Things in the Illingworth Library October 2023

Library Things

The next Randomised Coffee Trial will be happening in November. This is your chance to meet up with another Sheffield Children's colleague chosen at random. We always get great feedback from people who take part so why not give it a go? We do all the work of matching you up, all you have to do is meet up virtually or in person: sign up here

Things in the News

Vapes '95% safer' than cigarettes messaging has backfired

The BBC reports on the disastrous results of the positive messaging that was used when vapes first appeared, which focussed on their use as a way to quit smoking. The risk to children was not mentioned, as it was not anticipated that vaping would become popular among non-smokers and children. The BBC speaks with Dr Mike McKean who is vice-president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

The Good Childhood Report

This year’s Good Childhood Report from the Children's Society reveals that many young people are unhappy with their lives. 10% of the children aged 10 to 17 who completed the Society's household survey in May and June 2023 had low wellbeing, and almost a third were unhappy with at least one specific area of their lives.

Ethnic inequalities in mortality in England

The King's Fund has published an interesting piece delving into data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which has provided the most comprehensive and up to date national profile of ethnic inequalities in mortality overall and from common physical conditions. It shows a complex picture of ethnic inequalities in mortality in England. 

What are Sheffield's 65,000 students studying?

Photo by Redd F on Unsplash

Online newspaper The Sheffield Tribune turns its attention (momentarily) from the battle over the Leadmill to the latest intake of freshers at our two Sheffield universities and asks what are all those new students going to be studying?

Things to do in October

Sheffield Photomarathon

Photo by Patrick on Unsplash

Photomarathon is back, on Saturday 28th October. Like all great ideas, it's simple and fun! Individuals and teams register in advance, then take 6 photos in 6 hours on topics announced on the day – anywhere in the city. At least one image per entrant (or team) will go on display after the event, in an exhibition showing one day in the life of a city from hundreds of different perspectives.

Off the Shelf Festival of Words

13th - 29th October brings the Off the Shelf Festival to Sheffield, with an absolute feast of events around the printed word, being a mix of free and ticketed events. An online event with a definite local flavour is this Showstopper featuring South Yorkshire's very own Rahul Mandal.

It's a Sheffield Thing

A totally biased spotlight on small businesses in the Sheffield area

Genuine Italian capuccino right here in Sheffield! Two brothers from Naples have opened 'Caffè Tucci' in Surrey Street, where the coffee is rightly getting a reputation as the best in the city. (They have recently opened a second outlet on Ecclesall Road). English football fans of a nervous disposition may want to avoid looking at the wall art: a certain Diego Maradona has the status of a hero in Naples, where he played for the local team. To say he features heavily in the café decor is a bit of an understatement.

Things in the Library - December

Core20PLUS5 

An infographic from NHS England on reducing health inequalities for children and young people- click the link for a full size version and summary.

Critical Appraisal of Research

ScHARR, the University of Sheffield's School of Health & Related Research, are running an online course on How to Critically Appraise Research over two half days on 7th and 8th December. It will look at how to quickly read a paper and grasp its key findings, how to interpret and understand key data, how to appraise a paper’s methods and assess its usefulness and value. The course will benefit health and social care professionals, as well as researchers and information specialists. 

Early Childhood Interventions

The Institute of Fiscal Studies has published a paper on the health effects of universal early childhood interventions, in which they look at Sure Start and how their centres affect hospitalisations in their area. They compare the universal nature of Sure Start plus the UKs universal health service with targeted provision and private health care in the US. They found that hospitalisations were reduced in older children where there were more Sure Start centres.

Children's Mental Health 

In Hospitals: Over the past decade, there has been increasing need for mental health services to support children and young people. The pandemic resulted in a greater number of children and young people presenting with mental health disorders, often with complex needs requiring care or medical stabilisation, within a paediatric or acute setting. This framework from NHS England commits to ensuring children and young people, and those who look after them, are supported.

Digital tools:  This report from Oxford Academic Health Science Network identifies potential digital solutions to support NHS mental health services for children and young people. The audit of 24 digital tools and solutions covered current usage, interoperability, user experience and cost, and fit with NHS strategic priorities.

Safeguarding: The Association of Directors of Children’s Services has used data included in the ADCS Safeguarding Pressures Phase 8 research to develop a supplementary thematic report on children’s mental health. It draws together returns from 125 local authorities, 21 interviews with directors or assistant directors of children’s services and supplements this with existing data to provide further evidence of a crisis in children’s mental health. The report adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting a children’s mental health system in need of urgent attention, investment and change.

Water Fluoridation

Researchers at the Universities of Manchester and Cambridge have led a study on the effects of water fluoridation on children's dental health. The researchers found only modest benefits, however it still lowers the cost that the NHS spends on dental caries. As ever, health inequalities are key, with those in disadvantaged communities more likely to suffer poor dental health.

Parental Responsibilty

The House of Commons Library have produced a briefin report on the limits and restrictions to parental responsibility in England and Wales.

Parental responsibility is not a constant right, but diminishes as the child gets older and so can reach a sufficient understanding and intelligence of the consequences of decisions relating to them.

Things to do in Sheffield in December

Kelham Island Victorian Christmas Martket

The famous and much-loved Victorian Christmas Market returns to Kelham Island on 3rd and 4th December. There will be markets, local brass bands, musicians, choirs and carollers. There will be wonderful walkabout characters, traditional dancers and the amazing Snow Queen on stilts. Santas Grotto, Christmas crafts and miniature engine rides. There's something for everyone.

Linocut Printing and Festive Card Making

Pop along to Carousel Print Studio and learn how to use linocut to create your own festive and seasonal designs to print onto cards. This is a relaxed and fun beginners course – drawing skills aren't necessary to enjoy it.

Recipe of the Month

It's a little bit tricky being a vegetarian at Christmas - dry and tasteless nut roasts are not the one. This savoury spiced baklava is much more exciting. It's got butternut squash, chickpeas, chestnuts, feta, and harissa, and it is absolutely delicious. Thanks go to Library Manager Sarah Massey for making this, bringing it in and letting me try it.

Things in the Library - September

RSV Research

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are, along with the pharmaceutical company Sanofi, conducting a study called the Harmonie study looking at how well a one-off injection protects babies from RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Children up to 12 months of age and entering their first RSV season, will be given Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody. RSV is a leading cause of hospital admittance for infants, and this will be the biggest study looking to look at this preventative drug.

Polio

Polio has been found in sewage in London, as well as in New York and Israel. Read this BBC explainer to find out what polio is, how it is spread, and how it has been discovered again.

Health Inequalities in England

The Health Foundation have published a study showing that people living in the most deprived parts of England are diagnosed with serious illness earlier and die sooner than their peers in more affluent areas. They used linked hospital and primary care data to examine socioeconomic, regional and ethnic variations in the prevalence of diagnosed long-term illnesses including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. This was especially true of people with Pakistani, Bangladeshi and black Caribbean backgrounds.

Whole-Genome Sequencing for Newborn Babies

The Lancet reports on the UK Newborn Genomes Programme, which was created by Genomics England to oversee plans to undertake whole-genome sequencing of up to 200 000 newborn babies. Working with the NHS, they will start recruiting in 2023, examining whether screening healthy babies for arange of rare genetic conditions could improve outcomes. The requirement for screening is that it should only be done if there is strong evidence that the selected variant causes a condition that takes hold in childhood, would adversely affect the child's health or wellbeing if left untreated, and for which there are effective and accessible interventions or treatments available.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour

NSPCC Learning has released the latest blog from the why language matters series. This blog looks at harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), the importance of focusing on a child’s actions rather than labelling them as an abuser, and the impact language can have on professionals’ perceptions and a child’s self-identity.  

Children's Social Care

The Children's Society have written a blog which explains what children's social care is in a simple, engaging way. They want to highlight how cuts local authorities and under-investment in children's services over the last decade have led to children and young people being more likely to suffer abuse, neglect or exploitation inside and outside the home. 

Things to do in Sheffield in September

Sheffield Ghost Walk

Get spooky early this year with Strange Sheffield Ghost Walk, which is happening on the 2nd and 16th September. There will be spooky stories, ghostly encounters and plenty of strange tales with a good dose of local history too. Adult tickets cost £7.50 (over 14s), under 14s tickets are £5 - children can attend at their parents' discretion. If you're in South Sheffield you can also check out the Graves Park Ghost Walk - Bunting Nook by the side of the Park is said to be Sheffield's most haunted place.

Sheffield Showcase

There is heaps going on in the first weekend in September to highlight the masses of cultural activity that takes place in Sheffield. It'll feature film screenings, music performances, art exhibits, family-friendly workshops, and more. Try circus tricks, community gardening or go and see some jazz. There is something for everyone - check out the programme here. 

Recipe of the month

'Tis the season for bramble picking. If you don't scoff them all as soon as you've picked them, you can put your blackberries in a pie, which is what I hope to be doing soon - I might skip the latticing though!

Things in the library 23 April...

 Things that are 70...

As you may recall last year was our 70th birthday...celebrations sadly curtailed or cancelled, though we did create an online quiz or similar for each month of the year. However another 70th birthday to be celebrated is that of the Peak District - that glorious resource we are so fortunate to which we have easy access. The Peak District was the first of Britain’s 15 national parks and was designated on 17th April, 1951. It covers 555 sq miles (1,438km) in the heart of England (that’s about the size of Greater London). 

Some interesting facts:

• The lead for white paint in Vermeer’s painting of Girl with a Pearl Earring came from the Peak District.
• Peak District reservoirs supply surrounding towns and cities with 450 million litres of water each day. 
• Peak District blanket peat bogs act as a ‘carbon reservoir’ that locks in CO² - it’s almost as effective at combating global warming as the tropical rainforests. [Please buy peat free garden compost!]
• Mountain hares; the only UK population outside the Scottish highlands

Poet and recording artist Mark Gwynne Jones is creating a series of audio artworks to celebrate the 70th birthday of the Peak District National Park the third chapter will be released on 24 April, 2021.

Things for free... 

Today is World Book Night and we have been able to obtain some of the free books to distribute - going like hot cakes but still some available in the library; come and pick one up, read it and then pass it on. The book we have available is Stories to make you smile - a seriously entertaining collection of feelgood stories guaranteed to put the smile back on your face written especially by ten bestselling novelists.

Things about research with children... 

NatCen has published a blog based on their qualitative study looking at the feasibility of conducting research with children on child abuse. The research included interviews with professionals, children and parents and guardians and found that participants agreed a survey on child abuse completed by children would have societal and individual benefits. It also identified a range of issues that would need to be carefully thought through before piloting or administering a survey of this nature, to minimise the risk that children would be negatively impacted by taking part.

Things about food poverty... 

The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has published a report following an inquiry looking at food poverty. The report estimates that 1.7 million children live in households without reliable access to sufficient affordable and nutritious food in the UK.  Recommendations to government include: the introduction of a Food Security Minister to ensure all relevant departments prioritise the issue of food insecurity; and ensuring that families with children eligible for free school meals continue to be able to feed their children.

Things about Reading Group... 

The Reading Group for SCH staff (and also some former staff and University staff) has been going since 2017 and didn't miss a beat when the pandemic struck, so we currently meet online. It works well and although it's not the same as being able to sit in a group to chat along with a drink and some nibbles it is a lovely group of people. If you want to be included in the mailing list for the books we are reading please contact the library. Our next book is 'The Midnight Library' on 5th May. If you want to see the books we have read previously and what we thought about them follow this link.

Things about e-books... 

We have access to e-books through national NHS collections as mentioned here last week but we also have some medical e-books which we purchase ourselves. These can be accessed for free via your NHS Open Athens account and if there is a particular book that would be useful for your team then please check out if it is already available to you or ask us if you would like to consider purchasing it. You can also request to 'borrow' a book for a short time if you don't think buying it is appropriate. Last year SCH staff used 31 titles, downloaded 6 books and 2 chapters. Items that we have already bought will be listed in our normal library catalogue and from the search page there is also another link to the Proquest e-book library as above. 

Things to make...

To celebrate St George's Day today how about tackling a traditional Yorkshire dish ...  a Yorkshire curd tart. If making pastry isn't your thing then you could buy ready made pastry - the filling is actually really easy but you need to prepare the curds overnight and use full-fat milk.

Things in the library 6 Nov...

 Things still open... 

The Illingworth Library will be remaining open during 'Lockdown 2'. The opening hours are 8:45 - 17:00 Mon - Friday but most of our services are available remotely, so there is no need to come into the library if you do not wish to do so. 

We will be issuing books as normal during this time and so will be continuing to charge fines.

If your book is due for return and you are not able to (or do not wish to) do so in person then please renew it to avoid charges. You can renew books by logging in to your library account online http://illingworth.cirqahosting.com/ or by using the library app, by phone or by email.

If you do visit the library please only do so if you are well. You must wear a mask , observe social distancing and use the hand sanitisers and wipes provided for you.

Things to celebrate...

The winner of our library catalogue treasure hunt was Louisa Wallbridge and Tom Mann won a prize for recommending someone new to take part in the Randomised Coffee Trial, both these events were part of our library 70th birthday celebrations. Well done both of you!

Things to read and plan... 

Our next Virtual Reading Group meeting is 2nd Dec where we will be discussing The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier and choosing books to read next year.  It is our Christmas party so members may dress in festive garb, have hats, mince pies and mulled wine…or just turn up online completely normal if  they wish! The meeting will start at 18:30 but may last longer than normal. Contact the library if you wish to be added to the mailing list.

The Silver Sword is taken from accounts of actual events, the silver sword became the symbol of hope and courage which kept four deserted and starving children alive through the years of occupation in Warsaw, and afterwards on the search to find their parents.

Things about society...  

A free, online festival showcases the University of Sheffield’s world-leading social science researchers and their work on tackling some of the greatest problems facing society today.

Join them from 7-15 November for a series of talks, debates, films, podcasts and interactive exhibitions. This is part of the national ESRC Festival of Social Science. Details of events and exhibitions can be found on these links.

Things about disadvantge during Covid-19...

Oxford Brookes University has published a study looking at family life and early child development in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic. Findings, based on the experiences of over 500 parents of under-3-year-olds, include: 90% of families reported an increase in enriching activities (like talking, reading and playing together) during lockdown; however, during, but not before, lockdown socio-economically disadvantaged parents were less likely to engage in enriching activities with their children. 

They recommend that

• Children from disadvantaged families should be given extra support to promote their early development
• Communal outdoor spaces and libraries should be closed only as a last resort in lockdowns

Things about child growth... 

In the news today a study which aimed to estimate age trajectories and time trends in mean height and mean body-mass index (BMI), which measures weight gain beyond what is expected from height gain, for school-aged children and adolescents. If you want to read more than the news headlines then the full article is available. their interpretation of results is that the height and BMI trajectories over age and time of school-aged children and adolescents are highly variable across countries, which indicates heterogeneous nutritional quality and lifelong health advantages and risks. Some very colourful infographics!

Things to make... 

No big bonfire parties this year for us sadly though we will still be setting off a few fireworks tomorrow and eating some festive fare. Probably we will be streaming the event to our son in the Netherlands, to whom I had to post an emergency pack of stuffing this week so that he can also make our famous pork sandwiches! Given my store of apples I might have a go at these homemade toffee apples. 

 

Things in the library 30 Oct...

 Things in the library not so much... 

Now we are in Tier 3 restrictions the library staff are taking it in turns to work in the library so there is only ever one of us physically in the library, the others will be working at home. So if you come into the libray there may be a short delay if we are dealing with another customer or taking a phone enquiry. The library remains open Mon-Fri 8:45 to 17:00, please adhere to our social distancing and safety guidelines.

Things to attend...

'Ella Minnow Pea' is the book being discussed this week at Reading Group. Please contact the library if you would like the Teams link for this meeting on Wed 4th Nov at 18:30 till 19:30. 

Journal Club on Thu 5th Nov at 8:00 till 9:00 the paper being presented is 'The addition of fluoxetine to cognitive behavioural therapy for youth depression (YoDA-C): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial'. Please contact the library if you need a copy of the paper. This is the link for joining in virtually.

Things about health care... 

The Care Quaity Commission recently published 'The state of health care and adult social care in England 2019/20'. The report looks at the trends, shares examples of good and outstanding care, and highlights where care needs to improve.In their summary they say: 

Over the summer, CQC reviewed the way health, social care and other local services worked together in 11 parts of the country. There were differences in the way they responded to the pandemic, but there is evidence that the places with established working relationships and an understanding of need in their local area were better able to care for their local population in a time of crisis. 

The reviews have brought into focus the learning that needs to be used to help plan for a longer-term response to the virus. It is essential that the right support is available for all parts of a local health and social care system to drive improvements where they are needed, and to involve voluntary and community organisations in promoting health and wellbeing.

In social care, COVID not only exposed but exacerbated existing problems.The sector, already fragile, faced significant challenges around timely access to PPE, testing and staffing – and coordinated support was less readily available than it was for the NHS.

Things about health inequalities... 

RCPCH has joined a new campaigning coalition; the Inequalities in Health Alliance (IHA). The Inequalities in Health Alliance (IHA) is calling for the Government to: 

1. Introduce a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities.

2. Government to commence use of the socio-economic duty, section 1 of the Equality Act 2010, which would ensure vulnerable people be considered in every policy decision they make

3. Adopt a ‘child health in all policies’ approach to policy-making 

The RCPCH say

The evidence consistently shows that poverty and inequality impact a child’s whole life, affecting their education, housing and social environment and in turn impacting their health outcomes. Our State of Child Health indicators reveal a widening gap between the health of children from wealthy and deprived backgrounds. We are pleased that one of our key calls to Government – that they should adopt a ‘child health in all policies’ approach to decision-making and policy development is being echoed by the alliance. This would limit the unintended bad consequences of cross-government policies on child health. 

Things about sleep... 

Research from the Mental Health Foundation on Taking Sleep Seriously: Sleep and our Mental Health has been published. Their review of the existing research, alongside new polling, highlights the important role sleep plays in the context of:

Mental health problems: Sleep problems can be both a symptom of, and a contributor to, mental health problems. Treatment for sleep problems can help improve mental health. There is some evidence that treating sleep problems may help reduce depression symptoms in the general population, suggesting it may be an avenue for preventative mental health care.

Family: Parents (particularly mothers) of young children experience significant changes to the quality and quantity of their sleep which can affect parental mental health and contribute to stress in families. Bedtime routines can help to build good sleep habits in children from an early age.

School: Adolescents’ routines, including school schedules, may affect the amount of sleep they get, which has implications for their mental health. School-based sleep education programmes can be used to increase student knowledge about the importance of sleep and how to develop healthy sleep habits.

Workplaces: The characteristics of a workplace affect our sleep and our mental health. In our survey, 37% of working adults reported that their work (for example, workload, problems with colleagues and worries about job security) reduces the amount of control they feel they have over their sleep. Employers should ensure they support good sleep and good mental health at work by promoting a choice of shift, offering healthy sleep programmes to staff, promoting a good work-life balance and consulting experts and worker representatives to develop flexible work schedules.

Social inequalities: There are inequalities in the quality and quantity of our sleep linked to our environment, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, financial stability, and experiences of trauma. In our survey, a quarter (25%) of UK adults reported that worrying about money matters, including bills, negatively affected their sleep in the past month. Of those who were unemployed, more than a quarter (27%) reported experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings due to a lack of sleep.

Things to make...

The disability equality charity Scope have a recipe for sleepy flapjacks -  which might be just the thing to make at the end of a very wet half-term holiday! I notice in their method they don't say when to add the banana but my guess is you just mash it in with everything else!  

150 grams of oats

150 grams of peanut butter

100 grams of honey

1 or 2 ripe bananas mashed

1. Melt peanut butter, mix in oats and honey ...and bananas

2. Spread onto a greased baking tin.

3. Cook for 20 minutes at 175 or gas mark 5.

Cut into squares before it cools completely.

Things in the library 12 June ...

Things about inequality...

Following on from the death of George Floyd, the King's Fund have expressed their solidarity with and support for Black colleagues working across health and care. They say "These events are the latest manifestation of deep and long-term inequalities that exist across the whole of society, including in our health and care systems. In the past few days we have also seen clear evidence of the terrible and disproportionate toll Covid-19 has taken on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities." They have 

responses to the stark inequalities exposed by the Covid-19 crisis, details of their ongoing project on discrimination faced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues working in the NHS, and their podcast with Professor David Williams on racism and its impact on health.

Things for children to read...

The National Literacy Trust has brought together a series of book lists for children and young people of all ages to share black stories and promote black voices. The book lists available are:

Book list for ages 0-4

Book list for ages 5-8

Book list for ages 9-12

Book list for ages 13-16

Book list for ages 16+

Things about bullying...

A recent article looked at whether relative age was associated with bullying involvement and whether the associations were independent of child psychiatric symptoms. They found that when the relatively youngest children were compared with the relatively oldest the youngest children had increased odds of being victims according to child and parent reports. The youngest also had decreased odds of being perpetrators according to child and teacher reports. These findings were independent of psychiatric symptoms; the article concludes that considering this newly recognized risk factor for victimisation is important within anti-bullying practices.

Things about science fiction...

I was interested in this recent item about E M Forster's little known book The Machine Stops published in 1909. The short story is set in what must have seemed a futuristic world to Forster but won't to you. People live alone in identikit homes (globalisation) where they choose to isolate (his word), send messages by pneumatic post (a proto email or WhatsApp), and chat online via a video interface uncannily similar to Zoom or Skype. Not what you expect from the writer of  'A Passage to India'. I have certainly added it to  my 'things to read' list.

Interestingly, looking back at the books our Reading Group read during 2019/20 our most highly scored book we read was 'The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham...it was the last book we read before lockdown though we continue to meet virtually.

Things published...

We have some prolific writers/contributors to articles in the SCH Trust. We now add all SCH attributed author publications to our library catalogue as an ongoing repository. The catalogue entries link to the PubMed record of the articles. You can view all these items via this link . Or if you search the catalogue for your subject interests these items will be shown along with other resources on that topic.

Things to cook...

With the current weather I thought a nice warming soup recipe Mary Berry's butternut squash soup

Things not in the library 27 March...

Things still working..
The library staff are still here for you (electronically) we are still able to supply most articles, do literature searches answer queries etc. We can also do some training online...I just did a one hour session with someone on how to do a literature search. just email us and if necessary give us a phone number that we can call you on to discuss any help you need




Things about health inequalities...
The ‘Marmot Report: 10 Years On’ from the Institute of Health Equity outlined the stark realities of health inequalities in Britain. It also demonstrated how these inequalities originate in childhood and persist through adult life.This paper highlights some of the main inequalities in child health, and the key responses to address this. Including measures the Children's Commisioner would like to see within the NHS Long Term Plan and wider measures from the Government.






Things about Tuberculosis surveillance...
This report provides an overview of the latest tuberculosis (TB) epidemiological situation and is launched jointly by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Analysis of the 2018 TB surveillance data shows that Member States are making good progress. This progress was particularly impressive in terms of efforts to reduce TB mortality, indicating that overall the Region is on track in its efforts to contain the TB epidemic. Most of the high-priority countries have already achieved or are on track to reach the 2020 milestones of the Global End TB Strategy and the targets articulated in the TB Regional action plan.
However, although there is evidence of slow improvement, the treatment success rates for new and relapse cases and rifampicin-resistant (RR) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients are still below regional and global targets. Despite the efforts made, the burden in relation to RR-TB and TB/HIV is still considerable, underlining the need to introduce more innovative and effective approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of TB and MD.

Things about babies...
Each Baby Counts is a national quality improvement programme led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to reduce the number of babies who die, or are left severely disabled, as a result of incidents occurring during term labour. In individual maternity units, these events are rare and it is therefore difficult to see clear patterns or identify how best to avoid them. The Each Baby Counts programme brings together the results of local investigations into stillbirths, neonatal deaths and brain injuries occurring during term labour to understand the bigger picture, share the lessons learned and prevent babies from dying or suffering brain injuries in the future. This report presents key findings and recommendations based on the analysis of data relating to the care given to mothers and babies throughout the UK, to ensure each baby receives the safest possible care during labour.

Things about FGM...
'Call for a global response' is the sub-title of a report from  End FGM European Network, Equality Now and U.S. End FGM/C Network. This report shines a spotlight on the presence of FGM/C in over 90 countries around the world. It highlights the need to act to end FGM/C without delay. It is a clarion call from survivors of FGM/C across cultures, communities, and countries to governments, the international community, and donors to recognize FGM/C as a global issue, requiring urgent global attention.

Things to watch...
The National Theatre has announced 'National Theatre at Home' via YouTube which is an excellent opportunity to see some great plays and actors. each one will be available from Thursday for a week - the first (2nd April) is Richard Bean’s 'One Man, Two Guvnors', starring James Corden, followed by Sally Cookson’s devised adaptation of Jane Eyre, the 2014 production of Treasure Island starring Patsy Ferran, and Twelfth Night, featuring Tamsin Greig as a gender-swapped Malvolia, which concludes the first month of at-home offerings.

Things to attend...
Reading group next week Wednesday 1st April will be an online event at the later time of 18:15 via Google Hangouts - if you want to take part (even if you don't normally attend Reading Group) please email the library with your details. the book we will be discussing in Olive Kitteridge...it doesn't matter if you haven't read it but there might be spoilers. You will need to provide your own wine & nibbles.

Things to eat...
It is particularly important to not let food go to waste at the moment, so I made this banana bread last night from a couple of black bananas. Very tasty although I found it needed longer cooking than in the recipe.