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Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Lanarkshire dance school celebrating 20 years in business picks up top gong
Starlight Dance has nurtured the talents of generations of children in East Kilbride. Success was in the stars for a Lanarkshire dance school as it scooped a prestigious gong while celebrating its 20th anniversary. Starlight Dance was crowned Best Dance School for Community Engagement at the Scottish Dance Awards this week, proving that hard work and excellent teaching pays off. The school has been established in East Kilbride for two decades and has grown from a handful of pupils to a full school nurturing the talents of generations of kids. Starlight is non-competitive and as well as exams and shows, offer classes in tap, modern, freestyle, cheer pom and street for boys and girls from walking to adult - so there is something for every age. Jennifer Connolly, who runs Starlight Dance, said: "We pride ourselves on experienced teaching, offering a fun, friendly environment for dancers with progression, teaching technique and building dancers confidence and letting each individual shine! "Our school ethos is: Commit, Set Goals, Do Your Best, Respect, Encourage, Be Kind, Teamwork, Have Fun, Shine Bright and we embody this in all our classes and have Recognition Awards for dancers who really display these values." The school likes to carry this forward into the wider community and does a lot of charity work. Last year Starlighters raised over £4000 for local and national charities including EK Dementia Carers Group, Kilbryde Hospice, Children In Need, British Heart Foundation, Young Minds and Target Ovarian Cancer. Through show programme donations, students take part in Tapathon for Children in Need each year and have pyjama classes for this too. They wear yellow to class for one week to support Young Minds whilst also teaching kids about good mental health. Starlight also run a charity show and split all the proceeds between two nominated charities and have an annual food bank donation in February each year. This year over 40 bags of donations were handed in to Loaves and Fishes charity in the town. Jennifer added: "We believe that we all have an incredible opportunity to come to class each week and do such a joyous things such as dance that we should give back to others where we can and display kindness always. I think this is a great mindset for our dancers to have too. "We also engage with our dancers, not only in classes each week but through fun events such as Halloween classes, annual Family Fun Day, Christmas parties, Share the Love Week and Break the Rules days. We have a planned calendar of events throughout the year." This year the school were finalists in the Scottish Dance Awards in two categories: Best School for Community Engagement and Exam Excellence, scooping Best School for Community Engagement. The accolade topped off a milestone year for the club which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in the town. Jennifer went on: "This really shows how we engage with the community in and outside of the school and we have such amazing results from our exam sessions and fab feedback from examiners each time. "We have our anniversary show coming up in September this year and are doing a week at the Village Theatre to celebrate. We have also had parties to celebrate with all our dancers and our special group photo taken. "I really feel like I've built something special at Starlight. Lots of dancers tell me it's their happy place and it's mine too. I'm really privileged to see my dancers grow up and many have been with me from the beginning. Our dance family is a little community and I love what we stand for. "I hope we can continue to offer great fun classes that build skills that can be taken from the class into life, for many years to come." *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Dear Coleen: 'I'm trying to find my voice again after childhood trauma and dad's death'
'His death was traumatic in itself, but what's been harder to process over the years is the emotional scars left behind.' I'm writing because I'm struggling deeply with depression and a sense of lost direction. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of becoming an actor. I used to imagine myself on stage or screen, telling stories and becoming someone else for a while – it brought me hope and purpose. But when I was 10, my dad died of bowel cancer. His death was traumatic in itself, but what's been harder to process over the years is the emotional scars left behind. He was severely abusive to my mum, and our household was often a place of fear and chaos. I think his death brought some strange mix of grief, guilt, and unresolved pain and, in many ways, it silenced me. I lost my confidence, and with it, the belief I could pursue acting. Now, as a 19-year-old, I feel like I'm finally ready to take steps toward reclaiming that dream, but the depression often creeps in. Do you have any advice on how I can find my voice again? How do I move forward when the past still feels like it's holding me back? I really want to heal for myself, and for the future I still hope I can build. Coleen says First of all, don't panic because you have a lot of time on your side to be whatever you want to be. What's positive is you're starting to feel ready to focus on yourself and your career again. I understand you losing confidence and I think it's a normal reaction to trauma. When I lost my sister recently, I experienced that and felt completely lost, but what brought me back to peace was therapy, and what came out of it were a lot of issues from my childhood and how they affected my adult relationships. I know I harp on about the benefits of therapy a lot, but I know how it's helped me. So, think about telling your GP what you've told me and ask about the possibility of a referral because I really think it would help you a lot to process the past and move forward in your life. It's strong and smart to ask for help. Also, take a look at the Young Minds website which has so much great information about supporting your mental health. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. What's great is that at 19, you know what you want to do because lots of people your age don't have a clue. Start taking those steps forward by looking at courses, summer schools, local theatre groups and open castings. See what's out there for you. When you start auditioning, expect lots of knockbacks because it's part of it and happens to all of us, but you've got to keep going and grow that thick skin. Good luck.
ITV News
16-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
ITV announces Mental Health in the Media panel series
ITV has announced a second installment of the successful panel series Mental Health in the Media, designed in partnership with Mind, YoungMinds, CALM, SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) (Scottish Action for Mental Health), and the Film and TV Charity. Taking place on Thursday 12th and Thursday 19th of June, these free panels bring together creative and mental health leaders to inspire conversation and share best practice around mental health both on-screen and off. Mental Health in the Media first ran in 2023 with nearly 1,000 people from across the industry attending. The series consists of four panel events each tackling a different theme. Safeguarding Stories, chaired by Paul Brand, and featuring panellists from factual and drama genres, looks at how we can support the mental health of contributors who share their stories to make brilliant TV, and the aftermath for contributors and producers alike. It takes place on Thursday 12th June at 10am. Beyond the Headlines, chaired by Nina Hossain, and featuring panelists from news organisations and mental health charities, looks at how the news influences our perceptions of mental health and the impacts reporting has on the mental health of both journalists and audiences, across different platforms. This panel is on Thursday 12th June at 1pm. More than a Moment, chaired by Charlene White, looks at what it takes for brands to drive genuine, impactful change while under increased pressure to deliver instant impact and amid growing consumer distrust, featuring panellists from brands and advertising agencies. This takes place on Thursday 19th June at 10am. The Freelance Mindset, chaired by Pat Younge, and in collaboration with the Film and TV Charity, brings together workplace wellbeing experts and industry bodies to look at the science around mental health during times of unpredictability and practical ways freelancers can build resilience, knowledge and transferable skills. This panel is on Thursday 19th June at 1pm. All panels except Safeguarding Stories will be recorded and available on to view afterwards. Mental Health in the Media marks five years of ITV's Mental Health Advisory Group, a group of charity and professional experts who provide guidance and support on all aspects of ITV's approach to wellbeing, on-screen and off-screen. ITV has a long-standing commitment to promoting better mental wellbeing as part of its social purpose. Since 2019, Britain Get Talking, developed in partnership with Mind, YoungMinds and SAMH, has been the UK's most well-known mental health campaign. Other powerful initiatives include This Morning's collaboration with CALM, featuring campaigns like the Last Photo and 2024's Missed Birthdays; and Good Morning Britain's 1 Million Minutes campaign, now into its 10th year, which aims to tackle loneliness in the UK by encouraging people to volunteer. Last year ITV donated £1million airtime to WWF as part of its Head First Award to promote mental wellbeing to the public. ITV content and campaigns have prompted over 250 million actions by the UK public to improve their mental health over the last six years. Carolyn McCall, ITV's Chief Executive says, ' At ITV, our social purpose is to shape culture for good. Promoting better mental wellbeing is a key part of that and it has never been more important, or timely, to tackle topics related to mental health in our industry. I'm really pleased that, after the success of our first panel series, we have been able to convene Mental Health in the Media for the second time. It's a simple, accessible and free way to inspire conversations across the industry and encourage the sharing of what works well to drive change. I'm sure the series will help to stimulate debate, discussion and, more importantly, positive action. ' For more information about the panels and to sign up to attend, visit Notes to editors------- Confirmed Panellists Safeguarding Stories: Duty of Care in TV Production, Thursday 12th June, 10am Featuring panellists from true crime, factual, and drama, looks at how we can support the mental health of contributors who share their stories to make brilliant TV, and the aftermath for contributors and producers alike. Chair: Paul Brand, UK Editor, ITV News Featuring: Colleen Flynn - Creative Director at Flicker Productions Chelsea Ruffle – Head of Duty of Care at ITV Rebecca North – Executive Producer at RAW Joe Williams – Executive Producer, ITV Studios Ellie Simmonds - Paralympian and broadcaster -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beyond the Headlines: The Impact of News Reporting on Mental Health Thursday 12th June, 1pm A look at how the news influences our perceptions of mental health, from stigma to suicide, and the impacts reporting has on the mental health of both journalists and audiences, across different platforms. Chair: Nina Hossain, ITN Newscaster Featuring: Andrew Dagnell – Director of News and Current Affairs, ITV Sam Leader – Digital Reporter, ITV News Rebecca Barry – Health Correspondent, ITV News Kenny Stewart - Head of Public Affairs and Communications, SAMH Mike Walsh - Director of Marketing, LadBible Wendy Robinson – Director of Services, CALM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More than a Moment: Driving Authentic Mental Health Impact through Marketing Thursday 19th June, 10am We ask what it takes for brands to drive genuine, impactful change while under increased pressure to deliver instant impact and growing consumer distrust, particularly among younger audiences. Chair: Charlene White - journalist, author and broadcaster Featuring : Simon Gunning - CEO of CALM Lori Meakin - Agency strategist and founder of Joint and The Others & Me Rob Jennings - Strategy Director, Wonderhood Holly McKinley - Director of Strategic Communications and Brand, WWF-UK The Freelance Mindset: Navigating Uncertainty and Protecting Wellbeing Thursday 19th June, 1-2.15pm A look at the science around mental health during times of unpredictability and practical ways freelancers can build resilience, knowledge and transferable skills. Chair: Pat Younge, Head Boy at Skin in the Game Studios Panellists: Marcus Ryder - CEO of Film and TV Charity Dr Paul Litchfield - Chief Medical Advisor to ITV Laura Mansfield - Chief Executive, ScreenSkills Andrew Berrie - Head of Corporate Partnerships, Mind
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New helpline to tackle Barnsley's youth mental health crisis
A round-the-clock mental health line has been launched in Barnsley to support young people struggling with their mental healthAccording to a Barnsley Council health and wellbeing report, the town has the highest number of emergency admissions for self-harm among children and young people in Yorkshire and the the year to March 2023, there were 140 self-harm hospital admissions for people aged 10 to 24 - notably higher than the national average. In response anew crisis telephone service is being rolled out across the borough to provide immediate support for anyone in distress. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the new service, called Night Owls, launched in April to offer support outside of school and work hours and can be accessed through health and wellbeing report added: "These services will be closely analysed for impact, whilst alongside this, a full review of all children and young people's mental and emotional health services is taking place to ensure all resources are being used effectively and identify opportunities for improvement."If you need mental health support the following links provide information about how to get help:BBC Action Line information and supportNHS mental health and support for children and young people, externalYoung Minds support pages Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Tesco customer 'humiliated' after staff 'accuse him of shoplifting at self-checkout and demand he pay twice' during routine visit
Tesco has apologised after a customer told of being humiliated when staff wrongly accused him of shoplifting and demanded he paid twice for his items. Political consultant Andrew Kennedy went viral online after sharing posts on X, formerly Twitter, shaming the retail giant for staff's actions at a branch in Surrey. Mr Kennedy described being called back by employees at a Tesco outlet in West Moseley who suggested he had not paid for his shopping at a self-checkout. This was despite his mobile phone banking app demonstrating a transaction worth £75.92 at the self-service till he had used. Mr Kennedy described how after the dispute with staff on Good Friday, in which he was urged to pay the bill again, he abandoned his trolley and left. He told how 6,000 X followers that he was then informed, five days later, he must make a 120-mile round trip to the branch from his Kent home for a refund. Mr Kennedy, who was previously field director for ex-Prime Minister Liz Truss's Conservative leadership campaign in 2022, has since asked for an apology from the supermarket firm. He also requested they make a goodwill donation of the £100 to the mental health charity Young Minds. And now the retailer has backed down, saying sorry to Mr Kennedy for his treatment and agreeing to donate. Mr Kennedy originally posted on the social media site, directly addressing Tesco: 'On Good Friday I experienced the most awful and humiliating experience in your Hurst Park (Surrey) store. 'I popped in to pick up groceries on my way to visit friends. I used "scan as you go" as I always do, and paid £75.92 for my groceries, using my Apple Pay 'As I left the store, an assistant ran after me and said "I am afraid you haven't paid for your groceries, and I must ask you to accompany me back into the shop". She did this quietly and discreetly and thinking there was an error I happily went back inside. 'My banking app which evidenced the payment had been made and I showed this to your assistant. She was apologetic and called her supervisor, who was busy. 'Another Assistant came over, and I again explained the situation and showed the payment. At this point things went wrong. 'The second Assistant than shouted across the self-checkouts, "This guy hasn't paid for his groceries." 'The supervisor came over, and for a third time I showed the payment on my phone. She then turned to the other Assistant and said, 'you need to watch out for this..... Political consultant Andrew Kennedy directly addressed Tesco in a thread that went viral Me Kennedy's complaints about Tesco on X, formerly Twitter, attracted sympathy and advice '...quite often they do two identical shops, pay for one then use the payment to avoid paying for the second." 'I don't know if this happens, but in this case, there was no evidence to suggest I had done such a thing and your assistant was openly inferring that I was a shop lifter.' Mr Kennedy went on to tell how he agreed to pay again because he was 'angry, humiliated and running out of time'. But his bank blocked his card, apparently suspicious about the attempted second transaction, and he was advised by Tesco staff he would have to pay another way. He added: 'At this point I was so angry at how I had been treated I just walked out, leaving my full trolley behind.' The money later went through via his card but he then urged the retailer for a refund, since he did not have the items he had bought - only to be told he must return to the store in Surrey to do so. Mr Kennedy wrote: 'So to summarise: (i) you accused me of shoplifting, (ii) you humiliated me in front of other people, (iii) you wasted my time and forced me to be late for a reunion, (iv) your incompetence led to me card being blocked, (v) you took £75.92 from my bank account... '...and now you are expecting me to travel three hours and spend £35 on petrol to get back the money you took from my account in the first place. At every level on this Tesco you and your staff have comprehensively failed. Andrew Kennedy later provided an update online about feedback he received from the retailer 'Had I been emotionally vulnerable or had some form of learning disability, or being old and confused, this appalling treatment could have resulted in trauma. You should actually be ashamed of yourselves.' He urged the company to 'redeem' themselves by refunding his money, writing to apologise for his treatment, retraining staff at Hurst Park on 'how to treat people with respect' and donating £100 to Young Minds. Mr Kennedy has since shared an update online with his followers, thanking people for their support and revealing Tesco had called to say sorry while also pledging the charity donation as well as providing him with a gift card. He wrote: 'So at 7.30pm the CEOs office emailed to apologise for what happened. It was a proper apology, not one of those "we are sorry if you were offended" apologies! 'Whenever something like this happens I ask myself how I would feel if it happened to my mum. 'She was of a generation who were deferential to authority and would have accepted what she was told, even when she knew she was in the right.' People responding Mr Kennedy's online posts included wildlife campaigner Dominic Dyer, who said: 'Always get a receipt even for online payments.' Sympathisers included one commenter who wrote: 'Terrible treatment by @Tesco. One of the many reasons I always use cash in supermarkets. "Use it or lose it" is the main reason I use cash, though.' Another said: 'I'm sure it has caused you emotional distress and defamation by shouting across the whole shop on top of many other reasons.' Mr Kennedy was also told: 'Shocking story. I do hope you get restitution, an apology and compensation.' A spokesman for Tesco said: 'Unfortunately, a fault with a scan as you shop handset at our West Moseley Superstore meant that it incorrectly indicated that Mr Kennedy's payment had not been completed. 'We are really sorry that this happened and have reached out to Mr Kennedy to apologise for how the matter was handled as it fell below the high standards that we would expect.'
