Latest news with #UNICEFUK
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hospital-based children's services recognised for commitment to improving care
Mid Cheshire's hospital-based children's services have been awarded a certificate of commitment to improving care for mothers and babies. The award is the first step towards gaining recognition from UNICEF UK's Baby Friendly Initiative. The certificate was presented to staff at Leighton Hospital by Dr Clare Hammell, chief medical officer and deputy chief executive officer. Dr Hammell said: "This award from the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to increase breastfeeding rates and improve care for all mothers locally. "Breastfeeding protects babies against a wide range of serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy, as well as cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes and obesity later in life. "We also know that breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of some cancers, and that it supports the mental health of both mother and baby." The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global programme that aims to transform healthcare for babies, their mothers, and families. In the UK, the initiative works with public services to better support families with feeding and developing close, loving relationships to ensure that all babies get the best possible start in life. The certificate of commitment recognises that a healthcare facility is committed to implementing recognised best practice standards. Anne Woods, UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative deputy programme director, said: "We are delighted that Mid Cheshire Hospitals has received this award. "Our work to support breastfeeding is based on extensive and resounding evidence that breastfeeding saves lives, improves health and cuts costs in every country worldwide, rich and poor alike. "Mothers at Mid Cheshire Hospitals have the satisfaction of knowing that the staff are aiming to provide the highest standard of care."
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Craigneuk school celebrating UNICEF UK's Rights Respecting School Gold Award
This award recognises Berryhill Primary's commitment to embedding children's rights in every aspect of school life. A Craigneuk school is celebrating a prestigious gold accreditation from a worldwide charity. UNICEF UK has awarded Berryhill Primary School and Nursery the coveted Rights Respecting School Gold Award. This award recognises the school's commitment to embedding children's rights in every aspect of school life. The Gold Award is UNICEF UK's highest accolade and is a testament to the school's dedication to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where the rights of every child are upheld and celebrated. 'We are absolutely delighted to receive the Gold Award. It is a wonderful recognition of the hard work and commitment of our pupils, staff, and families,' said the school's headteacher Carrie Nicol. 'At Berryhill Primary, we believe that every child has the right to feel valued and heard, and this accolade reflects our dedication to promoting children's rights in all that we do.' The Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) encourages schools to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into their ethos and curriculum. Berryhill Primary and Nursery's journey to Gold included rigorous self-assessment, engagement with children's rights initiatives, and active involvement from pupils in advocating for their rights. North Lanarkshire Provost Kenneth Duffy and education convener Michael McBride joined pupils and staff to celebrate the achievement. Councillor Michael McBride, the council's Convener of Education, Children and Families, congratulated the school. He said: 'This award is a fantastic achievement for Berryhill Primary School and Nursery. 'It reflects the commitment of the staff and the enthusiasm of the pupils to make children's rights a central part of their school culture. Everyone involved should be incredibly proud of this recognition.' The award reflects Berryhill Primary's ongoing dedication to creating a school culture that respects and values every child's rights. * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
ITV News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Sam Thompson takes on his biggest challenge yet for Soccer Aid
He may have proved his strength with SAS soldiers and was crowned King of the Jungle, but Sam Thompson's about to take on his toughest mission yet... and it's all in aid of Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Beginning on June 2 and finishing on June 6, Sam will need to run a marathon a day, as well as cycle, to ensure the the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball is delivered ahead of kick-off on Sunday June 15 from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford, this year's venue, more than 260 miles away! Speaking about the upcoming challenge, Sam said, 'It's a complete honour, if I'm honest with you. I'm not a runner, I'm not an athlete. I go to the gym every now and then, but more for upper body, I don't think I've ever trained legs in my life. 'The most I've run is 8k and I haven't really been training for that long, so it's something that I'm very nervous for and I have nightmares about as I just don't want to let anyone down.' He said the charity team feels like a 'family' to him and he was 'lucky enough' to visit Unicef-supported initiatives in Guatemala last month to see first-hand how funds raised are helping children. He visited the Juego Limpio Fair Play football programme in Solola, giving children a safe space to play and learn through sport. He also went to an early development Centre in Solola, providing toddlers with early education and a respite for parents doing all they can to provide for their families. He reflected on an encounter he had with a young girl there who since attending the centre exuded positivity despite the challenges her family faces living in poverty. 'There was this girl called Dany who was three years old. She was helping her mum do the laundry, she was taking my hand and saying 'come play with me',' he explained. 'She lived in an environment that no child should have to – she had a toy box and there were more cockroaches than toys in the toy box. 'It's so sad but also you see so much happiness. Dr Philip Goodwin, chief executive officer for UNICEF UK, said: 'We're so proud of Sam for taking on this immense challenge raising funds for UNICEF – a first for the Soccer Aid for Unicef campaign and at a crucial time for children. 'All over the world, children are facing devastating crises – from cuts to global aid, relentless war and climate change to hunger and disease – threatening their lives, their childhoods and their right to play.'
Russia Today
25-02-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
UK to cut international aid to increase defense spending
Britain is to cut its foreign development assistance funding from 0.5% of its Gross National Income (GNI) down to 0.3%, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the parliament on Tuesday. The cut is necessary in order to increase spending on defense, he stated. The move requires 'extremely difficult and painful choices,' Starmer said, referring to the aid cut. 'That is not an announcement I am happy to make,' the prime minister told MPs, vowing to 'do everything we can' to 'rebuild a capability on development.' He still maintained that defense was 'the number one priority of this government.' According to Starmer, the UK would still 'continue to play a humanitarian role in Sudan, in Ukraine and Gaza.' 'These cuts will mean millions of children not having access to critical health care, not having enough to eat, and missing out on their learning. At a time of increased global insecurity and instability, this decision will undoubtedly risk lives,' said Dr Philip Goodwin, the CEO of UNICEF UK, the British chapter of the agency providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. London plans to raise its defense expenditures to 2.5% of its GDP by April 2027 – three years earlier than previously planned – under Starmer's Plan for Change, according to a government statement. The prime minister also vowed to increase the spending to 3% of GDP in the next parliament, citing 'global instability,' the Ukraine conflict, 'increasing threats from malign actors' and climate change, according to his office. The definition of defense spending will be expanded to include security and intelligence agencies, bringing total expenditures under the article to 2.6% of GDP, according to the statement. According to NATO data, Britain spent 2.3% of its GDP on defense in 2024. In the 2023/24 financial year, that spending amounted to £53.9 billion ($68.2 billion). Expenditure is expected to rise to £56.9 billion ($72 billion) in 2024/25 and to £59.8 billion ($75.7 billion) in 2025/26, parliament data shows. An additional 0.2% of GDP, or some £13.4 billion ($16.9 billion) in annual expenditures, starting 2027 would hardly have an impact on the UK's overall defense capacity, the Guardian reported, citing defense officials. The funding would still be insufficient to rebuild and transform the nation's military, the media outlet's sources said.
