February - April 2022
t2group.co.uk
edge achievers
edition 50
Inside This Issue
The Health Benefits of Water Recycling Difficulties Welsh in Patagonia
INSIDE
WHAT DO BRITISH VALUES ACTUALLY MEAN? Fairtrade Fortnight: Is it really fair? - See inside for details
What’s on around the UK? ESDGC and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Events 2022 February
March
April
1 World Hijab Day, Dignity Action Day – Health and Social Care Workers
3 World Wildlife Day 4 Employee Appreciate Day
2 Ramadan begins
2 World Wetlands Day
8 International Women’s Day
15 Good Friday
20 International Day of Happiness
17 Easter Sunday
21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination/World Down Syndrome Day
22 Earth Day
11 International Day of Women & Girls in Science 20 World Day of Social Justice
25
7 - 13
National Apprenticeship Week
8 Safer Internet Day
21 International Mother Language Day 21 - 6 Fairtrade Fortnight 27 Polar Bear Day
23 Saint George’s Day 25 World Penguin Day
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery & the Transatlantic Slave Trade
26 Earth Hour 30 World Bipolar Day
Health & Well-being Events 2022 February
March
April
4 World Cancer Day
1 Self-Injury Awareness Day
6 International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
6 - 12 World Glaucoma Week
28 - 3 World Autism Awareness Week
7 - 13
9 No Smoking Day
Tinnitus Awareness Week
22 Walking the Dog Day
8 - 14 International Salt Awareness Week 10 World Kidney Day
7 World Health Day
20 World Oral Health Day
10 - 16 Parkinson’s Awareness Week
22 World Water Day
17 World Haemophilia Day
24 World Tuberculosis Day
25 World Malaria Day
30 World Bipolar Day
Safeguarding Events 2022 February
March
April
LGBT History Month 2022
Stress Awareness Month
1 Dignity Action Day
28 - 5 Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2022
3 Time to Talk Day 2022
1 Self Injury Awareness Day (SIAD)
7 - 12 Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2022/Children’s Mental Health Week 2022
3 Universal Mental Health Day 2022
18 International Care Day 2022
30 - 2 Family Safety Week
21 - 27 You Can Care Week 2022 22 World Thinking Day 2022
16 Disabled Access Day/Young Carer’s Action Day
Recycling Difficulties Fast-food chain McDonald’s has recently announced that the paper straws they introduced in their restaurants in an effort to combat single-use plastics cannot be recycled at all. This is a surprising announcement in light of the fact that the point of the paper straws was to have a less detrimental effect on the environment; it is also not entirely true. According to Transcend Packaging who manufacture the straws, they are completely recyclable. The issue is that they have to be collected and recycled in batches with no other materials which makes it totally impractical to recycle the straws because the way McDonald’s collects waste for recycling is to have customers throw it all in one bin... this is then compounded by the way that British recycling plants work as the straws cannot be separated in a cost-effective way. The solution to this? Consider buying a reusable straw. They are readily available from many retailers at reasonable prices and most come in a little pouch with a special cleaning brush, so they are easy to clean, too! Research into this matter led to the discovery that many household items which we routinely throw out with the household waste believing that they cannot be recycled can, in fact, be recycled; just not through the local council with your regular recycling pick up. TerraCycle is a company that specialises in recycling traditionally “difficult” items to recycle collects crisp packers, cosmetic cartridges and packaging, household cleaning product packaging, bread bags, plastic gloves, water filters, coffee pods, and even old biros and highlighters.
They run community collection points which are set up by local businesses who volunteer to become collection points. TerraCycle collects from them all once a month and turns our rubbish into other items. There is a comprehensive list of where their pickup points are – check it out; there is almost certainly one close to you. www.terracycle.com/en-GB/ They are still looking for businesses to act as collection points; perhaps this is something that you could consider organising in your workplace but be warned – you do have to commit to generating specific minimum amounts of waste during a period of time (for example 8kg of crisp packets over six months) so it may be worth joining forces with another local collection point rather than offering to become one.
The Health Ben The benefits of drinking water are well documented; we all know we should be drinking more.
A recent Gallop survey indicated that 60% of the population is dehydrated, and that’s not because we’re not drinking enough fluid, it’s because we’re not drinking enough of the right fluid – water. Our body is 70% water, and our brain is up to 85% water. By the time you start feeling thirsty, you’ve already lost approximately 2% of your body fluid equating to a staggering 20% reduction in your ability to perform, both physically and mentally. One of the most immediate benefits of drinking water, therefore, is maintaining peak performance.
The effects of dehydration Chronic levels of dehydration can also be responsible for a number of ailments including: Fatigue Headaches Dry Skin Aches Poor Concentration
How Much Water Should You Drink?
That’s the burning q uestion; how much water should you drink? According to nutritionists, the optimum amount is one and a half litres a day, but how you drink is important too. To get the full benefits of drinking water, you should try and maintain a steady intake throughout the day. Here are some reasons our body needs water:
1. It lubricates the joints Cartilage, found in joints and the disks of the spine, contains around 80 percent water. Long-term dehydration can reduce the joints’ shockabsorbing ability, leading to joint pain.
2. It forms saliva and mucus Saliva helps us digest our food and keeps the mouth, nose, and eyes moist. This prevents friction and damage. Drinking water also keeps the mouth clean. Consumed instead of sweetened beverages, it can also reduce tooth decay.
3. It delivers oxygen throughout the body Blood is more than 90 percent water, and blood carries oxygen to different parts of the body.
4. It boosts skin health and beauty With dehydration, the skin can become more vulnerable to skin disorders and premature wrinkling.
nefits of Water 5. It cushions the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues
Dehydration can affect brain structure and function. It is also involved in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Prolonged dehydration can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning.
6. It regulates body temperature Water that is stored in the middle layers of the skin comes to the skin’s surface as sweat when the body heats up. As it evaporates, it cools the body in sport. Some scientists have suggested that when there is too little water in the body, heat storage increases, and the individual is less able to tolerate heat strain. Having a lot of water in the body may reduce physical strain if heat stress occurs during exercise. However, more research is needed into these effects.
7. The digestive system depends on it The bowel needs water to work properly. Dehydration can lead to digestive problems, constipation, and an overly acidic stomach. This increases the risk of heartburn and stomach ulcers.
8. It flushes body waste Water is needed in the processes of sweating and the removal of urine and faeces.
9. It helps maintain blood pressure A lack of water can cause blood to become thicker, increasing blood pressure.
10. The airways need it
When dehydrated, airways are restricted by the body in an effort to minimise water loss. This can make asthma and allergies worse.
11. It makes minerals and nutrients accessible These dissolve in water, which makes it possible for them to reach different parts of the body.
12. It prevents kidney damage The kidneys regulate fluid in the body. Insufficient water can lead to kidney stones and other problems.
13. It boosts performance during exercise Some scientists have proposed that consuming more water might enhance performance during strenuous activity. More research is needed to confirm this, but one review found that dehydration reduces performance in activities lasting longer than 30 minutes.
14. Weight loss Water may also help with weight loss if it is consumed instead of sweetened juices and sodas. “Preloading” with water before meals can help prevent overeating by creating a sense of fullness.
15. It reduces the chance of a hangover When partying, unsweetened soda water with ice and lemon alternated with alcoholic drinks can help prevent overconsumption of alcohol.
Fairtrade Fortnight Fairtrade: Is it really fair?
NO: Other schemes are just as valuable
It is trade, of that there is no doubt. Some £1.3bn is spent on Fairtrade-badged goods in the UK. But nearly two decades after the launch of the scheme, the question that increasingly vexes consumers as they make their purchases is: is it really fair?
By Philip Booth, Institute of Economic Affairs
The UK is the world’s biggest fair-trade market, and it continues to grow. The first three products to showcase the Fairtrade mark hit the shelves in this country 26 years ago. Now, there are more than 4,500 products carrying the familiar logo in our shops. The scheme was set up with the anything-but-simple mission of providing “better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world”. Farmers who pay for certification are assured a minimum price – which can never fall below market level – and a premium to invest in their communities. Despite becoming increasingly mainstream, the Fairtrade label has persistent critics. It is attacked by those on the left who say it has sold out and given in to the market. Pundits on the right argue that it distorts markets, exaggerates its claims, prices out the poorest farmers, and perpetuates inefficient modes of production. But is it FAIR?
YES: It puts people back at the heart of trade By Harriet Lamb, Fairtrade Foundation Fairtrade does what it says on the tin: it is about better prices for smallholder farmers and workers in developing countries. Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which too often leaves the poorest, weakest producers earning less than it costs them to grow their crops. It’s a bit like a national minimum wage for global trade. Not perfect, not a magic wand, not a panacea for all the problems of poverty, but a step in the right direction. Free-market economists complain that Fairtrade benefits only a small number of farmers, penalising those outside. This is plain wrong. In fact, the evidence suggests that the opposite is true. Research in Bolivia, for example, found that coffee producers outside Fairtrade were able to negotiate higher prices: Fairtrade had become a price setter. Fairtrade farmers also share their knowledge in trading. For those inside the system, our research shows that through the minimum price guarantee, farmers have more secure and stable incomes. A group of rice farmers in India invested their premium in buying a tractor and a land leveller; productivity increased by 30 percent. Other critics ask why we are working with retailers or big brands like Cadbury’s and Starbucks. Our answer is that only by mainstreaming Fairtrade will we be able to reach more producers. So, we are unapologetic in our commitment to scale up. By doing so, moreover, we begin to affect all business behaviour. A favourite question is why don’t we work with UK farmers. We recognise that many farmers in the UK face similar issues to farmers elsewhere, but Fairtrade was established specifically to support the most disadvantaged producers in the world - like the teagrowers of Malawi, who don’t even have drinking water in their villages. I always buy my cheese, pears, and carrots from my local farmers’ market - and enjoy Fairtrade bananas, tea, and coffee. It’s two sides of the same movement to put people back at the heart of trade. Surely you cannot say fairer than that.
Private certification schemes are the unsung heroes of a market economy. They are far more effective than state regulation. It is therefore with a heavy heart that I have always had reservations about Fairtrade-labelled products. The foundation pounces on critics with its well-oiled publicity machine, always responding with anecdotes. But doubts remain. There are many ways in which poor farmers can get better prices. They can do so through speciality brands, via traditional trade channels, and using other labelling initiatives. Does Fairtrade help? The evidence is limited, but even proponents of Fairtrade would argue that only about 50 per cent of the extra money spent by consumers is available to spend on social projects, and others have suggested a figure much closer to zero. No clear evidence has been produced to suggest that farmers themselves actually receive higher prices under Fairtrade. Fairtrade cannot help all farmers. Some poorer or remote farmers cannot organise and join up; others cannot afford the fees; still, others will be working for larger producers who are excluded from many Fairtrade product lines. Against that background, “Fairtrade absolutism” does not sit well. Fairtrade schools have to do everything possible to stock Fairtrade products - but, what about speciality brands produced by individual farmers? What about Rainforest Alliance products? Are poor producers to be expected to pay the costs involved to join every labelling scheme? Fairtrade is a brand that promotes itself the way all brands do. As noted, the brand is prominent in schools. It is worrying that its PowerPoint presentation shows graphs of commodity prices that stop in 2001 and graphs of the coffee price relative to the Fairtrade minimum price that stops in 2006. The picture since then tells a different story. This is marketing, not education. Fairtrade may do some good in some circumstances, but it does not deserve the unique status it claims for itself.
Am I being treated fair ly?
Source: The Independent
WELSH The Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Strategy – “Cymraeg 2050 – a million Welsh speakers” aims for people to enjoy speaking and using Welsh reach a million by 2050. According to the most recent Annual Population Survey, less than 30% of the population of Wales say they can speak Welsh. Did you know though, that there are plenty of other places where Welsh is spoken around the world? Significant migration means that about 100,000 Welsh speakers are resident in England – most notably in Hereford and Liverpool. There are also Welsh speakers living in Ireland, Canada, and the United States. Perhaps most interestingly, a population of about 50,000 people with Welsh ancestors live in Chubut, a region of Argentinian Patagonia. 5,000 of them identify as Welsh speakers. About 150 years ago, Michael D Jones set about forming an alliance with a country that would allow him and his followers to maintain their language and culture since immigrants to Canada and the United States had mostly assimilated the English-speaking cultures around them. Eventually, after several negotiations, an agreement with the Argentinian government was reached and the band of settlers headed for a new life in Patagonia. Since 1997 in fact, the British Council instigated the Welsh Language Project (WLP) to promote and develop the Welsh language in the Chubut region of Patagonia. Within the terms of this project as well as a permanent Teaching Co-ordinator based in the region, every year Language Development Officers from Wales are dispatched to ensure that the purity of the ‘language of heaven’ is delivered by both formal teaching and via more ‘fun’ social activities. Today, there is a waiting list for the new Welsh/Spanish medium school, and the ability to speak Welsh is prized; there is even an Eisteddfod.
IN
PATAGONIA
What do British Val Britain has changed drastically over the last 100 years; socially, economically and culturally. Fundamental British Values underpin what it is to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Great Britain, valuing our community and celebrating diversity of the UK. They can be used to find common values amongst many different types of groups and individuals. People often confuse ‘values’ with ‘stereotypes’ when discussing what British Values are.
What are stereotypes? Stereotypes are generalised beliefs about a particular category of people. They can be formed during our upbringing when we take on the views of family and friends, or from our own experiences. Stereotypes are expectations that people might have about every person of a particular group. The type of expectation can vary and it can include preconceptions about the group’s personality, preferences, or ability. Some stereotypes about British Values include: Being polite Eating fish and chips Having a monarchy Queuing Drinking cups of tea Talking about the weather Roast Dinners on a Sunday
What are values? Values are principles or standards of behaviour. Individuals make judgements on what is important in life, and this informs the way they behave and treat others.
What are the four fundamental British Values? The 4 recognised fundamental British Values are: Democracy The Rule of Law Individual liberty Mutual respect and tolerance for those with different beliefs and faiths, including those with no faith
How do British Values relate to me? Democracy Definition: A culture built upon freedom and equality, where everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities. People are able to freely express their opinions. How does this relate to my everyday home and work life? The right to vote in local and general elections and referenda The right to protest and petition Team meetings – agreeing objectives and goals Joint decision making Gathering feedback e.g. through surveys
Rule of Law Definition: The framework that supports the equality of all citizens before the law; the need for rules preventing the unreasoned use of power whilst allowing people to live and work in safe and secure environments. How does this relate to my everyday home and work life? Legislation Codes of conduct within work or groups we are members of Policies and procedures in the workplace How we conduct ourselves in our daily lives
Individual Liberty Definition: Individual liberty means each of us having the freedom to make our own choices and do what we want – within reason. As long as we respect the other three British values and the rights of others, then we are free to pursue our ambitions, and follow our own volition (theday.co.uk). How does this relate to my everyday home and work life? Equality and Human Rights Personal development plans Career and life choices Consent, individuality and personality
lues actually mean? Mutual Respect and Tolerance Definition: Mutual respect is understanding that we all don’t share the same beliefs and values. Respecting the values, ideas and beliefs of others whilst not imposing our own on others. How does this relate to my everyday home and work life? How we interact with people who hold different views to our own Workplace policies such as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Recognising stereotypes in ourselves and others and challenging these views appropriately Celebrating religious and cultural events and festivals Embracing diversity such as:
How do fundamental British Values fit in with the Prevent strategy? The Prevent strategy is all about raising the awareness of radicalisation and extremism and preventing young and vulnerable individuals being drawn into violent extremism and terrorism. By integrating the British Values into our daily lives, we will encourage tolerance of other cultures, religions and beliefs (whatever they may represent). Being tolerant and allowing people to express those views and opinions in a more appropriate way will mean individuals are less likely to take a violent or extremist approach. Extremism can be defined as any view that vocally or actively opposes the fundamental British Values. Further information can be found on the Learner Support section of the website www.t2group.co.uk including: eLearning module ‘What are British values?’ eLearning module ‘Radicalisation’ Guide – ‘Radicalisation and Preventing Extremism’
ure Race, Cult rigin National o ender Region, G tation n e i r O l a u Sex eligion Politics, R bility a s i D , y t i c Ethni cture u r t s y l i m Fa tatus S l a t i r a M Health, d beliefs Values an ferences f i d c i m o Socio-econ Age
If you have any concerns about radicalisation and extremism or anything related to fundamental British Values, you can contact the safeguarding team via safeguarding@t2group.co.uk for help and support. Safeguarding and Prevent Lead: Stacy Preston 02920 799 133 / 07876 824 157 stacy.preston@t2group.co.uk
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