Latest news with #Wooten
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Live music sessions for people with dementia in Pontypool
Music in Hospitals & Care has announced a partnership with Age Connects Torfaen, which will see regular live music sessions take place at the Age Connects day centre in Pontypool. The initiative, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund's 'Awards for All' programme, aims to improve the emotional wellbeing of people with dementia. The sessions, which are tailored for people aged 50 and over, will take place twice a month for the next two years. Emma Wooten, development manager at Age Connects Torfaen, said: "The idea is to explore whether live music resonates with our service users. "Some of them are nonverbal, but as soon as the music starts, their faces light up, they clap, tap along, or even start to sing. "It brings back memories - maybe it is their wedding song or a tune from a family celebration. "Music evokes strong emotions and can trigger joyful or meaningful memories." The charity said that 76 per cent of residents reported feeling less isolated after participating in Music in Hospitals & Care live music, while 78 per cent of residents felt less stressed and anxious. Ms Wooten added: "With something like Alexa or YouTube playing in the background, distractions are common, but with a live performance they are captivated. "That is rare for someone with dementia, whose attention span is often short."
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Newsweek
The 2 'Wild Cards' on Sean 'Diddy' Combs Jury, According to an Expert
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Many of the jurors selected to hear Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal criminal case share common characteristics, but there are some that could be "wild cards," according to a jury consulting expert. A jury was finalized in the case on Monday. Brittany Wooten, a senior litigation consultant at Magna Legal Services, said the chosen jurors could benefit the prosecution. "This is a jury with a heart," Wooten told Newsweek. "They have social workers, caregivers, trauma-informed professionals who won't shy away from the emotional testimony. I think that's good from a prosecution standpoint." Wooten said there are some "wild cards" on the jury, including juror number two, a 69-year-old man who is an actor and massage therapist. "You have somebody who you really don't know is going to go one way or the other," Wooten said. "As an actor, you're going to be more emotionally attuned, but he could be also more liberal, more open-minded. But in massage therapy, and what I call a close proximity to body-related work, it could make him receptive or even desensitized to the non-traditional values." Wooten also mentioned juror number 25, a 51-year-old man with a PhD in molecular biology and neuroscience, "who might turn out to be a leader, highly analytical, likely focused on logic over emotion." Why It Matters Combs is facing federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denies any wrongdoing. Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 2009 Fragrance Foundation FiFi Awards held on May 27, 2009 in New York City. Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 2009 Fragrance Foundation FiFi Awards held on May 27, 2009 in New York City. zz/Raoul Gatchalian/STAR MAX/IPx Opening statements were given and the first witnesses were called on Monday after jury selection concluded. The jury selection process began on May 5. What To Know Hiliary Remick, managing director of jury consulting at Magna Legal Services, said the jury is not "very unbalanced," but the prosecution might have a slight edge. "There are some folks on there who might be appealing to the prosecution," Remick told Newsweek. Wooten said there are some individuals who could lean in the defense's favor, including the investment analyst and the retired JP Morgan employee. "The more logical and analytical the profession, the more likely they are to look carefully at what the accusations are, and that could help the defense," Wooten said. The jury consists of eight men and four women. Wooten said there's "so much more to their backgrounds" than gender, but their experiences could play a role in how they evaluate the case. "Men or women may interpret signals of consent or manipulation differently, just based on their life experiences or social conditioning," Wooten said. Remick explained how the women on the jury might view the alleged abuse in this case. "To the extent any of the four women on the jury have had particular experiences in their own life or with people close to them involving abuse or sexual abuse, that might be a very sensitive issue," Remick said. What People Are Saying Wooten, in an interview with Newsweek: "I think older jurors may be less swayed by the celebrity culture or emotional appeals, but more sensitive to the seriousness of the criminal allegations, especially if you believe the justice system is being misused or manipulated." Remick, in an interview with Newsweek: "We will be very interested to see even simple signals like responsiveness, or leaning forward, or following, tracking with their eyes one particular presenter over another. That could tell us something." What Happens Next Combs' trial is expected to last eight to 10 weeks. Combs is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
May is National Foster Care Month: Here's how you can help
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — May is National Foster Care Month. It is a time to bring attention to the foster care systems throughout our country. Local organizations commence Operation 'Bag Drag' to assist growing needs in foster care In West Virginia, at any given time, there are more than five thousand eight hundred children in the foster care system. Travis Wooten, Program Director at Necco Beckley, said even if every registered foster parent in the state took in the maximum number of children they could, there would still be children left without a foster home in West Virginia. He said the state is facing a foster parent shortage and it's the children who are temporarily in foster care who are suffering. Wooten said most of the time, the children who come into Necco, come in without anything. No clothes, toys, or personal belongings of any kind. He said even if you're not able to be a foster parent, there are still ways to help these kids. 'We're always accepting donations. Our kids in care always need clothes. About 38% of kids in care are teens and most people often forget about them,' said Wooten. Wooten said these kids need luggage, just a backpack or duffel bag, to help them carry the few things they have. He said at the end of the day, these children just want normalcy. 'I mean, these kids want normal lives. They want normal interactions, normal families. Just being able to provide that for them and see for the first time on their faces, no matter their age. One kid we had, it was their first time going into Walmart. They were twelve years old. It amazed them. I still find that story astounding,' said Wooten. Wooten encourages anyone who is interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent to reach out to Necco and see how you can make a difference in a child's life. Park Middle School students spread positive affirmations If you're interested in learning about becoming a foster parent, please call (304) 250-1200. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local organizations commence Operation 'Bag Drag' to assist growing needs in foster care
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – The Beckley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4469 commenced Operation 'Bag Drag' as part of their day of service. WV Lifeline Ambulance Services LLC announces upcoming launch They collected bags of all sorts from the community, as well as essentials that kids in the foster care system might need. The Beckley Knights of Columbus 5657 helped by cooking some good food for folks stopping in to donate. William Lewis is a member of both the Beckley VFW and the Knights of Columbus. Lewis said the VFW is dedicated to developing strong communities. 'This is our first time doing this for our day of service. We are hoping to turn it into a yearly event because it has gone wonderfully. It is one of the reasons I love living in a community like this. We have got a lot to learn, but we have still got so much support from the community. We have so many donations. It is really amazing. It is phenomenal,' said Lewis. One of the organizations this 'Bag Drag' will be benefiting is Necco Foster Care. Travis Wooten is the program director for Necco's Beckley location. He explained there is a great need in our local community. 'We find that a lot of kids come through with their belongings in trash bags and that is just an issue of dignity for us. It is just amazing to me that the community has gotten together and the VFW supported this. It is amazing to look around and see this luggage. They have no clue the amount of joy it will bring to kids not having to carry their belongings in trash bags,' said Wooten. Wooten and Necco will be distributing these bags to foster children. This bag drop off is not the only way folks can help right now. 'There is a huge need for foster families right now. West Virginia is somewhere around 5,800 to 6,000 kids in care. If every foster parent now filled their house up to the max, there still would not be enough homes for foster kids, and in especially [with] teenagers – like one last week – we got 76 referrals for kids and we were not able to place a single team because we did not have any families that were willing to open up their hearts and homes to them,' said Wooten. United Way of SWV announces Season 12 cast of 'Dancing with the Stars' If you would like to find out how you can help, please call (304) 250-1200. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Teen facing charges after Flock hit, West Chester pursuit
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A teen was taken into custody after an early-morning police presence in a West Chester Township neighborhood. According to Brianna Wooten, director of public information and engagement for West Chester, a 13-year-old is charged in relation to the case with obstruction official business and receiving stolen property. A Flock alert occurred April 15 around 2:40 a.m. on a blue 2019 Hyundai Elantra, according to Wooten. Police confirmed the license plate for the vehicle was reportedly stolen. County prosecutor warns of 'card decline' scam The vehicle was reportedly located by officials close to IKEA on Muhlhauser Road. The vehicle continued until reaching the 7300 block of Lake Shore Drive, where three occupants allegedly fled on-foot. Around 6:30 a.m., Wooten said the search to find the suspect had ended with no results. Close to a half-hour later, one person was taken into custody, and described as the 'person of interest.' No additional information was provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
