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Where Happiness Rises in the Oven

Where Happiness Rises in the Oven!

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Eight weeks to go, and it’ll be time for twinkling lights, warm cocoa, and the magic of Christmas! As we gear up for the holiday season, and the winter winds gradually pick up, how about transforming your kitchen into your own cozy little bakery? Some might perceive baking as a tedious task, but it’s actually far more than that.

For keeping the kids Active and creating from scratch, and witnessing it transform in the oven, can be incredibly satisfying and rewarding.

 Baking isn’t just about delicious treats; it’s a fun activity that can have a huge impact on children’s mental well-being. We believe in the power of creating memorable moments and building strong connections, and baking is the magic ingredient for achieving just that. Read on to learn more about how this  simple activity can work wonder for your kids.


Why Baking Is a Game-Changer for Kids

  • Stress Reduction: The rhythmic nature of baking, from measuring ingredients to the gentle mixing of batter, can be therapeutic. It provides a sense of control and order, reducing stress and anxiety.
  • Creativity and Expression: Baking allows kids to express themselves through decoration and presentation. The sense of accomplishment and the joy of creating something beautiful can boost their self-esteem.
  • Mindfulness: Focusing on the task at hand while baking promotes mindfulness. Children are fully engaged in the present moment, enhancing their mental clarity and overall sense of mental well-being.
  • Sense of Achievement: Successfully baking a cake or some muffins gives children a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing the idea that they can overcome challenges to achieve their
  • Sharing and Generosity: Baking encourages sharing. When kids offer their homemade treats to others, they experience the positive feelings that come with generosity, kindness, and the joy of making someone else’s day a little sweeter.
  • Bond Strengthening: Working on a baking project as a pair or a team encourages collaboration, communication, and cooperation, practising valuable life skills that extend far beyond the kitchen. 
Where Happiness Rises in the Oven

Baking Memories

Every time a child bakes, unforgettable memories are made in the process. Whether it’s the first time they successfully knead cookie dough or they eagerly wait for scones to rise in the oven, these experiences leave a lasting impression, often with a smile on their faces and a deliciously rewarding sweet prize at the end.

There’s something especially heartwarming about the idea of gathering around the kitchen table with freshly baked brownies or gingerbread cookies, accompanied by a steaming cup of tea or hot cocoa. The warmth of the oven, the mouth-watering smell of baked goods, and the cozy vibe can make cold weather feel warmer.

Baking isn’t just about whipping up tasty treats; it’s a gateway to pure joy, stronger bonds, and a big boost to kids’ moods. So, as the holiday season rolls in, grab that apron, crank up the oven, and bake your way to happy heart and cozy memories.You won’t just be satisfying taste buds; you’ll be nourishing your little ones’ spirits. 

While you’re busy baking up smiles and memories, take a moment to think about how you can sprinkle some happiness in your community, much like what we do at  Little Lives UK.

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Yoga and children: what are the benefits?

Yoga and children: what are the benefits?

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Home » Mental health

Think yoga is just for lycra-clad adults? Think again.

Children’s yoga is on the rise and has been introduced in an increasing number of schools and nurseries across the UK. It has become so popular that it has even been included in the curriculum at some schools. This article takes a deeper dive into the world of child yoga and how it could be the next best thing for you and your little ones.

What’s it all about?

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. The health benefits of yoga for children have gained increasing attention from mental health professionals, teachers and even government officials.  Yoga originates from the Eastern world and has been around for centuries. The word ‘yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit meaning of ‘’union’’.  It aims to evoke a feeling of connectiveness between the mind, body and soul. There is no one size fits all approach to the practice of yoga and it is open to anyone to try, including children.

Yoga teachers have described their sessions as a way to bring peace and clarity to the mind by practicing controlled breathing and balance. Yoga positions, also known as asanas, are motions that offer more than just stretching. By widening the body’s energy pathways, they help to strengthen bones, increase spine flexibility, and boost the immune and circulatory systems. There are various types of yoga, but one of the most popular being Vinyasa, this form of yoga involves using positions that are linked together so that you can transition seamlessly from one to the next while using your breath.

How does yoga work?

Yoga involves a collection of poses that aims to help to control the mind, to help a person to free themselves from any thoughts that have been weighing them down and to give them the tools to be able to live a more connected and conscious life. Many traditional yoga practices are adapted so that they are child-friendly, with poses such as ‘cat pose’ and ‘helicopter pose’ this enables yoga to be more memorable and fun for children to learn.

Yoga helps children to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings and can provide them with a sense of calm and clarity. This is especially important as children learn to navigate their way through early life. It can also teach them about self-acceptance, patience, gratitude and inner peace, which can be particularly useful if a child is struggling with poor self-esteem or is displaying mental health problems.

 

Yoga and children: what are the benefits?

A bonding experience

Parent and child yoga may also be a fantastic way to strengthen the bond with your child. Yoga uses mindfulness techniques and encourages the individual to connect with themselves and to be present in the moment. Therefore, a shared yoga session may be a great way to connect with your child on a much deeper level. Yoga is also a great form of exercise and can release those ‘feel-good’ feelings via the means of increased serotonin, which is another good reason to roll out the yoga mat and get into the flow alongside your child. Also, children and adults who can learn to be conscious of their breathing will eventually have more control over their emotions and overall well-being, which can have a positive influence on the whole family. Happier minds equal a happier home.

Is it expensive?

There is common misconception that yoga is costly. Whilst regular classes and yoga retreats may not be affordable for everyone, it does not mean you or your child has to miss out on all of the fantastic benefits yoga has to offer. With thanks to modern technology there are thousands of free yoga videos on platforms such as YouTube for you and your child to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Alternatively, you could check out your local leisure centers, youth clubs and other local community organisations as many places offer low-cost or sometimes free yoga sessions for children. You could even see if they offer park or beach yoga sessions, which is also a great way to get out in the fresh air and enjoy nature together. You could even pop into your local charity shops and see if they have any pre-loved yoga mats for sale.  

The benefits for children

It has been discovered that school-age children (ages 6 to 12) who regularly practice yoga and mindfulness have improved physical and mental health. As well as this, yoga has many other health benefits for children. It has been proven that the practice can contribute to the possible prevention of diseases such as diabetes, acute anxiety, low bone density, asthma and obesity. All issues that today’s youth are increasingly at risk of developing.

Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that yoga can help children focus more effectively, remember things better, improve their feelings about themselves, perform more successfully in school, behave better in class, and even decrease anxiety and stress. On top of this, there is increasing evidence to show that yoga can benefit kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by reducing their inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which are the disorder’s three main symptoms.

The take-away

It is understandable to see why children’s Yoga has gained popularity over the years. With all of the amazing health and well-being benefits for those who practice, it offers so much more than just fancy stretching and deep breathing. With improved mental focus at school, lowered stress and anxiety and the various other benefits, yoga has the potential to work wonders for your child’s health and well-being. It is also a fun and healthy way to bond with your child, to learn how focus on the body and mind and to remain in the present moment. Given the fast-paced world we live in nowadays; yoga could very well be the answer to a happier and healthier life. 

Namaste. 

 

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“Dirty hands are a sign of a job well done!”

“Dirty hands are a sign of a job well done!”

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Home » Mental health

Have you ever worked on something with your hands that you can feel, touch or eat after and think about how good that felt?

Have you really thought, how impactful working with your hands can be?

Did you ever consider that when you work with your hands, your mind can take a break?

Completing a task with your hands provides you with creativity, pleasure, accomplishment, satisfaction and a sense of autonomy. Not only this, active hands have the ability to help you manage emotions and improve your mental health.

This is important to consider as we set upon the summer holidays, with the longer days and more time on our hands (or on children and teenagers’ hands), why not consider what you can accomplish through tasks that require the use of your hands. There is an old saying that “idle hands are a devil’s playground.”

Each task you do with your hands comes with its own planning, problem solving and results. Your mind focusses on the reward at the end and this sense of achievement does you the world of good.

Matthew B. Crawford, has written a book called ‘Shop Class as Soulcraft’ after he opened his motorbike repair shop. Whilst the book covers a larger agenda around manual trades as a profession, he does talk about how the ability for people to make and fix things – once a common and essential thing to do, is an experience that has now receded from society. In his book, Crawford highlights the case for the gratifications and challenges that working with your hands can bring and the importance of self-reliance.

A term called ‘behaviourceuticals’ has been created by Kelly Lambert, a neuroscientist at the University of Richmond, which describes the positive impact of engaging in activities has on our mental health. In her research Kelly provides evidence on how having to work hard towards a task, significantly improves individuals’ moods. She specifically links the need for hands-on physical activity to activate positive emotions. 

“Dirty hands are a sign of a job well done!”

Here are some real-world examples, where working with the hands has been the suggested path for improving your mindset.

  • Knitting was prescribed by doctors in the 19th century to women who felt over anxious
  • Colouring has been coined as an alternative to meditation.

There is a huge list of things that you could embark on, that involve using your hands and below are some ideas. The world is your oyster with this and your focus could be something completely different.Not all hand work requires a lot of resources, they can be as simple as:

  • Gardening
  • Folding clothes
  • Washing the car
  • Cleaning the driveway
  • Decluttering
  • Sorting the cupboards, your room, your desk

Other activities may need ‘some’ items to get you started such as:

  • Completing a jigsaw puzzle
  • Solving the rubix cube
  • Origami
  • Needlework
  • Wood work
  • Beading
  • Painting / Colouring / Drawing
  • Clay work
  • Lego / Construction
  • Calligraphy
  • Cooking / Baking
  • Making your own boardgame
  • Learn to play chess

All of these suggestions can also beat your boredom. Have a think what you can do that you do not have time to do when you are at school, college or work. See what you have around the house, in the recycling, in the cupboards and try and be creative in your approach. Spend some time making your plan in your mind or on paper, and identify if the activity will need any adult help or supervision. And then go… Embrace the task or challenge you have set yourself.

As you approach your day, think what you can do that does not require a screen (in full, you may still need to utilise technology to access a recipe, instructions or get you started on a new skill). In particular I love what Rob Kennedy does. Rob is the creator of the YouTube Channel – ‘Dad, How Do I?.’ He started making videos through the Coronavirus Pandemic to share with his own children to teach them how to DIY or even learn how to tie a tie. His videos went viral helping teach millions of people how to do practical tasks. This could be your resource for something you want to learn.

There are a wealth of things to try out, one of which could be the thing that is for you and you may surprise yourself on the amount of enjoyment it yields. The worse case scenario is that you find it was not for you and you can try something else another day.

Sometimes, going back to basics and looking at the things your parents or grandparents used to do to pass their time, in the days when the world was less connected and driven by technology is really the best thing. In part we seem to have pushed to a side these basic concepts for bigger, brighter, more expensive, more technological savvy alternatives.

This guest blog was kindly written by our charity ambassador Asha Patel. 

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How can I show support for LGBTQ+ children all year-round?

How can I show support for LGBTQ+ children all year-round?

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Warning: This blog contains discussions of mental health issues in children which may be upsetting to read.

Every June, the UK dolls itself up with rainbow-tinted glasses and fastens its seatbelt for a month of parades, parties and celebrations that create a safe and joyful space for LGBTQ+ individuals. But as pride month is wrapped up for another year and the rainbow flags slowly disappear from our town centres, its important to remember that pride is much more than a month-long party, here at Little Lives, conversations that centre how we can best support LGBTQ+ youth are considered in all months of the year.

People can realise they are LGBTQ+ at any age or life stage, and for some, this can happen during childhood or teenagerhood. Exploring one’s identity is an important part of growth and development in a young person’s life as this is often the time when people begin to question whether they feel attraction, who they are attracted to, and how they feel about their gender and gender expression. However, many LGBTQ+ young people report that having a sexuality or gender identity that is different from the majority of their peers can feel like an extra weight on top of the existing pressures of growing up, with the prominent concern for many young people being judgement or bullying.

Studies reveal that 45% of LGBTQ+ young people experience bullying in school or college and more than half feel that bullying has had a negative effect on their plans for future education. The effects of bullying and negative stigma means that LGBTQ+ young people experience higher rates of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts in comparison to straight, cisgendered people.

At Little Lives, we believe that no one should have to go through this alone and that mental health support should be accessible to everyone. In our ‘Someone to Talk to’ campaign, we provide free counselling for children who need mental health support but cannot afford to access it privately- and this is campaign is provided to children of all races, ethnicities, sexualities and genders. Alongside professional support, there are also many ways that you as an individual can show your support for LGBTQ+ young people. So, whether you are a parent wanting to support your child, an ally, or an LGBTQ+ person yourself, here are a number of ways that you can show your support all-year round:

How can I show support for LGBTQ+ children all year-round?

CREATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

One of the most important aspects of being an LGBTQ+ ally is consistency, it is not enough to attend a pride parade once a year, being an ally means having zero tolerance for homophobia at all times. It’s important to proactively create a supportive environment so LGBTQ+ people in your life, including those who are closeted, know that if and when they decide to come out, they will be supported. This is particularly important for young people of whom 60% feel that they don’t have an adult at home they can talk to about their sexuality or gender identity.

Creating a supportive environment doesn’t require a lot of effort! It simply means having an open mind, listening to and centring LGBTQ+ people in conversations that concern the community, and using inclusive language.

ENCOURAGE INCLUSIVITY

Growing up LGBTQ+ in a heteronormative world can be an isolating experience, so it’s important that young people have access to inclusive resources that show they are not alone. There is a danger that comes with isolation as many LGBTQ+ youth report that they have used inappropriate means to meet other LGBTQ+ people, such as dating apps or going to bars/clubs, this can put a minors’ safety at risk and cause them to become potential a target for predators. Instead, young people should be made aware of safe ways to meet age-appropriate people like them, such as through local or online LGBTQ+ youth groups or clubs.

Additionally, another way to practice inclusivity is by showing young people media with diverse representation, inclusive media not only increases empathy for others, but it can also make LGBTQ+ youth to feel seen and understood. Being shown role models that reflect who they are can reassure young people that they are not alone and reassure them that LGBTQ+ people can live happy and successful lives.

START THE CONVERSATION

The final way to show support, especially as a parent, is to speak about and inform young people about the LGBTQ+ community. There is so much beauty and joy within the community that can be shared with children, and information can be delivered in ways that align with a child’s level of understanding, for example, Stonewall put forward a child-friendly definition for the word gay:

“the word gay describes someone who falls in love with or wants to have a relationship or partnership with someone of the same gender, for example, some people have two dads that are in love with each other and some people have two mums that are in love with each other.”

It’s important that children are given the correct language and definitions so they can learn to understand and accept other people, and be able to understand and accept themselves. It’s important that these conversations don’t come to a close as soon as the calendar turns to July, because LGBTQ+ youth should be seen and heard all year round, and they should always have someone to talk to.

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Is enough being done about children’s mental health

Is enough being done about children’s mental health?

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Home » Mental health

In society at the moment mental health concerns have been growing across the board, this unfortunately also applies to children.

Warning: this blog contains discussions of mental health issues in children which may be upsetting to read.

We all want what’s best for the children in our lives, all children for that matter. For many the thought of a vulnerable child facing mental health struggles alone is a hard pill to swallow, you’d hope that we as a society are doing everything our power to support them. Unfortunately, in many cases, for a variety of reasons, the support on offer to children and young people struggling with their mental health falls short.

Since the pandemic, the demand for children’s mental health services has doubled in many areas and with this demand continuing to grow. Funding for these services however has not changed in line with increased demand putting strain on NHS services, council run support services and the young people in need of support.

One way that this strain can be seen, is in the waiting times between waiting times and referral to services like the Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service (CAHMS). Access to support is a postcode lottery with more rural areas having far fewer mental health resources on offer especially for children. In these more rural areas, there have been reports of children waiting up to nine months for a mental health assessment. In this amount of time without support it is likely a mental health concern will grow into possibly a crisis or life-threatening emergency.

Due to long waitlists, there is a high threshold of who is actually accepted into treatment after referral meaning these services are failing to meet the overwhelming demand. 34% of young people referred to NHS services due to mental health concerns are not actually accepted into treatment, some being turned away if their issue isn’t urgent enough. Many young people don’t seek help regarding mental health because they don’t think their problem is bad enough. This allows the issue to carry on unnoticed and grow into a far bigger issue. A child shouldn’t need to wait until they are having a mental health crisis which can be life-threatening in order to get support.

As mental health services continue to struggle, it has been proposed that schools should have qualified help on hand to help tackle the early stages of mental health issues. This is a good idea considering the fact that approximately one in five pupils aged seven to sixteen are suspected to have a mental health disorder. This service is also limited with only an expected 25% of primary schools having access by 2024. This added support in schools allows symptoms to be spotted early and addressed in a safe familiar space while reducing pressure on NHS services. The limited availability of such support, does however create a gap in care where some children have mental health concerns too complex for the school to handle but not severe enough to be referred to NHS care, leaving these children in a position where they are unable to get the support they need.

What can we do to help today

Why may children struggle with mental health?

There are lots of possible things that can affect a child’s mental health, in recent years isolation and changing of routine during the pandemic had a negative impact on mental health for many children. Children may have a harder time processing difficult life event, things that you find tricky are even harder to deal with as a child.

This includes things like death or illness in the child’s family or community or a separation of parents making a child have lots of confusing emotions they are not used to. Moving house of school can create a difference in routine and environment that negatively impacts a child’s mental health. As children spend the majority of their time at school issues from this environment can be overwhelming. This may include stress from exams, feeling like school work is too difficult and even issues with relationships and friendships which are involved in a large majority of a child’s time at school.

In a school environment, unfortunately bullying is something that may also affect a child’s mental health which can be carried over into the online world of social media to impact a child at home as well as in school. Toxic online content can be responsible for low self-esteem in children as it promotes an unattainable image of perfection, this can make a child feel like they are not successful and sometimes create a negative body image. These body image issues can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food or exercise, and can be linked to mental health concerns like disordered eating.

What can we do to help?

Despite the current strain, there is still mental health support available for children and young people who need it. This comes in the form of community help, support at school and through the NHS. The NHS offers cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to children struggling with stress, anxiety and other mental health concerns, this is prescribed by your GP. A GP can also offer mental health support when needed as well as referral to services such as CAMHS.

If you are a parent or look after children it is important to look out for possible signs of mental health struggles. Possible signs include: a dramatic change in behaviour, withdrawing from social situations, not wanting to do things they usually enjoy, difficulty sleeping, changes in eating habits, neglecting themselves and self-harm. This isn’t an exhaustive list, mental health issues can display themselves in children in many ways, if you have concerns it is best to act on them.

 You know your child best and if you have concerns it may be best to look into further help, you can do this via your doctors, as well as taking to the school to see if they have contacts with local help services, charities can also offer support. If you have immediate concern over the safety of a child due to mental health issues, treat it as an emergency and call 999.

Here at Little Lives UK we have a mental health campaign called Someone to talk to which aims to reduce the average 18 week waiting time for referrals to a mental health professional as this time allows for further deterioration of a child’s mental health many times resulting in an increased risk of self-harm or suicide. At Little Lives UK with the help of our partners we provide funding for children to see mental health professionals privately so that they can get the one-to-one counselling they require, when they need it instead of too late.

There are things you can do to directly support a child in your life if they are struggling. For many children home feels like the safest place and so is likely the first place they may express concerns or signs of mental health struggles.

Listen to you children, really listen and take what they say seriously. This makes a child feel like they can talk freely and reminds them that their experiences are valid and valued by the adults in their lives. Show genuine interest in your child’s life and encourage positive interests so your child has something positive to focus their energy on.

Maintaining structure in a child’s life has a huge positive impact on mental health, this can include a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise, a good balance between school work and home life and a good sleep schedule.

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children with nothing to do

Nothing to do for children in the UK?

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Home » Mental health

It has been a common complaint from children and parents in the UK that there is nothing to do for children in their spare time. Since 2010, youth clubs and youth workers have been cut by 69%! That is more than 4,500 youth work jobs and 750 youth centres shut down!

Many people believe that with the closure of youth centres and community centres, it leaves children and young people with nothing to do which can push them to crime or violence and even into horrible situations, even as serious as death.

Children have nothing to do: why does it matter? 

It may not sound like a bad thing, not having anything to do and especially for children, considering child exam stress levels this year, but in reality it is can be causing a lot more damage than it is helping children to relax.

Afterschool clubs and classes act as a great place for children and young people to meet others with similar interests, develop new interpersonal skills, learn new practical skills, have people with similar interests to talk to and learn from others. They also act a good place to ensure that children and young people don’t become involved with antisocial behaviour.

With the ever-increasing number of youth clubs closing, more and more children are missing out on vital life lessons in safe spaces that previous generations had access to.

The structure and activities offered at clubs are important for children and young people to make friends, find new activities they can pursue and spend time in a safe place that away from potential harm. Clubs and activities can also act as a community for children and young people to feel as if they belong somewhere with other likeminded individuals.

There has been a worrying link between the closure of youth clubs and the rise in knife crime and violence within children and young people in the UK. Research has found that police forces in England and Wales recorded a 68% increase in knife offences.

The four worst effected local authorities were the City of Wolverhampton (where youth services were cut by 91%), City of Westminster (cut by 91%), Cambridgeshire County Council (cut by 88%) and Wokingham Borough Council (81%).

Forces in these areas have also seen some of the highest knife crime rises since 2013 with an 87% increase for West Midlands Police, a 47% increase for the Metropolitan Police, a 95% increase for Cambridgeshire Police and a staggering 99% increase for Thames Valley Police. 

The worry is that the more youth clubs and youth centres that close down, the more young people and children will become at risk of becoming involved in crime or gang culture through no choice of their own. With a rise of county-lines related crime and gangs around the country involving children, it is apparent that without the unseen intervention of youth clubs and of youth workers, there are more children becoming involved with dangerous crime.

children with nothing to do

With the ever-increasing number of youth clubs closing, more and more children are missing out on vital life lessons in safe spaces that previous generations had access to.

The structure and activities offered at clubs are important for children and young people to make friends, find new activities they can pursue and spend time in a safe place that away from potential harm. Clubs and activities can also act as a community for children and young people to feel as if they belong somewhere with other likeminded individuals.

There has been a worrying link between the closure of youth clubs and the rise in knife crime and violence within children and young people in the UK. Research has found that police forces in England and Wales recorded a 68% increase in knife offences.

The four worst effected local authorities were the City of Wolverhampton (where youth services were cut by 91%), City of Westminster (cut by 91%), Cambridgeshire County Council (cut by 88%) and Wokingham Borough Council (81%).

Forces in these areas have also seen some of the highest knife crime rises since 2013 with an 87% increase for West Midlands Police, a 47% increase for the Metropolitan Police, a 95% increase for Cambridgeshire Police and a staggering 99% increase for Thames Valley Police. 

The worry is that the more youth clubs and youth centres that close down, the more young people and children will become at risk of becoming involved in crime or gang culture through no choice of their own. With a rise of county-lines related crime and gangs around the country involving children, it is apparent that without the unseen intervention of youth clubs and of youth workers, there are more children becoming involved with dangerous crime.

County line gangs can also be seen as an attractive offer, though they aren’t, to young people and children so they can earn money to do things or unfortunately; ‘show off with’.

Looking at local newspapers from around the UK, it is also clear to see that with nothing to do, young people are becoming a nuisance to others in the community, most of the time through boredom.

What are the benefits of structure for children and young people?

 There have been many tests and theories regarding children and young people and structure. Some say it is not needed and children should be left to their own devices as they can learn better this way and figure things out themselves. This does hold some credit but also can be a negative impact if there are no consequences to negative actions or negative decisions.

Others believe though that structure is critical for children to learn life skills and help make important decisions.

In a study by Newport Academy, it is said that the last part of the brain to fully develop is the part that deals with executive functioning. This is why teens tend to have a lower impulse control rate with less thought of the consequences. With the structure and boundaries which can come from joining a sports team, club, lesson or activity, these lessons are learned at a younger age and can help to increase the ability for children and young people to make positive decisions in the future.

Though a lack of clubs and youth activities that offer structure is a huge part of developing this area of thought, there are also other factors that can negatively develop it such as:

  • Academic pressures
  • Chronic stress
  • Depression and anxiety
  • ADHD and learning disabilities
  • Violence at home or in the community
  • Abuse

With nothing to do in their spare time, children and young people can be susceptible to may of these factors, of course except for ADHD and learning disabilities, all which can play a huge role in a diminished development. Structure through organised activity can provide some protection against these factors or at least someone to talk to about problems they may be facing.

Why isn’t there anything to do for young people?

 From stringent cuts to youth services, to the pandemic giving a helping hand in closing down many clubs, over the last few years youth clubs and youth teams have been decimated for a number of reasons which has left thousands without something to do for free or at least, for very little money.

With the continuing cost of living crisis in the UK and the rise in cost of activities, young people have less money to spend on joining clubs, classes, gyms and worth-while things to do after school or after college, leaving a void for involvement in anti-social behaviour to creep in.

Austerity measures in the 2010s has also been blamed for the cut in public spending on youth services which has resulted in the diminishing off things for children to do.

The pandemic certainly also caused a lot of problems for already underfunded youth groups. Over 500 Scout groups facing closure during and after the pandemic due to the lack of funding and subs paid due to the fact that people were not able to go. Scouting in the UK has provided children and young people for decades with something to do in the evenings and weekends whilst learning new skills, meeting new friends and making lasting connections.

In recent years, there have been a lot of negative influences that seem to stack against youth clubs in the UK.

Nothing to do? What are the authorities doing?

The government has pledged, through their ‘National Youth Guarantee’, to ensure that children aged between 11 and 18 in England have access to regular clubs, days away from home, volunteering opportunities and activities by 2025. The government are investing over £500 million to this scheme to ensure that there is something worthwhile to do.

Will this be enough and will the children of England see these results by 2025?

Parents, schools and teachers are taking on more strain in free times and school holidays. With recent teacher strikes and children being able to access less learning hours, it is not only their free time that is being effected, but time in structured and planned activities..

Many children’s charities and young people’s charities are calling for more to be done in the youth sector. With the lack of funding and major reduction of youth workers, children’s charities are now struggling to keep up with the demand that is now being placed on them.

When their funding runs out or becomes low, they will also be in a position that means they cannot help as many people as they need to. With the rising costs of simple goods, less people are donating and many activities for children are becoming a lot more expensive.

What are charities doing to help children with nothing to do?

 It has been found that in many areas without sufficient resources for children, county-lines gangs are preying on children and young people who may be in need of extra cash or even something to do, often being drawn in by the idea of being part of something they see as impressive, being part of something that they think can act as a community that they are craving or drawn in by the money offered.

This is why many charities in the UK are dedicated to ensuring that children can find something worthwhile to do and keep out of potential harm’s way.

Children’s charities are helping to fund free activities and organised events for children, providing safe spaces for children and young people to go to, providing sports teams sponsorship to ensure that every child is included in a sport despite their family’s income and free mental health sessions for children who are effected by stresses that come with a lack of community or have been victims of anti-social behaviour due to not having anywhere safe to go.

There are also many organisations that are providing children and young people volunteering opportunities, internships, free days out and support to ensure that their time is filled with something constructive or creative to do.

Conclusion

 Though the lack of things to do for children has recently been causing trouble, there are many organisations that can help children who feel as if they are without something positive to do.

Help for young people and children can also start at home. Time permitting, there are some fantastic free things to do with children and young people that can introduce the structure and much needed activity into their lives and provide them with a real outlet.

reading with children

Reading with children: why is it so important?

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Home » Mental health

A child’s ability to read not only benefits them in school but throughout all aspects of life. At school, eventually at work, during play, and even in everyday tasks like shopping or catching a bus; reading plays an important role.

Learning to read is a necessary part of growing up but it shouldn’t only be viewed in an academic sense. Enjoying reading has lots of benefits so it is important to not only teach a child to read but to teach them to enjoy it too.

How many children are reading with adults?

Statistics show that between the ages of 0 and 2, 45% of children are read to most days. Between the ages of 3 and 4 this increases in an effort to prepare children for school but drops back down between the ages of 5 and 7.

This is because for many parents, reading is viewed simply as a subject at school, rather than as a fun activity for a child to engage with. Less than half of children between the ages of 8 and 18 claim that they enjoy reading with this number being even less for lower income families. 

This unfortunately means that for many children reading becomes a chore, something they have to do instead of something that they want to do. These children miss out on the many benefits of reading for enjoyment.

Educational benefits to reading for fun

Reading outside of a school environment has benefits which transfer over into a child’s academic life. Children who read for fun tend to get better results across a wide range of subjects at school not just the obvious subject Literacy and English.

In younger children especially, reading can aid in the development of language skills. Children are exposed to new words which they see used in the correct context in books, this helps the child to really understand what a work means and how it can be used. This pattern continues when older children and even adults read for pleasure, as the level of reading develops so do the new words we learn.

Reading stories helps to fuel a child’s imagination by opening them up to endless possibilities in the books that they read. This will benefit the child’s literacy skills while also encouraging personal creativity which can be used across subjects at school and in personal life.

reading with children

Emotional benefits to reading for fun

Reading is proven to have a positive impact on the mental health of children for a variety of reasons. Fiction and non-fiction books teach children about the world around them, what they learn in stories makes them better equipped to face challenges in their own life.

This gained knowledge is a tool for children to face life bravely, with stories and characters as inspiration children feel that they can take on the world. Utilising this inspiration can reduce anxiety in day-to-day life for many children.

Reading helps to develop a child’s imagination; this can be used in imaginative play as a creative outlet. Imaginative play with other children also helps in the development of friendships. Imaginative play allows a child to safely explore their understandings of the world as they recreate the things they see in books and in real life

Reading to a child or helping them to read to you benefits the parent child relationship, reading creates one on one connection with a child as you spend specific time and attention with them. Reading with a child also aids in relaxation as a calm time for many at the end of the day before bedtime. This routine is also beneficial to the child.

For both adults and children, reading can be a form of escapism. This means that reading stories provides a break from real life and its stresses.  If a child is struggling at school or with any aspect of life, reading may provide them an escape from reality and an easy way to seek comfort. If a book offers advice or simply a distraction, reading offers positive emotional benefits to a child who has a lot on their mind.

How to teach a child to enjoy reading

In order to gain the full benefits of reading a child needs to be engaged with reading and enjoy it. (Mindful attention activities to support shared book reading – Susan Hendler Lederer).

This allows the child to fully take in what they read and as a result gain the most they possibly can from the experience. When reading to or with a child there are lots of things that an adult can do in order to make the experience more engaging.

To make reading together fun for a child the adult should also enjoy the experience, this can include making up actions alongside the book and making up voices for characters. Reading aloud makes the child feel more engaged and involved with the story.

Another way to keep the child engaged is to talk to them about what is happening in the book. Asking if they can guess what happens next encourages them to use their imagination as well as pattern recognition keeping them interested in the book. Asking the child to tell you about what happened in the story after you finish reading is also a good way to see if the child is fully engaging in the book.

When reading with a child discussing any new vocabulary is an excellent way to encourage engagement while also encouraging academic improvements in the child’s language and literacy skills.

Reading should be relaxing, as an escape from reality and often a part of a bedtime routine. The space used for reading should reflect this. A reading space could be in bed or any other cosy space where you read with a child so that they get the most from the experience.

Reading for fun should be entirely separate to school work, children can choose what they enjoy reading and seek out other books that they will also enjoy. When adults show genuine interest in what a child wants to read, they learn that reading is something that they can control for themselves.

This begins a positive relationship with reading.

What can charities do to support reading?

Children’s charities aim to encourage and support reading with children. The disruption of education during the pandemic has had a negative effect on reading, especially among children from lower income families. 

This is why it is so important to provide free reading material for children and young people to enjoy. One way that this is done is through free short children’s stories. This is a collection of free short stories for children.

They have all been written by talented and generous volunteer writers. The stories are perfect bedtime reads or casual afternoon reading that won’t be found elsewhere.

Children are greatly impacted by the stories that they read and so the collection is full of positive messages for children to absorb.

 

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Facing Child Crime Together1

Facing Child Crime Together

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Home » Mental health

Child crime represents a significant societal challenge, impacting not only the future of the children involved but also the broader fabric of our community. With a troubling percentage of crimes being committed by individuals under the age of 18, we must give due attention to this complex issue.

The Prevalence of Child Crime

According to the Ministry of Justice, 16% of all recorded crimes in the UK during 2020 were committed by individuals under 18 years of age. This statistic is not just a number, it is a clear reflection of lives derailed and potential unrealised.

The criminal activities these figures encompass range from minor infractions such as vandalism to more serious offences like assault and drug trafficking. Each case represents a child in crisis, and an urgent call for intervention. It is whether or not intervention can be provided in time to make a lasting impact and remove the child from any further involvement.

Unpacking the Causes: The Underlying Factors of Child Crime

Child crime, like any other issue of such magnitude, does not have a single cause. Instead, it is often the result of a complex interplay of socio-economic deprivation, family instability, educational disengagement and negative peer influences. Recognising these underlying causes is the first step towards effective interventions.

This is where some of the hardest work is for groups that are committed to protecting children; identifying where the causes lay. It could be a mixture of the above reasons; it could be none of them or it could be all of them. Each case is completely different and each case requires a different solution or type of intervention. It would be impossible for organisations to group each case and try to provide support this way.

Recently, county lines gangs have been dominating headlines and it has been reported that many groom children to work for them in very volatile and dangerous situations. These gangs not only have a real effect on society but also on the children and young people they are using to carry out their illegal activity.

County Line gangs and children

The term ‘county lines’ refers to the use of dedicated mobile phone lines by city-based drug networks to connect with customers in less urban areas. These gangs identify lucrative drug markets outside of their usual urban strongholds and establish a marketplace, often exploiting children and vulnerable adults to move drugs and money.

What makes county lines particularly sinister is the way children and young people are coerced and manipulated into becoming cogs in these criminal machines. Gangs target vulnerable children, grooming them with gifts, money or through emotional manipulation. Sometimes though, coercion can be outright violent.

Children entangled in county lines have been found to be typically aged between 14 and 17 and both boys and girls are affected.

They may have a history of truancy or exclusions from school, come from troubled families, or may be in care. Some may have prior involvement in criminal activity. However, it is important to remember that this problem can affect any child from any background and some may become involved because their friends are because they are enticed by what they think they can gain from it.

The impact of county lines gangs on Children’s Lives

The implications for the children drawn into county lines are profound. Involvement deeply impacts their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Plus, involvement could lead to serious injury or, unfortunately as found in a lot of cases, even death.

Even if the young people or children manage to escape working for a gang and are physically unscathed, the mental torment that they may have gone through at such an early age can have a profound effect on children’s mental health for the rest of their lives.

Facing Child Crime Together1

Physical and Emotional Trauma

These children are often subjected to extreme levels of violence as a means of control and discipline. Many are transported away from their local areas and made to stay in ‘trap houses’ where drugs are stored and distributed. They may also experience or witness severe crimes. This exposure to violence and criminality can have traumatic effects on a child’s emotional well-being and psychological health.

Education and Future Prospects

Regular school attendance becomes challenging which can lead to underperformance or exclusion. This interruption in education not only affects a child’s present circumstances but also limits their future opportunities, pushing them further into the cycle of crime and deprivation.

Children involved in county lines can face severe legal consequences if they are caught. This not only affects the child’s immediate situation but can have far-reaching implications for their future.

Role of Charities for children who are involve with county lines gangs

Charities play a crucial role in tackling this issue. Many run prevention programs and workshops aimed at educating children about the risks of county lines involvement. They also provide vital support services to affected children, helping them reclaim their lives

Organisations like St Giles Trust and the Children’s Society run projects specifically designed to help young people caught up in county lines, providing one-on-one support, advice, and even assistance with exiting these dangerous situations.

County lines gangs are just one aspect of criminal activity that children and young people have been found to be involved with.

It is a very relevant and ongoing problem in the UK at the moment but as mentioned there are fortunately organisations like charities that are doing an amazing job in helping these individuals whilst they are currently involved with crime or afterwards.

The Role of Charities in the struggle to reduce child crime

Children’s charities play a pivotal role in the fight against child crime. Organisations like Crime Stoppers, have dedicated their mission to support and uplift at-risk children. They provide resources, opportunities, and a safe environment for children, thereby reducing the likelihood of their engagement in criminal activities.

These charities operate on various levels, from prevention to intervention. They work towards raising funds for projects aimed at promoting children’s development, wellbeing, and education and tirelessly support families and communities to create a nurturing environment for children to grow.

But what do they do to achieve this?

Strategies for Reduction: A Holistic Approach

Addressing child crime requires a multi-faceted approach, focusing on preventative measures, early interventions and rehabilitation. This can include mental health support, practical support that helps to reduce the risk of them becoming involved and support for their families either during or after their involvement.

Education

Education serves as a critical tool in preventing child crime. Schools must strive to identify and support students at risk of disengagement. Charities play a crucial role in this regard by partnering with educational institutions, providing additional resources and programmes to encourage academic engagement and positive social interactions.

Schools have also been working with police forces to ensure that their students know the dangers of becoming involved in gangs or criminal activity. This is done with a hope that they know exactly what they are going to potentially get involved with. This has proven to work in some cases but unfortunately again, not in others.

Along with charities and working alongside them, schools have been engaging in early intervention with children who are at risk and heling them to avoid any further involvement.

Mentorship

The power of positive role models and mentors cannot be understated. By guiding children, instilling strong values, and encouraging healthy coping mechanisms, mentors can significantly divert children from criminal behaviours.

Charities often provide mentoring programmes for children who are involved in crime to facilitate these positive relationships and encourage children not to become involved with crime.

Conclusion: Our Collective Responsibility

The fight against child crime is a collective responsibility. Charities, governmental bodies, schools and communities must collaborate to create comprehensive strategies that address the root causes and provide effective support to children at risk.

By working together to help children who are groomed into gangs or to support the community when they have been a victim of crime, we can ensure a safer future for children and our communities at large.

 

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AI mental health expert

AI and apps to help with mental health

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AI and apps to help with mental health

23/05/2023

Home » Mental health

Record numbers of children, young people and adults in the UK requesting mental health support, an already overstretched health system and not enough mental health professionals to support everyone in need. Are apps and AI the answer?

Can I use AI as a therapist?
Can I use AI as a therapist?

Artificial Intelligence and us.

It has been reported lately that the use of AI and apps are helping mental health professionals to help support those who are living with anxiety and other mental health concerns because they are so overwhelmed with the amount of people seeking help.

The waiting list to be seen by CAHMS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) can be as long as 18 months at the moment and thousands of children and young people are now being recommended or seeking alternatives to seeing a professional face to face to help alleviate the pressure on the health services in the UK. Early intervention with mental health concerns is key, but if there is no one available to help, what should people do? Though many believe that the face-to-face method is still the best, the use of apps and AI have shown some promising results.

 

Headspace, Talkspace and Calm – can apps be the new professionals? 

There are plenty of apps out there that promise to help you with anxiety, depression and any other mental health concerns you may have with an array of different brain games, puzzles, quotes, meditation and even talking to either an AI bot or doctor through them.

Apps like Headspace have received largely positive reviews with users saying that they have gone from meditation rookies to headspace heroes and have an improved mental health. The same with Talkspace, 93% of their users said that they would recommend the app to a friend and 97% saying that they were satisfied with the selection of professionals on hand. Users seemed especially pleased with the live chat option as well, both human and AI.

Apps can provide a service to people who are need of support but are potentially facing a lengthy waiting list but they can also offer the professionals who use it as a support tool some handy features.

It has been reported by some professionals that they are using AI to refine the diagnosis process which can help to assign the right therapist to someone, some are using AI to help with quality control at a time where the workforce is overstretched and potentially overwhelmed. This can help to ensure that therapy standards stay high instead of putting more resources into record keeping. AI has also been used to monitor patient progress and can help to prompt a treatment change, when necessary, after monitoring interactions between a therapist and patient.

A growing number of mental health professionals are starting to use AI in their work and it seems to be working well when integrated with human interaction. The question is; will the use and capability of AI and apps continue to grow so much that we won’t have the need to have human therapists anymore? Will people be content with speaking with a bot if the right answers are given? Will an app be able to do everything a human therapist can do soon?

With any query or questions, email us at info@littlelives.org.uk or call 020 7871 3059

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Getting children back into nature

Getting children back into nature

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Home » Mental health

With the weather getting better and evenings getting longer, it may just be that time of year to start reintroducing children to nature and the outside world. It seems like it has been a long, long, long winter this year but it is now finally (hopefully) coming to an end!

With Earth Day having just been (22nd of April 2023), now is a good time to look to the outside and see what an amazing natural world we have for children in our community to enjoy.

Why is nature so important?

It may seem an obvious question but there is so much that nature offers us that we might not necessarily think about.

Not only do the trees around the world literally provide the oxygen we breathe, it can offer something for most living creatures and especially ourselves.

It is interesting to look at. Admittedly, it isn’t for everyone but there are some amazing natural phenomena can be truly inspiring. For example, the Aroura Borealis (Northern Lights) or the mass migration of birds in and out of the UK. Even witnessing one of these huge events can lead to a lifetime of fascination or inspiration for adults, just think what it could do for children.

Improves your mood. It has been found that spending time in nature and away from screens and electronics whilst being outside for just two hours a week can improve your mental health and mood. During a study, those who reported spending two hours or more outside a week were more likely to say they were in good health and improved mental wellbeing.

Home to animals and insects. Yes, the thought of lifting a leaf and finding a creepy crawly underneath it may put some of you off but; each animal and creature plays a hugely vital role in balancing the world’s ecosystem. That’s everything from the food we grow to eat to the pollination of plants. Nature, being the home of animals and insects, also is a great place to explore and learn things with your children.

Improves physical health. We are not just talking about inspiring places to go walking or jogging which can help to improve both your mental and physical health but we are also talking about how nature can help to reduce the potential in getting heart disease. It has been found that spending time, as mentioned above, can help to reduce stress and therefore help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Air purification and cleaning. Along with the inspiration and the fascination, nature can give us some tangible benefits as well. Species of sea-grass and trees help to cleanse the air we breathe and reduce carbon levels that are produced by us humans. Without these species, though it is not great in some parts of the UK as it stands, air quality would be a lot worst and we would all be gasping for clean air.

nature and children

Am I getting enough time in nature?

Unless you are literally living in a field, there is no such thing as ‘too much nature’, unless you are unfortunate enough to get caught up in a natural disaster or something equally as terrifying.

Spending enough time in nature is dependent on each person. One person could spend ten minutes in the greenery and feel on top of the world, whereas another person could spend hours in nature and still feel low.

If you want an actual figure though, then it is 120 minutes a week. Two hours a week in nature are what you need according to scientists to feel the benefits of it and to feel in a better mood, less stressed and better about yourself. Increasing numbers of people though are reporting that they are feeling out of touch with nature and wouldn’t be able to teach their children about it, so spending two hours or more with nature may be a good idea before too long to make sure that you and your children can still reap the benefits.

Spending time in nature could be as simple as sitting on a bench in a green area and watching the world go by. Or, you could try and take on nature and doing something extreme life white water rafting or cliff-climbing. Whatever you do outside and for however long you want it to be for will be sure to help.

How do I get my children interested in nature?

It is easy now for children in the modern world to access entertainment at their fingertips so it may be difficult to get them interested straight away into putting down the phone or tablet and getting outside.

Fortunately, a lot of wildlife organisations have made child-friendly apps and programmes that could inspire them to go and see it in person.

Series like Wild Isles on BBC have proved to be a great inspiration for many to go and see the natural wonder of the UK. That, and because David Attenborough is a national treasure and pretty much anything he narrates is brilliant! This series will give you and your family a new look into what the UK has to offer.

If your child is reluctant to leave their phone anywhere but you want them to see nature, there could be a compromise that actually helps you and your children become nature experts in no time. Nature apps. These great apps can help you identify animals, animal prints, birds, plants and so much more. It is a great way to use tech to get back in touch with nature.

Become a nature expert yourself. Children imitate adults, so it is possible that if you show a keen interest in the outside world, then hopefully; so, will your children. The hope is that with setting a good example, children will want to join in and be part of something that you are doing.

A lot of people love just walking in nature but if your children find that boring, why not try playing games outside at the same time? There are thousands of games in existence or make up a new one with your children. You can take different games with you depending on where you are visiting and what you are likely to see.

Why is nature important to children?

Not only will getting outside and into nature help to inspire your children, it also actually has a lot of physical and mental health benefits.

It can teach responsibility. Caring for nature is an important lesson for everyone and especially children. If you can show your children at an early age that everything has a consequence, for example pulling out flowers from the ground will kill it, it may help to install some social and communal responsibility. It can also teach children that looking after nature it vital and is everyone’s responsibility.

It is a good chance to exercise. Most of the time, if you are interacting with nature, you are not sat on a sofa. This is of course great, even just going for a walk can help to get their blood pumping and help to improve their mental and physical health.

It can inspire and provide real stimulation. Yes, a violent video game could definitely provide entertainment and some stimulation, but going outside can activate so many more senses. The new smells, sights and feelings could be just the stimulation that your children need and potentially, already want.

It can help to reduce stress and fatigue. From research from the Attention Restoration Theory, urban environments require directed attention from an individual which causes us to ignore distractions which can lead to an exhausted brain. In natural environments, we don’t require directed attention but use a more effortless type of attention called ‘soft fascination’. This creates feelings of pleasure and not fatigue.

Nature can build confidence. Indoor play can be very structured whereas outdoor play can be a lot freer. As there are so many ways of interacting with nature, it can be left to your children to take control of what they want to do which will help to improve their decision making and therefore, their confidence. 

Indoor play is great and a lot easier, but in some circumstances, it can offer so much less than being outside with nature and experiencing hands on play and events.

What is being done to address the widening connection between children and nature?

For those who are worried about theirs and their children’s connection with nature, there is fortunately plenty of groups and organisations that are providing opportunities to reconnect with nature.

Children’s charities are providing funding, activity days, residentials and experience sessions for children all around the UK to ensure that they can have the opportunities to see nature like so many others their own age.

Schools are also making conscious efforts to provide new experiences for children with a mixture of experience days and workshops that can give children a hand on experience with the natural world instead of just reading about it or looking at it on a screen.

The National Trust has got a list of their best gardens and parks for children in an effort to make it easier for families to explore nature, wherever you are in the UK. The National Trust gardens and parks also give a chance to learn about nature with their experts and information points.

There are lots of reasons why and how you can get you and your children involved with nature and the outdoors and now summer is only just around the corner, there has never been a better time to get involved with it.




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