Home-Start UK
Scottish MPs have praised the work of charity Home-Start UK across its communities. The UK-wide charity works to support parents and families at times of difficulties and last year in Scotland its volunteers worked with more than 2,000 families and 4,000 children across 32 communities. A debate in the Scottish Parliament saw a number of MSPs praise the impact that Home-Start UK has had. Ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliament elections, the charity is calling for volunteer-led support for families and children to be made available to every community. Visit: www.home-start.org.uk
Puberty education
A puberty education programme is offering free feminine product samples for the female students in one year group of every school. About You is a free unisex programme, promoted by the National Schools Partnership, that offers resources to help discuss puberty with students aged from nine to 14. As part of the initiative, Always and Tampax are offering the free product samples for schools. Visit: http://nationalschoolspartnership.com/pubertyeducation
Autism and art
A national art competition for people with autism has been launched. The theme for the Creative Future challenge is “art and technology” and entrants are being asked to show how the two can be combined. All entries that make it through to the finals will be exhibited at Autech 2015, a national conference focusing on autism and assistive technologies, to be held on October 1 at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester. Winners will be chosen at the event. Visit: www.autech2015.co.uk/creativefuture
Poetry by Heart
A poetry recital competition is challenging year 10 to 13 students in England to learn and recite two poems – one written before 1914 and one written after – from a special online anthology. National finalists in the challenge will then be asked to learn a third poem from the online First World War showcase. The competition is funded by the Department for Education and draws on The Poetry Archive – an online collection of recordings of poets reading their work. Visit: www.poetrybyheart.org.uk and www.poetryarchive.org.uk