
Charity for homeless to get new home in Stoke-on-Trent
The Oxford Road building will allow The Gingerbread Centre to consolidate the services it provides at its sites in Hanley and Normacot in one location. John Chorlton, from applicant Nightingale Land, said: "The charity has already helped thousands of disadvantaged families. "By combining the two services in a modern, fit-for-purpose building with increased capacity, the Gingerbread Centre can continue to help Stoke's most vulnerable families."The application received three objections from residents in the area, who argued that Oxford Road was the wrong location for a supported housing scheme. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
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Daily Mail
2 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
You're using your dishwasher WRONG! Experts reveal the surprising items you should never put in there
At the end of a big meal there's nothing better than being able to put all the dirty cutlery in the dishwasher. At the press of a button, everything comes out clean and sparkling – even the grubbiest of dishes. But you've likely been using the appliance wrong, it turns out. Experts from Which? have compiled a list of unexpected items than you can and can't put in the dishwasher. They have revealed some common mistakes that could be ruining your items – and some surprising things you can safely put in. 'Before you start throwing in anything and everything, there are certain items where handwashing is always best,' Andrew Laughlin, principal researcher at the consumer brand said. His tips can help 'avoid having to replace items that aren't dishwasher safe'. So, are you guilty of the following errors? KITCHEN KNIVES 'While steel and ceramic knives are safe in the dishwasher and won't tarnish, the heat can make the blade more prone to dulling,' he said. 'It's better to wash them by hand to avoid having to sharpen them more often – and it will ensure they last longer and stay in great condition.' The same goes for blender blades, he explained, which can also dull over time and make your smoothies less smooth. WOODEN SPOONS AND CHOPPING BOARDS It may come as a surprise to some but anything wooden can't go in the dishwasher, Mr Laughlin said. 'Regardless of what type of wood it is, the high heat of a dishwasher will cause it to splinter and split, and any cracks are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria.' He said wooden items should be washed by hand but not submerged in water for too long. Lingering odours or stains could be treated by sprinkling some salt onto the board and scrubbing with half a lemon. NON–STICK ANYTHING AND SOME BAKING TRAYS Putting non–stick pans in the dishwasher can wear down the non–stick surface over time, he explained. Instead, these should be washed and dried by hand. While baking trays made of stainless steel or anodised aluminium are fine, cast iron or regular aluminium will need hand–washing. CRYSTAL OR MILK GLASSES Crystal can be expensive, and the best way to preserve it is by avoiding the dishwasher, Mr Laughlin said, adding: 'If you're adamant, choose a very mild detergent or look for one approved for crystal or cut–glass use. 'Place the crystal in the top rack of the dishwasher and make sure that the glasses do not touch one another. Then use a delicate cycle, which washes at a lower temperature to protect items.' Milk glass, meanwhile, can be chipped by knocking against other plates in the wash. Using the dishwasher might also cause it to turn slightly yellow over time. COPPER, ALUMINIUM OR CAST–IRON COOKWARE If you want to keep your prized copper cookware shiny, it's best to wash by hand as the harshness of the dishwasher can cause surfaces to dull. Meanwhile, detergent can cause aluminium to tarnish and turn black. 'If you're not sure, it's better to be safe than sorry, so keep your Le Creuset out of the dishwasher,' Mr Laughlin said. INSULATED COFFEE MUGS OR WATER BOTTLES The vacuum seal – a very important part of insulated items – could be damaged in the dishwasher. This could make insulation worse, preventing them from keeping your drinks hot or cool, or it could make them prone to leaking. 'While some coffee cups and travel mugs can be popped into a dishwasher on the top shelf, others need to be washed by hand, so always check the packaging or the manufacturer's website,' he said. Finally, while the actual pot of a pressure cooker can go in the dishwasher, a lid should always be hand washed. 'The high heat and water jets could damage the seal mechanism, making the actual pressure part of your pressure cooker obsolete,' he said. 'It could even make using your pressure cooker dangerous if the safety mechanisms are faulty.' Mr Laughlin also revealed a list of unusual items that can safely be put in the dishwasher, including make–up brushes, plastic hairbrushes, toothbrush holders and soap trays. The dishwasher can also come in handy for cleaning vacuum cleaner attachments and refrigerator shelves and drawers. Many baby items can also be cleaned in the dishwasher – and some models even come with high–heat programs specifically for this. 'These programs are often promoted as leaving dishes germ–free or sterilised,' he said. 'However, we wouldn't recommend that you rely on your dishwasher for sterilising items for very young babies. 'Use an alternative method instead.' Mr Laughlin has also previous shared advice on the correct way to stack a dishwasher. This includes never rinsing the plates and placing the dirtiest dishes on the bottom rack. Not overloading is also important, he said, to allow the water to circulate properly. Engineers devise VERY controversial method for loading the dishwasher Loading the dishwasher can be a sore subject. Everyone claims to have perfected their own foolproof 'technique', yet no two methods are the same. But in 2015, scientists ruffled a few feathers when they claimed to have devised the definitive way to organise a dishwasher's racks. The University of Birmingham engineers tracked water movement inside dishwashers before concluding that plates should be arranged in a circle. However, carbohydrate–stained dishes should be at the centre, they said, while protein–stained dishes should be around the edge. Carbohydrate–based stains need the full force of the water jets to get clean, while protein based foods need more contact with the chemical detergent. However, they warned that due to the way baskets are currently designed, this may prove to be difficult.


The Guardian
2 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘Soul-destroying': Samaritans volunteers blindsided by proposed closures
At the Walsall branch of Samaritans, it has been a tough few years of campaigning for the funds needed to replace the now leaky portable cabin they have operated out of for the past 60 years. After raising almost £300,000, they are on the home stretch towards reaching their final goal, and being able to replace the building they use to help local people in the depths of crisis. Then came the shock announcement from Samaritans central office: that it proposes to close at least half of its 200 branches across the UK and Ireland in the next 10 years. One member of the Walsall team said: 'We just don't know what to do now. Do we carry on? It's soul-destroying.' Dozens of branches across the country have raised alarm at the charity's 'in principle' decisions, which are still under consultation until the board of trustees meet in September, fearing it could lead to a loss of volunteers and morale. These include moving volunteers into larger regional hubs, which some fear will create a 'call-centre-style' model, and piloting remote call handling. Volunteers at the Walsall branch said they had been blindsided by the news. 'We had an event last week and someone else had raised £1,000 for us, and we didn't know what to do. Do we take the money? Because we know now that our branch could be closed,' one volunteer, who asked to remain anonymous, said. 'Every step of the way, central office have known exactly what we're doing. And we've got this money and we're very concerned about whether it has been ringfenced for the building. Because that is what it was raised for.' She said the portable cabin they had used for decades had slowly fallen into disrepair and was in dire need of replacement. 'At one point we were frightened to use the toilet because the floor was going to give way,' she said. They originally set out to raise £250,000 in 2023 but were advised by Samaritans central office earlier this year to revise their target up to £320,000 due to rising building costs. They received many donations from other branches, the volunteer said, as well as from members of the public. Samaritans central office said it was in discussion with the Walsall branch on its possible options. A number of Samaritans listening volunteers said they were worried the charity was spending too much of its funding on staff salaries, at the expense of the branches run by unpaid volunteers. The average number of paid employees at the charity has increased from 277 in 2022 to 305 in 2024, and more than £15m of the charity's total income of £24.6m went on wages last year. Of the 201 Samaritans branches, 144 are affiliated organisations that are separate legal entities with their own financial accounts, who organise their own fundraising and give a portion of the money they raise to the central office. Volunteers said they were told that last year these affiliate branches received a total income of £11.1m and spent £9.3m. The charity's central office said that money was not the primary reason for proposing to close branches, and that ultimately it wanted to reduce fragmentation across its service, although volunteers had reported having to spend more time and effort maintaining the buildings they operated in. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion In a video sent to the charity's 20,000 volunteers, the Samaritans CEO, Julie Bentley, said: 'Much of the money that is currently raised from the public in the name of Samaritans is necessarily going into maintaining these bricks and mortar, rather than being used to improve our services.' Volunteers have been told the charity could not provide an 'overall figure' for how much money is spent on buildings. Many said they were also worried about a potential exodus of volunteers who may not want to continue their shifts if forced to travel to a branch further away, or work from home. This year, the Folkestone, Dover and Hythe branch was closed after a safeguarding issue, with only six of the 55 listening volunteers based there choosing to move to another branch. 'People love being a listener, I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to people, so integral to who they are. And they are really devastated, but they can't continue,' said Nicola Ellingham, a former IT support volunteer at the branch. 'They can't get to the other branches. They're just too far away. And they feel they've been let down.' The former Labour strategist turned political commentator Alastair Campbell, who has spoken openly about his mental health, said he was worried by the plans as Samaritans was 'very much a branch organisation'. 'The branches give resources to the centre,' he said on The Rest is Politics podcast. 'The thing that is really unique about the Samaritans, sometimes they're called the fourth emergency service. There is something very special about them.' His co-host, the former Conservative minister Rory Stewart, said: 'This sounds like they're going down the wrong path. I'm sure providing advice to people works best when you have a local branch network that understands local conditions. I'm sure they're underestimating what they'll lose in fundraising from these voluntary branches. Most charities that have gone down this path … have regretted it and ended up killing a lot of the spirit and soul of the organisation in the process.' Samaritans has been approached for comment.


The Sun
2 minutes ago
- The Sun
New parent check list – how to avoid missing out on £13,700 worth of benefits and savings
WELCOMING a new baby into the world is a beautiful experience for most parents but the cost of raising a child can be daunting. From specialist gear such as prams, bed and nappies, through to food and childcare, the cost of being a parent is staggeringly high. Fortunately, there is plenty of help available for parents if you know where to look. Here is a checklist of items to make sure you get all the financial help you can whether you are becoming a parent for the first time or having another child... Apply for Sure Start If you're expecting your first child and receive selected benefits you could get a one-off payment of £500 to help pay for costs such as a new cot or pram through the government's Sure Start scheme. You can claim within 11 weeks of the baby's due date and you don't have to pay the money back. You will need to claim within six months after the baby's birth. You can only get the grant if you don't have any other children udner 16. And you or your partner must also get one of these benefits: You could qualify if you're getting a Support for Mortgage Interest loan. You'll need to print out and fill in the Sure Start application form available on the gov website. Or for more help contact the Sure Start Maternity Grant helpline on 0800 169 0140. Apply for Healthy Start The Healthy Start scheme helps low income pregnant women and families with young children to afford nutricious groceries, including fruit, vegetables, and milk. The scheme is a weekly allowance of £4.25 for people over 10 weeks pregnant, £8.50 for the first year of a child's life, and £4.25 a week for children aged one to four. It works out as up to £442 worth of essentials over the year for a child. Eligibility is based on income levels and entitlement to means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or: Child tax credits (only if your family's annual income is £16,190 or less) Income support Income-based jobseeker's allowance Pension credit (which includes the child addition) Universal Credit (only if your family's take-home pay is £408 or less per month from employment) For more information or to apply, visit healthystart. Find out what you're entitled to You should use a benefits calculator to find out what you are entitled to and keep checking throughout maternity leave, as your pay changes, according to Katie Guild, co-founder of financial parenting website Nugget Savings. She says: "Whilst you might not be entitled to benefits like Universal Credit normally, when your wage drops to statutory pay only or you enter the unpaid period of leave, your household wage may suddenly be low enough to claim. "So it's worth checking in with the calculators to see if you are eligible every time your circumstances change." It's easy to do a quick check of benefits you could be entitled to. You just need to use a free online tool. Any of the following three should bring up extra help you could claim: You will need certain information ready to give the calculators such as savings, household income, including your partner's, existing benefits and pensions, as well as outgoings. You can get extra Universal Credit if you have children. For a first child born after 2017 this is worth £292.81 a month or £3,513.72 a year. Claim child benefit as soon as possible Once you have children you become eligible for child benefit. This is worth £26.05 a week for your eldest or only child, and you then get a further £17.25 for every additional child. For example, eligible families with two children, the payment is worth £2,251.60 a year. You can only backdate the payments for a maximum of three months, so claim as soon as possible after birth to avoid missing out. Any household that earns less than £80,000 a year are entitled to the full payment. But if you or your partner earns more than £60,000, you'll have to repay part of the benefit through the high income child benefit charge. Once you or your partner earns more than £80,000 a year, the amount you'll have to repay cancels out the payment. Katie adds: "If you're normally over the £80,000 threshold consider whether low maternity pay brings your earnings below the thresholds for the current tax year. "If it does, claim for the year and just de-register from the payments as soon as your wage goes over the threshold again." You can also still claim Child Benefit but crucially opt out of receiving payments to build up National Insurance contributions, which are used to calculate your State Pension entitlement in retirement. You need 35 years of NI contributions for a full state pension. This is why it's important to claim child benefit even if you opt out of payments. Consider childcare Childcare is a huge financial burden on working parents. However, from September there are 30 free childcare hours for children over 9 months. This is typically worth more than £5,000 a year. Katie says: "These schemes involve a lot of rules and eligibility requirements, so it's good to get your head around them in good time so you don't miss out on deadlines. "We recommend checking out the childcare choices website so you can apply for the various schemes on time." In some areas, childcare spaces are in high demand and there are waiting lists for nurseries so its a good idea to consider what you will need in advance of returning to work, for example. In some cases, you may need to put down a deposit to guarantee spots. Apply for tax-free childcare Before you need to start paying for childcare, you should open a tax-free childcare account. This gives an extra boost towards the cost of paying for childcare through nursery or recognised childcare providers. The government scheme gives £2 free for every £8 put into an account, which is then used to pay providers. Parents can get up to a maximum of £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 if their child is disabled. This is huge help in the cost of care, so register well in advance to get it set up. You'll need to give details about you and your partners income, as well as confirming details every three months so you can also get the free hours, as well as tax-free childcare. What help is available to parents for childcare costs? CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help. 30 hours of free childcare - Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours of free childcare a week. To qualify you must work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year. Tax credits - For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs. Tax-free childcare - Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2.