Things in the Illingworth Library December 2023

 

Library Things

The Illingworth Library Reading group meets once a month for a friendly discussion of a wide selection of books, chosen by members of the group.  The most recent was 'Babel' by R. F. Kuang, which certainly divided opinion! If you'd like to join the group in the New Year, then email illingworth.library.nhs.net 

Things in the News

Parents' use of social media

 

Research carried out by the University of Bangor and Public Health Wales has looked at parental use of technology such as smartphones, computers and other digital devices, and how this may affect the social development of children and adolescents. The bottom line is: "Parents should critically examine their screen use whilst in the presence of children."

The true impact of caring for others

An inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Young Carers and Young Adult Carers, supported by national charity Carers Trust, has published its findings. It uncovered alarming evidence showing 15,000 children, including 3,000 aged just five to nine, spend 50 hours or more a week looking after family members because of illness, disability or addiction.  

Promoting healthy weight in children, young people and families

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has published updated guidance on taking action to reduce obesity in children and young people.  This resource is made up of briefings and practice examples to promote healthy weight for children, young people and families as part of a whole systems approach.

Things to do in December

Yorkshire Carolling

Photo: Soundpost

November and December see the return of Yorkshire and Derbyshire carols, a tradition which has carried on for hundreds of years, as local carols are  sung in pubs around Sheffield and neighbouring villages. Everybody is welcome, you don't have to be a great singer (although the advice is to arrive early!). There's an introduction to the tradition, and its sometimes unfamiliar carols, from Soundpost in the Winter Gardens on Saturday 2nd December. 

 

It's a Sheffield Thing

Handmade for Christmas 

Keeley Traae 3d printed vases image: Grace Marshall

Handmade for Christmas is here! Now at the Millennium Gallery, it  offers gift ideas for everyone, with work available from over 40 artists, designers and craftspeople. All of the work on show has been hand-crafted in workshops and studios across Sheffield, Yorkshire and Derbyshire; every purchase supports home-grown creative talent and Sheffield Museums. 

Things in the Illingworth Library November 2023

Library Things

You will find the Illingworth Library at our temporary home on the first floor of 26 Northumberland Road for the duration of the helipad build. Our Estates colleagues have made us feel right at home! Our study spaces with laptops are proving popular, please email or call to book a study space.

Things in the News

‘Creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping’ 

The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a consultation on ‘Creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping’ The consultation will be open until 6th December 2023.

The consultation itself can be found here

The Power of the Ordinary

A report from the Centre for Mental Health ‘The power of the ordinary’ finds that through the Children in Need funded ‘A Million & Me’ programme, tens of thousands of children have seen an improvement in their mental wellbeing. This has been done by enhancing the ‘scaffolding’ around children – providing resources and capacity for the parents, trusted adults and the systems surrounding them – which then has the power to support children’s mental wellbeing and prevent mental ill health. 

A mixed picture in the latest figures on childhood obesity

NHS Digital reports the latest figures on childhood obesity. The prevalence of primary school children living with obesity continued to fall in 2022/23, after reaching highest recorded levels during the Covid-19 pandemic.  However, obesity prevalence among year 6 children, aged 10 to 11, remains above pre-pandemic levels.

Things to do in November

Watch out for the giant E.coli as BioFest comes to town

The University of Sheffield launches BioFest, a unique new festival running throughout November. The festival is dedicated to sharing and illuminating cutting-edge bioscience research. A definite highlight will be Luke Jerram’s giant inflatable E.coli and Glass Microbiology sculptures, which will be on display in the Winter Garden and Millennium Gallery throughout the festival. Martha Clokie of the University of Leicester will be giving a guest lecture on Bacteriophages; killing bacteria to save lives on 24th November, in the Firth Hall. 

It's a Sheffield Thing

A totally biased spotlight on small businesses in the Sheffield area

There is a bit of a DIY theme to this section, probably because I spend far too much time on an endless cycle of house maintenance. If you’re looking for any shade of paint (or any decorating tools), head to Carracks of Crookes which has been in business since 1947. They can match any colour and I have found that their paint is both cheaper and better quality than you’ll find in a big DIY store. Some of their vintage wallpaper stock was used on the sets of ‘The Full Monty’. You can’t get much more Sheffield than that.

Things in the Library - November

 Toddler development checks

The National Institute for Health & Care Research have found that about 1 in 4 children are missing their 2-2.5 year development checks. Children from deprived backgrounds, and those in local authority care, were less likely than other children to have these checks recorded. The Healthy Child Programme in England states that all children aged 2-2½ should have a health check by the health visiting team. Not all children receive these checks, and, before this study, it was not known whether certain groups are more likely to miss out.

Protecting children online

Ofcom has published a report looking at the measures taken by video sharing platforms to protect children and ensure that they do not view adult material including pornography. The report found that most UK sites do not have robust verification methods in place, and many sites merely require the user to check a box stating that they are 18 or over.

NSPCC Learning has created an e-learning course to help designated child protection leads understand the risks around children sharing nude images and how to respond appropriately. The course includes training on recognising when sharing imagery is harmful sexual behaviour, and steps to safeguard all young people involved.  

  

Workforce Census 2022

The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health has published an overview of paediatric and child health workforce, focusing on consultants and SAS doctors working in the UK. It includes recommendations and key findings graphics. 

Childhood obesity

From the Nuffield Trust:Despite numerous initiatives, there have been no improvements in the levels of childhood excess weight and obesity in England over recent years. Much of the research used to inform policy on childhood obesity has been based on ways of changing the behaviour of individuals rather than influences outside their control, like the characteristics of a local area. Understanding these external factors is particularly important for children, who cannot choose the environment they grow up in.

A Million & Me

Centre for Mental Health have released a report into A Million & Me, which  was developed by BBC Children in Need to explore how ordinary, trusted relationships can help children who are beginning to struggle with their mental wellbeing. Funded projects include including text and phone support for children, the production of digital resources and training for trusted adults, and activities aimed at boosting children’s wellbeing.

Things happening in Sheffield in November

Wreath making at Kelham Island Museum

Get festive and learn how to make a fresh Christmas door wreath  using locally sourced foliage, beautiful dried fruits, ribbons and sparkly bits and bobs. Enjoy hot drinks and mince pies while you craft the evening away, and come away with a beautiful hand-crafted wreath to decorate your door for the season. All abilities are welcome from complete beginners to experts and all materials will be provided. Thu, November 10, 2022, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Tickets here.

The Art of Play at the National Videogame Museum

Did you know that Sheffield is home to the National Videogame Museum?  Based in Castle House in the city centre, it is currently exhibiting The Art of Play, which showcases the artistry behind videogames

Recipe of the Month

These pear, apple and cider muffins are exactly the kind of treat to see us into November.

Things in the Library - October

Why work with Librarians and Knowledge Specialists?

Because we can help you! Watch this video to find out more.

Unseen Men

NSPCC Learning has released a new blog as part of a series looking at the importance of language in safeguarding, focusing on the use of the terms like “hidden men” and “invisible fathers”. The blog discusses how fathers and male caregivers are often overlooked by services, and how using alternative phrases such as “unseen men” can prompt professionals to think about how they could identify the men in a child’s life and consider any support or protection needs.

Smoking and Vaping in Children

NHS Digital have released figures showing that less children smoke and take drugs than they used to. Among 11-15 year olds, there has been a 3% decrease in smoking and a 5% decrease in drug taking. However it also showed a 3% increase in children of the same age-group vaping.

Anaemia in the Perioperative Pathway

The Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) have a new Guideline for the Management of Anaemia in the Perioperative Pathway. It is for all ages, but also includes specific recommendations for those working with children, with Sheffield Children's own Dr Nadia Ladak leading on the paediatric side.

Mental Health

The Centre for Mental Health reports on two psychologists from Project Future embedding in a youth group, and how they supported young men with their mental wellbeing and provided training, advice and support to the youth workers there. 

 Placing mental health workers in a youth club enables them to reach young people who would not normally trust mental health services. By using game-based activities to engage and educate young men about their wellbeing, it creates an openness about mental health that traditional approaches cannot achieve. And by bringing the complementary skills of psychologists and youth workers together, it takes the stigma away from mental health.

 Primary School Weight Measurement

The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities reports on the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) data, the first national analysis of the same children from reception to year 6. The majority of children were a healthy weight in reception (84.7%), and of these 78.8% remained a healthy weight in year 6. Children in the most deprived areas and of a minority ethnic background were less likely to remain a healthy weight by year 6. 

Things to do in Sheffield in October

Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Odyssey

On 7th and 8th October at the Lyceum Theatre you can go to see Rush, and hear the story of Reggae music and the Windrush Generation. Narrated by comedian John Simmit and featuring ska, rock steady, calypso, gospel, lovers rock, dancehall and Reggae played live by the JA Reggae Band.

Makers Market 

Millennium Gallery are hosting high-quality stalls from local makers selling illustration, ceramics, jewellery design, woodworking, textiles, and glassware. This will be held on 8th October from 11 til 4.

Recipe of the Month

This Mexican-inspired pumpkin (or squash) soup from Riverford is really warming and tasty with a lovely crunch from some broken tortilla chips. It has lots of ingredients but it's easy to make and reaps the reward in flavour. Jarlsberg cheese ✓ sweet chilli sauce ✓ kidney beans ✓ Delicious!

Things in the library - August

Why Language Matters

NSPCC Learning has released the first in a new series of blogs looking at the effects of language used in safeguarding and child protection. This first blog discusses health professionals shifting from recording children’s missed healthcare appointments from “did not attend” to “was not brought” and the impact this can have on wellbeing. A child has no input on whether they will attend an appointment, and is entirely reliant on their caregiver to ensure that they receive adequate healthcare.  

Active Children over Summer

The government has relaunched its 10 Minute Shake Up campaign, aimed at encouraging parents of primary school aged children to get their kids active in the summer holidays. Without PE lessons and daily walks to and from school, children's activity often falls over summer, and this campaign uses some favourite Disney characters to create active games for children to enjoy, involving characters from Marvel, Lightyear, Encanto and Frozen.

Better care for people with a learning disability and people with autism

The Department of Health & Social Care has published the Building the Right Support Action Plan which aims to offer better support from birth, better preventative support in the community and work to improve quality of care for for people with a learning disability and autistic people. They want to ensure that people can live independently in their own home, as part of a community, and to limit the scope under which people with a learning disability and autistic people can be detained by reforming the Mental Health Act to improve how people are treated in law.

A Community-Powered NHS

The think tank New Local has proposed a radical shift towards a healthcare system focused as much on preventing illness as treating it by working collaboratively with communities as equal partners in the design and delivery of healthcare. They believe that prevention is at the heart of a sustainable future for the NHS. In the report, entitled A Community-Powered NHS, they talk about the state, market and community paradigms of the NHS, and in particular the limits of the state and market elements and the strengths of the community. Wider issues such as poverty, racism and a poor-quality environment have huge impacts on community health, and improving these issues can help the NHS can be fit for the 21st century.

Diving Beneath the Surface of Poverty

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has just published it's new report on poverty in the UK, which shows that although the actual number of people in poverty has not moved a great deal, those who are are living in increasingly deeper levels of poverty. This is especially true for larger families, who find themselves increasingly unable to afford basic essentials.

National Child Measurement Programme

The findings of the National Child Measurement Programme for 2021/22 have been published. They show that obesity rates have decreased in the two cohorts measured, 4-5 year old in reception and 10-11 year olds in year 6.

Health Profile for Yorkshire & the Humber 2021

The Office for Health Improvement & Disparities produce the Local Authority Health Profiles, which provide an overview of health for each local authority in England. You can see Sheffield's as well as a comprehensive snapshot of the region, the Health Profile for Yorkshire & the Humber. The report shows how Covid 19 has impacted people in the region differently, specifically hitting ethnic minorities, those with existing health problems, and those living in deprived areas. 

Things to do in Sheffield in August

A summer of Lego

If you have children to entertain over the summer holidays, or if you are a really big nerd just really like Lego and/or dinosaurs, Sheffield Bricktropolis' Brickosaurs is a must-see this August. From 6th-21st August there will be a trail of 15 Lego dinosaurs to find in the city centre. You can get a map for £1 from  Explorer Central (next to the Winter Gardens) and you'll have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a family holiday to Legoland Windsor.

Alpaca Life Drawing

Head over to Holly Hagg Community Farm to try some alpaca life drawing on the 13th and 20th August. This extremely cute activity is open to all drawing abilities, adults and children. See the information in the link to sign up. Please keep an eye on the weather and your emails after booking – the events can only go ahead if it's not raining!

Recipe of the month

Adding to the cute animals theme (if you're into that sort of thing) and in honour of the England Lionesses making it into the Women's Euro's final on Sunday, here are some very adorable lion cupcakes to enjoy with the match. You can make them from scratch, or you can decorate some pre-bought. Either way, up the Lionesses!

Things in the library 24 Sept...

 Things about health... 

The fourth annual profile combining data and knowledge with information from other sources to give a broad picture of the health of people in England in 2021. Includes sections on Child Health and also the effect COVID-19 has had on health in England.

Things coming soon... 

The interviews were held for my replacement this week so, providing all the paperwork goes through correctly, an excellent new member of staff will be joining the library with good experience of doing this type of job. I am sure you will make them feel very welcome. They will also lower the average age of the library staff ! 

Things about adoption... 

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Adoption and Permanence has published a report looking at the experiences and needs of adopted children and their families. Findings include: a child’s needs must be comprehensively assessed and form the basis of a support plan that is put in place from the start; support for families should be proactively provided to meet their needs; children’s continuing relationships with former foster carers, social workers, birth family members and their local community can be critical to placement stability; and adopted children require ongoing and evolving support throughout their childhoods.

Things about bread... 

The addition of folic acid to food has been a successful public health policy in a number of countries worldwide such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, resulting in falls in neural tube defects. Folic acid will be added to non-wholemeal wheat flour across the UK to help prevent life-threatening spinal conditions in babies, the government and devolved administrations have announced.

Adding folic acid will mean foods made with flour, such as bread, will actively help avoid around 200 neural tube defects each year – around 20% of the annual UK total.

Things about safeguarding... 

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel has published a review of the circumstances involved in cases where babies under-one-year-old have been harmed or killed by their fathers or other males in a caring role. 

Findings include: a range of risk factors were common in many of the cases, a lack of information sharing was a key factor that prevented practitioners from responding to risk to babies, and many services aimed at new parents are predominantly focused on the mother. 

Recommendations include: the government should fund pilots to develop holistic work with fathers and the engagement of fathers must be embedded in prospective and current family-focused programmes. NSPCC Learning has published a CASPAR briefing summarising learning from the review.

Things about getting to school... 

Children who walk or cycle to school may have a healthier body weight than those who arrive by car. A new study followed more than 8,000 schoolchildren over a period of years. The findings showed that even using public transport instead of taking the car led to a reduction in body fat.

It is widely accepted that physical activity helps people of all ages stay at a healthy weight. Walking or cycling (active travel) to school is likely to help children achieve this but, before this study, there was a lack of adequate evidence.

As children get older, they become more independent and often have more choices about how they get to school. Researchers found that children who switched to walking and cycling to school between the ages of 7 and 14 had healthier body weights than those who continued to travel by car. The findings also suggest that the beneficial effects of walking or cycling may be greater for children from the most deprived areas. 

Obesity is a major public health problem in the UK. More than one in five children in the last year of primary school are overweight and as a result are likely to have poorer physical and mental health.

This research underlines the importance of encouraging active travel. This means providing safe and effective infrastructure to encourage people to walk, cycle, or use public transport. Finding ways of supporting children and families from lower income households to walk or cycle could help these groups overcome some of the health inequalities they face. 

Things to make... 

I do love Autumn (by retiring in Autumn my plan was always to visit New England during the Fall ... maybe one day)  and it's nice to get the nip in the air to prompt me to cook some suitable autumnal food. This vegetarian lasagne is a lovely recipe I have made before and will be featuring in next week's menu at our house. 

Things in the library 10th Sept...

 Things about child well-being... 

The Children’s Society has published its annual Good Childhood report, looking at the wellbeing of children in the UK in 2021. Findings from a survey of around 2,000 10- to 17-year-olds between April and June 2021 include: 7% of 10- to 15-year-olds in the UK are not happy with their lives; the areas causing the greatest dissatisfaction are school, friendship and how they feel about their appearance; and 85% of children who rated how well they had coped during the pandemic gave themselves a score of above five out of ten. Children's happiness is in an alarming state of decline. 

"Society is tragically failing our young people. School, friendships and how they feel about the way they look are causing the greatest dissatisfaction in adolescence."

 Things about art... 

Evening in Benares, India
Sir William Rothenstein (1872-1945)

For the past six months there’s been a lot of work going on behind-the-scenes to renovate, redecorate and redisplay works at the Graves Gallery, and they are now open again.

They have transformed four of the galleries in the Graves – walls have been re-cladded, spaces redecorated and over a third of the artworks on display have been changed over.

Currently you will be able to see Phlegm’s Pandemic Diary, a new exhibition of work by sculptor Mark Firth, an exhibition curated by pioneering artist Keith Piper, and a new display on the theme of landscape.

Things to buy... 

We have over 100 second-hand books for sale, the list and prices are on this spreadsheet. Now that we can take card payments it is easier than ever for you to come up to the library to browse and buy.  You can also ring us with your choices and, if they are still available, we can take your card payment over the phone and either keep them for you to collect or send in the internal mail (at your risk). Please make sure all transactions take place 30 mins before our closing times. 

Things about opening hours... 

A reminder that we are now back open on two evenings a week  Tuesday and Wednesday until 19:00 - it seems to be popular and we have a few regular attendees.

Things about ultra processed foods... 

A cohort study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, of 9025 British children assessed longitudinal associations between UPF consumption and adiposity trajectories from childhood to early adulthood.  Ultraprocessed foods tend to be more energy-dense and nutritionally poorer (ie, high in levels of free sugar, salt, and saturated fats but low in levels of protein, dietary fiber, and micronutrients) compared with less processed alternatives and are designed to be cheap, palatable, durable, convenient, and appealing. The findings suggest that higher UPF consumption is associated with greater increases in adiposity from childhood to early adulthood. 

Robust public health measures that promote minimally processed foods and discourage UPF consumption among children are urgently needed to reduce obesity in England and globally.

 

Things about everything... 

 Whether you want to know more about our training, what we do, how to request an article or what services we can provide for management then our website is the place to look. Including useful links to Book a Librarian, finding e-books or searching our library catalogue.

Things to book and attend... 

Sheffield's brilliant 'Off the Shelf' literary festival is back 15th-31st October. With speakers and events for everyone including comedian and writer Andy Hamilton, Former Labour MP Helen Jackson, Black Women Write Now – curated by Désirée Reynolds' Lady Hale (who was the first woman and youngest person to be appointed to the Law Commission, President of the Supreme Court and a pioneering reformer), Miriam Margoyles and  Poet Laureate Simon Armitage performs a newly commissioned piece in celebration of the Peak District National Park’s 70th anniversary. This brochure has all the events at a glance.

Things to make... 

One of my jobs this weekend is to make crab apple jelly. This year my fairly new tree is heavily laden with fruit. If you don't have crab apples then other UK apples are coming up to their best season - one of my favourite apple recipes is Dorset apple traybake.

 

Things in the library 2nd July...

 Things about child development... 

The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) has a membership comprising a diverse group of clinicians, practitioners and world-leading child mental health researchers, working across an array of child and adolescent mental health domains. As part of the ACAMH educational series of talks on child development Dr. Max Davie, Community Paediatrician specialising in child development, has recorded two talks on this topic which you can watch or read the transcript. In the first he focusses on what mental health professionals working with children and young people need to know about child development, the second is on neurodevelopmental assessment. ACAMH members can get a CPD certificate for watching either - details on the website.

Things about weight and wellbeing... 

Announced yesterday the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme – backed by £12 million of government funding – will offer free online support via GP and primary care teams referrals for adults living with obesity, who also have a diagnosis of either diabetes, high blood pressure or both, to help manage their weight and improve their health.  

Alongside this, the government is providing £30 million of new funding to councils across England to roll out expanded management services for adults living with obesity. Services can be delivered face to face, remotely or digitally. With 98% of councils accepting the funding, individuals will be able to sign up for this help via their primary care services or in some areas refer themselves via their local authority.

In most areas, services will include 12-week sessions, with dietary advice, physical activity guidance and support to help people start and maintain healthier habits. 

An additional £4.3 million of new funding has also been allocated to 11 local authorities to support the expansion of child weight management services in 2021 to 2022. They will trial new ways to improve access to services for up to 6,000 children identified as living with excess weight or obesity. 

New rules on advertising unhealthy foods online and before 9pm on TV across the UK after public consultation. Regulations will come into force at the end of next year to introduce a 9pm watershed for advertisements of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). These new regulations will apply to food and drink products of most concern to childhood obesity and will ensure the healthiest in each category will be able to continue to advertise. This approach means foods such as honey, olive oil, avocados and marmite are excluded from the restrictions.

Things to attend... 

It is Reading Group next week and the book we are discussing is 'American Dirt' by Jeanine Cummins. If you would like to join us online from 18.30 - 19.30 please contact the library for the joining link.

Our next book (4th August) will be quite a contrast 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott. A comment often made by members of the Reading Group is that they have enjoyed a book which they would have never otherwise chosen.

Things to book... 

NHS Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Digital Conference takes place as a digital event in October, organised by Westminter Insight, covering such topics as:

• how to improve equality, diversity, and inclusion to create a sense of belonging for all NHS employees
• how to implement data tracking, reporting, and transparency around targets to help improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the NHS
• Creating diverse NHS leadership to ensure they better reflect the communities they serve
• Ensuring a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and harassment to support staff

Just one thing... 

A recent fascinating series of radio programmes...

If time is tight, what's the one thing that you should be doing to improve your health and wellbeing? Michael Mosley reveals surprisingly simple top tips that are scientifically proven to change your life.

• Count your blessings
• Hot baths
• Standing on one leg
• Green spaces
• Intelligent exercise
• Learning a new skill
• Cold showers
• Eating bacteria
• Early morning walks

Several of these could be combined (though please don't stand on one leg in the shower!). The website explains the science and you can listen to the episodes. 

Things to make... 

Wimbledon means strawberries... but not necessarily with cream. Balsamic vinegar is fabulous with strawberries (as is black or pink pepper). This recipe marinates strawberries in balsamic vinegar and combines them with halloumi and fresh cucumber.