Bringing fun from all around the world to kids
The Building Bridges Community Theatre (BBCAT) in Lurgan, Co. Armagh are gearing up to deliver their ‘All Around The World Summer Scheme’ for children.
It runs for five days from August 2-6 for children aged 7-11 years old at Market Street in Lurgan. There will be an open marquee enabling Covid-19 guidelines to be followed.
Attendance is £15 for the full week and numbers are limited to 12 children per session. There is a variety of activities including arts and crafts, singing and dancing, games and activities and a treasure hunt, all within their theme for this year.
However, unlike previous years, they will not be holding an end of week showcase due to social distancing restrictions.
BBCAT leaders are Child Protection Level 2 trained and have completed Paediatric First Aid Training. Attendees can choose their child’s ticket based on the time they prefer. Youth scheme tickets can be purchased by searching BBCAT Youth Summer Scheme. Tickets can also be purchased on Eventbrite by following this link.
Support lacking for children with a family member in prison
Opportunities to safeguard the rights and support the needs of children and families with a family member in prison are continually being missed due to gaps in service provision and policy, according to the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT).
The group came to the conclusion after assessing progress on recommendations made in 2012.
A report entitled ‘Piecing It Together: Supporting Children and Families with a Family Member in Prison in Ireland’, was launched by the Children’s Ombudsman.
The IRPT pointed out a number of issues highlighted by the report, including limited national recognition of the rights of children with a family member in prison; the continued lack of any national support services for these children; visiting conditions that are not child-friendly; limited data and research; and stigmatisation of these children and their families.
Healthy gut, healthy life
How to age well is certainly a question that requires a multifaceted response. However a new study points to your gut health as being one of the most important aspects of successful ageing.
The study found that it may be possible to predict your likelihood of living a long and healthy life by analysing the trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that inhabit your intestinal tract.
The research, published in the Nature Metabolism journal, found that as people get older, the composition of this complex community of microbes, collectively known as the gut microbiome, tends to change.
In healthy people, the kinds of microbes that dominate the gut in early adulthood make up a smaller and smaller proportion of the microbiome over the ensuing decades, while the percentage of other, less prevalent species rises. But in people who are less healthy, the study found, the opposite occurs: the composition of their microbiomes remains relatively static and they tend to die earlier.