Seven year old underwater enthusiast Jack, from Birmingham, who has recently been diagnosed with autism, was desperate to help the animal care team at the city centre aquarium, who this week made his marine aspirations come true by organising a quiet afternoon with one of their team for this passionate mini Aquarist to help with some fish feeding.

Since being diagnosed with autism, Jack, aged 7, has struggled to continue concentration and has been Home Educated due to some of his difficulties within a school setting. As a regular visitor to the aquarium, Jack was familiar with the space, and his mother Clare noticed it stimulated his learning, making it the perfect place for him to spend time developing his knowledge.

Clare said: “We are so grateful to the National Sea Life Centre for organising this special day for Jack. It’s been incredible to see how being in the centre has calmed him and allowed him to focus and engage in a way he is often unable to with school learning. He’ll definitely be remembering this special day for a long time to come.”

The National Sea Life Centre is this month launching Quiet at the Aquarium, the first event of its kind for the centre, at 9am on Saturday 17th June. The event aims to provide a quieter experience, for a more comfortable aquarium visit for those with autism and other sensory requirements.

The Co-op Foundation is inviting youth charities in disadvantaged areas of England to apply for the first round of its #iwill fund.  

Last month, the Foundation announced a new £2 million partnership to help young people take action to tackle loneliness – a key issue the Co-op has been campaigning on for the past two years.  The first £400,000 of this funding will be awarded in 2017, through nine regional grants and one larger national project.

The #iwill fund is made possible thanks to a £40 million joint funding from the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. £1 million from the #iwill fund will be matched pound-for-pound by the Co-op Foundation, who will use the combined pot to grow their national network of partners tackling youth loneliness.

Funds will be targeted at disadvantaged areas where there are currently fewer opportunities for youth social action – activities which make a positive difference to communities, while developing young people’s skills.

Jim Cooke, Co-op Foundation Manager, explains: “The challenges of growing up today, from the impact of social media to the ‘gig’ economy, mean that loneliness is a significant issue for young people.

“By creating more opportunities to take part in meaningful social action, we hope to strengthen young people’s sense of belonging and help develop a generation of confident, connected young citizens.”

Organisations awarded grants through the new fund will join an existing network of Co-op Foundation partners, who are addressing different aspects of youth loneliness and working together to share learnings about the issue.

One of these partners is Youth Focus: North East, who have worked with a group of young people to develop a grassroots peer-to-peer approach to tackling loneliness, called ‘Fast Friends’. Using photography as a way of exploring experiences of loneliness, the Fast Friends group are encouraging other young people to open up about this issue and take positive actions to support each other.

Fast Friends member Adam Cowley (21) said: "I think the loneliness project is important because a lot of young people suffer from isolation and we can all help to do something about it."

The #iwill fund supports the aims of the UK-wide #iwill campaign, co-ordinated by the charity Step Up To Serve, to increase the number of young people taking part in social action.

Charlotte Hill, CEO of Step Up To Serve, said: “Social action builds vital skills whilst also enabling young people to contribute to their communities.  Young people should ALL have access to these opportunities to make a difference, regardless of their background.

“This exciting new partnership is all about enabling young people to understand the challenges of loneliness and consider how they can help others to cope with them. I look forward to hearing about the great new youth-led projects this funding will support.”

The deadline for expressions of interest in applying to the fund is 7 July. To find out more, including full details of eligible areas and how to apply, visit coop.co.uk/foundation

With the latest data showing the soaring cost of pet insurance, owners around the UK are looking for alternatives to providing for their loved one’s medical care. Pet insurance costs continue to outstrip inflation, with average increases of nearly 5% seen in the last six months alone.

Recent advances in medical care for animals is the main cause of the increase in the cost of pet insurance, which now makes the premiums unaffordable for many owners. Although 50% of the British public own pets, 75% of them don’t have insurance, with many citing the expense as a reason for not having cover.

British veterinarian Dr. Stewart Halperin, BVMS, MRCVS, founder and CEO of CarefreeCredit, says: “As a vet myself, I understand the problems faced when a pet-owner can’t afford the urgently-needed medical help required.  This is why we established CarefreeCredit with its ability to provide 0% finance quickly for those in need of a loan to provide desperately needed treatment for their pets when their owners aren’t insured and can’t afford to pay a large bill all at once.”

Since the start of the year, Bertrams Guldsmeden Hotel in Copenhagen has been implementing changes to their water management strategies to reduce overall water consumption.

Nikolas Hall, Host and Hotelier said, “As part of our constant efforts to improve, and contribute to a sustainable operation, we have chosen to install the ecoBETA water saving flush system in all our toilets. This system replaces the existing dual flush set-ups previously in place which while conserving water, were not as effective as the ecoBETA solution.”

The ecoBETA single button dual flush inserts can be fitted in most toilet makes and models to reduce water usage. This system uses one lever or button in place of conventional dual flush valves with two buttons and saves water by minimizing the risk of user error. Too often people will press a large flush button when only the half flush is required resulting in overuse, breakages and possible water leakages leading to increased maintenance costs.

The ecoBeta dual flush system is easy to use. For a half flush, guests simply press and release the lever or button. For a large flush, the lever is held down for 3-4 seconds. The large flush can also be interrupted, saving even more water.

“The ecoBETA dual flush solution constitutes a feasible option that effectively manages the balance between water supply and demand in a way that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. This water efficient measure can be combined with other water saving products to raise awareness regarding water conservation,” added Mr. Hall.

In addition, all faucets in sinks and showers at the hotel are being changed from dual handles to single handle faucets manufactured by Hans Grohe. These faucets are EcoSmart certified – using 60% less water than traditional faucets.

“We look forward to seeing notable results in 2017,” concluded Mr. Hall.

It’s no secret that the nation’s selfie obsession has become all-consuming, and a new consumer poll commissioned by The Open University (OU) unveils that over two thirds (67%) of Brummies indulge in taking selfies every week. On the other hand, almost half (45%) of them haven’t looked at their inner selves and thought about their life goals in over six months, which is why the OU is encouraging the people of Birmingham to self-reflect with the launch of a huge, mirrored, infinity Reflection Cube at the Bullring this Saturday 17^th June.

The findings indicate that people may be consumed by surface level beauty and are neglecting to focus on their inner selves and personal ambitions. Nearly a fifth (19%) of people surveyed in Birmingham, confess to never setting aside any time to self-reflect, yet over two thirds (76%) agreed some time out to consider their lives would be beneficial.

One of the key perceived barriers preventing Birmingham residents from taking time out for themselves is guilt, with over half (54%) feeling riddled with remorse whenever they do. This is followed closely by work (53%) and house chores (45%).

In response to the findings, the OU is giving members of the public the chance to enjoy some much needed self-reflection time in the cube. The 3x3 metre squaredCube is mirrored inside and out and will be open at the Birmingham Bullring for the day. It will also be visiting a number of other locations this summer*, following its launch in London last month.

The experience inside the cube includes a 360° infinity mirror, a striking light installation and zen-like soundscape**, as well as questions to help people begin to self-reflect. The OU’s expert student services team will be on-hand to talk to visitors who may conclude that studying could help them achieve their ambitions or enable them to follow their dreams.

Of those surveyed in the OU poll, nearly three fifths of people from Birmingham (51%) professed that they were unsure of how to self-reflect and over half (55%) agreed that some tips on how to do so effectively would be useful.

Martha Lane Fox, Chancellor of the OU and founder of Doteveryone, comments: “Taking time out to reflect on what you’ve achieved so far and where you’d like to get to is vital for progression, both in your personal and work life. It can be tough at first, particularly when life is so hectic, but if you don’t take time to look at the bigger picture you could end up getting stuck in a routine that may not be working for you.

"Self-reflection is all about questioning what you do and why you do it, determining your passions and ambitions and creating a plan for the future. Don't be afraid to think big. Once you've defined your goals, it's key to think practically and logically about how you are going to get there. You will find that it becomes easier with practice and the end result is likely to be a happier and more competent you.”

Clare Riding, Heads of Careers and Employability Services at The Open University, concludes: “We’re already half way through 2017. June provides the perfect time to review what you’ve achieved so far in terms of your life goals and career progression and really think about whether you are going in the right direction.

“Ask yourself questions to help you work out whether what you are doing and how you are progressing in your career is really what you want. Is it truly fulfilling? Are you making the most of your own skills and the opportunities that are out there? Are you pursuing your passions?”

A rare and highly valuable 19th century work of Russian literature dating back to before the reign of the last Tsar will be on sale this week, when a Birmingham City University collection goes to auction.

The 28 lots of some 200 books, mostly published in the 19th and early 20th century, includes a copy of the illustrated ‘Antiquities of the Russian Empire’, edited by a Russian Count and issued in four volumes in 1892.

They are expected to raise over £50,000 when made available by Dominic Winter Auctioneers in South Cerney, Gloucestershire on Wednesday 14 June. Proceeds from the sale will be reinvested in to new learning resources for students at the University.

The collection was developed from the mid Victorian period to support art and design education provided by Birmingham City University in its various incorporations, notably Birmingham College of Art. The books are now being sold because they no longer have relevance to current learning, teaching or research at the University.

Chris Albury, Auctioneer and Senior Valuer for Dominic Winter Auctioneers said:

“We’re delighted to be able to handle this prestigious sale. It’s a very interesting and varied collection which includes a number of rarities – the undoubted highlight being the sumptuously illustrated ‘Antiquities of the Russian Empire’, discovered in the collection, which we estimate will fetch £30,000 or more.

“This monumental, rare and influential work on Russian style contains over 500 large and vibrant chromolithographed plates of Russian artefacts including icons, crowns, costume, weapons and jewellery.”

The work was edited by Count Sergei Stroganov and the plates were made from drawings prepared by Fedor Solntsev, after he was sent to Moscow in 1830 to see the collections there and make the illustrations. Solntsev later went on to design the ‘Kremlin Service’ for the Imperial Porcelain Factory.

Steve Rose, Deputy Director, Library and Learning Resources at Birmingham City University, said:

“The ‘Antiquities of the Russian Empire’ is a stunning collection of books. I will be sad to see the books leave the University, but it means we can place a greater emphasis on our extensive archives, photography and rare books that have direct relevance to the University’s research activity, as well as reinvest the funds from the sale into enhancing our student experience.

The set of six books was published with the Russian title ‘Drevnosti Rossiiskago Gosudarstva’ (‘Antiquities of the Russian Empire’) in Moscow between 1849 and 1853, with a smaller seventh volume of text appearing in Russian and French.

Chris Albury added:

“What is remarkable and seemingly unique about the Birmingham City University copy is that it appears to have been issued in four volumes in 1892, using the 508 plates from the 1849-53 edition and incorporating an English title-page and English descriptions of the artefacts for the first time.

“Fortunately, the work has escaped unscathed from the potential damage of over 100 years of library usage and is in good condition. Bound in Victorian half-leather bindings this treasure-house of Russian art and design will be highly desirable on the open market.

“Only a modest 600 sets were published and even odd volumes and loose collections of plates from the work create considerable interest so we expect huge transatlantic international interest for this complete and unique ‘English language’ set.”

“Birmingham City University is a name that only dates back to 2007 and the original ownership of most of the varied books on art and design being sold here were no doubt acquired by one of the University’s original colleges, the Birmingham College of Art, which took its name in 1884.

“Birmingham has a world-famous and rich tradition in art and design, and it is wonderful to see so many beautifully illustrated books and portfolios of designs – from Dürer to Arts and Crafts – in one sale. It’s a testament to the richness of design worldwide and the incredible development of colour printing and book production that many of the books in this archive can still offer something tangible and rewarding that cannot be easily gleaned from the Internet.”