Latest news with #CoventryUniversity
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
How having a positive attitude could help older people recover from injuries faster
A new study suggests that a 'positive attitude' towards ageing could aid recovery after sustaining injuries in a fall. Falls among older adults are a significant public health issue, prompting researchers from Imperial College London and Coventry University to investigate whether "mindsets around ageing" could lessen their impact. The study involved 694 individuals in England aged 60 to 90 who had not experienced a fall in the two years prior. Researchers analysed data on falls alongside survey responses gauging participants' beliefs and attitudes about ageing. Factors such as walking pace, activity levels, and the need for assistance with daily tasks like dressing or bathing after a fall were also assessed. The findings indicate that those with more positive perceptions of ageing – for example, believing that ageing did not hinder their ability to do what they wanted – tended to recover better after a fall. 'We found that older individuals who had more positive self-perceptions of ageing at baseline were better protected against negative physical consequences following a fall,' they wrote in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. People who had the highest possible score on the 'self-perceptions of ageing' measurements – or having the most positive mindset about ageing – had 162% lower odds of showing slow walking speed, 200% lower odds of being dependent on others to perform daily living activities and were 123% less likely to be inactive following a fall, compared to those who were not positive about ageing. Study co-lead Dr Toby Ellmers, from Imperial College London's Department of Brain Sciences, said: 'Those who expressed more positive feelings about their own ageing seemed to be protected against worse physical consequences after a fall. 'There was substantial difference in the rate of physical recovery in the people we studied, and this seemed to be linked to their initial beliefs about growing older. 'Our results suggest that changing the way that some older people view their ageing process could play a key role in improving recovery and wellbeing. 'It's even possible that simple 'tweaks' to help people develop a more positive mindset around ageing, such as having discussions with a friend or relative about the positives associated with ageing, could help. 'This is something we are very keen to explore in future research.' Study co-lead Dr Mathew Hill, from Coventry University's Research Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Sciences, added: 'Although we knew from previous research that negative mindsets and beliefs about ageing are associated with increased risk of negative health outcomes, such as stroke and mortality, this is the first research linking these specifically to physical recovery after a fall.'
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Coventry University reveals city centre development plans
A university has unveiled plans for a new development which it has said will bring a "significant economic boost" to a city University wants to build a hotel, shops and new homes on the site of the former Civic site, opposite the Council House, was most recently used for the Assembly Festival Garden in summer 2022."This is a prime site in Coventry city centre," said the university's vice-chancellor, Prof John Latham CBE, adding: "We want to see it used for something that will benefit the university and the city as a whole." Coventry University made the announcement just weeks after concerns were raised about its finances. Describing the development as a "multimillion-pound transformation", the university said it would include community-related projects, "high-quality" residential property, hotels and retail would be linked together by "exceptional" public spaces, it university said it had identified two preferred bidders for the UK Developments has worked on the regeneration of London's New Covent Garden Market and the linking of Cardiff Bay to the city Development's projects include the Wolverhampton Interchange Scheme."The site was originally bought pre-pandemic to become the home for our research and administration functions," said Prof Latham. "Since then we have seen significant change in how we use our campus estate."That means we can use this site for wider developments that create jobs and add to the prosperity and continued revitalisation of the city and explore partnerships that would add real social value."The university said the project was currently at the concept stage, with a planning application expected to be made in due course. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New Warwickshire health partnership between universities and NHS
A new partnership between academic and health bodies has been announced with the aim of tackling health Arden Health Partnership (AHP) has been formed by the University of Warwick, Coventry University and five Warwickshire NHS institutions."We are lucky in this country to have the NHS, where care delivery is free at the point of access," said Prof Sudhesh Kumar OBE, vice-president (health) at the University of Warwick."But it's surprising that we still have so much disparity in health outcomes." Figures suggest life expectancy in Coventry is lower than the national Kumar says pockets of deprivation and areas with high ethnic minority populations are contributory factors."I think sometimes spending enough time to look after your health takes a back seat," he explained. "Increasing health literacy is important, so more people are aware of what the issues are."Even if you are aware, imagine [someone running] a corner shop - they can't take time off to do the things they should be doing." Prof Kumar said early intervention - educating people about how to take care of themselves - was vital."Many of the problems we have here are very similar to health problems in other parts of the country," he said, citing smoking as an example of unhealthy behaviour people still engage in. 'Develop innovative solutions' "We know that one organisation cannot solve challenges like tackling health inequalities and improving health and wellbeing outcomes in our area on their own," said Prof John Latham CBE, vice-chancellor of Coventry University and CEO of the AHP."This collaboration is a commitment to working together to address regional health challenges."Prof Kumar said groups were being set up to include people with expertise in dealing with health issues."They will articulate [the issue], then get in people who can produce solutions," he said."They may be from universities... or they could be from businesses or industries that have developed innovative new solutions."And we are putting together processes to help increase the rate of adoption of these processes by the NHS." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Creative West Midlands businesses offered grants of up to £10k
Small and medium enterprises in the West Midlands are being offered grants of up to £10,000 as part of a new funding scheme for creative Frontiers is part of a five-year programme between Birmingham City University (BCU), University of Birmingham, Coventry University, University of Warwick and the Royal Shakespeare must align with one of several areas, including gaming, live performance and visual arts."It's not just about developing new technologies, it's about creating opportunities for companies to think how they can have cultural and social impact for the region," said Prof Lamberto Coccioli, director of CreaTech Frontiers. "There are a lot of companies and entrepreneurs already suggesting collaborations and wanting to apply. I'm delighted we're filling a gap that West Midlands businesses need."The total funding pot is £250,000 and is part of a wider Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded £7.2m cluster aims to help drive research and skills development in the region's creative applicants would gain both financial support and access to facilities at one of the five for the year ahead include a second round of applications for larger grants later in 2025, as well as a pilot programme with the Birmingham Opera Company, and the establishment of an apprenticeship working scheme is also backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority."We've got a young, diverse region full of bold thinkers and creative minds who are really pushing the limits of what's possible with technology" said Richard Parker, the region's mayor."I want them to be able to take advantage of the amazing research and innovation coming out of our world class universities and turn their great ideas into global success stories."Applications are open from Monday 2 June. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Coventry University Group sees jump in nursing students
A university group has said it has seen a 71% rise in the number of people studying nursing courses in five University Group, which includes the titular university as well as campuses in Scarborough and London, said 1,960 people were currently studying the profession with them. In 2020, there were 1,146 group said it had introduced courses that allowed more people to study, and invested in facilities and teaching."The course makes learning accessible to everyone," said student Maria Schaefer Guedes. "It gives us all flexibility to manage our other responsibilities, such as working and personal commitments." Ms Guedes, 37, is originally from Brazil and is in her first year at Coventry University made the move to nursing from a 15-year career as a chef. Her parents were in the medical field and she said they inspired her next profession. "Once I started to study at Coventry University, I realised I was on the right path," she said."The biggest word to describe nursing is rewarding - it's about dedicating your life to others, it's nothing about you, only about others."She enrolled to the university's blended nursing course, which combined interactive digital learning and virtually-simulated experiences with practice-based learning."I decided I wanted a different and more fulfilling career where I could help people," she university group works with NHS groups across the country and, in the West Midlands, this includes University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton. Nursing shortage 'critical' In September 2024, the BBC reported there were 21% fewer nursing students starting courses at universities across the UK than three years and colleges admissions service figures showed 23,800 students had been accepted on to nursing courses for that academic year – 340 fewer than in 2023 and 6,350 fewer than in Royal College of Nursing (RCN) called the situation "critical".Almost one in five NHS workers in the Midlands have been recruited from abroad, according to NHS England data. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
