Things in the Illingworth Library - July

Our New Temporary Home 

June 2023 was all about change in the Illingworth Library! 

The Library has been on the move: we are now in our new temporary home, on the first floor at 26 Northumberland Road (the Estates building). We are open from 9am – 4.30, Monday – Friday, with study spaces for 6-8 people. Laptops are available to use; please email or call to book a study space. This will be our home until the Helipad build is completed.

We will continue to provide all your Library services:  Literature searches, training (where you are, on Teams, or at at Northumberland Road), and supplying articles to support your work and learning. Our click and collect service enables you to borrow books; you can return items to Northumberland Road or to the book return box in the restaurant.

New Assistant Librarian

The other change is that I (Ruth Flagg-Abbey) have joined the Library as Assistant Librarian, following Jess's departure in April. I have started to settle in, and am enjoying being part of the Library team here. I am looking forward to meeting Sheffield Children's colleagues over the coming months. I will be publishing the monthly blog, hoping to keep the eclectic blend of information and interest. As a Librarian, I am always looking for new ways to access information. And old ways too, as you can see. 

Things in the news

Free sight tests in special schools

Sight tests carried out in special schools will be delivered free of charge, following this recent announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England. The scheme is due to start in 2024 to 2025 and should support around 165,000 pupils. Children in special schools are 28 times more likely to have serious eye problems than the general population and they experience more barriers to accessing eye services; this can only be good news.

Sharp rise in eating disorders: "The only thing we could control was what you ate and how you looked"

The BBC reports on a 'staggering rise' in the incidence of eating disorders among teenage girls between 2020 and 2022. During the pandemic, prolonged access to social media, more focus on body image and less face-to-face contact may have led to feelings of low self-esteem and psychological distress, particularly among adolescent girls, according to the study. Social media may also have exposed young people to content which increased the risk of developing an eating disorder.  

Caring for the carers

The King's Fund has published a report looking into the role of unpaid carers, with the  aim of finding ways to improve the support which they receive. The 2021 Census found that 4.7 million people are caring for another person, so this question touches many of us personally as well as professionally. 

Young people who have a long wait for a cancer diagnosis have a reduced quality of life

A report from The National Institute for Health and Care Research suggests that longer times to cancer diagnoses were associated with lower quality of life, anxiety, and depression among young people. These findings are part of the BRIGHTLIGHT cohort study of 830 young people aged 12 – 24 years which the researchers say was the first large study of the psychological and quality of life experiences of times to diagnosis among young people. 

Things to do in July in Sheffield

For garden and wildlife lovers

The Marvellous Meadows event on July 2nd 10.30am - 4 pm will give an inside view of the work of Green Estate, including tours of the Pictorial Meadows beds (booking essential). Green Estate recently received a King's Award for Sustainable Development, as reported here.

The Manor Lodge is also open and is well worth a visit, although maybe not to stay for the 14 years that Mary Queen of Scots spent in Sheffield (some of it in the Lodge) as an unwilling ‘guest’ of the Duke of Norfolk.  (Sundays, April – September 10am – 4pm). 

For the curious

'Sounds of the Stacks' in the University of Sheffield's Western Bank Library from 17th - 21st July is open to all and sounds intriguing: "This site-specific installation temporarily transforms Western Bank Library’s Level 2 into an interactive sound environment. You are invited to walk through the stacks and explore a collection of low-volume compositions made with sounds related to the building ranging from the quiet turning of pages and the rattling of book trolleys to recordings of fairground organs from The National Fairground and Circus Archive."

For music fans

Sheffield in July must mean that it's time for Sheffield's contribution to the music festival scene: Tramlines. If you get a bit misty-eyed about the good ol' days when Tramlines was free, then there are two whole days of free music at the People's Park in Heeley at Pax in the Park over the weekend of 21st - 23rd July. The lineup includes the Oughtibridge Brass Band and John Otway, so there's surely something for everyone! 

It's a Sheffield Thing

As I am a functional cook at best (to quote my oldest friend: 'Ruth, that's not really cooking; that's catering'), we have a new feature for the 'and finally' slot.

Like most newcomers to Sheffield (I've only been here for 17 years), I am constantly surprised by the wealth of small businesses in and around the city.  So I hope to highlight one of these every month, to spread the word about the joy of shopping locally. To start, what else but a bookshop? 

In the most unlovely of locations, on the ring-road in Shalesmoor is Kelham Island Books and Music. Don't be put off by its exterior which is '1970s awful': pop in for five minutes, you may well be there an hour later, browsing along its well-ordered shelves and finding a bargain copy of that natural history book you've been meaning to read for ages. 

Things in the Library - March

Library Move & other changes

The Illingworth Library will be temporarily moving to Broomhill Community Library from Monday 20 March because of the Helipad build. We will still have some study space, and on Tuesday 1-5 and Thursday 8.45-5 the building will only be open to Sheffield Children's staff, so those are good times to come for quiet study. We will have a presence in the dining room on the main site and a drop box for returning books. We will be operating a click and collect service so you will still be able to borrow anything you need, from the main site. We will still be able to do literature searches, training (where you are, on Teams, or at Broomhill), document supply and most things we currently do. We will be back in the Stephenson Wing in early 2024.

And on that note, it is change all round as I (Jess) will be leaving at the end of March for a new job, and this is my last blog. It has been a pleasure to get to know you during my time here, and I'm sure the blog will be back quickly under new management.

 Mental Health

The Centre for Mental Health reports on new figures showing that there is an urgent need to invest in preventing mental ill health and further improve treatment, especially for children and young people too often forced to wait and travel long distances for care. 

This gap between demand and provision has grown as poverty, which drives mental illness, has increased and as public health and other council services, which prevent ill health, have had their budgets cut by about a quarter. These cuts have fallen most heavily in areas of high deprivation, meaning that people are getting poorer, more ill and with less preventative services to support them. Combined with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, this is causing and worsening population mental health and driving demand for mental health services that is not being met.

NICE has recommended four digital technologies that can help children and young people with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or low mood, once they achieve regulatory approval. The guided self-help digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) technologies can be used as an initial treatment option for those aged 5 to 18 while evidence is being generated. This topic is the first to be published as final early value assessment (EVA) guidance, new NICE guidance that provides conditional recommendations on promising health technologies that have the potential to address national unmet need.

 Introducing Solid Foods

The Department of Health & Social Care have introduced a new campaign on weaning babies onto solid foods. A new survey has found that half of parents are confused about the timing of weaning and how much food their babies should be given. An online weaning hub has been developed to support parents, including NHS-endorsed advice, videos and tips, plus simple healthy recipes.

Gene Therapy

A new gene therapy has been used on the NHS for the first time. The therapy treats metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), which is a fatal genetic disorder. The therapy, Libmeldy, has been used in a toddler, Teddi, who was diagnosed with MLD after her older sister recieved the same diagnosis. The life-saving gene therapy works by removing the child’s stem cells and replacing the faulty gene that causes MLD before re-injecting the treated cells into the patient. As it can only be used before the disease progresses, sadly it couldn't be used on Teddi's sister Nala.

Child Development

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities have released the data from the child development outcomes 2 to 2 and a half, 2021-22. The data show annual experimental statistics on child development at 2 to 2 and a half years. Information is presented at local authority of residence, regional and England level.

Things to do in Sheffield in March

Sheffield Beer Week

From 6-12 March Sheffield Beer Week is here, featuring unique beer tastings, walks, tap takeovers, meet-the-brewer sessions, brewery tours, online talks, exhibitions, food matching menus, and more. Sheffield is a fantastic city for beer lovers, full of great pubs and breweries - find out what's happening here.

Music for the Arts Tower

On Friday 17 March at 8:00 pm you can pop over the road to the Arts Tower and it's iconic paternoster lift to experience a concert that's a little but different. Featuring musicians in lifts, architecturally inspired sound loops and off-the-wall experimental music, Platform 4 and Lorenzo Prati will perform 'Music for the Arts Tower'.

Recipe of the Month

A celeriac appeared in my veg box this month and I didn't know what to do it with. Soup! I thought. I found this really simple recipe, which is given some extra loveliness with the pesto. It was delicious with some fresh bread and it didn't last very long! 

Things in the Library - February

HPV Vaccines

The UK Health Security Agency have expressed concern that the number of eligable children who are getting the HPV vaccine in the UK has declined. HPV vaccine coverage decreased by 7% in year 8 girls and 8.7% in year 8 boys in 2021 to 2022 when compared to the previous academic year. The vaccine has dramatically lowered rates of cervical cancer and other infections. 

Child Poverty

Children in the north are the most vulnerable to the cost of living crisis, according to the Child of the North, the All Party Parliamentary Group. Their report found that during the pandemic, 34% of children in the North (around 900,000) were living in poverty, compared with 28% in the rest of England, and that families in the North are more likely to live in damp, poor-quality housing. 

Sudden Unexplained Dealth in Childhood

The first ever debate on Sudden Unexpected Dealth in Childhood was held in Parliament on 17th January. This debate discussed the need for national medical education, more research, and more public information, highlighting that the NHS website doesn't have any information on SUDC. 

Children's Rights

The UN Equality & Human Rights Commission has produced a report on Children's Rights in the Great Britain. They highlight violence against children in custody, a significant increase in mental health issues and decline in happiness, and increasing child poverty. The report issues a number of recommendations for the UK and Welsh governments, including a focus on mental health services.

Why Language Matters

NSPCC Learning has published the latest post in its Why Language Matters blog series, looking at why you should never use the term ‘child pornography’. The blog looks at the impact of terminology on safeguarding children, and advocates for the use of the term ‘child sexual abuse materials’ to accurately describe the materials and to avoid minimising the seriousness of both the crime and the harm caused.

Things to do in Sheffield in February

It's LGBT History Month and you can see what the Showroom and Sheffield Libraries are doing to celebrte the 'Behind the Lens' theme. You can also see the new play Birds and Bees at the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse in the Crucible.

Secrets of the Stacks, 4th February, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

If you're not already spending all your time with Shefield Libraries this month you can see what happens underneath with Secrets of the Stacks, "a light-hearted, torch-lit, exploration of the vast basement of the Central Library. Navigate the hitherto unchartered regions, that are not normally seen by the public. Allow your senses to become dislocated among the labyrinthine bookshelves on this vaguely historical, mildly accurate, thoroughly researched, completely made up, yet hugely enjoyable tour."

A Soft Rebellion in Paradise, Millennium Gallery

In the late 18th century and into the 19th century Paradise Square was Sheffield's main public meeting place, where people gathered to protest and demand change. Today, it's the centre of the city's law quarter. In 2019, artist Chloë Brown used it as the location for her short film, A Soft Rebellion in Paradise.

Recipe of the Month

Please look away if you're Italian, as not only does this cacio e pepe recipe not use pecorino, it uses gnocchi too. Gnocchi cacio e pepe is extremely quick, extremely low effort, extremely delicious, extremely peppery. 

Things in the Library - January

  Internet Safety & Mental Health

In partnership with Samaritans,  HEE's eLearning for Healthcare have developed a new elearning resource aimed at assisting people who provide support around suicide and self-harm to have vital conversations about online safety. The internet plays a big part in many people’s lives and can often be an important source of support and information. However, some online activity can be harmful and act to exacerbate thoughts and behaviours around suicide or self-harm. It is important that the role of the internet is not overlooked when supporting a person experiencing feelings around these issues.

Group A Strep

Analysis by UKHSA suggests a nasal spray vaccine that offers protection to children against flu may also help reduce the rate of group A strep infections. Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist for Immunisation and Countermeasures at UKHSA, said:

"Our findings suggest that the nasal spray vaccine programme, which offers very good protection against flu, may also help contribute to reductions in the rates of GAS infections among children. Children who catch influenza are at greater risk from subsequent infections, including group A strep, so these findings provide yet more reasons for parents of eligible children to bring them forward for the flu vaccine."

Newborn Genomes Programme

100,000 newborns will have their complete DNA sequenced, screening for arounf 200 treatable disorders through the Newborn Genome Programme, the BBC reports. It is thought that this will save many families years of tests and uncertainty searching for a diagnosis for their child. The programme is a collaboration between the NHS and Genomics England.

Cost of Living Crisis

The President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Camilla Kingdon, has given an interview to the BMJ in which she discusses how social deprivation in the UK is increasingly affecting children’s health, citing housing and nutrition, specifically the UK's high asthma rates and high use of food banks as problems that are increasingly discussed with families. She calls for policy changes and interventions to improve child health, including expanding free school meals.

Health Literacy

Health literacy is about a person's ability to understand and use information to make decisions about their health. You can use this map to see health literacy data across the country. 

Things to do in Sheffield in January

It's a quiet month, but if you fancy leaving the house, here's a couple of places to go:

Sheffield Heritage Fair

On 28th-29th Janurary, Millennium Gallery will be celebrating the history of Sheffield by showcasing the work of heritage groups, as well as opportunity to chat with over 40 local groups. This is a free event. 

Showroom Cinema

January is the perfect cinema month. If you like foreign and independent films, the Showroom is your place. Sheffield's biggest independent cinema has a great January programme, highlights include Holy Spider, Alcarràs and Lingua Franca.

Recipe of the Month

I am absolutely not here to tell you to eat healthily in January, but this is one of my favourite lunches at

the moment and it's does contain cucumber. It's the opposite of a winter indulgence but it's so good it transcends seasons - takeout-style sesame noodles with cucumber. It takes five minutes to make, it's packs in some powerful flavours, and it's also very good looking. 

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 - 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!