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ALEXANDER
TECHNIQUE HELPS ENSURE LIVERPOOL'S YOUNGSTERS ARE 'POISED FOR
LIFE'
NEW figures show that 80%
of children in Liverpool, who are allowed to play games on hand held
devices, games consoles and computers, spend up to 4 hours a day
doing so.
According to their parents, the children spend the time playing
games on a variety of gadgets including smartphones, laptops, Xbox
and Wii. In comparison, the city with the lowest proportion of
children gaming for up to 4 hours a day was Edinburgh at 72% and the
joint highest were Nottingham and Sheffield at 95%
The figures are revealed in a survey of parents in 15 major UK
cities and Dublin have expressed concerns about the gaming affecting
their children's health and wellbeing with poor posture, headaches,
back problems and a lack of concentration all reported as issues.
The survey was conducted by the Society of Teachers of the Alexander
Technique (STAT) which is helping a growing number of children and
young people address poor posture and mobility problems. And
to help raise awareness of the long term problems that poor posture
can cause, this year's International Alexander Awareness Week,
running from 8 October to 14
October 2012. It will focus on children, encouraging and supporting their
parents and teachers to help children and pupils be 'Poised for
Life'.
The STAT survey also highlighted the growing popularity for gaming
amongst today's children and revealed that in Liverpool:-
► 85% of children (who are allowed to play games on such devices)
spend up to 4 hours a day doing so
► 80% of Liverpool's parents are concerned about their child's
posture while playing such games
► Parents in Liverpool are concerned that gaming and computer use
affect their child's wellbeing with lack of concentration (30.8%),
back ache (23.1%), neck ache (20.5%) and head ache (28.2%) all
highlighted.
Angela East, of STAT, says:- "Bad habits can be formed from a
very young age which can lead to posture, mobility and other health
problems in later life. The Alexander Technique is a great tool; it
teaches you how to use yourself correctly so that you benefit from
less stress and back pain and improved posture and wellbeing.
The key is to encourage good posture and sitting among our children
and young people and the Alexander Technique helps prevent bad
habits, such as hunching and slouching, from creeping in and
affecting their health. It's not about stopping children from gaming
and going on computers altogether, but they can do it equipped with
tools and strategies designed to maintain good posture and
therefore, good health."
STAT teachers across the UK are taking part in International
Alexander Awareness Week and introductory Alexander Technique
lessons are available.
To find your nearest STAT teacher, go to:-
stat.org.uk.
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Community backs
Welsh Streets plans
LIVERPOOL'S £15 million
plans to revitalise housing in the Welsh Streets have received a big
thumbs-up from the community. 2 large-scale public events held
at Toxteth Town Hall on 6 and 8 September gave local people the
chance to view the neighbourhood regeneration plans for themselves,
ask questions and have their say. And the majority of residents
liked what they saw.
Of the people who completed feedback forms at the events, 71% said
'yes' when asked if they were in favour of the plans.
21% answered 'maybe', while only 8% said 'no'.
Comments included:-
► "The plans are
amazing. We are so in favour of new homes."
► "Very happy about the
proposed plans and I hope that they get permission to go ahead with
the plans because I've lived in the area for 35 years. I like my
house but the damp is terrible and it's not good for my health and
my child's - she's three-and-a-half."
► "There seems to have been a
good understanding of community needs and the plans at least look
good."
► "I'm looking to buy but
haven't seen any in an area I wanted until now, so I'm excited to
see the type of property I'm looking for getting built in the area."
The public drop-in events formed part of the final consultation for
the Welsh Streets scheme, which aims to rejuvenate housing
throughout the area.
Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Ann
O'Byrne, said:- "I'm really pleased that these events were so
well attended, because they are an important part of our work to
capture the views of the community and get a better understanding of
how well we are meeting their needs through this scheme. We're
really passionate about this project, because we believe it will
change the face of the Welsh Streets and create a thriving, vibrant
neighbourhood for generations to come. The positive feedback we've
received shows that the majority of local people who have had their
say share our views, which is great news. We will continue to listen
to local people and take on-board their views as we work together to
bring this important scheme to fruition."
People who were unable to make it to the public events still have
time to leave feedback on the scheme. A special
website,
gives residents the opportunity to find out more about the proposed
scheme, look at a range of plans and artist's impressions and leave
comments.
Delivered by the city council and Liverpool housing association Plus
Dane Group, the proposed Welsh Streets scheme includes over 150
affordable, high-quality new homes for the local community and new
residents, built to the highest standards. The properties, for rent
and sale, will provide a diverse mix of housing for the area, and
will be designed to be energy efficient and spacious, with many
including gardens.
The plans will also see the development of proposals to retain and
refurbish 32 terraced properties - 16 on Madryn Street and 16 in
Kelvin Grove. The city council is launching a pilot scheme in
September to give the local community, working in partnership with a
lead organisation, the opportunity to take over and refurbish the
Madryn Street properties, which had previously been earmarked for
demolition; including 9 Madryn Street, the childhood home of Ringo
Starr.
The scheme forms part of the wider housing renewal programme in the
Princes Park neighbourhood which was declared in 2005 for a period
of up to 10 years. There are 2,500 properties within the renewal
area and over 80% of the existing properties are being retained.
For more information on the Welsh Streets proposals, or to leave
feedback, please visit:-
princesparkconsultation.co.uk
or via email:-
team@consultationworks.co.uk.
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