10:02am Friday 12th August 2011
More than a thousand children, parents and carers enjoyed a sun-soaked play day last week as part of a campaign to get more young people playing outside.
New research has revealed that, while 72 per cent of parents regularly played outside, only 40 per cent of children today play outside to the same extent.
Savlon and Play England, the groups behind the findings, are worried children are at risk of losing out on essential life experiences that outdoor play brings.
Carers Scotland study finds that carers are twice as likely to be hit by illness and disability as the rest of the population
Carers are twice as likely to be suffering long-term illness and disability as the rest of the population, a study reveals today.
The survey, for Carers Scotland, found that 96% of unpaid carers had experienced a negative impact on their health because of their responsibilities, with more than a quarter rating their own health as poor or very poor. More than half had a long-term illness or disability, and two-thirds had experienced a range of physical problems.
“The government has not been listening,”
The chief executive of disability charity Scope tells Amelia Gentleman that the government’s not listening
Richard Hawkes is no longer able to conceal his anger with the government as it goes ahead with a package of public service reforms and cuts that he feels will have “devastating consequences” on the lives of disabled people.
When he became chief executive of Scope 18 months ago, he was determined to ensure that one of the country’s largest disability charities did not merely criticise policies; instead, he wanted to engage constructively with the government in order to promote positive solutions.
