Second step education program

When she was growing up, film-maker Gurinder Chadha was captivated by a photograph which took pride of place on the mantelpiece in her family’s front room in Southall, west London. For years she assumed the dashing man in a jewel-bedecked turban must be a relative; only later did she understand his true significance. “He was Maharaja Sir Duleep Singh, the last king of the Sikhs,” she says. “He ruled Punjab, my ancestral home – vast, powerful territories stretching from Afghanistan to China.” That is, until Duleep Singh was deposed by the British Raj, exiled to Britain as a teenager and forced to give the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the most dazzling of his dynasty’s treasures , to Queen Victoria. For Chadha’s family, that photograph was symbolic not just of past glories from the land of their forefathers, but of the deeply complex shared history between two nations – Britain and India - that had brought them as immigrants to this country. “As soon as you mention the word ‘Empire’, people … [Read more...] about Gurinder Chadha: ‘People get defensive about the British Empire but it’s our shared history’

Like many working mothers, Ada Nicodemou has been able to spend more time at home over the past few weeks due to the COVID-19 lockdown. And while the Australian actress is missing the Home And Away set, she is appreciative of what downtime has brought her. Speaking to Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, the 42-year-old said she is relishing in every single moment at home with her son Johnas, seven. Home And Away's Ada Nicodemou (pictured) reveals what she loves about lockdown… and many people will be able to relate While Ada usually takes school summer holidays off to be with her son, she said the last time she had this much quality time with Johnas was a long time ago. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Adele 'is embarrassed and self-conscious' about her whopping... The Walking Dead director confirms the Rick Grimes movie... Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou cuts a sporty figure as she... She's just like us! Home and Away star Ada … [Read more...] about Home And Away actress Ada Nicodemou reveals what she loves most about lockdown… and many people will be able to relate

The UK is suffering a ‘social and digital emergency’ because of huge spikes in kids recording their abuse, a report says. Almost 20,000 children between seven and 10 who were sexually abused online in the first six months of this year were forced or manipulated into filming it themselves, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has found. This is nearly 8,000 more cases of ‘self-generated abuse’ than the near 12,000 cases recorded for the same period last year. It’s the second year in a row these numbers have seen an alarming rise. Since the UK’s first lockdown in March 2020, there has been a 360% increase in self-generated abusive images. This is likely due to a combination of lockdowns keeping children at home, with more time online and organisations like IWF’s improved techniques in finding the right material. The IWF’s hotline manager, Susie Hargreaves, told The Guardian : ‘This is not some alleyway or dark basement. It is in family homes. Sometimes you can hear … [Read more...] about Disturbing rise in children between seven and 10 filming their own sexual abuse

Financial abuse is more common than you think – but one in six Brits wouldn’t be able to spot it, according to new research. This happens when someone – often a partner – has control of your money in some way, whether they monitor your spending or convince you to take out loans in your name for their benefit. The results can include ruined credit scores for the long-term, as well as a myriad of mental health issues – though the possible outcomes don’t stop here. Research from credit management company Lowell shows 18% of British adults surveyed have experienced financial abuse in a current or past relationship. One in five women and one in seven men have been a victim, highlighting it can affect anyone. They also found people weren’t educated on how to identify it. Natasha, a campaigner and independent consultant against domestic abuse, says: ‘Financial abuse is a crippling pandemic that has been occurring since time began. ‘Speaking out about financial abuse … [Read more...] about One in six Brits don’t know the signs of financial abuse, says research

Next month, TV presenter Fearne Cotton will be curating a special festival alongside breast cancer charity, CoppaFeel! – and Metro.co.uk is hopping on board as its proud sponsor. It’s the eleventh year Fearne, who is one of the charity’s patrons, has helped put on the event called Festifeel with CoppaFeel!’s founder Kris Hallenga, and this year they’re bringing in chart-toppers McFly as her headline act, as well as Radio DJ Adele Roberts taking a turn on the decks. ‘ Festifeel is a really important marker in the CoppaFeel! calendar for everyone,’ Fearne explains. ‘Mainly because it is a chance to really celebrate and come together, and music is the perfect way to do that. ‘It brings people together in the same space, where they can let go, have fun and and dance – but always with an undercurrent message, which is to check your chest. ‘It’s a simple message but one that we all need to be told many times over, so it becomes a regular practice. And there’s no … [Read more...] about Metro joins forces with Fearne Cotton’s festival for breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!

The House of Lords has voted to close the "Bercow loophole" in the complaints process, meaning peers will soon be subject to investigations over misconduct allegations dating from their time as MPs. Conduct Committee Chairman Lord Mance said the proposal would ensure "former members of either house can be investigated for alleged bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct". Under the plans, historic cases against ex-MPs will be investigated by Commons authorities, with the Lord Commissioner then responsible for issuing a sanction. Former Tory MP Lord Cormack supported the proposals and argued it was the “right” course of action. He said: “If a member of either house is accused of behaving improperly, it is of course right that the member should be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken." The Telegraph revealed in January that former Speaker John Bercow could have faced investigation over past allegations of bullying under the plans had he been elevated to the … [Read more...] about Lords vote to close the “Bercow loophole”, meaning peers can be subject to investigation for their time as MPs

More than 115,000 Royal Mail staff have voted in favour of a national strike in what could be the first in a wave of public sector walk outs in the coming months as essential workers continue to struggle with the cost of living crisis. In a ballot announced today, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) – which represents Royal Mail Group workers – voted by 97.6%, on a 77% turnout, to take industrial action. The union is demanding that Royal Mail group enters into negotiations to secure 'a straight, no-strings pay increase for workers.' The Royal Mail said it was 'disappointed' by the strike announcement after offering workers a 5.5% salary boost. It comes as the Government geared up for a hot summer and autumn fight with trade unions today as it offered two million public sector workers including doctors and nurses below-inflation pay rises. More than a million NHS staff including nurses, midwives and paramedics have been offered increased that will see the worst-paid … [Read more...] about More than 115,000 Royal Mail workers vote for strike action in row over pay

HAS your furry friend ever had a massive mess on your carpet? Well you're not alone - it's bound to happen at some point, even if your pup is well trained. One pet owner recently posted on the Facebook group Mrs Hinch made me do it asking if anyone had any tips for her messy pup after an accident. She wrote: "Can anyone please help before I rip my living room carpet out?!" My dog had sardines in his food the other day and ended up being sick diarrhoea looking stuff all over my cream carpet!! "I’ve cleaned it carpet cleaned it put bicarb on but I can’t get the smell out it’s the worst smell ever as soon as you walk in my house it hits you." Read more on cleaning CLEAN SCENE I’m a cleaning pro - the gross kitchen item which could make you sick OH NO There's one place in your living room that you're probably forgetting to clean After already trying a range of different tips, she couldn't think of anything else … [Read more...] about Mrs Hinch fans share clever trick to get rid of lingering smells and stains from carpets after your pet has an accident

In a television career decades-long, this is the only moment which has broken Dame Esther Rantzen. It prompted her to cry so hard, she had to step away. Recording had to be paused. That moment came in 1988, when she was presenting That’s Life to an audience of up to 18 million, during that unforgettable episode in which the story of Sir Nicholas Winton was told for the very first time. The humanitarian, who afterwards came to be known as the British Schindler, had rescued 669 mostly Jewish children from Czechoslovakia before the outbreak of WW2, but in the intervening decades had barely told a soul. It was the moment it was revealed he was unknowingly sitting next to three of those 669, none of which he had met before. And in which they learnt for the first time who was responsible for saving their lives - and got to say thank-you. It is television gold now to be recreated in a new BBC biopic about Sir Nicholas, in which he will be played by Sir Anthony Hopkins. “It was … [Read more...] about Esther Rantzen cried so hard when British hero was introduced to kids he saved from Nazis

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email “Why don’t you just save some money so that you don’t run out next time?” my friend asks me after I politely decline her invite out to dinner. Once again, I’ve spent my monthly paycheck long before payday and I’m waiting, struggling until it comes around again. My relationship with money has always been tumultuous. When I was little, I’d spend my pocket money as soon as I had it. As a university student, I was constantly making impulsive purchases. When my first student overdraft ran to its limit, I got another one. And another. A form of neurodiversity, ADHD is defined by clinical psychologist Dr Rachel Woodward as “a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts the parts of the brain that control emotions, learning, memory and self-control.” The National Institute of Mental Health reports that men are almost three … [Read more...] about The hidden ADHD tax is landing women like me in thousands of pounds of debt