News

3Doodler Updates 3D Printing Pens and Receives Official Seal of Approval from RNIB for Use by People Who Are Blind Or Partially Sighted, Giving Teachers & Students New Tools For Accessible Creativity

LONDON, UK – July 13th, 2017 – When 3Doodler first brought its 3D printing pen to market, the company was inundated with feedback from people who are blind or partially sighted, or who work with those communities. Teachers of blind students were particularly engaged, envisioning ways to work with their students to instantly create tactile graphics they could touch and feel.

With stories of childhood obesity never far from the headlines, it’s easy to believe that each generation of children is lazier than the last. But a new survey of 6 – 11 year olds suggests that British children believe they’re wrapped in cotton wool by their parents and would like more freedom to play outside.

The research by family skincare brand Sudocrem found that almost 3 in 5 children (57%) said their parents worried too much about their safety and almost two-thirds of those aged 8 – 11 (64%) thought they should be able to go to the park with their friends, unaccompanied by an adult.

Education leaders are questioning what lies in store over the next academic year after the education secretary makes an additional £1.3bn available to spend on core schools funding. 

The announcement comes on the back of months and months of campaigning over funding shortages, as schools across England were forced to make £3bn of cuts. 

However, this latest announcement has revealed a £1.3bn boost over the next two years that will result in schools funding being £2.6bn higher in 2019-20 than in 2017-18. 

Education secretary Justine Greening announced the decision yesterday and confirmed that the money will be freed up from within the existing education budget - not from any new money from the Treasury. 

According to the Mental Health Foundation* mental health problems affect 1 in 10 children and young people.  Alarmingly, however, 70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.

The Worry Wizard supports the emotional Wellbeing of young people of all ages.  It offers adults a gentle and fun way to help their child develop tools to manage their Worries before they affect their Wellbeing. Creator Amy Smythe aka The Worry Wizard, an accredited counsellor and psychotherapist, was inspired to help young people when her Godson Jack was struggling to voice his Worries.

 Amy comments:

New resource from SEN Assist and the London Grid for Learning aims to bring Shakespeare to learners with special educational needs and disabilities.

A new resource developed by award-winning SEND specialists SEN Assist and hosted by not-for-profit educational trust London Grid for Learning (LGfL) aims to bring the Bard to pupils with complex learning needs. Complementing LGfL’s already extensive SEND provision Early Shakespeare is suitable for learners on the P scales of all ages and abilities.

Issued with photo: Gizelle Stacey and Belinda from TFW, shortlisted for The People's Award

Staff from Regard – the UK’s fourth largest private provider of supported living and residential services for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and acquired brain injury – are anticipating with excitement an awards evening in Birmingham on 14 July which they will be attending as finalists in five different categories.

The National Learning Disabilities Awards celebrate excellence in the support for people with learning disabilities and aim to pay tribute to individuals and organisations who excel in providing quality care.

The Together Trust’s Service Director, Jill Sheldrake, has visited Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE for services to children in the North West.

Jill has worked for the Together Trust for over 20 years. She was awarded her MBE by His Royal Highness Prince Charles and joined by her parents and her daughter, Charlotte aged nine.

She said: “I can honestly say that the last 23 years with the Together Trust have been inspirational for me, I have worked hand-in-hand with colleagues at every level with one common goal and that is to ensure that every individual we work with has the opportunity to achieve their aspirations.”

Bone fractures are a very common injury in children and a new study• highlights the increased risk amongst children with low levels of Vitamin K2, the little known compound that plays a key role in helping blood clot and support bone and cardiovascular health, and is largely obtained from cheese and eggs.

A huge splash of colour has arrived in Liverpool for the summer, as 200 brightly coloured umbrellas have been suspended over a busy city centre street. The goal behind this initiative is to raise awareness and understanding, encouraging discussion around Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism.

Devised and curated by Liverpool-based ADHD Foundation, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary as a charity, the Umbrella Project transforms Church Alley (leading up to the Bluecoat) into a canopy of colour until the end of August. The individual umbrellas have also been personally signed by children from St Oswald’s primary school in Old Swan and across Merseyside, many of whom have ADHD, autism and other neurodevelopment conditions.