News Guardian, Thursday, March 28, 2013
www.newsguardian.co.uk
Fishing scheme is looking to get youngsters hooked A NEW fishing scheme set to launch in the borough aims to get young people hooked on positive activities. North Tyneside Council is supporting the Sea Fishing Initiative from its Play and Youth Capital Programme Fund, set aside to deliver positive activities for young people. The money will fund a sea fishing boat based at Royal Quays, plus pay for staff and equipment, where groups will be able to go out on the boat, learn how to sea fish and get to keep their catch. At least 50 aged 12 to 19 will benefit from the scheme in its first year, with the initiative expected to launch in April. It will be particularly targeted at those who may be in danger of engaging in anti-social or risk-taking behaviour, as well as vulnerable groups including looked-after children. Parents will also be encouraged to get involved with their children. The project will also offer the chance for young people to support others who have disabilities or additional needs.
Egg-citing craft events for kids WHITLEY Bay library will host two egg-citing craft sessions for children this Easter. On Friday, April 5, Wallsend based ‘Crafty Little Devils’ will deliver a session where children will be shown the art of ceramic painting, and will paint a mug, side plate or bowl, which will be fired after the session. The session starts at 10am and tickets cost ÂŁ5. Then at 2.30pm, the ‘Art Heroes’ workshop will teach children the art of drawing cartoon characters. Tickets cost ÂŁ4 each. Booking is essential on (0191) 200 8500.
Bombing survivor calls on PM not to cut funding for terrorism victims By Tegan Chapman tegan.chapman@northeast-press.co.uk
A BOROUGH woman who survived the London bus bombings in 2005 is lobbying the prime minister over planned cuts to funding for survivors of terrorism. Lisa French, 37, from Longbenton, was on the number 30 bus on July 7 in Tavistock Square when Hasib Hussain detonated a bomb, ripping apart the vehicle in a suicide attack that killed 13 people. Since that day, Lisa has battled with the after effects of the trauma. But this week she learned the government was cutting funding for a support group which has become a lifeline for survivors like her. Now she has published a letter online to David Cameron, calling on him to make a Uturn. “Cutting this funding is like turning off a life support,� she said. “Survivors of Terrorism is the only dedicated and specialised service available. “It has supported us for the last seven and a half years. “They provided counselling and legal advice and support. “We have had workshops and programmes, but what is really unique and special, is that it gives us a safe place to meet other people who do genuinely understand what we are going through. “Being able to share the feeling that you are not alone anymore is really important.� The government’s reasons for the withdrawal of services and funding is that demand has reduced, something Lisa says could not be further from the truth. “Demand has not reduced, but has been ‘managed down’ by the lack of services offered,� she said. “If a victim knows there is no help and support, they will not ask. “Their silent cries for support and help go unnoticed until they are beyond crisis. “Our needs have not gone away, our support has.� Lisa said the service has been vital to her personally over the years since 7/7, in coming to terms with what happened. “I am able to use a little public transport but it is something I have to prepare for and recover from each time.
‘Cutting funding is like turning off the life support’
Lisa French with her letter to David Cameron on her laptop, and, below, the No. 30 bus she was on when the bomb went off.
“But it is only because of the support I have had that has enabled me to do that. “The service has helped me come to terms with why what happened to me, happened.� In the letter, Lisa also raises concerns that people impacted by future events will have no support, and those currently struggling will be left facing a hefty private counselling bill.
“It is recognised that it can take between ten and 15 years for symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), by not having the service we are closing that door to people,â€? she added. “You don’t know what will trigger those feelings for people, everyone is different, and it can take any time and happen at any moment, so it is important that that door is left open. “PTSD does not go away completely, but with support we learn to manage some of our symptoms. “Help and support from Survivors of Terrorism has helped us learn to adjust, but it is a life long journey.â€? In her letter to Mr Cameron she says funding requires approximately ÂŁ60,000, or around ÂŁ75 per service user, per year to keep it going. Visit http://reallylisafrench. wordpress.com/2013/03/25/ dear-mr-cameron/ to read the letter in full and add your support.
Meditation helping to relieve exam stress
New website being trialled to highlight attractions A NEW website is being trialled to help visitors find out more about a trip to North Tyneside. The site – www. visitnorthtyneside.com – is undergoing a trial period, with North Tyneside Council inviting the borough’s leisure and tourism industry to give their views to help make the site more rewarding for visitors. It will then be fully launched later in the year. Visitors to the site can get suggestions for a range of things to see and do, including attractions, walks, event listings and where to stay, as well as links to further information. There are also details of history and heritage attractions in the area and regular special offers to enhance the visitor experience. The launch of the website follows publication of the borough’s annual visitor guide, which is distributed to all Tourist Information Centres in the UK, and the news that Tynemouth Long Sands has been voted fourth best beach in Britain by users of Trip Advisor.
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Youngsters taking part in holistic exam relief at Marden High School. A NORTH Shields high school is leading the way with a holistic approach to relieving exam stress. Marden High School is providing its students with dedicated ‘mindfulness sessions’ to deal with the stress that exams can cause, and pupils are already seeing the benefits.
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