News reports located on this page = 2.

The Entertainer switches off music for a calmer Christmas shopping experience

THE busy Christmas shopping season is upon us and whilst many enjoy the Yuletide rush and Christmas cheer, others find the increased number of people, sounds and lights overwhelming and stressful. In order to make Christmas shopping accessible for everyone, The Entertainer, the fastest growing family owned high street toy retailer in the UK has introduced a Christmas Quiet Hour taking place every day in its 171 stores across the country. The initiative aims to create a calmer shopping environment for autistic people and for any shoppers who find the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping an uncomfortable experience. Store staff have undertaken additional training to help them support customers who may be overwhelmed by the sensory overload that Christmas shopping can be for many. Whilst other retailers will be turning up the Christmas carols and adding flashing lights, The Entertainer will be turning off its Christmas songs and dimming the lights wherever possible for an hour a day. Research from the National Autistic Society found that 50% of autistic people and their families sometimes avoid going out because of concern about people's reaction to their autism and that sadly over a quarter (28%) have been asked to leave a public space because of behaviours related to their autism.

Gary Grant, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Entertainer, said:- "We all know that shopping during the festive season can be stressful as shops turn up the music and bring as much festive cheer and theatre to the store to entice shoppers in, which is great but it's not for everyone. So this year we're doing something very different; for the 1st hours' trading each day there will be no music playing, our lights will be dimmed wherever possible and our stores will be made to feel calmer for our Christmas Quiet Hour. This is to show our continued support for autistic people and their families and for those who find shopping during the festive season stressful and overwhelming. We hope that it helps make Christmas shopping enjoyable for everyone."

Tom Purser, head of campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said:- "We are delighted that our Autism Hour sponsor The Entertainer is introducing Christmas Quiet Hours to make shopping a little easier for autistic people and their families at 1 of the busiest times of the year. We hear from autistic people and their families that shops and other public spaces can be challenging because of bright lights, strong smells and crowds queues can cause them to feel overwhelmed. Our research shows that 64% of autistic people avoid the shops and 28% have been asked to leave a public place for reasons associated with their autism. There are 700,000 autistic people in the UK and their needs aren't always immediately obvious. We know a basic understanding and small changes like quiet hours could transform the lives of autistic people and their families, allowing them to take part in activities many people can take for granted. We hope more shops will be inspired by The Entertainer and do their bit to help make sure autistic people and their families have the same opportunities as everyone else. If you would like to know more about autism visit:- Autism.Org.UK."

The Entertainer's Christmas Quiet Hour will be in operation for the first hour of trading at each store from Monday, 2 December 2019 to Tuesday, 31 December 2019. Opening hours vary so to find out Local opening hours please visit:- TheToyShop.Com.

Make your house number visible for more than just Santa this Christmas

THIS Christmas, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is urging people to make their house numbers visible so that paramedics, as well as Santa Claus, can find them when it matters most. Vital minutes in an emergency can by lost when Ambulance crews are looking for houses in the dark and, in life threatening emergencies, minutes can mean the difference between life and death. In cases of sudden cardiac arrest, the likelihood of surviving decreases by 10% with every minute that passes without defibrillation and, thanks to the NHS' Act FAST campaign, it's well known that people who have experienced a stroke have a better chance of full recovery the quicker they receive treatment. As many residents trim their houses with festive lights and decorations this festive season, the Ambulance Service is asking people to consider if their property can be easily seen in the event of an emergency. To help the Ambulance Service find you, check your house number is visible from the road in the dark, switch on outside lights, make sure there are no bushes or fences blocking the view and that it is noticeable when cars and vans park outside and, if your house has a name, display the number as well. Ambulance resources are equipped with sat-nav systems to help them locate properties but if the house number can't be quickly identified, clinicians spend vital time looking for clues on the street including numbers on neighbouring properties and rubbish bins.

Advanced Paramedic, Luke Marriner, said:- "We see lots of 'Santa please stop here' signs around at this time of year but it's so important that people make an effort to ensure their property can be quickly found by an Ambulance too. As the days are short and the nights are long, house numbers should be lit up where possible so that they can be seen in the dark with nothing blocking their view from the road. You can't usually plan for an emergency, but you can prepare. We hope you never need us, but just in case, please help us find you."

Other ways you can help emergency services find you include:-

► Ensure children know how to say their address and how to contact the Ambulance Service as soon as they are able to.

► Smart phones can plot exact location co-ordinates in their map facilities, take some time to see how this works on your device.

► Take notice of motorway markers, junctions and road signs so that you can explain where you are; don't just rely on the sat-nav.

► Look out for small blue driver location signs every 500 metres on motorways and some major A roads. Providing the details written on the sign nearest to the emergency will help crews get to you.

► As always, only dial 999 in the event of a life threatening emergency.

► NWAS will be using the hashtag #HelpUsFindYou to share tips on social media about how to help the Ambulance Service find you in an emergency.