobbies etc
• A great chance to be able to share things about the work I do that can help/aid other colleagues in other (seemingly unconnected) area of the trust. I would definitely do this again. 

The next one will be running in February (sign-up in January) so do consider taking part - however I was disappointed this time that several people reported that their 'partner' failed to reply to emails etc. If you sign up we know that plans can change and taking part may not be possible but please have the courtesy to  reply to your matchee to keep them informed.

Things to attend...

Journal Club Tuesday 3rd Dec 13:00 to 14:00 an excellent chance to eat homemade muffins...and also hear someone present a journal article and discuss it in a relaxed environment. Journal Club takes place on F Floor Stephenson Wing (Grey Lifts) - look at the notice board opposite the lift doors to check which room. The paper being discussed is "Efficacy of Prednisolone in bronchiolitis with and without family history of atopy". Do come along - all welcome and contact the library if you would like a copy of the paper.

Things announced...

The nominations for the Reading Group's choices for next year are now in. Each member of the group can suggest a maximum of 3 books they have either read and loved and want to share or a book they really want to read. We then vote on these, so each person will get one of 'their' books chosen. Next week's meeting on Wed 4th Dec at 17:15 for about 1 hour will have festive food and mulled drinks to accompany or choosing. Chosen books will be announced in next week's blog ...there are some fantastic suggestions. If you have wondered about coming along do come and meet us...if anyone wants a copy of the long list please email.

....and last year...  of the books that we read those we scored most highly are:

1st: The Choice by Edith Eger

2nd:The Penguin Book of the Contemporary British Short Story ed Philip Hensher

3rd: Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg (author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe)

Things about paediatric nursing...

In the American Journal of Pediatric Nursing is a review article 'Nursing surveillance for deterioration in pediatric patients'. 

Adverse events occur in up to 19% of pediatric hospitalized patients, often associated with delays in recognition or treatment. While early detection is recognized as a primary determinant of recovery from deterioration, most research has focused on profiling patient risk and testing interventions, and less on factors that impact surveillance efficacy. This integrative review explored actions and factors that influence the quality of pediatric nursing surveillance.

Things to eat...

It was sad this week to hear of the early death of Gary Rhodes - so this week one of his recipes Crispy parmesan chicken 

Things in the library 22 Nov...

Things about sepsis...
Research undertaken by Imperial College London, has shown that digital monitoring significantly reduces hospital stays and chance of death related to sepsis. The digital sepsis alert system at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust was introduced in 2016 and monitors a number of symptoms to help identify sepsis before it becomes a problem. Alerts are sent to clinicians via a pop-up warning on their electronic health records and/or on a dashboard, which highlights any patient with an active alert when they open a patient's record.

The study found that the chance of death in hospital due to sepsis dropped by 24%, as well as 35% higher chance of receiving timely antibiotics to fight the infection. Early diagnosis of sepsis is crucial and allows teams in hospitals to determine the best course of action for the patient. Dr Anne Kinderlerer, consultant rheumatologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and co-author of the study, said:

"More patients are surviving sepsis at our hospitals and it is testament to the alert and treatment plans we have working hand in hand to help us ensure that patients are treated with antibiotics and other interventions in order to save more lives.”

Further research will be done in the future to determine whether these results are the same with a larger patient group.

Things about what you eat...
Does it matter what we eat for our mental health? Emerging findings from intervention studies suggest that diet (often combined with lifestyle) modification has potential in the prevention and treatment of mental health and may modify drug treatment effects. This is one of the findings from  an article in European Neuropsychpharmacology on Nutritional psychiatry.

Things about seafood...
The relationship between seafood eaten during pregnancy and neurocognition in offspring has been the subject of considerable scientific study for over 25 years. Evaluation of this question led two scientific advisory committees to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations with the World Health Organization (FAO/WHO), Health Canada, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conclude through 2014 that seafood consumed by pregnant women is likely to benefit the neurocognitive development of their children. This article "An abundance of seafood consumption studies presents new opportunities to evaluate effects on neurocognitive development" provides the history, context and rationale for reexamining these questions in light of currently available data. This article "Relationships between seafood consumption during pregnancy and childhood and neurocognitive development: Two systematic reviews." states

"Assessment of seafood as a whole food integrates inherently integrates any adverse effects from neurotoxicants, if any, and benefits to neurocognition from omega-3 fats, as well as other nutrients critical to optimal neurological development. Understanding of the effects of seafood consumption on neurocognition can have significant public health implications."

Things about an app...

An advert suggesting that children could gain likes and followers to progress through an app has been banned by the UK's advertising watchdog. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the phrase "get likes and followers to level up" could have a "detrimental effect on youngsters' mental health and self-esteem". The ad was "likely to cause harm" and was "irresponsible", it added. PopJam argued that its app encouraged "positive digital engagement".

The ASA said in its ruling: "We considered [the ad] explicitly encouraged children to seek likes and followers in order to progress through the app". It acknowledged that there were other ways of advancing in the app, but said that these were not explained in the ad.

"We considered that the suggestion that the acquisition of likes and followers was the only means of progression was likely to give children the impression that popularity on social media was something that should be pursued because it was desirable in its own right."

According to an Ofcom report, 78% of 12 to 15 year olds feel pressure to look popular on social media.

More things about social media...
An interesting blog about 'sharenting', in this post Professor Stacey Steinberg considers these questions and outlines three categories of risk in relation to ‘sharenting’ that she has identified in her research. She also gives some 'best practices' that can guide parents as they share information about their children online.

Things about DNA...
Plans for the National Health Service to sequence the DNA of every baby born in the UK, starting with a pilot scheme of 20,000 children, were announced by health minister Matt Hancock recently. This article in the New Scientist discusses the ethical issues around this topic.






Things about climate change...

The Lancet Countdown is an international, multidisciplinary collaboration, dedicated to monitoring the evolving health profile of climate change, and providing an independent assessment of the delivery of commitments made by governments worldwide under the Paris Agreement.






Things to eat...
These individual fish pies or Mediterranean fish gratins look like a really nice idea - or you could make one big one.

Things in the library 15th Nov...

Things we do...

Are you aware of our Book a Librarian Service? People sometimes say to us 'I'm sorry to bother you...' but we are here to be bothered...that's our job. Never worry about asking us what you might think is a silly question...we may not know everthing but we usually know where to find out. With our 'Book a Librarian' service you can get help with anything from using email to literature search training or designing a conference poster in a 1:1 session tailored just for you. Click on the link above to book some time with us.

Things to attend...

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20th when trans and gender-diverse people, whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence in the past 12 months, are remembered and honoured. It is an opportunity to come together with our communities and grieve collectively. Organised by local LGBT+ youth group SAYit and Sheffield LGBT+ events. At Hallam Square 5.30 - 6.30pm. All SCH Rainbow Badge wearers and supporters are invited to attend.

Things about sepsis...
You may have seen in the news this week mention of a new test for sepsis in children. Whenever you hear or read a news story and want to know more about it...and if it is true.. the best place to go is the NHS Behind the headlines site. Here you can read their opinion of the news story and what the actual research says that is behind it. In this case they conclude:

"This study is the first for many years to make some progress in our understanding of sepsis. It opens up possibilities for research into potential drugs that could be used in the future. This study also suggests ways in which the Persevere II test could be used to identify people at high risk of life-threatening sepsis, so they can be treated quickly and with the most appropriate dose of antibiotics.
However, this is very early-stage research. Just because a treatment works for mice does not mean it will work for humans. Translating results from a species to another, as the researchers do in this study, does not always work. Higher-dose antibiotics have not been tested for children identified as at high risk of life-threatening sepsis. Higher than usual doses could have damaging effects.
The Persevere II test is still being worked on, so is not yet generally available for doctors to use. In a media interview, a researcher said it is about 2 years away from being made available."

Things to visit...

Did you know the University has a small museum (Alfred Denny Museum of Zoology) which is usually open for guided tours at 10 am, 11 am and 12 pm on the first Saturday of each month . There are only 25 places per tour so it is recommended that you book early. Next date is 7th December. High quality specimens from across the globe from all major phyla including fossils and material of extinct animals, which demonstrate the diversity of animal life on earth. The displays include a large spirit collection (animals stored in alcohol) and fully articulated skeletons of a wide range of vertebrates.

Things about full-text articles...
In order to access most full-text articles you will need an NHS Athens account which is free and easy to set up. This will give you access to certain key resources and journals. If a journal you want isn't listed as available via this route then fill in our Article request form and we can get most things for you within a couple of days. There is a small charge for this, max £3 for each article but often a lot less as the charge is 15p per page. If you are involved in teaching University of Sheffield students you can apply for Honorary status with the University which then gives you access to their electronic journal holdings without charge.

Things to make...
In preparation for Christmas now would be a good time to make Delia's  mincemeat - it is easy to buy but also easy to make - use vegetarian suet if you prefer. Or if you get the ingredients now you can make it on 24th November known as Stir-up Sunday the traditional day for making Christmas puddings.

Things in the library 8 Nov...

Things about autism...
The inaugural lecture of Professor Elizabeth Milne:   Sensory Issues and Variability in the Autism Spectrum  Friday 28 February 2020, 5.30-8pm Firth Hall, The University of Sheffield This is a free ticketed event. You can register to attend at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inaugural-lecture-sensory-issues-and-variability-in-the-autism-spectrum-tickets-75831342587
Professor Milne started her academic career in 2000 studying perceptual processes in autism. At this time, there was very little data regarding perception in autism despite numerous personal reports from autistic people describing differences in the perception of sensory stimuli. Over the next few years, working with colleagues in Sheffield, London, Germany and the United States, she directed a systematic program of research investigating vision in autism spectrum conditions. This body of work provided evidence that autism is associated with differences in perceiving visual stimuli, as well as differences in the neural architecture that supports perception. In light of this and other work, the term 'unusual responses to sensory input' was included in the revised DSM diagnostic criteria for autism in 2013, reflecting growing awareness and understanding of the fact that sensory issues are a key feature of the condition.

Things for next year...
The Reading group met this week and discussed "The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle" which most people really enjoyed. Our next meeting is on 4th December where we will be enjoying some seasonal fare and choosing our reading for the next year. If you want to join in the fun do come along to the library at 17:15 to help to choose our next reads.


Things about detention...
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has published its report 'The detention of young people with learning disabilities and/or autism'. 
This report condemns the “horrific reality” of conditions and treatment under which many young people with learning disabilities and autism are detained in mental health hospitals, “inflicting terrible suffering on those detained and causing anguish to their distraught families”. It calls for an overhaul of inspections and changes to Mental Health Act to protect those detained and the establishment of a Number 10 unit with Cabinet level leadership to urgently drive forward reform.

Things about co-sleeping...
Co-sleeping is a complex familial phenomenon that has yet to be well understood by Western scientists. This paper provides an interdisciplinary review of research from anthropology, nursing, pediatrics, sociology, social work, public health, family studies, and psychology to focus on the role of physical touch in the context of co-sleeping, and how close physical contact in this context affects infants and their caregivers. Including an anthropological, evolutionary view of co-sleeping with other perspectives highlights it as an experience-expectant proximal context for infant growth and development. From this view, the importance of physical contact and touch in the nighttime caretaking microenvironment of co-sleeping becomes a central question, rather than an artifactual byproduct of "unhealthy" sleep arrangements. Rather than trying to eliminate co-sleeping, public health messages for parents would likely benefit from a more culturally-sensitive approach that focuses on advising how to co-sleep safely for families choosing it.

Things about Critical Appraisal...
A few spaces still left on our excellent 'An Introduction to Critical Appraisal Course' next Friday 13:00 to 16:30. Sign up on the Intranet Course Bookings. No prior knowledge necessary.

Things about time...
A new exhibition at the Millenium Gallery 'The Time is now' is on until January.

Our whole lives are defined by the time it takes to live them. It’s in the past that we remember and the future that we imagine together, the centuries of change and the here and now.
This immersive new exhibition looks at how contemporary artists have approached our complicated relationship with time. Lose yourself in artworks that question how time affects everything we do – including Katie Paterson’s mesmerising giant mirror ball reflecting 10,000 images of solar eclipses, and Andrew Hunt’s huge paintings exploring the fleeting moment between youth and old age.

Things for the young and the old...
Across the road at Weston Park Gallery they have a Friday session for Under 5s Colouring, splashing, or glorious gloop – what will be in store when you join them for a morning of hands-on, creative fun? Get Stuck In is a chance for their very youngest visitors to explore their senses, get creative and sometimes make a little bit of a mess (don’t worry, you can leave the cleaning up to them).

Dementia-Friendly Museum Cafés are for people living with dementia and their families and carers. The cafés are free, informal drop-in sessions where you can come along, enjoy a cuppa, meet new people and take part in hands-on activities.
Join Museums Sheffield and their partners, Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, for their upcoming sessions:
Tue 12 Nov - Weston Park
Tue 10 Dec - Kelham Island Museum


Reminder we are closed during the day next Wednesday for training but we are open 5pm-7pm.

Things for comfort...

A vegan Mushroom & ale pie this week as we all need something comforting after all that rain.

Things in the library 1st Nov...

Things about English Language skills...
Every Monday morning during term-time we have a tutor in the library from Sheffield College helping with basic skills in English & Maths. However the English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC) at University of Sheffield is looking for volunteers to join classes so that trainee teachers can practise their teaching. These Free English classes are not part of a course and you don't have to work or study at the University to attend. If you wish to join these classes, you will do so as a volunteer not a student. The classes are a great way of learning English in a relaxed environment and volunteers in the past have really enjoyed and benefitted from them. To join their English classes you must:

• Be over 18 years old.
• Live in the UK and be able to attend face-to-face classes at the ELTC.
• Be able to attend at least 80 per cent of the classes.

If you are interested in attending, please look on their website for times and days, and complete a simple application form.

Things about mental health support...
All NHS doctors and dentists in England now have 24/7 access to confidential advice and support through NHS Practitioner Health. More than 180,000 doctors and dentists can get confidential advice and support, in person or over the phone, if they’ve faced a stressful incident at work or feel they are struggling with their mental health. Staff can access support 24/7 through a dedicated phoneline (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm.) and a crisis text service available through the night. The service is currently staffed by 200 experts whose training is tailored to understand the specific circumstances of clinical life.
Feedback from those who piloted the service has been very positive:

88% said the service had a positive impact on their wellbeing
85% said it had a positive impact on their ability to work or train
Text NHSPH to 85258 for the out-of-hours crisis text service or call 0300 0303 300

Things about teenagers...
Research in Practice has shared a webinar highlighting key messages from research around keeping teenagers safe and the role that parents can play in this.

Things about children in care...
Children in the care system are not getting their legal right to an essential ‘buddy’ as more than two thirds of local authorities admit leaving them on waiting lists, Barnardo’s reveals. A Freedom of Information Request (FOI) by the charity found that 1,202 vulnerable children were waiting to be matched with an Independent Visitor to support them, which is a  20 per cent increase since 2015.
The FOI was submitted to 152 local authorities in England, all of whom responded. It found that ten local authorities stated that they do not provide an Independent Visitor service despite the Children Act 1989 placing a statutory duty on them to do so.
The FOI was carried out in collaboration with the National Independent Visitor Network, NIVN, which is hosted by Barnardo’s. The NIVN believes that local authority funding cuts have hampered their ability to recruit volunteers and match them with children. Finding volunteers from BAME groups to match children who want to befriend someone from their own cultural background has also proved challenging.
There are currently around 75,400 children in care in England yet only 2,653 (3.5 per cent) of them have been provided with an Independent Visitor. Independent Visitors are volunteers who are separate from social care services. They offer emotional support, a trusting and stable friendship and enable the child to have fun and share in recreational activities.

Things about SEND...
The House of Commons Education Committee has published a report on children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) following an 18-month inquiry into Government reforms aimed at placing children and young people at the heart of the SEND system. Recommendations include: a more rigorous inspection framework for local authorities, with a greater focus on SEND in school inspections; a direct line for parents and schools to appeal directly to the Department for Education where local authorities appear not to be complying with the law; powers for the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to investigate complaints about schools; and the development of more employment and training opportunities for post-16 young people.

Things in abundance...
Abundance is a volunteer based organisation in Sheffield that rescues, shares, cooks, and processes fruit which may otherwise go to waste from right across Sheffield. Most of the trees we pick are in private gardens, where they leave 10% of fruit for wildlife. If they pick a public fruit tree we leave at least a third of the fruit unpicked so it is available to the community. Tree owners have the first share, then they donate the fruit they don’t want, volunteers have some and they share the best fruit with the community (e.g. food banks, lunch clubs, support centres). The rest they cook, preserve or juice together in the community. Everyone who joins a preservation workshop gets the recipe and a jar of chutney to take home. Their next event is Broomhall Apple harvest if you want to get involved.

Things about RCTs...
The latest Randomised Coffee Trial (other drinks available) has just finished in SCH so I will be sending out the feedback forms next week - please let us know how it went. The next one will probably be in February.

Things to read...
Reading group next Wednesday 17:15  - do feel free to join us we are a friendly bunch - we will be talking about The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and at our 4th of December meeting  we will be choosing our reading for next year.

Things in advance...
We will be closed during the day on Wed 13th November for staff training and planning - however will be open in the evening as normal until 19:00pm.

Things to make...
Has to be apples...no apologies two weeks running...last weeks tarte tatin was delicious! This baked apple recipe is a standard 'go to' dessert in our house as it is so quick and easy...I even manage it without a grown-up to help!