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Charity CEO: ‘inhumane’ cuts to North East homelessness will leave people to die on our streets

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Homeless Newcastle upon Tyne

Stephen Bell, CEO of Changing Lives, speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service has expressed fear that potential plans cuts to the accommodation that Newcastle City Council offer to help homeless would lead to deaths on our streets. ‘ “These cuts will have a devastating impact on the most marginalised people. It will mean more people rough sleeping, more deaths on the street, and as far as we can tell there is no plan to deal with the people currently using those beds. I get that there is pressure on local authority budgets. But this is a decision that has been made, it is a deliberate choice in the way that they fund things. Newcastle has won national, European, and worldwide acclaim for homelessness services it provides – it has been a phenomenal success.”

 

He added: “Demand has never been higher. Three weeks ago we had the national rough sleeper count and we found 25 people in Newcastle, which is the highest number ever. What these plans are going to do is just increase the amount of B&Bs being used’

 

The Homeless Christmas Eve meal appeal event is happening on Christmas eve within Newcastle Cathedral, they are calling for the generous support of the North East community alongside Changing Lives, a charity that has been transforming lives since its inception as a soup kitchen in 1970.

 

You can donate a warm Christmas meal here – https://neoffers.co.uk/products/changing-lives-christmas-meal-appeal-north-east

 

Donate a Warm Christmas Meal - Homeless Appeal

 

From its humble beginnings, Changing Lives has expanded, aiding individuals navigating immense challenges such as homelessness, unemployment, recovery, abuse, or exploitation. Every year, they assist thousands in overcoming these obstacles, empowering them to lead independent, fulfilling lives. Their fundamental belief is in providing everyone with a secure home, a meaningful job, and a life free from addiction and abuse. They are firm in their conviction that with the right support, anyone can change their life for the better.

 

This Christmas Eve, Café 16 will warmly welcome Changing Lives, where their dedicated team will serve a hot meal to those in genuine need within our community. For a mere £5, your contribution can provide a warm Christmas Eve dinner to someone less fortunate in our local area. For many recipients, this might be their sole Christmas gift. Your donation could mean the world to someone, a small gesture making a huge difference in their holiday season.

 

As 2022 witnessed a concerning 26% increase in rough sleeping, there has been a corresponding rise in the demand for accommodations for the homeless. Changing Lives has experienced a surge in people seeking their support due to the prevailing cost-of-living crisis. This economic strain has disproportionately affected those already vulnerable, exacerbating their experiences of poverty and disadvantage.

 

Statistics reveal that over 80% of Changing Lives services observed a surge in individuals unable to meet their basic needs in 2022. Tragically, experiences of food scarcity and hunger have become all too common.

 

The collaboration between Changing Lives and Newcastle Cathedral through initiatives like the Lantern Initiative, inspired by the Cathedral’s Lantern Tower, aims to guide people through life’s challenging circumstances.

 

Rather than spending on festive luxuries like coffee or Christmas cards, consider redirecting that amount towards a £5 donation, potentially making someone’s Christmas brighter. Any excess funds raised beyond the Christmas Eve event will go toward providing essential food parcels and toiletry packs for those facing poverty in the North-East this winter, supporting them throughout the year.

 

In these challenging times, Changing Lives needs continuous support to ensure their invaluable work continues, offering sustained, meaningful assistance to individuals in our community. Besides one-time donations, there’s an option to make a small monthly contribution, ensuring support remains available throughout the year.

 

Your donation can truly make a difference this Christmas. If you’re unable to donate directly, simply sharing the campaign on social media can amplify the message and garner more support, making a larger impact in our local North East community.

 

Moreover, if you’re interested in fundraising for this cause or wish to involve your business, reach out to us at Info@NEoffers.co.uk.

 

 


If you can display the below posters at your workplace or any other location, please find the details below, and don’t hesitate to contact info@NEoffers.co.uk for larger sizes.

 

Homeless Christmas Campaign Newcastle - North East England

 

See Alfie Joey’s give his message on why you should donate on the North East Updates YouTube channel:

Watch here: https://youtube.com/shorts/b1QCssCIQKA

 

Alfie Joey Newcastle Christmas Homeless Appeal

 

You can donate a warm Christmas meal here – https://neoffers.co.uk/products/changing-lives-christmas-meal-appeal-north-east

 

 

You can now download our FREE new app to stay fully up to date with all North East related news –  https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

North East Updates App - North East news - Newcastle Sunderland, Northumberland and Durham.

 

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New Study Suggests Vaping Poses Significant Risk of Heart Failure

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Vaping heart problems

Recent research suggests a notable increase in the risk of heart failure among individuals who vape, with those who have used e-cigarettes at any point being 19% more likely to develop heart failure compared to non-users. This finding underscores the potential dangers associated with vaping, particularly concerning heart health.

Dr. Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, the lead researcher of the study, emphasized the growing body of evidence linking e-cigarettes to adverse health effects, challenging the previous assumption of their safety. He highlighted the substantial difference observed in heart failure risk among vapers, urging individuals to consider the health implications, particularly concerning heart health.

Heart failure occurs when the heart fails to effectively pump blood throughout the body, often due to weakness or stiffness. According to the British Heart Foundation, over a million people in the UK are affected by heart failure. The study, which examined over 175,000 individuals in the US, including both vapers and non-vapers, found that 3,242 participants developed heart failure over approximately 45 months.

The research indicated that vaping is associated with a specific type of heart failure characterized by stiffening of the heart muscle, leading to impaired blood filling. However, no correlation was found between vaping and reduced ejection fraction, a condition where the heart muscle weakens, resulting in inadequate contraction of the left ventricle.

These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the potential cardiovascular effects of vaping. The study results are being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific session, highlighting the significance of this research in shaping public health policies.

In response to the growing concerns, the UK Government recently introduced legislation, known as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aimed at curbing youth smoking and vaping. The bill includes measures to restrict vape flavors and packaging targeted at children, signaling efforts to address the rising prevalence of vaping among young people.

 

What are your thoughts – join the conversation on our social media – northeastupdates’s | Linktree

 

See Staff at Chillingham Castle, the UK’s most haunted castle confess everything they have seen their time there!

 

 

See the below video, an evening with Newcastle United legends, part one is below with part 2 now live below….

 

 

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Record number of migrants cross English Channel so far this year

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Record number of migrants cross English Channel so far this year

So far this year, a record-breaking number of migrants have traversed the English Channel, according to preliminary figures from the Home Office. The count reached 4,644 within the first quarter of 2024, setting a new high for the initial three months of a year.

On a single day, Tuesday, 338 individuals were transported to the UK aboard seven vessels. This surge in arrivals surpasses the early 2022 record of 4,548 from January through March, and also outstrips the 3,793 migrants recorded in the early months of the previous year.

This increase occurs amidst Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s concerted efforts to curtail such crossings under his “stop the boats” initiative, which he claimed was showing results. Despite these efforts, a recent declaration from Downing Street labeled the situation as a “migration emergency,” following a record-setting day for crossings on March 20, with 514 individuals arriving in 10 boats.

Prime Minister Sunak had outlined the “stop the boats” campaign as a key goal for 2023, promising the enactment of new laws aimed at deterring unauthorized arrivals. According to this pledge, illegal entrants would face detention and expedited removal.

Comparatively, the UK saw 29,437 migrants arrive by crossing the Channel in the previous year, a decrease of 36% from the 2022 peak of 45,774. However, current figures indicate a 23% increase in crossings over the same period in 2023, and a 12% rise over 2022, based on PA news agency’s analysis.

Amid these developments, the government’s proposed Rwanda Bill is facing delays in Parliament, with discussions postponed until after the Easter recess. In response to the latest statistics, the Labour Party has criticized the government’s handling of the situation, with Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock urging for more effective border control measures. He criticized Prime Minister Sunak for denying the rise in small boat arrivals and emphasized the need for a more organized border strategy.

Labour proposes enhancing border security, dismantling smuggling networks, addressing the asylum application backlog, ceasing the use of hotels for asylum seekers, and establishing a new returns and enforcement unit.

In its response to the climbing numbers of small boat crossings, the Home Office emphasized the urgency of initiating deportation flights to Rwanda and highlighted ongoing collaboration with French authorities to combat the escalating violence and obstructions faced by police on French shores. The Home Office remains committed to legislative strengthening and international partnerships to decrease these crossings and ensure safety.

 

 

What are your thoughts – join the conversation on our social media – northeastupdates’s | Linktree

 

See Staff at Chillingham Castle, the UK’s most haunted castle confess everything they have seen their time there!

 

 

See the below video, an evening with Newcastle United legends, part one is below with part 2 now live below….

 

 

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School summer holidays should be reduced to fours weeks!

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North East Updates - North East News

A recent study recommends reducing the length of school summer vacations to four weeks and extending the duration of mid-term breaks instead. The study, which is set to be released next month and is backed by the Nuffield Foundation, argues that the current school schedule in England, which has remained unchanged since the Victorian era, needs to be updated. This change aims to better support modern families, students, and educators by balancing out the academic year and addressing educational disparities intensified by the pandemic.

Lee Elliott Major, a professor at the University of Exeter and co-author of the study, believes that adjusting the distribution of school holidays throughout the year can improve student wellbeing, ease the workload of teachers, and even out childcare expenses for parents, without incurring additional costs. He asserts that reducing summer breaks while extending the February and October half-terms could help rejuvenate teachers and provide students with breaks during the more intense periods of the school year.

The suggested modifications are especially aimed at benefiting students from less advantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs, who typically struggle with returning to school after a long summer break. Moreover, teachers have reported improvements in behavior and wellbeing when breaks are more evenly distributed throughout the year.

The concept of a shortened summer holiday has previously been experimented with by certain school trusts and local authorities, resulting in significant reductions in absenteeism. Despite this, the proposal has met with some resistance from parents concerned about arranging extended childcare.

Teacher opinions on reducing the summer holiday length are mixed, with no clear consensus according to recent surveys. While the idea of altering school holiday schedules is not new and has seen various levels of implementation and reaction over the years, it continues to provoke debate.

Geoff Barton from the Association of School and College Leaders acknowledges the potential benefits but cautions against quick changes without comprehensive understanding of the impacts. He emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the effects on mental health, educational inequality, and other pressing educational challenges before making any significant calendar adjustments.

What are your thoughts – join the conversation on our social media – northeastupdates’s | Linktree

 

See Staff at Chillingham Castle, the UK’s most haunted castle confess everything they have seen their time there!

 

 

See the below video, an evening with Newcastle United legends, part one is below with part 2 now live below….

 

 

Part two..

 

 

 

 

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