News Report Page 2 of 18
Publication Date:- 2021-08-29

News reports located on this page = 2. SP Energy Networks launches safety campaign to keep people safe from DIY hazards THE number of electrical safety incidents recorded in gardens has risen by over 80% in the past year according to new statistics from SP Energy Networks. The steep increase comes as many people spent significant periods at home over the last year and undertook DIY projects as they spend more time in their gardens. With many potential risks associated with cutting back your garden in preparation for Autumn, SP Energy Networks has launched its safety campaign to help keep people safe while working near electricity. The increase in people tackling projects in their homes and gardens has seen an 80% increase in reported incidents across the UK, rising from:- 881 incidents, over:- January to June 2020, to 1,589 incidents within the same period this year. SP Energy Networks has released the stats which relate to a host of domestic incidents, including garden work such as:- hedge trimming, digging up trees or putting fences in, as well as work inside the home, such as:- painting and decorating. Kendal Morris, Director of Customer Service, at SP Energy Networks, said:- "We know that despite restrictions easing, many people are continuing to spend more time in their own gardens and tackle odd jobs, which has resulted in a sharp increase in safety incidents being reported. It’s crucial that people are aware of the very real dangers that can occur even when doing what may seem like a simple task. When you’re not involving the experts, you have to be conscious of the various risks involved and potential hazards of working near electricity. Many people aren’t even aware of what they are which is why we provide free safety advice on our website for people to follow before they attempt any DIY to help avoid any DIY disasters." SP Energy Networks’ top safety tips include:- ► Before carrying out any DIY in your garden, request free network plans and safety advice that SP Energy Networks can provide. ► Always assume powerlines are live - even if they have fallen to the ground, broken or aren’t sparking. ► Select your machinery and equipment in relation to safe working distances and ensure it can’t come into contact with overhead power lines. ► Carry long objects at a low level and horizontally when passing under overhead cables. ► Do not attempt to rewire or tamper with the electrical components of appliances, leave this to an expert. ► Use cable locators before carrying out any work. Check plans by tracing cables and marking their position and always scan the area you intend to excavate before you start to dig. ► Always ensure that electrical items are turned off at the mains after use. ► You can call the:- 105 number, in a case of an electrical network emergency. If anyone is injured, please call:- 999 for medical attention. For further information please visit:- SPEnergyNetworks.Co.UK.   Freemasons supporting over a million people with mental health issues TO help more than 1.4 million people experiencing mental health issues, Freemasons are donating more than ₤550,000 to help citizens across the UK. Many people are reaching crisis point with their mental health due to the Pandemic. According to NHS Prevalence Data 2020, 1 in 6 young people have a probable mental disorder, while the Young Minds Survey 2020 found 83% of young people said the Pandemic had made their mental health worse. To help the population exit the Pandemic in a better state of mental health, the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), the governing body for Freemasonry in England and Wales, are supporting various institutions, Schools and universities. Among the institutions receiving support, the Freemasons are donating ₤125,000 to Young Minds to help them to support approximately 1.4 million young people. The goal is to increase Young Minds' reach by 10% and help many more young people find the support they need, when they need it, and be able to take practical, actionable steps to improve their mental health. The donation will enable the project to proactively recruit more young Black people and disabled people, to diversify Young Minds’ pool of bloggers to expand the experiences and voices on the website. The idea is to create more content on racism and mental health, as well as for those living with bipolar disorder. The UGLE and the Masonic Charitable Foundation’s (MCF) - the Freemasons’ charity; donations will also help 100,000 children and young people across the UK to access information, support and guidance online. In addition, the donation will help to develop and pilot the Suicide Safer Schools programme in 3 to 5 Schools in west Cumbria, supporting 1,000 young people and 500 parents, Teachers and staff, by raising awareness of suicide prevention, understanding help seeking behaviour, and training selected staff in suicide intervention. In a separate project, the Freemasons also aim to reach 800 young people in London, who will benefit from better understanding about the prevention of young suicide through volunteers running awareness raising events in their local communities. Elsewhere, 2,188 children and young people through three projects will be supported with mentoring and skills workshops. About 270 parents/staff will receive awareness workshops and support, while 270 young people will be trained as peer mentors. The Freemasons’ donations will also support at least 600 Teachers, professionals and parents, who will be provided with support through 3 projects offering Mental Health 1st Aid training, learning events and parental support, and this will in turn will help 25,000 children and young people. The support will also fund seven projects to help 1,780 children and young people with counselling and group therapy, while 40 parents and carers will also benefit. Elsewhere, 100 young men with mental health issues will benefit from a project offering weekly talking group sessions. During almost 2 years of the Pandemic, Freemasons have donated millions of pounds to support people in need. They have donated many tonnes of food, tablets for:- Hospitals, Ambulances and PPE, as well as supporting carers, women’s refuges, Care Homes, Hospitals, Hospices and funds for NHS workers. In 2020, the Freemasons total charitable donations topped ₤51 million. In addition, Freemasons also worked 18 million hours as volunteers in a range of different areas where there was a need, including driving vulnerable people to Hospital, preparing meals, taking care of people at risk, organising care packages, as well as producing scrubs, PPE and hand sanitiser. Dr David Staples, chief executive of the UGLE, said:- "The Pandemic has been devastating and mental health is a very important topic to us and our members. During the Pandemic, thousands of Freemasons supported people in their communities, preventing mental health problems and supporting many families. This issue must be one of our priorities and we are joining forces to keep the population safe and feeling well. The UGLE has carefully chosen the institutions we are supporting, focusing on those with important objectives to achieve in the areas of tackling racism, mental health issues, living with bipolar disorder and prevention of young suicide. We need to do everything we can to help as many people as possible." In addition to the ₤1m donated in 2020, the Freemasons have committed a further fund of ₤2.1m to support the ongoing Covid19 crisis response. Of that ₤2.1m, ₤850,000 has been allocated to support homeless people through several charities with which UGLE partners, while ₤715,000 is earmarked to support adult, young and parent carers.                Previous  Edition Menu  Next Report       News Report Audio Copy      Monthly Sponsor:- Holistic Realignment Your local, fully qualified sports therapist. Call now on:- 07870382109 to book an appointment.     Please support local businesses like:- Our live webcams... An Image from our Southport Webcam above. To see it live, please click on image. An Image from our Southport Webcam above. To see it live, please click on image.   Please support local businesses like:-  RSS Our Weekly Headlines Trustpilot   This is the current phase of the moon. 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