Friday, 2 October 2020

Things in the library 2 Oct ...

 Treasure now available... 

We are so sorry to anyone who tried to take part in our Treasure Hunt and found they could not access the quiz (and huge thanks to the person who informed us of the problem this week). As a result we have extended the quiz deadline till 30th October this is the link and it's well worth competing as the prize is a £30 book token donated by Blackwells which can be used in store or online.

Things coming soon...

Our popular Randomised Coffee Trial will be running in November, details coming soon. If you have not taken part in one of these before do consider doing so as it is a great way to meet and chat to other opeople in the trust who you might normally never meet. You will be given a link to sign up then we will randomly match you to someone else...you then arrange to meet either on site or via Microsoft teams for a 30 minute chat about anything you like. Particularly at the moment it is a good way to 'bump' in to someone and have a conversation.

Things to attend...

Our next online reading group is on Wed 7th October at the new time of 18:30 till 19:30. Our book is 'Versions of Us'. If you like chatting about books do come and join us - you have to provide your own drinks and nibbles now we are not meeting in the library. if you are interested email the library to ask to be put on the mailing list.


More things to attend... 

Thursday Journal Club is re-starting- sadly without the home-made muffins - email the library if you cannot access a copy of the paper or if you require access details

  • When: Thursday 8 October 8:00 am - 9:00 am
  • Venue: Virtual & from the Lecture Theatre
  • Presenter: Sahawash Jamali
  • Paper: COVID-19 in children: analysis of the first pandemic peak in England

Things about sport... 


The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit’s (CPSU) annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of parents' involvement in youth sport takes place in the week 5-11 October 2020. The theme is ‘Let’s talk about keeping children safe in sport’. During the week the CPSU will be sharing guidance on the types of things sports clubs should have in place to keep children safe and how parents can get help with any concerns they might have.

Things about disability...

Temporary Coronavirus Act provisions debated in the House of Commons on Weds 30 September could substantially restrict or curtail important, hard-won rights that disabled people rely on for their quality of life, says a new report by the Women and Equalities Committee. The Committee insists that they must not become new norms, setting back disabled people’s rights by many years. Read the Report: Unequal impact? Coronavirus, disability and access to services: interim  Report on temporary provisions in the Coronavirus Act  There are implications for Education, Health and Care Plan duties to young people with SEND.

Things about self-harm... 

In September 2020, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention launched their report on the inquiry into support available for young people who self-harm. This inquiry was carried out by a panel of parliamentarians on behalf of the APPG on Suicide and Self-Harm, with support provided by Samaritans.



Things about childhood... 

The Children's Commissioner has published a report into Childhood in the time of Covid. Children have fewer health risks from Covid-19 and yet they have suffered disproportionately from the nation’s efforts to contain the virus. This report aims to set out, in one place, the key ways in which children’s lives have been impacted as a result of the Covid-19 crisis – the nation’s biggest test since the Second World War. In doing so, it provides a roadmap for what must be done to enable children to recover from their experiences, and how their needs must be put first in the event of further lockdowns.

Things to make... 

Instead of a pasta bake why not use gnocchi for a change - you can probably substitute them for pasta in any recipe or try this easy vegitarian recipe for Gnocchi & tomato bake


Friday, 25 September 2020

Things in the library 25 Sept...

Things about childhood trauma... 

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on children and young people’s lives. It has increased the experience of trauma for many, and compromised the support which children and young people receive from friends, family and public services. As the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic unfold, the UK Trauma Council has developed four recommendations that should be prioritised by all UK Governments to address childhood trauma in both the short and long term. These recommendations present a clear framework for action, to be taken forward in different ways across the UK. 


Things to do soon...

Closing date for our treasure hunt library quiz is coming up soon (30th Sept) so still time to enter and take a tour of our library catalogue at the same time. Winner to be announced next week.

Things about nurses... 

A King's Fund report about the health and wellbeing of nurses and midwives which are essential to the quality of care they can provide for people and communities, affecting their compassion, professionalism and effectiveness. Ensuring that working conditions across all settings – in primary, secondary, mental health, community and social care – are supporting nurses and midwives in their work is fundamental to ensuring the best outcomes for people who need health and care services. This report focuses on their work life experience and what needs to be done to address the problems they face. This review investigated how to transform nurses’ and midwives’ workplaces so that they can thrive and flourish and are better able to provide the compassionate, high-quality care that they wish to offer. 

Nurse and midwives have three core work needs that must be met to ensure wellbeing and motivation at work, and to minimise workplace stress: autonomy, belonging and contribution. This report sets out eight key recommendations designed to meet these three core work needs. These recommendations focus on: authority, empowerment and influence; justice and fairness; work conditions and working schedules; teamworking; culture and leadership; workload; management and supervision; and learning, education and developme

Things to attend...  

University of Sheffield Music Season concerts will be a little different this year. It’s their intention to bring you a series of concerts – both live and streamed online – this autumn, starting from Thursday 5 November. Instead of welcoming their performers to Firth Hall they'll be moving to the Octagon Centre. This move allows them to bring in measures for the safety of their musicians, performers, audiences, students and staff. The Octagon Centre is a COVID-secure venue as per Public Health England guidance. It also has extra sound and lighting capability far beyond what they would usually have in Firth Hall, which they hope to use to full effect.

To ensure they can safely seat their audiences online ticket sales will be limited to two per booking, and you can only book in your social bubbles. They can accommodate groups of three or more, they just ask you to contact them via email to process the booking. On the door tickets will not be available for the autumn season. Masks will need to be worn unleess medically exempt.


Things to help you...

Don't forget that although we are not doing face-to-face training under the current situation we can do much of our training online using Microsoft Teams or Google Meet - literature searching, accessing journals, reference managment and critical appraisal. Please contact the library for further details or use our Book a Librarian form.

Things to eat... 

How about some Caribbean flavours this week - we like this easy recipe for Jerk chicken thighs from Levi Roots






Friday, 18 September 2020

Things in the library 18th Sept...

Things to challenge you... 

Our latest 70th birthday library quiz takes you on a tour around our library catalogue and leads you to some treasure....don't miss out on the chance to win! Still time to enter...also a useful exercise in how to find our resources!


Things to help you... 

Many of you have already had out one-to-one training on Mendeley Reference Managing software. If you are doing any sort of studying, research or writing we thoroughly recommend using this free tool. If you want training then  please use our Book a Librarian service. If you are already a Mendeley user then you might like to start using the New Menderley Reference Manager.

Providing ways to help you efficiently store, organize, annotate and share references, Mendeley Reference Manager has a range of new time-saving features, including:

  • A unified experience — the new desktop and web versions are identical in look and functionality, allowing you to switch seamlessly between the two and work how and where you want
  • Always up-to-date — new automatic sync gives you peace of mind that your changes are saved and that you’re always working with your latest references and notes
  • Connected thinking — new Mendeley Notebook allows you to collate your notes and highlights from across multiple PDFs in one place, keeping your thoughts organized, accessible and retrievable

Things about autistic people... 

The National Autistic Society has published a report on the impact of coronavirus on autistic people and their families, including children. Findings from the report, which surveyed 4,232 autistic people and families in the UK during June and July, include: 68% of family members said their autistic child was anxious about the loss of routine brought on by disruption to education and that 65% said their autistic child couldn't do online work.

Things to join in... 
University of Sheffield has just started their Festival of the Mind event - this year online - it runs from 17th-27th September and brings together University academics and professionals from Sheffield’s cultural, creative and digital industries to bring their research to life in exciting, entertaining and innovative ways. Events are available as podcasts and there really is something for everyone. This morning, for example, health researcher Dr Chris Blackmore and Nick Bax, Creative Director of Human Design studio, talked about using virtual reality as a storytelling and therapeutic tool for improving mental health and wellbeing and a later event has Christine Gregory share stories from The Land That Made Us – a book based on the personal accounts of farmers of the South West Peak District. The accounts were collected by Christine as part of an oral history project exploring farming lives in the region.

Things to eat... 

I managed a quick weekend to the Netherlands last weekend to deliver my son to his new home, The Dutch have always had fabulous bakeries and their Indonesian food is also very special. When we lived there 30 years ago it was still quite unusual for private homes to have ovens so people didn't make their own cakes. Something you will see more in cafes than shops is Appelgebak a cross between an apple pie and a cake. With a large glut of apples at the moment it seems a shame not to have a go at making one myself. This recipe is American (it was that or Dutch langiage) so uses cup measurements. There is a conversion chart here if you need it.









Friday, 11 September 2020

Things in the library 11 Sept...

 Thimgs to hunt down...

Don't forget to enter our 70th birthday quiz and treasure hunt in our online catalogue. Click on this link  entries before 17:00  30th Sept, no-one has found all the treasure yet!


Things changing their time... 

The Reading Group, which continues to meet online every month, is changing the meeting time to 18:30 - 19:30 if this means you might now be able to join us then please email the library to ask to be put on the mailing list for details. Our next meeting is Oct 7th - chatting about 'The versions of us' by Laura Barnett.


Things about child well-being... 

UNICEF have released a report 'Worlds of Influence Understanding What Shapes Child Well-being in Rich Countries'. A new look at children from the world’s richest countries offers a mixed picture of their health, skills and happiness. For far too many, issues such as poverty, exclusion and pollution threaten their mental well-being, physical health and opportunities to develop skills. Even countries with good social, economic and environmental conditions are a long way from meeting the targets set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Focused and accelerated action is needed if these goals are to be met. The report looks at what makes a 'good' childhood in terms of mental and physical health and skills for life.


Things about digital technology... 

A briefing has been published from the Nuffield Trust on the use of digital technology in the NHS during COVID-19. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the adoption of digital technology in the NHS and changes to the way services are delivered at an incredible pace. So as the health service works hard to get back to something like normality, are all the elements of this sea change in digital practice positive, or do some adaptations need further scrutiny before they become more deeply embedded? 

Things about sport..health..technology...autism... 

Whilst driving to the Northern General this week (to return some items borrowed from their Heritage Centre) I caught this programme on BBC Radio 4 which was really interesting. Steve Haake, Professor of Sports Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University, and Jim al-Khalili discussed how technology transforms sport and the health benefits of Parkrun in the series the Life Scientific. I often find these short programmes fascinating - the previous one was a discussion with Professor Francesca Happé about her research into the the abilities and assets of people with autism and how she recognised autism in women.

Things about menopause... 

Requested by a group in SCH who have been meeting online to chat about the menopause, we have added this book to our Leisure Reading collection recently. If you wish to reserve or request it you can do so via our library catalogue.


Things to eat... 

A vegan/vegitarian smoked spiced veggie rice' this week, a take on a jambalaya.


Friday, 4 September 2020

Things in the library 4th Sept...

Things about treasure... 

As part of our ongoing (and sadly curtailed) 70th birthday celebrations September sees the launch of our library catalogue quiz and treasure hunt...there is a prize for the winner! Quiz entries to be submitted by 17:00 September 30th and the quiz can be accessed here. All the answers can be found on our library catalogue and you don't need to login to find the answers. Although if you are a library user there are additional services open to you in managing your library account if you do login - ask us if you need a PIN. 

Things to read... 

The last book the Reading group read was 'When I had a little sister' which was given a score of 75% and our next read is'The Versions of us' by Laura Barnett on 7th October. One of the themes of the book we have just read related to the isolation of farming families so the report below seemed an interesting one to include in this week's blog.

Things about the countryside... 

Living in rural and remote areas can create distinct challenges for children’s mental health. Poor transport infrastructure, fewer local choices, alienation and isolation, poor digital connectivity, and a lack of opportunities to socialise with peers outside of school can all have an impact on children and their wellbeing.

Children in sparsely populated areas also face significant barriers to accessing support, and years of cuts to public services have made it even harder for local services to offer children the help they need. These difficulties are disproportionately experienced by children living in poverty (which is often more hidden in rural areas), children who have complex needs and children who face other risks of exclusion, alienation and marginalisation (such as young carers, disabled children, children from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, and LGBTQ+ children).

Funded by BBC Children in Need, The space between us explores evidence about the mental health and wellbeing of children aged between 8 and 13 years living in isolated communities across the UK. Half of mental health problems emerge before the age of 14, and therefore opportunities to intervene in the preceding years could make a significant difference by increasing protective factors and minimising risks of poor mental health.

The report calls for action to boost children’s mental health in rural and coastal communities. This includes funding for local councils to improve wellbeing, investment in digital infrastructure in places that have been left behind, and developing promising approaches to supporting children’s wellbeing such as mobile support services, peer support networks and better use of existing community spaces.

Things about patient safety... 

The requirement for NHS organisations in England to identify one or more person as their designated Patient Safety Specialist(s) is a key part of the NHS Patient Safety Strategy. These specialists will work full time as patient safety experts, providing dynamic, senior leadership, visibility and support. In addition, they will support the development of a patient safety culture, safety systems and improvement activity. Specialists will also work in networks with Patient Safety Specialists from other organisations to share good practice and learn from each other, making them fundamental to patient safety across the NHS in England. Ultimately each Patient Safety Specialist will be fully trained in the national patient safety syllabus. A website with more information is available.

Things about food insecurity... 

An article about food insecurity in BMC Public Health seemed timely as more people are being affected by this in the UK. As more people are living with one or more chronic health conditions, supporting patients to become activated, self-managers of their conditions has become a key health policy focus both in the UK and internationally. There is also growing evidence in the UK that those with long term health conditions have an increased risk of being food insecure. While international evidence indicates that food insecurity adversely affects individual’s health condition management capability, little is known about how those so affected manage their condition(s) in this context. An investigation of lived experience of health condition management was undertaken with food insecure people living in north east Scotland. The study aimed to explore the challenges facing food insecure people in terms of:

  • their self-care condition management practices 
  • disclosing and discussing the experience of managing their condition with a health care professional
  • notions of the support they might wish to receive from them. 

Things about child health... 

 The Institute for Public Policy Research states that the UK health has improved radically in the 20th century, but progress has since stalled. The believe the UK now has the opportunity to make another ‘giant leap’ forward; to achieve this, the government will need to address growing levels of ‘health risk’ faced by children. Any progress would be good for health, business and the economy. Their report The Whole Society Approach: making a giant leap on childhood health  is available.

Things about children online... 

Data sits at the heart of the digital services children use every day. From the moment a young person opens an app, plays a game or loads a website, data begins to be gathered. Who’s using the service? How are they using it? How frequently? Where from? On what device? That information may then inform techniques used to persuade young people to spend more time using services, to shape the content they are encouraged to engage with, and to tailor the advertisements they see. For all the benefits the digital economy can offer children, we are not currently creating a safe space for them to learn, explore and play. This new statutory code of practice on age appropriate design looks to change that, not by seeking to protect children from the digital world, but by protecting them within it.

Things about post Covid... 

A report from The Health Foundation Generation 'COVID-19 Building the case to protect young people’s future health'. Emerging evidence on the economic and social impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shows that young people aged 12–24 years are one of the worst-affected groups, particularly in terms of the labour market and mental health outcomes.

Things about a good childhood... 

A report from the Children's Society states that there has been a continued decrease in average happiness with life among 10-15 year olds in the UK. 

  • Happiness with friends is in decline.
  • 15-year olds in the UK were among the saddest and least satisfied with their lives in Europe.
  • The Coronavirus pandemic affected children’s happiness due to the lack of choice they had in life.
Things to eat...
We had this Smoked mackerel pilau rice earlier this week, I was a little sceptical about what it would be like but it was actually really good, we added the eggs as suggested. 



Friday, 28 August 2020

Things in the library 28th Aug...

 Things that look a little different... 


To protect ourselves and library users we have plastic screens between the computers and in front of the desk. We ask you to wear a mask and sanitise your hands when coming into the library and maintain social distancing of 2m. Please take a wipe and clean the area you are about to use when you enter. We are currently open 8:45 to 17:00. We are now asking you to take control over your return dates for books again, we will be now be issuing items for normal loan periods of 1 or 3 weeks and also charging fines on overdue items. Books which are returned are quarantined before being re-shelved and if you use books in the library but don't borrow them please leave at the desk for staff to quarantine and shelve later.

If you are unable to come into the library we will still support your needs and can be flexible if you contact us to explain your circumstances. remember that by using your PIN (ask if you don't have one) and your library ticket number (first group of numbers on the back of your trust badge) you can manage your account remotely and also use the MyCirqa App.

Things to chat about... 

Our virtual reading group meeting this week takes place at 18:15 for an hour via Google Meet - please contact the library for the login link. We are chatting about 'When I had a little sister'. Whether you want to join us or are just interested in knowing about what we are reading, please contact the library if you would like to be in the email group for information. 

Our next book wil be 'The versions of us' by Laura Barnett on Wed 7th October. A man is walking down a country lane. A woman, cycling towards him, swerves to avoid a dog. On that moment, their future hinges. There are three possible outcomes, three small decisions that could determine the rest of their life.

The Versions of Us explores the idea that there are moments when our lives might have turned out differently, the tiny factors or decisions that could determine our fate, and the precarious nature of the foundations upon which we build our lives. It is also a story about the nature of love and how it grows, changes and evolves as we go through the vagaries of life.

Things about children's computer time... 

I am sure many of us have had battles with our children and negotiations worthy of United Nations peace agreements in trying to agree on how much computer time is allowed. In this BBC Radio 4 programme  - the problem is investigated and seen from the perspective of an 11 year old. Roman: What's wrong with screen time?




Things about skin...  

Skin Deep is a project aiming to improve the diversity in paediatric skin images online. This is to improve education and therefore patient care. It is a collaboration between the Royal London Hospital (Paediatric Emergency Department), Don’t Forget The Bubbles, and their Dermatology colleagues. They are collaborating with other hospitals and organisations in the UK and internationally. They are looking to build up their image bank and would love to receive your submissions. You can also browse their extensive range of Skin pictures. You can search by description, diagnoses, or body part. You can view their Diagnoses A-Z and also test yourself with their Quiz.

Things about Covid-19 and children... 

In the news today a large BMJ study which concluded

Our data confirm less severe covid-19 in children and young people with SARS-CoV-2 infection than in adults. Admission to critical care was associated with age under 1 month, age 10-14 years, and black ethnicity. In agreement with previous reports, we found older age and non-white ethnicity to be associated with MIS-C.
We also report that patients with MIS-C who are antibody positive for SARS-CoV-2 are more likely to be of non-white ethnicity, have mucocutaneous-enteric symptoms and cardiac complications, and have received intravenous immunoglobulins and corticosteroids than those who are in the acute phase of infection (polymerase chain reaction positive).
We have identified a systemic mucocutaneous-enteric symptom cluster across the whole cohort. In addition, we have provided evidence for refining the WHO case definition for MIS-C, including an association with low platelet count, fatigue, headache, myalgia, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy.

If you want to read the full text of the article it can be found here 

Things to cook... 

Definitely feeling autumnal today but still lots of lovely berries in the shops. I have made 'Pistachio meringues with summer berries' a couple of times recently when I had some egg whites which needed using up...very simple and delicious. Yesterday I used roasted and chopped hazlenuts instead of pistachios as I couldn't find any -  it worked really well. Make sure you leave them in the oven until completely cold.

Friday, 7 August 2020

Things in the library 7th August...

Things going missing... 

I will be away for the next two weeks so there will be no blog.  Do let us know if you enjoy reading it or if you have any comments on things you would like it to cover. We have over 300 people in the trust who receive it every week, if you have colleagues who would like to receive it please ask them to register with the library and then they can opt in to a notification whenever it is published.



Things about Covid-19... 

Tens of thousands of people who are suffering long-term effects of coronavirus will benefit from an on-demand recovery service. The new ‘Your COVID Recovery’ service forms part of NHS plans to expand access to COVID-19 rehabilitation treatments for those who have survived the virus but still have problems with breathing, mental health problems or other complications. Nurses and physiotherapists will be on hand to reply to patients’ needs either online or over the phone as part of the service.


Things about early years... 

Nesta has published a blog and report discussing the role parents play in influencing early years development. The blog highlights Nesta’s work with family support organisations over the past five years that harness the power of parents and their communities to support families, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.



Things about flu... 

Information and promotional resources to support the annual flu vaccination programme for children are available in a variety of languages.



Things about pain... 

A study in Acta Paediatrica aimed to look at the experience of pain in 10-12-year-old children. Their interviews with children led them to conclude that children made distinctions between physical pain and emotional pain. Bullying, noisy school environments, grief and remorse were reported to be linked with headaches, stomachache, and heartache.



Things that are happy accidents... 

From the colour purple to play-doh via velcro there is a long history of accidental inventions that have changed the way we live -  here is a nice selection of them.




Things to read... 

The next online meeting of Reading Group will be on Wednesday, 2 September at 18:15 the book we will be talking about is 'When I had a little sister' Cathy Simpson's memoir recants details of her sister's life and mental illness. Tricia, the youngest of three sisters born to a farming family in Lancashire, suffered from mental health problems for over 30 years. Simpson examines their shared childhood growing up in a "family who never spoke" and the implications of this on her sister's and her own depression. We follow Tricia's ups and downs, and learn of the frustrations and complications of caring for a mentally ill relative in the UK. Feel free to join us - ask the library for the link.


Things to eat...  

One of our favourite salads that we regularly make is Delia's Pesto Rice salad. it is great for a buffet or just for one person (adjusting quantities of course or you will be eating every day!). Its really easy to make - we use bought pesto rather than making our own... #hangsheadinshame.