Latest news with #DavidAshford
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Parents surveyed on pressures of raising children
The pressures being felt by the parents of children under the age of 11 are being explored in a new public health survey. The questionnaire looks at issues such as demands on finances and time, alongside concerns surrounding technology experience by parents and carers on the Isle of Man. Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford said responses would "help to make a difference in how we manage and develop parental support". The findings of the latest Isle of Man Health and Lifestyle Survey, which will be open until 28 May, are set to be published in January 2026. Questions cover issues such as parent and child health, children's safety, and isolation and loneliness. Respondents have been asked if they have found it difficult to get by financially in the past year, and if they have enough time for activities such as eating meals together and play. It also considers possible concerns felt about the use of technology and social media. The Isle of Man's public health directorate said the aim was to gain an understanding of "current pressures and priorities for families" on the island. They survey was one of a number of activities being undertaken to "improve development for school readiness", it added. Ashford said the information gathered would provide a "crucial insight to help us to identify gaps and potential opportunities for supporting families in the first years of a child's life". A spokesman for the Cabinet Office confirmed the survey was part of ongoing work with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture "towards addressing the early intervention priority in the Island Plan", which sets out the government's priorities. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Perceptions of homelessness gathered in survey Isle of Man Health and Lifestyle Survey 2025 Isle of Man Government - Public Health Isle of Man Government - Department of Education, Sport and Culture
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Parents surveyed on pressures of raising children on Isle of Man
The pressures being felt by the parents of children under the age of 11 are being explored in a new public health questionnaire looks at issues such as demands on finances and time, alongside concerns surrounding technology experience by parents and carers on the Isle of Office Minister David Ashford said responses would "help to make a difference in how we manage and develop parental support".The findings of the latest Isle of Man Health and Lifestyle Survey, which will be open until 28 May, are set to be published in January 2026. Questions cover issues such as parent and child health, children's safety, and isolation and loneliness. Respondents have been asked if they have found it difficult to get by financially in the past year, and if they have enough time for activities such as eating meals together and also considers possible concerns felt about the use of technology and social media. 'Identify gaps' The Isle of Man's public health directorate said the aim was to gain an understanding of "current pressures and priorities for families" on the survey was one of a number of activities being undertaken to "improve development for school readiness", it said the information gathered would provide a "crucial insight to help us to identify gaps and potential opportunities for supporting families in the first years of a child's life".A spokesman for the Cabinet Office confirmed the survey was part of ongoing work with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture "towards addressing the early intervention priority in the Island Plan", which sets out the government's priorities. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Homelessness service demand 'more than expected'
There has been "higher demand than anticipated" for emergency accommodation for homeless Isle of Man residents so far in 2025, the chairman of a government body has said. The Housing and Communities Board has facilitated 2,955 bed spaces to people from January to March, at a cost of £187,990. The board facilities emergency accommodation predominantly through local hotels and B&Bs, as part of an overarching strategy to tackle homelessness. Chairman David Ashford said there had been "much more demand than we expected", and was "not sustainable in the long term". Ashford said a team of social workers in Manx Care had now been appointed to run the service, who started at the beginning of April. The island's only night shelter, run by charity Graih, closed in 2022. 'Not sustainable' Ashford said the figure included a number of people helped who would be returning on more than one occasion, as well as a "churn" of new people going through the process. Only Isle of Man residents are able to access the services provided. While Ashford said the board was providing a "very valuable service, putting roofs over people's heads", the costs meant it was "not sustainable in the long term" and "bespoke" facilities were needed. Demand for the services had shown "a need that was not necessarily visible until now". The board was "looking at developing a more sustainable emergency accommodation service" so they were not "reliant on hotels and B&Bs", he said. Rob Callister MHK said it came down to "bricks and mortar" and bigger investment was needed. There were also concerns raised by MHKs about how the service would meet demand during the TT festival fortnight, which begins on 26 May. Ashford said there was ongoing work to find "alternative accommodation" to deal with the demand during the island's busiest time of year. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. More like this Related internet links
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Isle of Man homelessness service demand 'more than expected'
Homelessness service demand 'more than expected' 11 minutes ago Share Save Alex Blake BBC News, Isle of Man Share Save PA Media The Housing and Communities Board facilitates emergency accommodation for Manx residents There has been "higher demand than anticipated" for emergency accommodation for homeless Isle of Man residents so far in 2025, the chairman of a government body has said. The Housing and Communities Board has facilitated 2,955 bed spaces to people from January to March, at a cost of £187,990. The board facilities emergency accommodation predominantly through local hotels and B&Bs, as part of an overarching strategy to tackle homelessness. Chairman David Ashford said there had been "much more demand than we expected", and was "not sustainable in the long term". Ashford said a team of social workers in Manx Care had now been appointed to run the service, who started at the beginning of April. The island's only night shelter, run by charity Graih, closed in 2022. 'Not sustainable' Ashford said the figure included a number of people helped who would be returning on more than one occasion, as well as a "churn" of new people going through the process. Only Isle of Man residents are able to access the services provided. While Ashford said the board was providing a "very valuable service, putting roofs over people's heads", the costs meant it was "not sustainable in the long term" and "bespoke" facilities were needed. Demand for the services had shown "a need that was not necessarily visible until now". The board was "looking at developing a more sustainable emergency accommodation service" so they were not "reliant on hotels and B&Bs", he said. Rob Callister MHK said it came down to "bricks and mortar" and bigger investment was needed. There were also concerns raised by MHKs about how the service would meet demand during the TT festival fortnight, which begins on 26 May. Ashford said there was ongoing work to find "alternative accommodation" to deal with the demand during the island's busiest time of year.
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Drop-in sessions highlight new organ donation law
Proposed updates to regulations on organ donation, including how an opt-out system would work, will be highlighted at a series of information Human Tissue and Organ Donation Act was given Royal Assent in July 2021 and a consultation is now asking for views on the secondary legislation needed to bring it by the Cabinet Office, the survey asks for feedback on proposed codes of practice outlining how certain activities related to the act should be have also been invited to find out more at a series of public information events in Douglas, Ramsey, Castletown and Peel later this month. Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford said moving to an opt-out system for organ donation was "an important step" that would bring the island "in line with other jurisdictions". He said it was "vital we get it right" and "ensure transparency, ethical oversight, and public confidence in the system".The legislation is also known as Daniel's Law in memory of 15-year-old Daniel Boyde whose organs were donated following his death in a car crash in law change would see adults over the age of 18 who have not opted out presumed to have given consent for organ donation. However, families would be consulted before any decision was confirmed. 'Safeguards and choices' The consultation gives respondents the opportunity to review and consider eight detailed codes of practice, prepared by Public Health, on areas such as living and deceased organ donation, and the principle of asks for thoughts on whether the consent process is clear and if it respects the wishes of individuals, including those from different faiths and survey also looks at proposed procedures for storing and disposing of tissue and organs after post-mortem examinations, and how families might receive clear, compassionate, and timely information about said: "Death is not an easy subject to talk about, but it affects everyone.""These discussions matter because they help ensure the right safeguards and choices are in place for our loved ones," he said."We want to hear from as many people as possible to make sure the final framework reflects the needs and expectations of our community."To highlight the consultation, two drop-in sessions will be held in each of four locations, starting at 16:00 and 18:00 first takes place at Loch Promenade Church in Douglas on 7 April, followed by Ramsey Town Hall on 8 April, the Morton Hall in Castletown on 15 April, and the Western Wellbeing Centre in Peel on 24 consultation itself is available online until 28 from the public will help inform the legal framework before it is presented to Tynwald in July 2025, the Cabinet Office said. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
