Local businesses can help to make the UK more autism-friendly by taking part in the UK’s first Autism Hour.

The inaugural event, organised by The National Autistic Society, will see shops and services across the UK dim their lights, turn down music and share information about autism for 60 minutes on the week of 2 October.

Mark Lever, Chief Executive at the National Autistic Society, said:

“Like anyone, autistic people and their families want the opportunity to go to the shops and services on the high street. But our research suggests that many find the often busy, loud and unpredictable environment of public places overwhelming and avoid them altogether. We hope that the National Autistic Society’s Autism Hour will provide a break for families in the week and in the long term will help spread understanding so that shops and services are more accessible every day of the year.

“A basic understanding of autism could transform the lives of autistic people and their families and avoid them becoming isolated or trapped in their homes. I hope businesses in PLACE will take part and help to make the local area more autism-friendly.”

The National Autistic Society’s survey suggests that 64% of autistic people avoid going to the shops, and 28% have been asked to leave a public place for reasons associated with their autism. The charity is asking shops and services to take simple steps for one hour to help create a more autism friendly world - from dimming the lights and turning down music to sharing information about autism with employees.

More than 1 in 100 people are on the autism spectrum which means that someone sees, hears and feels the world in a different, often more intense way to other people. Autistic people often find social situations difficult and struggle to filter out the sounds, smells, sights and information they experience which means they feel overwhelmed by ‘too much information’ when out in public.

The National Autistic Society’s Autism Hour is supported by shopping centre owner intu and will take place in 14 of their shopping centres across the UK including intu Trafford centre, intu Lakeside and intu Metrocentre. Staff at intu centres already receive training to provide autism-aware customer service and autistic people also benefit from guides that allow them to plan and prepare a visit to each intu centre.

Clarks and Toys ‘R’ Us are also amongst shops and services that have already signed up, after previously hosting quiet hours in individual stores. Lloyds Banking Group is also supporting by educating colleagues and customers about autism during Autism Hour. The charity is calling on others to follow their lead and open up their businesses to autistic people.

Pupils from Lordship Lane Primary School have taken the lead in warning dog owners to clean up their pets’ mess.

Lordship Lane pupils with Cllr Ahmet and Cllr WatersA new series of “scoop up the Poop” posters designed by pupils highlight the risk of an £80 fine for allowing pooches to foul the pavement.

A poster-design competition was launched after community-spirited six-year-old pupil Eloise Charnock wrote to Haringey Council to complain after she spotted dog mess on her walk home from school.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Peray Ahmet and Woodside ward Cllr Ann Waters visited the school to launch the competition and choose the three winning designs, which are being displayed around the borough.

Winning designer Junaid Junel, 11, said: “I’ve seen the posters outside and I feel like I’ve achieved something.”

Paul Bullen, 10, and his sister Louise, 6, produced the two other winning designs. Paul said: “I’m so very excited. There were so many good posters and I was very surprised I won.”

Cllr Peray Ahmet said:

It’s really encouraging to see children take an active interest in their environment. Well done to Eloise for speaking up against dog mess, and to Paul, Louise and Junaid for their winning designs. They’ve created some great posters that will encourage people to clean up their mess – they should be extremely proud of what they’ve achieved.”

All three winners received a framed picture of their poster, a waterproof lamppost version and a gift voucher.

Following a warning by the children’s commissioner that parents should stop their kids binging on the internet and staring at smartphones and tablets this summer, parents are being urged to balance screen time with green time or risk damaging their children’s health and development.

The commissioner is urging parents to regulate children’s screen time in the same way they regulate diets. However, according to research* by outdoor holiday experts Camping in the Forest, more than a third (37%) of parents say their children are far too wrapped up in technology and less than one in ten (7%) reveal their children regularly play outside. Only 13% parents admit they actually encourage their kids to get outdoors.

Experts exposed that two in five parents use their phones and tablets to keep their children entertained while travelling and 25% allow screen time before bed. 13% reveal they even allow their children to play with gadgets at meal times. ¹

The survey also revealed that more than half of children under 10 (54%) admit their favourite activity is playing on a smartphone or tablet and watching TV. Children aged five to 16 spend an average of six and a half hours a day in front of a screen compared with around three hours in 1995, according to researchers.² 

Detrimental health effects of too much exposure to screens for children include sleep deprivation, obesity, lack of imagination, vision problems, aches and pains, loss of social skills and aggression.

Getting fresh air has actual measurable physical health benefits for children. Kids who are outside are more likely to get their daily dosage of vitamin D, which assists in bone strength and lowers risks of serious illness. Time outside has also proven to soothe children, lowering their risk of hyperactivity and depression. ³

Camping in the Forest’s survey also revealed that less than a quarter (24%) of today’s children know how to play conkers while a staggering 70% have no idea how to play traditional outdoor game Tig.

Leading psychotherapist Hilda Burke comments: “From a very early age children emulate their parents, so it comes as no surprise that very high digital usage in adults is also now being reflected in children. If parents adopt clear boundaries for digital devices around their kids, e.g. phones are switched off during play time and meal times, they will learn valuable lessons about how there is a time and a place to use these devices and that it's up to us to regulate our usage.

“Spending less time on their digital devices indoors and more time playing outdoors can help foster a greater sense of curiosity and imagination in children, qualities that are crucial for healthy development.”

Sites director Bob Hill from Camping in the Forest says: “It’s clear from our research that today’s children are spending far too much time glued to screens rather than enjoying time in the great outdoors which is hugely beneficial for health and well-being.

“With the summer holidays in full swing we are urging parents to curb their kids’ screen time and ensure they enjoy more green time in a bid to re-ignite their imagination, encourage physical exercise and stimulate creativity. Green time is free, on your doorstep and is the most fun kids can have!”

Sandwell Council is asking people for their views on a proposed 20mph zone in Friar Park ward.

The 20mph zone would include traffic calming measures in Manor Road and Carrington Road, in the Friar Park ward.

Figures show there were four accidents involving casualties in Manor Road and two in Carrington Road since 2012.

Councillor Dave Hosell, Sandwell Council's cabinet for highways and environment, said: “We want residents and drivers’ views about these plans and have set up three meetings where people can come along and find out more about the proposals.”

The consultation events are from 5-7pm on 14 September at Park Hill Primary School, 21 September at St Luke’s Church Hall and 25 September at the Millennium Centre.

Letters will be delivered to homes in the first week of September explaining further details of the proposed scheme and the various ways residents can have their say.

The month of September will be celebrated annually as National Americana Month, with Franklin, Tennessee, leading the way. The registrar of National Day Calendar selected Visit Franklin's proposal to declare September as National Americana Month out of over 30,000 submissions for national recognition in 2016. Communities across the nation are encouraged to join Franklin in celebrating all things Americana.

“With an incredible music scene, a Great American Main Street, and a community filled with amazing talent and character, Franklin, Tennessee perfectly embodies the spirit of Americana," said Ellie Westman Chin, Visit Franklin President & CEO. "It is often hard to put into a single word what makes Franklin and communities like it around the country such beloved places, but Americana is that word. When you think of Americana, you are taken back to simpler time."

Americana does not have a single definition. It means different things to different people. To many it is a sound, to some, it is a story while to others Americana describes the feeling or vibe you experience that takes you back to the roots of your culture. In its inaugural year, Franklin will build a pilot branding campaign model to celebrate all things that are quintessentially Americana which communities across the country can tailor to their unique local culture in the future.

Westman Chin added, "We look forward to celebrating an entire month of events that showcase why Franklin is indeed rooted in Americana, and being a leader in showcasing how other communities can highlight their unique Americana offerings."

Nicola Elliott, founder and creative director of wellbeing and home fragrance brand, Neom Organics, will be the keynote speaker at a major business awards and celebration this October.

Nicola will deliver an inspirational speech at the 35^th Annual Women of the Year Awards taking place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel on Friday, 6 October.

The event, which includes the prize for Businesswoman of the Year, aims to inspire women and young girls to follow their dreams and achieve their goals in the world of business.

Nicola, who launched Neom in 2005, has done just that.  Having spent  years working 60-hour weeks at glossy magazines in London, she was burnt out and started to notice her own wellbeing suffer, as well as that of her colleagues and close friends.

This kick-started Nicola’s move into the field of wellbeing. She trained as an aromatherapist and nutritionist and from there, Neom Organics was launched.

Today, Neom’s promise is to create 100 per cent natural fragrance for the mind and body and aims to help women (and men) manage their wellbeing in a simple way.  All of the fragrances deliver true therapeutic benefits to relieve stress, aid sleep, boost energy or lift mood.

The company, which boasts countless awards and celebrity fans, has seen continued growth and now retails in three standalone stores, major stockists such as John Lewis, M&S and Selfridges, as well as independent salons and  spas in both the UK and overseas.

Nicola, who won an entrepreneur of the year award in 2012, will describe her career and how she has overseen the company’s expansion, as well as how she steers the creative vision of the brand and ensures that every product Neom creates serves a therapeutic need or purpose

Pauline Edden, director of Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards, said: “We are thrilled to have Nicola Elliott as our keynote speaker on our 35^th anniversary event.  It’s always a wonderful celebration for women’s achievements in business and society and to secure such a great speaker means this year’s event is one not to be missed.”

Judy Groves, director of the Businesswoman of the Year Award, said: “Nominations are open for Businesswoman of the Year and we’ve already had some very strong entries. My plea to women, however, is to put modesty to one side and put themselves forward for this award so that women and girls can be inspired by their achievements in the world of business.”