Community News

Four of West Midlands top young surveyors – across various sectors including construction and rural land - have reached the shortlist of the 2018 RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year (YSOYA) Awards, where they will compete for the esteemed ‘UK Young Surveyor of the Year’ title.

This year’s shortlist of over 60 nominees is made up of young female and male surveyors from all over the UK (including the Midlands, London, Scotland and Northern Ireland), with the four shortlisted candidates from the West Midlands up for the following category accolades, as well as the overall ‘Young Surveyor of the Year’ title:

• Apprentice of the Year – Adelle Rhule-Martin of GVA
• Mentor of the Year -  Gillian Green of GVA
• Quantity Surveying & Construction – Tracy Ayhow of Turner & Townsend
• Project Management – Ben Senior of Arcadis

The annual awards celebrate the diverse range of young talented surveyors, trainees and apprentices working in such areas – aged 35 and under –  who are role models in helping to shape and advance our communities. They also recognise the influential future leaders of the surveying profession who have made a significant contribution to the built environment.

There are eight category awards* in total with others including Building Surveying, Land (Urban & Land), Asset & Facilities Management and Valuation. The overall ‘UK Young Surveyor of the Year’ title will be awarded to the category winner that has not only achieved a high level of success in their respective role and sector, but also demonstrates an unwavering commitment to inspire the next generation and improve the industry and profession.

Commenting on the shortlist, head of the judging panel, Anna Keys a quantity surveyor at calfordseaden LLP and Chair of the RICS UK Matrics Board - a networking and support group for young surveyors - said: “We are facing some of the biggest market changes our industry has ever seen, as well as rising skills shortages, but our shortlist is testament to the fact that our profession is rising to these challenges and continuing to maintain and deliver exemplary built projects that are having a lasting positive impact on our communities and wider economy.

“Many of the shortlisted individuals are actively involved in leading innovative initiatives and activities to encourage the next generation to consider a career in the industry, whilst others have achieved outstanding career success, or enjoyed fast career progression as they’ve demonstrated they have the skills and expertise to make them a valuable asset and ambassador to the profession.”

She adds: “I’m delighted that our shortlist includes a healthy mix of both men and women from all backgrounds and we look forward to celebrating the winners in RICS’ special 150^th anniversary year.”

The winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony on 30 November at Riverbank Park Plaza in London.

A deafblind man from Erdington, Birmingham, has been shortlisted for a national charity award, in recognition of the exceptional courage he has shown by hiking 52-miles across the historic national trail, the RidgeWay.

44-year-old John Churcher who has Usher Syndrome, three per cent vision and a hearing impairment, is shortlisted for ‘Person of the Year’ at the Sense Awards 2018. An accomplished climber, John took on the charity’s Ridgewalk event, showing bravery in the face of a tough challenge.

The annual Sense Awards, now in their 15th year will take place on Thursday 20th September at TouchBase Pears in Birmingham, and will be hosted by BBC presenter Nikki Fox. The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of people with complex disabilities, as well as the staff, carers, family members, volunteers and fundraisers that support them.

John Churcher said: “As a trustee for Deafblind UK, it was great to be able to support another charity like Sense that also works to improve the lives of deafblind people, and have the chance to do another challenge at the same time.”

Sense Chief Executive, Richard Kramer, said: “John has been a member of Sense for the past 30 years and has achieved so much success. His list of accolades keeps on growing and we are so thankful he participated in the charity’s Ridgewalk event this year to help make a difference to the lives of the people we support. The Sense Awards exist to celebrate the achievements of people like John and I wish him all the best of luck for this year’s award ceremony.”

Festive fun is back at the Legoland Windsor Resort this Christmas season. On 1-2, 8-9 and 15-23 December 2018 families can meet Father Christmas and discover over 30 rides, attractions and Lego Christmas activities.

Guests can discover an enchanted Christmas land, where little ones will meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto and receive a Lego Christmas gift. In Miniland, Christmas will come to life with miniature Lego festive additions to London and Scotland, from a bustling Christmas market in Covent Garden to Father Christmas flying over Big Ben in his sleigh.

Father Christmas' elves will be on the lookout for little helpers to write letters to Father Christmas and build Lego candy canes and festive decorations. Families can take part in a Lego scavenger hunt and marvel at the stunning 8 metre high Lego Christmas Tree before heading to Mrs. Christmas' Toy Shop where they can build their very own Lego decoration to take home. Plus, costume characters Ollie the Dragon and Lego Santa will be on hand to spread the festive cheer.

A special Secret Shopping Service will be in action for guests stocking up on Lego goodies during their festive visit. On hearing the word “Rudolph” Legoland staff will jump into action and help mums and dads keep their purchases under wraps with a range of fun diversionary activities to keep the little ones occupied.

A search has launched for local social media fanatics to submit their most Instagram-worthy shots from the local area – with £1,000 up for grabs for the best snaps.

National Rail has announced the hunt for the nation’s most Instagrammable locations for 16-25 Railcard, after revealing that a third (29 per cent) of young people choose their travel destinations based on how good they will look on their social media feeds.

The research showed that young people in Birmingham are constantly on the lookout for the best selfie spots and will upload an average of 12 photos to Instagram every week, to show they have been visiting the coolest bars, restaurants, attractions and holiday destinations.

Tapping into local competitive spirit, 16-25 Railcard, which offers a third off rail travel, has created an Insta-Rail map of the UK, featuring a list of the most photographed locations throughout the country.

The brand is now calling for local social media fanatics to submit their best photos for the chance to win a £1,000 cash prize, as well as crowning Birmingham as the most Instagrammable destination in the UK.

The winning snap will also feature in a 16-25 Railcard campaign, as well as appearing on its website and social media channels this summer.

Jyoti Bird, marketing director at National Rail, said: “Our research shows just how competitive young people can be with social media – ultimately not wanting to miss out on exciting new experiences, getting out and about, and enjoying quality time with friends and family.

“We wanted to tap into that competitive spirit by launching a search for the most Instagrammable places that Birmingham has to offer. Whether it’s quirky bars, historical points of interest or local attractions, we’re looking for the best and most visually impressive photos from the area.

“We look forward to seeing some really beautiful and creative photography from local social media enthusiasts, and will hopefully be crowning Birmingham as the Instagram capital of the UK!”

For the chance to win £1,000 and the title of Birmingham’s best Instagrammer, locals should upload their image to Instagram, tagging @national.rail and using the hashtag #instarail, or on the National Rail Facebook page, using #instarail. T&Cs apply

Staff from commercial property consultancy, Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), will walk 26-miles along the Grand Union Canal, to raise money for national disability charity Sense.

Seven members of staff, based in the Birmingham office, will take on the fundraising challenge on Friday 07 September. The walk will begin at Brindleyplace and continue along the canal, before ending at the Cape of Good Hope Canalside pub in Warwick.

All proceeds will go towards the charity’s pioneering new ‘TouchBase Pears’ centre, which provides specialist services for people with complex disabilities, as well as facilities for the wider community in Selly Oak.

Joanne Whitaker, Portfolio Manager for LSH Birmingham, said:  “LSH have been supporting Sense since 2017 and this year, we wanted to take on a local challenge that would make a difference to the lives of people with complex disabilities at TouchBase Pears. We’re really looking forward to completing the canal walk for a great cause.”

LSH are hoping to raise £2,000 for Sense. To sponsor them, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lshsensecanalwalk

The Rainforest Alliance will be launching its annual, iconic 'Follow the Frog' campaign, which will run from September 10-24th. This year it has a new, innovative social media component that will be featured on the Rainforest Alliance's global Instagram platform.  This platform has now grown to nearly 100,000 followers with engagement by 'eco' celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio,  Cameron Russell and Phil Torres.  It has also garnered “Instagram takeovers” by more than 50 wildlife and conservation photographers including Ami Vitale, Mattius Klum, Cristina Mittermeier, Joel Sartore, and many others!  These global influencers have helped our followers create a personal connection to our mission and the communities we work with all over the world.

The campaign aims to educate consumers on what they can do to address the most critical environmental challenges facing the planet today including deforestation, climate change and the ever-growing need for all of us to make sustainable choices in our daily lives.

The social media campaign is a two-week “Instagram Challenge” with the goal of educating and inspiring consumers on how to live more mindfully.  Our followers will engage in targeted #FollowTheFrog posts and test their “sustainability IQ” with a chance to win a basket of Rainforest Alliance Certified products.

The Rainforest Alliance social media campaign will also be supported by collaborating companies who will promote the campaign via their own social media channels to raise awareness around their commitment to sustainability through responsibly sourced products that bear the iconic green frog seal.

During the month of September, awareness around sustainability will be high as the United Nations Global Assembly gathers in New York City to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Week is happening in various cities across the world.   Follow the Frog aims to not only inform our aspirational audience about the impacts of our mission but to educate and inspire them to live more mindfully.  This is furthered by our evergreen 30-Day Sustainability Email Challenge.

The housing ladder, as a descriptor of the property market, may have had its day. Lifestyle choices, together with social and demographic change are establishing a much more complex pattern of ownership and housing need.

Recent studies by the NHBC Foundation have provided new insight on the varying housing needs people have throughout their life time, giving pointers on who we should build for, and the types of homes we should build for them.

Housing design will increasingly need to focus on the over-55s.  On current projections, 2019 will be the first year when people in the 55 to 74 age group outnumber those aged 18 to 34.  With a two million increase expected in this age group in the next couple of decades, it will be important for homes to meet the varying requirements of this growing sector, many of whom are seeking lifestyle changes, but remain active and independent.

The most rapid population increase is expected among the over-75s.  This age group is anticipated to expand by 3.5 million over the next 20 years to reach 8.9 million by 2037.  More innovation will be needed when designing homes for these people, in particular to provide them with adaptable, comfortable living spaces and communal facilities. A futurology study carried out by the NHBC Foundation gives special consideration to the types of homes that might evolve to support the over-75s.

The remaining home-buyer age groups, those aged 18 to 34 looking to invest in property for the first time and the 35 to 54 year olds in family homes, are predicted to remain fairly static into the future.  Millennials looking for starter homes will increase by approximately 200,000 by 2037, and the 34 to 54 age group are set to decrease over the same period by 100,000. Homes suitable for first time buyers and families will still be needed, however these must meet the priorities that are most important to them. Buyers are becoming increasingly discriminating, seeking low maintenance and energy efficiency and not preoccupied solely with location.

At a glance – the changing home-buyer age groups over the next 20 years

·         3.5 million – expected population increase in the 75+ age group

·         2.1 million – expected population increase in the 55-74 age group

·         200,000 – expected population increase in the 18-34 age group

·         100,000 – expected population decrease in the 35-54 age group

Steve Wood, NHBC Chief Executive said: “The shifts in the UK’s population impacts on the homes we live in now, and the homes we need to build for the future.  Our population is aging at its fastest ever rate so housing design will increasingly have to focus on the needs of the over-55s.”

The facts about UK households come from the forthcoming NHBC Foundation publication, ‘40 facts: homes, housing and house building today’.  Steve Wood added: “We have gathered together some interesting facts about UK housing and house building to give you a picture of the homes we live in today.  As our population changes so does the need for a for a broader range of products and tenures.”

Birmingham’s John Taylor Hospice is holding an open day to dispel the myths around hospice care.

Taking place on Friday October 12, the open day aims to encourage people to find out more about hospice care by meeting staff and volunteers.

The day at the hospice in Erdington will include a question and answer session with clinicians, a talk about well-being, an art activity, refreshments and the chance to find out more about volunteering and events.

Coinciding with national Hospice Care Week, 8-14 October, the event is open to all and is free of charge.

The open day will also introduce people to John Taylor’s Friday Social Group which aims to bring local elderly residents together for friendship and company.

Hospice Head of Brand and Media Diane Parkes said: “At our open day people can ask all the questions they want to know about hospice care. People can be afraid of hospices but when they come to John Taylor they realise it’s a lovely, warm and friendly place where we offer so many different services – it’s not what they expect.

“If you go back in time John Taylor was all about in-patient nursing care and, while that remains important today, our teams are also out in the community providing all kinds of services from acupuncture to art psychotherapy and social support to spiritual care.

“Visitors are welcome to just turn up on the open day but if they are able to let us know in advance it helps with catering – simply email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a name and number of people.”

The open day is at John Taylor Hospice, 76 Grange Road, Erdington B24 0DF on Friday October 12 between 11am-3pm with a programme of events scheduled. People are welcome to come for the full programme or drop in for an hour or more. Full programme details are on the hospice website www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk

John Taylor’s Social Group takes place every Friday between 10am-3pm and is open to local elderly residents who are not receiving hospice care and would like to come along to have a chat, enjoy lunch and meet new friends. For more information on joining the Social Day contact John Taylor Hospice Living Well Centre on 0121 465 2000.

Water and waste company Severn Trent has announced its plans for the five years from 2020 to 2025, including plans for lower bills, billions of pounds of investment, new commitments to cut sewer flooding and leakage, more help for customers, and for a new community dividend.

Every five years, the company builds its plans based on customer feedback before sharing with sector regulator Ofwat, which it has done today (SEPT 3). The regulator will now consider the plan over the course of the next few months before coming back with potential revisions.

The main theme of the plan is service – doing even better in areas where we’re strong, and addressing those areas where we know we need to do better.

That means the main points in the plan are:

·         Real reduction in bills of 5%, meaning bills remain the lowest average combined in England, as they have been since 2010;

·         £6.6bn in investment over five years;

·         Helping nearly 50% more customers who are struggling to pay their bills;

·         8% reduction in all sewer flooding;

·         15% reduction in leakage;

·         Every primary school in the region will have the opportunity to receive a visit from innovative educational roadshow about water;

·         Positive impact on the local environment, including improving up to 2,100km of the region’s rivers; and

·         Community dividend given to local communities through volunteering, donations to the Severn Trent Trust Fund, and a new commitment to use 1% of company profits for community schemes.

Liv Garfield, Severn Trent Chief Executive, said: “We haven’t created our plan in isolation – we’ve carried out the biggest ever consultation with our customers and stakeholders to find out what really matters to them and have then produced this plan which we absolutely believe will improve our service and our legacy for future generations.

“That means that, at a time when prices are going up, our customers’ bills will be coming down, we’ll help more vulnerable customers than ever before, and we’ll invest billions of pounds to make our service even better.

“By doing this, and by improving the day-to-day service we offer even in those areas where we’re already sector leaders, we firmly believe our customers will be served better, our environment protected, and future generations educated about the importance of water as a precious resource.”

Other initiatives highlighted in the plans include improved efficiency, more options for customers (such as payment breaks), commitments over responses to low pressure complaints, and the creation of a £10m Technical Academy for the region. In addition, Severn Trent will look to and will help hundreds of schools which may have trace amounts of lead in their pipework.

The Avengers have re-assembled and they’ve brought some friends with them in honour of teenager super-fan Josh, who is battling leukaemia.

17-year-old Josh was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma at the age of 15 – the same aggressive form of cancer that recently took Senator John McCain.

Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Pratt (Star Lord), Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) and Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) are amongst those who have reached out to Josh on social media after his mother started a campaign to “try to get as many celebrities to message him while he is still with us" - and the response has already been overwhelming.

Ryan Reynolds kicked things off, introducing himself as “Uncle Deadpool” and delivering a heartfelt message in which he says “you have more courage and more strength in your pinkie finger than any superhero does in their entire body.” He then added: "We love you, I love you, we're thinking about you, Deadpool is thinking about you - maximum effort and hang in there, buddy. Josh’s mother shared the video on Twitter with the caption “Such a special man with a huge heart. Thank you, Ryan Reynolds – Josh loves you so much for brightening up his days.”

Hugh Jackman followed suite and sent Josh a video saying “I just want you to know that I’m thinking about you and your family and friends. I’m sending you lots of positive thoughts. Keep fighting, man.” Josh’s mother took to twitter to thank Jackman for “putting a smile on my brave son’s face.”

Captain America himself, Chris Evans was up next and took to twitter in a comical video in which he acknowledges that Josh is “probably a bigger fan of Deadpool than of Captain America” but accepted defeat by saying “I’ll give it you; he’s funny. He gets to make the jokes! I don’t get to make the jokes.”

British actor, Tom Holland – who plays Spider-Man – sent his best wishes and told Josh that “I just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking about you, everyone at Marvel are thinking about you and we send you all our love.”

Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt, a well-known Christian who is open about his religious beliefs, reached out to Josh and said “I’m thinking about you, I love you and I’m praying for you and your mom” and stating that, while he plays a superhero in the movies, the real heroes are “young people like you who have to face challenges and do so with the bravery you do.”

God of Thunder, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is one of the latest celebrities to offer his support to Josh and his mother, in a video in which he calls Josh a “legend” and offers all of his love and support, saying that everyone in the world is sending their love.

The outpouring of love and support for Josh has been amazing and his mother is hoping that other superhero actors and various other celebrities join the campaign, as many of those who have already sent messages have encouraged others to do the same, with Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L Jackson and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson amongst those who have been asked to show their support.

If you want to follow Josh’s journey and send him your own best wishes, follow @josh_braveheart on Twitter.

Sandwell residents are being reminded not to lose their right to vote - by completing their annual canvass form and returning it to the council.

Letters were sent every household in Sandwell in early August to check who lives there and who is eligible to vote. Anyone who hasn't responded needs to do so as soon as possible.

Reminders will soon go out to people who have yet to respond to the form.

By responding, either to confirm the details are correct or to make changes, residents can ensure they can vote in future elections. It also means the council can remove people who have moved away from the electoral register.

Being on the electoral register also has other advantages - if you're not registered to vote it can affect your credit rating.

Sandwell Council's Chief Executive and Electoral Registration Officer, Jan Britton, said: "We’ve already had responses from more than half of all households in Sandwell, so for those who haven’t responded yet, it’s important you do that as soon as possible.

“We need to make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in Sandwell to make sure you are able to vote in future.

"All households must respond - even if they have no changes. You can do this online, by text or through an automated phoneline and only takes a couple of minutes.”

People who have moved address recently are particularly encouraged to keep an eye out for the form and check the details.

Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time.

Across Great Britain, 94% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 40% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Iona Atkins (16) from Shirley, Solihull was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of five and despite the challenges of living with the disease she achieved top grades for her GCSEs.

 Iona, a student at Langley Secondary School received grades C and above in English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, Science (Dual Award), History and Drama.

Iona said: “I am so happy with the results that I received, I tried my best and was just hoping to pass, so I am really pleased with the grades that I got.”

Since childhood Iona has had a cholesteatoma - an abnormal collection of skin cells deep in her ears which causes difficulties with her hearing.

In 2007, an ear check-up revealed a shadow on Iona’s brain and following a subsequent MRI scan Iona was diagnosed with a brain tumour known as a craniopharyngioma.

Iona underwent surgery and radiotherapy to treat the tumour and at present the tumour is stable.

Iona said: “Having a brain tumour has impacted my life in positive and negative ways.

“I see the world in a completely different way now and appreciate so much more. However, on a daily basis I face challenges. As a result of my brain tumour I struggle to manage my body temperature and I also suffer from diabetes insipidus which makes it difficult for me to control my fluid balance.

 “I find it hard to concentrate and often get tired, particularly when writing for long periods.

This Summer Iona took her GCSEs and just two weeks before her exams Iona had surgery to treat a recurrence of the cholesteatoma.

Iona said: “I focused my revision on what I needed to learn and made sure that my revision was varied, I even watched revision videos on You Tube. I revised little and often and made sure I took breaks to relax. I think it’s important that you don’t push yourself too hard and that you aren’t too tough on yourself. I was especially happy with my results as I had had surgery just two weeks before my exams.”

Iona is now looking forward to enrolling at Solihull College to begin a BTEC in Childcare this September.

Iona said: "I am really excited to start my course. I would like to be a Learning Support Assistant. I have had a lot of challenges growing up and I have incredible help and support and so I would like to do this for others.”

Iona’s mum Ann said: “I am immensely proud of Iona, she has been through so much and even though she still faces many challenges her positivity and approach to life is inspiring . We are so lucky that Iona has reached this milestone in her life as for many parents the outcome has been devastating. That is why as a family we will continue to fundraise for The Brain Tumour Charity so outcomes for children are better.”

Emma Wood, Young Adults Service Manager for The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “All of us at the charity are really pleased for Iona and want to say a huge congratulations for achieving such brilliant results. Being diagnosed with a brain tumour is a life-changing experience and Iona’s determination and commitment to succeed despite the challenges she has faced are truly inspiring and she should be incredibly proud of herself.

“We wish Iona the very best as she starts her Childcare Course next month, we are certain that she will fulfil her dreams.”

Public Health England is calling for adults in West Midlands to take a free, online Heart Age Test, which will provide an immediate estimation of their ‘heart age’. If someone’s heart age is higher than their actual age, they are at an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), with stroke and heart attack being the most common examples, is the leading cause of death for men and the second leading cause of death for women.

In the West Midlands region, there are around 6,031 deaths from heart disease and 3,266 deaths from stroke each year. It is estimated that around a quarter of these deaths are in people under the age of 75 and 80% of those are preventable if people made lifestyle and behaviour changes to improve their heart health. Knowing their heart age helps people to find out whether they are at risk and consider what they can do to reduce this risk.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure can both increase someone’s heart age, making them up to three times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. In England, one in four adults have high blood pressure yet a further 5.6 million are living with the condition undiagnosed, placing millions of lives at risk of premature death and ill health.

The Heart Age Test asks a number of simple physical and lifestyle questions and provides an immediate estimation of someone’s heart age, as well as a prediction of  the risk of having a heart attack or stroke by a certain age. It also gives suggestions on lifestyle changes to help people reduce their heart age such as losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and cutting back on alcohol.

The Heart Age Test has been completed more than 1.9 million times across England. Completed tests in the West Midlands show that 78% of people in the region have a heart age higher than their actual age. Worryingly, 36% have a heart age over five years and 16% at least 10 years over their actual age.

Dr Lola Abudu, Director of Health and Wellbeing for Public Health England (PHE) in the West Midlands, said: “The Heart Age Test is an online tool that gives a good indication if you are at increased risk of heart disease or stroke by asking a few simple questions. The higher your ‘heart age’ compared to your actual age, the higher the risk of you suffering a heart attack or stroke – proof that remedial action needs to be taken. You can lower your heart age by making important lifestyle changes such as losing weight, stopping smoking, eating healthier, reducing alcohol intake, and getting more exercise.

“Even if an adult’s heart age is close to their actual age, there are still things you can do to live a healthier life for longer. All adults aged 40 to 74 in England are encouraged to have their free NHS Health Check, to access specialist, personalised advice. There are also a number of useful videos and resources available by going to the NHS website www.nhs.uk and searching for NHS Health Check.”

Dave Lancaster (45) from Warwick weighed more than 34 stone (216kg) and was on medication for a long list of health problems including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnoea before he decided to lose weight with the help of Slimming World in April 2016. Dave’s starting heart age was 55, but after losing more than 20 stone (127kg), he no longer needs to take any medication, his blood sugar reading has dropped from 94 to 25 – meaning he displays no type 2 diabetes symptoms, his blood pressure is in the range of a man 20 years younger, and his new heart age is just one year older than him.

Dave Lancaster from Warwick said: “I’d been overweight for as long as I could remember. I tried all sorts of things to lose weight, and I even lost 10st on a meal replacement diet – but I learned nothing about healthy eating. When I went back to my usual sausage and egg muffin breakfast, rounds of sandwiches and crisps for lunch, and takeaways polished off with two or three bottles of wine at the end of the day, I quickly regained the weight.

“At my biggest, my health really started to suffer. I had type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pain, high cholesterol, the beginnings of gout and sleep apnoea. I found it difficult to walk to the end of my road, so I rarely went out. As I got bigger and bigger, it felt as though my world was gradually shrinking. I knew I needed help, and finally, in April 2016, I decided to give Slimming World a try and joined my local group – run by my former neighbour, Angie. As I walked through the door she recognised me straight away, despite us having not seen each other for years.

“Since losing weight, my health has improved dramatically. I no longer need to take medication, my blood sugar reading has dropped from 94 to 25, meaning that I no longer have Type 2 diabetes, I have a resting heart rate of 40bpm, my blood pressure has dropped from 140/77 to 116/68 and I no longer have high cholesterol. I don’t need glasses now, either – an unexpectedly positive side effect of my reduced blood sugar levels.”

TV Doctor and GP, Dr Hilary Jones, who is supporting the campaign, said: “With 50 preventable deaths every day of people under the age of 75, this is serious. It’s vital that people know their heart health and take steps to reduce their risk of stroke and heart attack. As well as obesity, poor diet and a lack of exercise, high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but these are all things that people can change, and they can change them now.”

Slimming World is also supporting the campaign to raise awareness of how losing weight can help to improve heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and is offering an exclusive discount for new members who take the Heart Age Test.*

Public Health England’s Heart Age campaign will run until 30 September. Adults should search for ‘heart age’ to take the free online test.

With evenings drawing in, kids going back to school and the barbeques being packed away, autumn is slowly creeping up on us and summer is nearly over!

For many of us, getting ready for autumn means looking forward to curling up with a cosy blanket and a steaming mug of tea. But before you head indoors you should do a little bit of outdoors housekeeping to prevent overgrowth and to make it easier to resume gardening again come the spring.

Not sure where to start? Don’t fret, as outdoor cleaning specialist, Jeyes has put together some useful tips on how to get yourself and your garden autumn ready this year. From trimming to pruning, mowing to cleaning – prep your garden for the season ahead.

Tidy up from the ground up!

You may have returned from holidays to find long grass, bedraggled plants, an overgrown lawn and lots of unattractive moss or weed, thanks to the mixed weather we’ve had this summer. While grass will grow more slowly over the autumn and winter months, it won’t stop completely. So be on the lookout for a dry day to tick this one off the list before the frost sets in and it’s too late.

If you haven't already, make sure any all weeds are cleared and if there is fallen fruit around a tree, or dead heads and leaves from plants or vegetables, now is the time to remove this. By doing this you make sure your garden is disease free and the sunlight is getting through to the grass and plants below.

Hose down the patio and decking

The glorious spells of sunshine this past summer meant a lot of time has been spent on that patio with your family and friends. Now is a good time to make sure you get rid of the left-over debris, algae and mould that could have appeared. Jeyes 4 in 1 Decking Power helps to remove and prevent re-growth of mould, algae and mildew on all wooden outdoor surfaces from decking to fences and could be a useful product to use when hosing down your outdoor area. What’s more, cleaning your garden patio and decking at this time of the year, will make sure neither deteriorate over winter.

Store away garden furniture

It might sound obvious, but some of us can neglect this step until it’s too late. Left outside, your sun umbrellas can get discoloured and barbeques rusted. If you don’t have enough space to store them, it may be a good idea to invest in some protective covers to save your precious products.

Cleaning the barbeque

Working hard this summer? Your barbeque undoubtedly had its work cut out this summer too! So, whether or not you plan to have another barbeque this winter, its probably a good idea to give it a nice clean before you pack it away. Remember to take the necessary safety precautions like disconnecting the gas canisters before you start on this as well.

Jeyes Smart Brush Barbecue Cleaner has a fast acting powerfully concentrated gel formula which cleans your barbecue in just 10 minutes. This barbecue cleaner with a brush applicator gets to work quickly helping to remove 99.99% of barbecue germs and will be an invaluable item to have in your cleaning basket!

It’s all about maintenance

Fallen leaves and increased rain during autumn can be a recipe for clogged gutters and drains, so make a point of removing any built-up debris now to avoid the hassle later.

Worms can do their good to your garden, however during September you may notice the little piles of earth they leave behind, left alone these could make a real mess so use a stiff broom on a dry day and make sure you get rid of them quickly.

Once you have ticked these jobs off your checklist, you can happily sit back, curl up and relax, knowing that your garden is sparkly clean and ready for the seasons ahead!

There’s a lot to think about when your child goes off to university and it can certainly be an emotional and overwhelming time. With a recent report showing that 1 in 4 students are a victim of theft during their time at university - it’s more important than ever to pay attention to safety and security.

Here, Dr Steffan George, Managing Director of the Master Locksmiths Association – the leading trade association for the locksmithing profession – gives advice on what you can do to ensure your child and their belongings are as safe and secure as possible in their student accommodation.

“It’s well known that most students have high value items such as laptops, tablets and gaming equipment and perhaps aren’t always the most concerned about security measures. This, in addition to the fact that most student houses are occupied by at least four people, means students are one of the most at-risk groups in the country when it comes to crime. But by being security aware and making a few small changes, students and parents can do a lot to reduce the risks.  If in doubt, ask the landlord to arrange for a professional locksmith to visit the property. The MLA is recognised by the Police as the authoritative body for locksmithing and all of our members undergo strict vetting and inspections, so you can be confident they work to a high standard and offer value for money. Many MLA locksmiths will also be able to perform a complete security assessment free of charge.”

Being security aware and taking a number of simple proactive measures, can also help to minimise the risk of burglary and break-ins:

1. Ensure the building has appropriate security

2. Find out who has access

3. Think like a burglar

4. Consider insurance requirements.

5. Mark belongings.

6. Make sure your child is aware of tailgating

Every day holidaymakers in London take up more than an estimated 7,000m3 with their bags. Using up valuable tube space at rush hour, getting in the way on escalators and, in the shape of pesky backpacks, being swung around from their owners' behinds.

The research from Stasher, the world's first sharing economy solution to luggage storage, reveals this is enough baggage to fill three Olympic-sized swimming pools, or more than 44,600 bath tubs to the brim… every single day.

With a growing number of venues, landmarks and events introducing a no-bag policy, Stasher is helping travellers enjoy a hands-free holiday with StashPoints on more than 600 locations across 70 cities globally.

Jacob Wedderburn-Day, co-founder and CEO, Stasher, commented:

“When you're on holiday you want to be able to maximise your time, and more importantly, your fun! Being weighed down by heavy bags quite literally gets in the way of that. These estimates only take into account the day-to-day baggage we carry around with us on our travels; it doesn't include the suitcases that are dragged through the street to and from accommodations which takes up an estimated staggering 1,200,000m3 annually.

“This is why we set up Stasher, inspired by the growing number of people using the likes of Airbnb. When you have to check out of your apartment early in the day but don't fly home until later that day, you can find and book your closest StashPoint quickly and easily and enjoy every last moment of your holiday free of the baggage burden.”

The first sharing economy solution to luggage storage, Stasher is the newest and most convenient way to store your luggage quickly and affordably – drop your bags and enjoy the city. The ideal solution to dragging suitcases, backpacks or more around a city, allowing travellers to enjoy their time there hands-free.