When a quiet Warwickshire village school decided to record an original song inspired by the London 2012 Olympics, little could they know how far their voices would carry!

The 106 children (aged 4-11) of Ilmington Primary School only released Rings Around The World on 21st April, yet it has already been filmed to be shown on BBC1 TV’s iconic Songs of Praise.  The programme will be broadcast nationwide this Sunday, 13th May, just days before the Olympic Torch begins its journey around the UK.

The song has been played on regional radio, will be featured on BBC Radio 2 and has attracted attention from far and wide.  On hearing the single, legendary magician Paul Daniels immediately tweeted the link to his 41,000 followers!

”Rings Around The World” is a rabble-rousing, heart-pumping, world-uniting anthem that demands to be listened to. Its message of global love and hope will bring tears from a nation standing proud, not just soppy mums and dads.  (Forget the bygone image of a cutesy kids’ choir, like St. Winifred’s School Choir’s “Grandma We Love You” in 1980.)

In this most amazing year, with a once-in-a-lifetime global sporting event at its heart, how much further will these children’s dreams carry them?

The CD (which includes a video of the 106 singers) is currently available at HMV Stratford-upon-Avon and via the website www.ringsaroundtheworld2012.co.uk.  The song is also available on iTunes.

“Rings Around the World is the kind of going-for-gold, inspirational anthem that makes you want to jump, cheer and do a triple somersault with a half pike. A perfect song to celebrate the Olympics,” said Steve Sutherland, former NME Editor.

‘Sorted!’ is a scheme in which the main public libraries and some school and college libraries hold collections of self-help books.  Aimed at adolescents, they deal with common situations and problems that arise in this age group that can affect mental health such as parents separating, the loss of someone close, stress, anger management and self-esteem.

The scheme won the Innovation in Public Health category. Young people were involved in the development of the service at every stage, including the selection of the books, which are also endorsed by health professionals.

The books are available for anyone to borrow through Warwickshire’s public library network, including parents and carers and anyone working with young people.  They are also available in 14 schools and colleges at present as well as four libraries.

Procedures have been devised to make books easier to borrow such as a recommendation form for use by professionals working with young people being the equivalent of library ID, removal of charges and e-books are also being looked at to make the books more accessible to young people.

‘Sorted!’ is funded by a County Council Mental Health Capital Funds.
It follows the highly successful Books on Prescription scheme in which doctors and other health professionals can prescribe self-help library books to adults experiencing low-level mental health issues.  In the two years since its inception it has seen over 10,000 book loans across Warwickshire.

Cllr Bob Stevens, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for health said:
“My heartiest congratulations go out to all involved.  This award justly rewards a scheme which is a blueprint for how the public sector should work by seeking to prevent problems rather than cure them.  It makes limited resources go further and, more importantly, can save a lot of young people from the anguish of mental health issues.”

John Linnane, NHS Warwickshire and Warwickshire County Council’s Joint Director of Public Health, said: “Sorted! builds on the hugely successful Books on Prescription scheme, The Sorted! scheme is an excellent example of joint working across the local authority and health sector to provide community based resources with the potential to help many young people and families in Warwickshire”.

For more details of ‘Sorted!’ visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/sorted

Books on Prescription was developed by Libraries and NHS Warwickshire, working together with the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) Service, Adult Social Care and Warwickshire’s Wellbeing Centres,

Sarah Teather and Paul Burstow issued the message to local authorities and agencies across the country as the 2010 data was published and showed a decline in both the number of teenage births and abortions.

Some local areas had their good practice highlighted with Warwickshire joining Blackpool, Croydon, East Sussex and Enfield in being mentioned by the ministers and case studies sent to other regions showcasing what had worked.

Key to Warwickshire’s success in bringing the number of teenage pregnancies down has been the commitment of all partners.  The ministers said:

“(Warwickshire has a) locally-led partnership, responsive to local need.  It delivers seamless and integrated support for teenagers.  We want to see this happening in every local area.”

Amy Danahay, Respect Yourself campaign manager, said:  “We have been pleased at the reduction in the number of teenage pregnancies.  Ministerial endorsement is invaluable as it shows how we are doing against a national backdrop and it is good to see our approach – a multi-agency approach with a focus on prevention through education – being identified as a benchmark for other authorities to work towards.”

In December 2011, Cabinet authorised proposals to close the county’s Pupil Referral Unit and adopt a new approach to prevent permanent exclusion from school. Unless any serious objections are lodged by 13 April the unit will close as scheduled at the end of the summer term.

Under the new approach funding is devolved to schools who will work together in Area Behaviour Partnerships (ABPs). These partnerships will use the funding to provide support earlier and where appropriate, secure alternative education. As a result it is expected that the number of permanent exclusions will reduce.

On Thursday, Cabinet agreed to open a process to invite education providers to be on the county council’s framework contract. They are now being asked to submit their plans and procedures for delivering alternative provision to pupils at risk of exclusion.

ABPs will choose from providers who meet local authority requirements where they feel a pupil will benefit from alternative education. The process is scheduled to start this month with provision in place from 1 September 2012.

Funding has been devolved to partnerships as part of a pilot since September 2011. Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “Our focus is on engaging young people in a varied curriculum and managing behaviour so excluding children can be avoided.

“We have been trialling this approach with success since September 2011 when we devolved funding to schools to allow them to play a more active role in managing exclusion. This time last year, 60 pupils had been permanently excluded, this year for the same period the new methods have brought exclusion rates down by over 60 per cent with only 22 pupils excluded.

“Keeping children in school and engaging them with a relevant curriculum is our goal. The use of alternative providers is already common practice and the framework approved by Cabinet will just formalise this.”

This week the Children’s Commissioner, Maggie Atkinson, published a report encouraging schools and policymakers to focus on preventing exclusion from school, just as the council is doing.

The young people from the council were supported in the process by Warwickshire County Council and Community Arts Workshop. They were directly involved in every stage of of production and even raised the money for the project themselves by successfully bidding for grants from Awards for All and the Big Lottery Fund.

Matt Langsford from the CICC spoke on behalf of the 25 youngsters involved about what they gained from the exciting project. He said: “I’m really pleased with the final cut of our video – the result of a summer’s hard work from all of us. We all come from diverse backgrounds with different skills but we all pulled together and everyone gave so much to the project.

“We learned new skills, uncovered hidden talents, and all grew in confidence. We think Brick by Brick is a fitting way to get our voices heard. I hope lots of people will enjoy it and really hear our message which we hope will go some way to breaking down the stereotypes about children in care.”

Chris Bradley from Community Arts Workshop was commissioned to lead project. He added: “This project presented a unique opportunity for the young people on the council to express themselves through arts producing a contemporary film which tackles some of the perceptions of being in care.

“Over the course of the project it has been interesting to see how much they have grown. Most got to try things they had never done before like singing, acting and rapping and engaged with each other in different ways.

“They were involved in every step, supported by professional choreographers and composers to devise scripts, write music and lyrics and perform. They all worked really hard and should be very proud of themselves.

“The resource they created will have a huge impact and will benefit many other young people in similar situations.”

Dr Roger Morgan, Director Children’s Rights UK lent his support to the CICC and officially launched Brick by Brick. Dr Morgan was impressed with what the youngsters had achieved and put into perspective how important their voices are. He said: “Children in Care Councils have only been in existence for a couple of years but their work has already resulted in a real recognition that young people’s views do count and make a contribution as they are beginning to make a difference to people’s lives.

“At this time when resources are getting scarcer and decisions tougher it is even more important that Children in Care Councils get involved in difficult decision making processes to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met. Brick by Brick does this perfectly.”

The Young Heroes Celebration Event, organised by the Warwickshire Young Carers’ Project and supported by Warwickshire County Council and Barclays, paid tribute to the hard work and sacrifice made by youngsters across the county who care for a loved one.

The event, which was held at North Leamington School, gave young people the opportunity to receive recognition for their achievements over the last year and to join with the rest of Warwickshire in celebrating the continuing success of The Young Carers’ Project. Guests enjoyed an awards ceremony and entertainment, followed by a disco into the evening.  

Keely Tye, 18, of Nuneaton, was one of the recipients of the Outstanding Contribution Award for the role she has played in helping other young carers.

Another star of the show was 11-year-old Jake Prior from Rugby, who wowed the audience with his a cappella performance of Adele’s ‘Someone like you’. Jake has been a member of the Young Carers’ project for three years and helps care for his brother who has cerebral palsy.

Young carers were recognised for their achievements through the Children’s University, the Army Insight Course and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Warwickshire schools, including North Leamington and Kineton, were also recognised for the way they support students who have caring responsibilities. Many other carers received their Cyber Mentoring and First Aid Awards on the night: more than one hundred young carers from the project are St John’s Ambulance First Aid trained.

Anthony Bishop, Manager of the Warwickshire Young Carers’ Project, said: “Young carers give so much of their time to others, it’s important they enjoy time that’s completely aimed at them. The Young Heroes Event is about celebrating all young carers as well as giving awards for individual achievements.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Izzi Seccombe attended the event and said the young people do an incredible job: “To be with such an inspirational and talented group of young people has been a tremendous honour. Young carers make a valuable contribution to their families and society as a whole and yet they take their own role for granted because they do it out of love. It is vitally important that we recognise young carers in this way.”

The Young Carers’ Project supports more than 800 young people across Warwickshire however, the organisation says there are many more ‘hidden’ young carers who aren’t aware of their role or the support available. The group organises informal and fun activities as well as one-to-one emotional support if it is needed.  The group also runs workshops where youngsters can learn new skills.

For more information on the support available to young carers visit www.warwickshireyoungcarers.org.uk or www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carers or call 01926 485486.

This concert is the first in a series of three, which will bring together Orchestra of the Swan with musical organisations across Northern Warwickshire.

These concerts are the culmination of plans for an innovative programme of classical music, called ‘Northern Notes’, funded by Arts Council England, Warwickshire County Council, Bedworth Symphony Orchestra, Bedworth Singers and sponsored by The Civic Hall in Bedworth.

The first concert went with a bang, with local music lovers in attendance alongside politicians to support the combination of high quality classical music and participants from local communities.

If you own and instrument, even is you haven’t used it in a while, you are welcome to join Orchestra of the Swan, Bedworth Symphony Orchestra and Warwickshire County Music Service on stage on 8th June for a performance of  Vaughan Williams’ “Concerto Grosso” composed by him to allow players of all levels to perform together.

Either turn up with your instrument at 2.30pm on 8th June, or come along to one of Bedworth Symphony Orchestra’s rehearsals, which take place on Monday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.50pm in the Phoenix Theatre at Nicholas Chamberlaine Technology College, Bulkington Road, Bedworth. CV12 9EA. For details contact Bob Phillip at liz.and.bob.phillip@talktalk.net or telephone 024 7632 6928.

Tickets for the two further concerts on 28th March and 8th June are now on sale at The Civic Hall Bedworth.

Tim Norton of the Civic Hall in Bedworth, ‘We’re really pleased to host classical music concerts here at The Civic Hall in Bedworth. An important aim of this programme is to support local music making. Existing musicians, members of other musical groups and societies, and those who are coming back to music after a break are all welcome to join in rehearsals and to perform at the public concerts.’
David Curtis from Orchestra of the Swan,

‘The opportunity for OOTS musician’s to work alongside musicians from the local community is invaluable and creates really dynamic performances and we’re looking forward to performing and working with musicians from the County Music Service, Bedworth Symphony Orchestra and local singers.’

-    This concert is part of a bigger programme to develop classical music across north Warwickshire
There is an opportunity for anyone with an instrument to come and perform on stage with Orchestra of the Swan at the final concert in the series on 8th June.

The forum has been working on a campaign to raise awareness of the ROOF project and the issue of homelessness that many young people face.  ROOF manager, Gary Timlin expressed his gratitude for the support ROOF has received from the youth forum.

Gary said: “It’s great to see a group of young people doing something positive for youngsters who experience homelessness. The money they have raised has been a big help in providing the necessary support needed for young people when they are made homeless.”

Campaign leader Lottie Huggan said: “After hearing about the terrible experience that many local young people have been facing in not having anywhere to live we decided we wanted to do something to help.

“Raising some money through the sponsored ‘sleep out’ was a practical way that we knew we could help the ROOF project. They are doing an amazing job, helping young people get re-united with their families or supporting them in other situations to apply for housing. It’s a real problem and one that we have been having meetings with our local MP and the Warwick District Council to find out what can be done to support young people more.”

Youth Forum member, Sam McKinnon from Kenilworth also spent a cold night sleeping out with the youth forum. Talking about the experience he commented: “It was really cold and not something I would want to face everyday. Experiencing this all night really makes you think about what some homeless young people have to put up with. I’m really glad I did this because it has brought it home to me how hard life can be for some young people just like us.”

Although there are many young homeless people in the Warwick District many go unreported as they end up sofa surfing from house to house. This lack of stability can have a really negative impact on many young people.

To find out more the Youth Forum interviewed a number of young homeless people an exercise that forum member Thato Malebye described as ‘a real eye-opener’. He said: “Young people where quite vulnerable and often felt depressed. As a result they were more vulnerable to drinking, drugs and other risky behaviour.”

Steve McGarvey, Warwickshire County Council Youth Worker for the Warwick District Youth Forum added: “The youth forum have really put a lot of work into the campaign and met a lot of people to discuss ways of helping this issue. Having interviewed young homeless people, they were able to present their views and give them a voice.

“It’s a great example of how empowered young people can have a real impact on local service delivery for our youth. The campaign has someway to go to achieve the change they want to see, but they are a very motivated group of young people and I know there work will continue to make a real impact.”

Leamington pupil, Oliver Freelove has been commended for taking part in the Junior Fire Safety Champion Scheme at an awards presentation at Whitnash Primary School.

A certificate to celebrate Olivers involvement in the project was presented by the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Gary Phillips during the school assembly on Friday 20 January.

The scheme, which encourages young people to spot potential fire hazards in the home, has been established by Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service as part of a drive to keep young people safe from harm through an interactive fire safety education programme in primary schools. The Project has been made possible thanks to a grant of £4,500 from the Electrical Safety Council (ESC).

As part of the programme,  pupils are asked to carry out an initial hazard spotting exercise which checks key elements such as whether there is a working smoke alarm in the home, if there are any electrical cables running under carpets or rugs and ensuring that  there only one plug used per socket.  Checks can be carried out in their family home, grandparents, neighbours, relatives or friends houses. Once complete, the young people have to hand in a completed assessment to the school and are awarded with a Junior Fire Safety Champion certificate.

“The Junior Fire Safety Champion Scheme is proving to be a real success with young people across Warwickshire. I would like to congratulate Oliver on receiving his prize and hope that more young people will now get involved with this very worthwhile scheme.”

More than 1,000 young people have accessed the service over the last 12 months and as a result partners, including Warwickshire County Council and NHS Warwickshire, have decided to expand the service making it more accessible and providing opening times which will give far more ease and flexibility for local young people to pop in.

The Health Store based at Hatters Space Community Centre, Upper Abbey Street, Nuneaton, is a service for all Young People up to the age of 25.

It is a drop in service so no appointment is necessary, and offers a friendly and informal atmosphere, with private interview rooms if needed. Staff provide information, advice and guidance on a wide range of subjects including:

• Health – smoking, eating healthy, puberty, stress, alcohol and substance misuse
• Contraception – contraception clinic, pregnancy testing and sexual health
• Relationships – friends, parents, partners and sexuality
• Money – Benefits, budgeting, jobs, debts and grants
• Housing – accommodation and homelessness

The new Health Store opening hours are:

 Monday 12:00 – 6:00pm
Tuesday 12:00pm – 6:30pm
Wednesday 12:00 – 6:00pm
Thursday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Saturday 11:30am-1:00pm

For more information contact the Health Store on 024 76351418, visit the website on www.health-store.org.uk