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Debt worries affecting the
mental health of more students in the North West than anywhere else in UK
ACCORDING to research by NUS Insight;
on behalf of and commissioned by Future Finance, the UK's 1st specialist student
lender, 44% of students in the North West are worrying about their finances to
such an extent that it is affecting their mental health, raising huge concerns
about the pressure students face. This compares to the South East, where under
of 3rd of students (32%) feel the same way. Scotland and the South East both
have the most students (46%), who disagree that worries about debt affect their
mental health.
The research, which questioned over 2,000 students across the UK, finds that the
North West has the greatest level of students in the regions (74%), who worry
about finances all the time or very often, while Scotland has the lowest
proportion of students who worry about these matters at 52%. 59% of students in
the neighbouring North East worry often or all the time.
These levels of financial worry are now driving students to consider work that
could affect their wellbeing, the North West has the 2nd highest number of
students (45%) who say that a lack of funding for their studies had led them to
do this, compared to 38% nationally. Wales tops the tables, only slightly above
the North West, at 46%.
A quarter of this subgroup, students across the UK[1] mention various types of
jobs. A quarter of this subgroup cite shift or night work as the most common
type of work which affects their wellbeing, followed by 13% who mentioned
medical trails. 10% of students from the same group reported considering work in
the sex industry, including:- pornographic webcam shows, nude modelling, being
an escort, stripper or working on chat lines.
Commenting on the findings, Brian Norton, Chief Executive of Future Finance,
said:- "These statistics are truly shocking. Everyone deserves the chance
to fulfil their dreams through higher education. And every student should have a
sensible financial platform to help them do just that. But sadly, credit cards
and payday loans, with their extortionate rates, are being used as the get out
solution all too often by students today. And it's not just hitting their
wallets, it's now also damaging their health. Students are unaware of the full
range of finance solutions available to them. Many are in meltdown simply
because they don't know there is another way. We urgently need the British
government and the universities to help inform students about their lending
options, and give them the support framework they so desperately need through
their education journey."
Despite these challenges, students in the region are a resilient bunch. When
asked if they are likely to drop out of university due to a lack of funding, the
majority (68%) disagreed, highlighting their resilience and the value they place
on education. 54% of students in the North West agreed with the statement that a
good education is worth the cost and sets you up for life.
This is reinforced by government statistics. A university education is a
valuable investment with graduates making them more employable, more likely to
work in high skill jobs and earning more than non-graduates, according to the
Graduate Labour Market Statistics. The research highlights the graduate premium;
the increase in earnings enjoyed by graduates over non-graduates. Working age
graduates and postgraduates can expect a £10,500 and £16,500 earnings premium on
average compared to non-graduates of working age.
If you are a student worried about your finances, your university's student
services or Students' Union advice service will be able to give you advice.
Students can also find out more about mental health support at:-
StudentMinds.Org.UK.
Art by the Lake art and craft market returns
to Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre
WITH tumbling dunes, vast stretches of
sandy beach and Anthony Gormley's enigmatic sea gazing figures, Waterloo and
Crosby have long attracted people fascinated by both natural beauty and the
artistic impulse. And on Sunday, 22 May 2016, there'll be yet another artistic
reason to visit as the second Art by the Lake event arrives at Crosby Lakeside
Adventure Centre. Running from 10am until 4pm, this popular art and craft market
will host local independent artists and makers selling a huge range of unique
and inspiring pieces.
Items on sale will include original art,
prints, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, glass, preserves and artisan coffees, and
because everything is carefully crafted by hand and made with love, visitors can
be sure of finding things that are that bit out of the ordinary. From great
gifts to that extra special something for the home, Art by the Lake makes it
easy to pick up the kind of art and crafts that you never find on the high
street!
Art by the Lake is organised by Tracey
Nichols, who explains just what makes the event so special. "The 1st Art
by the Lake was a great success and so we just had to return to this amazing
venue as soon as we could. Once again we've got some really wonderful artists
and makers lined up, including the colourful creations of Mollycat Craft Co.,
stunning handmade pieces by Dee Wood Jewellery, a first visit by 10 Magnolia
Lane who make exquisite baby bedding, delicate ceramics from Martha's Grandad,
Coffeebean and Tealeaf with their fabulous roasted coffee beans and organic
teas… the list goes on! And don't forget that we're right by the marine lake and
there's a bistro next door, so a visit to Art by the Lake makes a wonderful
afternoon out for anyone who loves a little art in their lives."
As well as offering a great opportunity to buy stunning arts and crafts, Art by
the Lake will also be raising money for the Campaign Against Living Miserably.
Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45, and with Tracey herself suffering
the loss of her husband to suicide in 2014, she is keen to raise as much as
possible through donations and raffles at the event. So not only is it a chance
to browse, buy and chat with makers from around the region, it's all in a good
cause too. |
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3 men rescued from River
Mersey
FIREFIGHTERS were called to the River
Mersey, close to Jericho Lane, on Otterspool, on Thursday, 5 May 2016, following
reports of a person in the water. 2 fire engines, the Search and Rescue Team and
the Marine Fire 1 rescue boat were tasked to the incident.
Prior to the attendance of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, an off duty
Merseyside firefighter and a member of the public had entered the river to
assist an unconscious male casualty by keeping him afloat and maintaining an
airway. The man was rescued from the
water by crews from the MF&RS Marine Rescue Unit, who brought him aboard the
Marine Fire One rescue boat and gave him CPR and oxygen. He was taken by boat to
the Marine Rescue Unit at Pier Head and handed in to the care of paramedics,
before being taken to Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Both men who assisted the casualty were also taken by boat to the Marine Rescue
Unit and assessed at the scene by paramedics. 1 of the men was taken to Royal
Liverpool University Hospital for further checks.
Marine Rescue Unit Team Leader, Iain Holgate, said:- "We were tasked by HM
Coastguard to reports of a person in the water at Jericho Lane area of
Otterspool Promenade. We mobilised quickly and found 3 people in the water; 1
unconscious casualty and 2 members of the public who had jumped in to the water
to assist. 1 of the men was a Merseyside firefighter who was off duty. We
rescued all 3 men on to our lifeboat and made best speed back to the Pier Head
while administering CPR and oxygen to the unconscious casualty. Ambulance
service personnel met us at the Pier Head and took over care of the casualties,
together with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service appliances and HM Coastguard
mobile teams. The unconscious casualty was transferred to hospital with
ambulance crews and one of the members of the public who assisted was also taken
to hospital for further checks."
Station Manager Franny Hill, who served as incident commander at the scene,
said:- "This was a heroic deed by an off duty firefighter along and a
member of the public who risked their own lives in very cold water to save a
man's life today. It should be noted that all MF&RS operational personnel
receive water training. We would like to remind people of the inherent dangers
of being in or around the water and to stay safe as the warmer weather
approaches."
RSPCA reminds pet owners to keep their animals safe over the warm months
WITH temperatures set to soar to 20C
this week, the RSPCA is issuing advice to pet owners to ensure their animals are
comfortable and happy in the heat. Just as cold, wintry weather can pose a risk
to animals, hot temperatures in the summer months can also be hazardous to our
furry friends.
Every year we receive thousands of reports of animals suffering from heat
exposure. The most common calls the RSPCA's emergency 24 hour line receives is
on dogs in hot cars. But it's important to remember not to leave any animal in a
car or caravan, or in a conservatory or outbuilding, where temperatures can
quickly rise to 47C which can result in death.
Last month, RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes left a thermometer in
his van in 15C heat and left it for an hour to see what temperature it would
reach inside his vehicle. Within just 60 minutes, the temperature had climbed to
43.5C.
Inspector Joynes said:- "In an emergency, it is best to dial:- 999 and
report a dog in a hot car to Police. The RSPCA may not be able to attend quickly
enough and, with no powers of entry, we'd need police assistance at such an
incident. If the animal is displaying any sign of heatstroke; such as panting
heavily, drooling excessively, is lethargic or uncoordinated, or collapsed and
vomiting; call:- 999 immediately." |
