The Eve Appeal gynaecological cancer research charity is asking women to Make Time for Tea during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March, hold a tea party and celebrate the revival of all things vintage to help save the lives of the women we love.
Over 6,500 women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and 4,400 will die. Grim statistics, yet funding and awareness of ovarian cancer remains low. The Eve Appeal is determined to change this and by taking part in the Make Time for Tea campaign you will be helping all women by funding groundbreaking research into this deadly disease.
This year’s campaign, now in its seventh year, has a vintage theme and will be spearheaded again by ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly. Lorraine has offered ‘money can’t buy’ competition prizes open to anyone holding a tea party – the opportunity to attend the live filming of ‘Lorraine’ at the ITV Studios in London followed by brunch at a top London hotel – and winners of the 3 competition categories will also be treated to a professional cupcake master class.
This year (2012) the Queen celebrates her diamond jubilee so what better time to put on that glamorous ‘tea dress’, get out the porcelain and invite your friends or colleagues to some vintage fun at a quintessentially British tea party - as it used to be. Or what about a tea dance? Girls in pearls, bunting and retro porcelain – vintage glamour amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.
In the UK we drink 165 million cups of tea every day so next time you put the kettle on please think about the 4,400 mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts and daughters lost to ovarian cancer this year. Let’s make 2012’s diamond jubilee year the best yet – we’re aiming for 500 tea parties to help us reach our target of £150,000.
Says Robert Marsh, CEO of The Eve Appeal “It’s such an easy way to fundraise. All you need to do is put the kettle on and host a tea party – at work, at home, at school, sports clubs and more. So come on ladies… and gentlemen, enjoy some retro glamour, put on a fabulous frock and invite your friends or colleagues to have some vintage fun during March while raising much needed funds for all women”
Lorraine Kelly is just one of a number of celebrities who will be supporting the campaign. Says Lorraine “I can’t think of anything nicer than a refreshing cup of tea and a lovely slice of cake – particularly when this little indulgence could make such a difference to ovarian cancer research. Help out The Eve Appeal and hold a vintage tea party…. it’s so easy I’ll be putting the kettle on myself - and I’m sure I’ve got a twinset and pearls somewhere! “
For more information about hosting your own vintage Make Time for Tea party and winning the chance to join Lorraine at the filming of her show, contact 020 7299 4430 or visit http://www.eveappeal.org.uk for a fundraising pack
Latest news
TO OPEN 31ST MARCH 2012
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Warner Bros. is delighted to announce that Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will open its doors for the very first time to visitors from 31st March 2012.
Tickets to the UK’s newest attraction are now on sale. Visitors must pre-book their tickets in advance by selecting specific tour times throughout the day via www.wbstudiotour.co.uk or through approved tour operators. Tickets will not be on sale at the attraction and spaces are limited.
Warner Bros. is also pleased to announce the inclusion of some of the film series’ most iconic sets within the attraction including the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office, the Ministry of Magic, Harry Potter’s famous cupboard under the stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Gryffindor common room, the boys’ dormitory, the Potion’s classroom, Professor Umbridge’s office, the Weasley kitchen, the Hogwarts bridge and many others still to be announced.
The unique walking tour attraction will offer visitors the very first opportunity to journey behind-the-scenes and experience the magic that has gone into creating the most successful film series of all time. Visitors will be able to see firsthand the sheer scale and detail of the actual sets, costumes, animatronics, special effects and props used in all eight of the Harry Potter films.
“It was such a magical place to grow up,” says Daniel Radcliffe. “People will be amazed to see the incredible sets that we’ve worked in all these years.”
Rupert Grint adds, “The sets all have tiny little details that you may not always notice in the films but when you actually walk through them, you can see all the work that's gone into it. It’s really amazing.”
“This is incredible, it’s been a long time coming and I’m very excited.” says Emma Watson.
Josh Berger, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, adds “For over 10 years the Harry Potter film series highlighted the exceptional creativity and craftsmanship that we have in the British film industry including groundbreaking special effects, incredibly detailed set design and breathtaking makeup and costumes. We are delighted that we can now open the doors to this world to the public at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and celebrate the extraordinary talent that goes into making major movies here in the UK.”
“The UK will be the focus of the world with the Olympic Games in 2012 and we are incredibly excited to be launching the UK’s newest attraction at this time,” adds Sarah Roots, Vice President, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. “Visitors are going to be amazed by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and we look forward to welcoming people from all over the world through our doors from 31st March 2012.”
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will open 31st March 2012 with timed tickets available from 13th October 2011. Tickets are priced at £28 for adults, £21 for children and £83 for a family of four. Tickets must be booked in advance via a dedicated website www.wbstudiotour.co.uk or through approved tour operators.
WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON – THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER:
Additional Set Detail
Set in over 150,000 square feet, the tour will include some of the most recognisable and memorable film sets and props of all time allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves within the world of filmmaking and Harry Potter.
Within the iconic Great Hall visitors will walk on the actual solid York stone floor laid over 11 years ago. They will also marvel at the solid oak and pine house tables which were built for the films and then aged with axes and chains. Over the years, the Hogwarts pupils have taken upon themselves to carve in their own graffiti, which production designer Stuart Craig has encouraged, as this would happen in all schools! Visitors can also enjoy the unique house points bead system which is said to have caused a national shortage of beads when it was first installed in the year 2000.
Beyond the Great Hall, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter continues with a huge selection of the most detailed and largest sets ever produced in the UK. Visitors can gaze closely into Dumbledore’s office and spot the authentic Sword of Gryffindor, Sorting Hat and Hogwarts headmaster portraits which adorn the walls.
Visitors will also discover the magic of green screen technology that has been used for the films including the many Quidditch matches. Also on display will be Harry Potter’s Nimbus 2000, Draco Malfoy’s Nimbus 2001 and Harry’s special gift from godfather Sirius Black, the Firebolt.
In addition to the green screen, a number of never-before-seen video pieces featuring interviews with the crew and cast will reveal the many secrets behind the filmmaking process. Visitors will also be able to appreciate the spectacular animatronics and make-up designs within the Creature Effects workshop. The workshop will feature iconic Harry Potter film creatures including Buckbeak the Hippogriff, Aragog, the giant spider, Fawkes the phoenix and the enormous Basilisk head.
The Weasley kitchen will showcase the incredible craftsmanship of the real life special effect props including Molly Weasley’s self-washing frying pan, knitting needles and chopping boards. And fans can celebrate Hogwarts’ loveable groundskeeper Hagrid by visiting the real Hagrid’s hut, view his famous motorcycle, and take a peek at the secrets of how the larger than life character was created on screen.
The Ministry of Magic will also feature in the Studio Tour, highlighted by the breathtaking Magic is Might statue as seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, designed by Stuart Craig to be reminiscent in style of soviet sculptures from the 1930’s highlighting the dominance of the wizarding world over Muggles.
In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy one of the most famous addresses in the world, 4 Privet Drive, as well as the legendary cupboard under the stairs.
The Gryffindor common room is one of the films’ oldest sets and remains one of the most loved by fans. This iconic set will feature alongside the Gryffindor boys’ dormitory which includes the original beds made for Harry, Ron, Seamus, Neville and Dean for the first film. Over the course of filming, as the cast grew from young boys to teenagers, filmmakers were required to find unique camera angles to hide the fact that the cast had clearly outgrown the beds.
Other Hogwarts sets on show include the dark and mysterious Potion’s classroom, the lair of Professor Snape, and Professor Umbridge’s office resplendent in pink with the incredibly detailed hand painted cat porcelain plates each made especially for the films.
The gateway to the school itself, the Hogwarts bridge, last seen burning to the ground following Neville and the Death Eater’s chase in the final film, will be restored for all to see as will hundreds of props, costumes, animatronics and many other exciting sets which will be unveiled as the opening approaches.
An exciting LEGO adventure awaits families in March 2012 when the amazing 150 room, fully themed LEGOLAND hotel opens at the world famous LEGOLAND Windsor RESORT - and booking commences on 30th September.
To celebrate, the Resort is giving away a whole hotel's worth of free rooms on Saturday 1st October* - all families have to do is turn up on that day in their Pyjamas and the first 150 will be booking in for a fun fuelled stay.
Dedicated to interactive family fun the unique hotel will bring LEGO to life with imaginative theming and a host of child friendly features - from secret whoopee cushions to exploding toy boxes and LEGO treasure trails. There will be three types of themed bedroom - Pirate, Kingdom or Adventure - all with interactive challenges to keep children mesmerised for hours on end. For the first time ever, children will be nagging their parents to go to bed!
Beyond the bedrooms, the colour, fun and interactivity of LEGO is stamped throughout the hotel, from the spectacular entrance right through to the restaurant and bar and a breath-taking outdoor lakeside seating area. Stunning play spaces, including a brightly LEGO Pirates themed splash pool, will inspire little imaginations and LEGO fans of all ages will delight in spotting their favourite iconic LEGO figures. There will also be a full programme of children's entertainment, movies available on demand and the buffet style restaurant will serve up a menu of quality fresh produce designed firmly with kids in mind.
The hotel will be situated in a tranquil but convenient location, right on the edge of the LEGOLAND Windsor theme park, set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland. Guests will have easy access to the park's 55+ interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and attractions. Priced from £285 low season or £385 high season for a themed family room (2 adults / 2 children), including breakfast and park tickets for two days, guests will also enjoy special LEGOLAND benefits including early bird access to the park. Premium themed rooms and suites are also available. Annual Pass Holders will be eligible for special rates.
Find out more at www.legoland.co.uk
Olivia was the most popular girls' name in England and Wales for the
second year running, while Sophie jumped another three places to second
place after climbing the ladder two places the previous year, according
to figures published today by ONS on first names given to babies born in
2010.
In the boys’ camp, the Oliver army held on to the title of most popular
boys' name for the second year running and Jack held his stance as the
number two. George replaced Daniel in the top 10 most popular names for
baby boys climbing two places from number 11 to number 9. There were no changes in the top 10 most popular names for baby girls.
The full national top tens are:
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| Name and change in rank since 2009 |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| RankBoysGirls |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 1Oliver (non-mover)Olivia (non-mover) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 2Jack (non-mover)Sophie (up three) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 3Harry (non-mover)Emily (up one) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 4Alfie (non-mover)Lily (up four) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 5Charlie (up two)Amelia (up four) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 6Thomas (non-mover)Jessica (non-mover) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 7William (up one)Ruby (down five) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 8Joshua (down three)Chloe (down five) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 9George (up two)Grace (down two) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 10James (down one)Evie (non-mover) |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
Source: Office for National Statistics
Among the most popular names for baby boys, five names appear in the top
10 in both 2000 and 2010: Jack, Joshua, Thomas, James and Harry. Five
girls' names also feature in both lists: Olivia, Chloe, Emily, Sophie
and Jessica.
Alfie, Charlie, and Oliver, were the highest climbing new entries to the
2010 top 10 boys names when compared with the 2000 ranks. Matthew and
Callum have fallen the furthest since 2000. Evie, Ruby, and Lily were
the highest climbing new entries to the top 10 girls’ names when
compared with the 2000 ranks, while Lauren and Hannah have fallen the
furthest since 2000.
At a regional level Oliver was the top boys name in Wales and eight of
the English regions, while Jack was the most popular in the North East.
Among baby girls, Olivia was the top name in seven English regions, with
Sophie and Lily proving the most popular in the East and South West
respectively. In Wales, Ruby was the firm favourite for baby girls,
perhaps due to the link with the colour red or celebrity Charlotte
Church’s daughter?
Within the 100 most popular boys’ names given to babies born in England
and Wales in 2010, there were six new entries in the top 100: Ollie,
Bobby, Caleb, Jenson, Dexter and Kayden. New entries in the top 100 most
popular girls’ names were Annabelle, Eliza, Laila, Aisha, Maryam and
Maisy.
There were 723,165 live births in England and Wales during 2010, with
27,700 different boys’ names and 34,700 different girls’ names
registered.
The full ONS statistical bulletin on baby names is available at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/names0711.pdf
A nine year old boy from Preston is enjoying a dream summer after
landing the role of Blackpool Zoo's first ever official reporter.
The appointment came after Cameron Niland and his mother Kirstie wrote a
review on the zoo for their children's travel blog
www.kidstravelcam.co.uk (http://www.kidstravelcam.co.uk/).
After receiving great feedback on the piece Kirstie approached
management at Blackpool Zoo to run a series of videos.
His first assignment saw him reporting from behind the scenes at the
zoo's brand new Children's Farm, where he interviewed Head Keeper Paula
Mulvany and met with resident favourites Danny the Donkey and Rudolf the
Kune Kune pig.
He said: "I love Blackpool Zoo and had a great time when I visited to do
my review.
"As there was so much to see and do my mum spoke to management at the
zoo and I am now the official reporter for the summer, which is really
exciting!
His mum, Kirstie, added: "Kidstravelcam.co.uk is aimed at giving people
travel information from a child's perspective and was launched after we
identified that there simply wasn't enough information for kids - from
kids.
"It is brilliant to be working with such a popular tourist destination
and I am looking forward to seeing the results."
In preparation for his first mission Cameron devised a list of questions
to ask keepers including who the oldest and youngest animals are, how
many times a day the residents were fed and why the zoo had decided to
build the Children's Farm.
After interviewing he went on to meet some of his other favourite
animals including Llamas, guinea pigs and Jude the rabbit!
Paula Mulvany, Head Keeper at Blackpool Zoo, said: "Cameron did an
excellent job on his first assignment as official reporter and he is a
natural in front of the camera.
"We think it will be great for children to hear the thoughts of one of
their peers and I am sure he will be a real hit!"
To watch full report from Cameron please click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFI46Lkw4oI (http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=OFI46Lkw4oI)
Details of Cameron's next assignment will be released soon.
More parents offered child maintenance help Thousands of newly-separated parents are to be offered free information and support on arranging child maintenance from today thanks to a new initiative.
Parents on tax credits who contact Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to report changes of circumstance following family breakdown can now choose a call-back from the Child Maintenance Options service.
An estimated 91,000 children are already benefiting from collaborative family-based maintenance arrangements agreed between parents after contacting Child Maintenance Options – 30,000 more than a year ago. A similar number of children are benefiting from Child Support Agency arrangements made after one of their parents used the service.
Director of the Child Maintenance Options service, Janet Wojtkow, said: “We’re concerned some parents may have missed out on help with child maintenance because they were reluctant or frightened to find out what their options might be, or simply didn’t know where to go to get the help they needed.
“As difficult and as tense a time as separation can be, making sure children are supported financially is a priority for parents. We hope our new initiative for people on tax credits will ensure lots more parents get the help and support they need to come to a child maintenance arrangement that suits them”.
It is estimated that around 60,000 people each year could benefit from this new initiative.
The Child Maintenance Options service covers England, Scotland and Wales. The service is free, confidential and impartial and was set up by the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. It can be accessed either by phone (0800 988 0988) or online (www.cmoptions.org).
One of the early years industry's most eminent figures will be opening
Childcare Expo 2011 this September.
Patrick Leeson, Director of Development, Education and Care for Ofsted, will
launch this year's event by delivering the opening seminar on Friday 16th
September at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.
For many years Patrick has been a prominent and influential figure in the
early years sector. In his current post with Ofsted he is responsible for
policy and development for inspection of schools, early years settings,
children's centres and childcare, as well as the annual assessments of Local
Authority Children's Services.
Until September 2009 he was Strategic Director of Learning and Children's
Services for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.
Patrick became Director of Education and Leisure in 2002. He joined Kingston
in 1997 as the Assistant Director with responsibility for school improvement. Before that he worked as the Chief Inspector of Schools in ann inner London borough.
He has also been a head-teacher and in the early part of his career he
taught English and drama in secondary schools.
Patrick is a recent past Chair of the Association of London Directors of
Children's Services (ALDCS) and was also on the national council for the
Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS).
In his seminar Patrick will be examining the challenges for the future
delivery of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and the proposals for
inspection and improvement.
His seminar is just one of a wide range of diverse and useful topics which
will be up for discussion during this year’s seminar programme. Following on
from the success of last year’s event, Childcare Expo has secured a wealth
of influential and high-profile figures from the industry to share their
knowledge and advice as part of the agenda.
Other speakers include Deslynne Roberts, Areté Consultancy, Courtney
Donaldson, Christie and Co and Sarah Steel from The Old Station Nursery.
Event Director Emma Barrett comments: We are absolutely delighted by the
high calibre of speakers who have agreed to share their expertise with us at
this year's show.
Bringing a wealth of knowledge with them, delegates can discover more about a host of important issues affecting early year's professionals from some of the industry's leading lights.
From subjects such as recruitment, acquisition sales and values and growing
your business right through to ideas and inspiration for learning in the
outdoor environment, it's all there at this year's event!
Places are on a first come first served basis so be sure to reserve your
place so as not to miss out!
For more information please visit http://www.childcareexpo.co.uk
Flowers don't just look good, they make people feel good, too. Whether they're a token of appreciation, a big gesture, or an unexpected gift, flowers are the every day present that everyone can share. Tell us here
and nominate someone for a free bouquet!
http://www.funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk/
New social networking safety programme for primary schools to launch
'Safe' - a new, national programme to help primary pupils learn the
skills to enjoy social networking whilst staying safe online launches in
October, 2010.
Created by social enterprise DigitalME, Safe brings together the UK's
leading safety organisations and education social network to create a
unique programme designed for primary schools.
Radiowaves, the award winning social network for schools is providing a
free online platform for schools to use; Childnet International is
delivering its expert advice and resources on internet safety and 'The i
in Online' is offering information and workshops on privacy and legal
issues.
The programme has been developed with teachers for use in the classroom
and provides step by step instructions, links to the curriculum, whole
class and carousel activities. A simple self-assessment system allows
teachers to reward pupils for completing the programme, with
certificates and badges plus gaining accreditation for their school.
Mark Riches, director of Radiowaves says: "Social networking and sharing
online provides many opportunities for young people to develop creative
and communication skills in fun ways both in school and at home.
However, technology is a tool and as with all tools we need to help
children understand how they can be used and what the potential risks
are. With children growing up in an increasingly digital world, our
focus is on helping them to independently make informed and positive
choices."
Safe is provided free to schools with optional, paid for training,
certificates, badges and other resources being introduced to support the
programme further. The full programme will launch in October - Anyone
interested in taking part or supporting Safe can register now at
www.digitalme.co.uk/safe
Lucinda Fell, Childnet International policy and communications manager
says: "Safe embraces the positive opportunities afforded by the
internet, encouraging young people to ask the questions Who? What?
Where? when sharing on the web. This is important for primary pupils to
consider, empowering them to think about how they share their content
and preparing them for interacting on social networking sites."
Robert Bond of 'The i in online' adds: "We are delighted to support
Safe. The need to educate children about the responsible use of social
media is as important as teaching them road safety."
Kate Valentine, Buckinghamshire primary school teacher and Safe advisor
comments: "Safe provides the tools for teachers and parents to help
children make better choices online. The Cycling Proficiency Test helps
pupils use bikes safely and confidently on the roads, the Safe programme
helps children learn positive habits and become confident digital
citizens."
To find out more and to register please visit: www.digitalme.co.uk/safe
Slow Cook, Fast Food, the third book by nutritionist Sarah Flower for Spring
Hill, is for anyone who gets exhausted at the mere thought of cooking a meal at the end of a busy day but who still wants to feed themselves and their family wholesome, homemade food.
Resurrecting the slow cooker, this easy to read cook book equips even the most resentful of cooks with recipes that can be thrown together with minimal effort,left to cook all day and served from one pot.
From soups to casseroles, egg custards to Christmas puds, you can come home from work and eat a healthy, home-cooked, nutritious meal without slaving over a hot stove.
Commenting on her reasons for writing the book, Sarah says, "In our busy world we want healthy food and we want it fast but, sadly, the two don't always go hand in hand. Yet with one pot meals, and in particular with the help of a slow cooker, you really can have a healthy, nutritious, instant meal waiting for you when you come home after a busy day."
About the author: Sarah Flower is a nutritionist, a magazine columnist, and
author of Live More Spend Less, Eat Well Spend Less and The Everyday Halogen Oven Cookbook. She is a mother of two and lives with her family in North Devon.
Slow Cook Fast Food is published by Spring Hill, and is available at £8.99 in
major bookshops and online retailers across the country. ISBN 978-1-905862-41-2
Helping young mums have the best possible relationship with their child
Most parents learn on the job. We remember what our own mums and dads were like, sometimes that is a help, but not always. We always want to be good mums and dads ourselves. Now young parents aged between 16 – 19 will get a good chance of making that happen as well as the opportunity to share their experiences and have some fun with other young parents at a free courses. They will also have the opportunity of gaining a level 1 and level 2 qualification in parenting.
The free courses are currently running in Trowbridge, Chippenham, Tidworth, Marlborough and Salisbury. The courses will include:
•How to take safe care of your child
•Practical parenting skills
•How to bond and play with your child
•Various speakers and many interesting subjects covered
Lunch and a free crèche will be provided.
For further details and to book a place contact Learning Curve via this page http://www.learningcurve.org.uk/Courses or telephone 01225 792500
In these days of hayfever, asthma and eczema it's good to know that there's
a fabric which is truly safe and natural - and makes beautiful children's
clothes. That's linen, made from a plant called flax.
Linen is non-allergic and has a natural pH balance. This makes it ideal for
children's sensitive skin, and it's especially good for those with skin
conditions such as allergies and eczema. In hot weather, the fabric helps
keep kids cool by absorbing moisture and deflecting heat, while in cool
weather it retains body heat.
LinenKids' range of gorgeous 100 per cent linen clothes for girls and boys
was created because of its natural, safe properties - and the summer range,
now on www.linenkids.com, shows how versatile and fresh linen clothes can
be.
One delighted customer says: "Our order has arrived and is absolutely
perfect. My son says the material is so soft he wants to sleep in it (which
I have forbidden!). I can't thank you enough for making it in his size; he
looks just as I had imagined he would and I shall be the proudest Mother at
the First Holy Communion Mass in June. Thank you!"
Best of all, linen is eco-friendly. The linen production process is
sustainable and does not cause any harm to nature.
New guide helps them to make sure their grandchildren are provided for.
Couples with children whose relationships are breaking up are as likely to discuss separation issues with their parents as they are with professional advisers, including solicitors. The influential role of grandparents is revealed today in a survey for Child Maintenance Options - the free and impartial information and support service.
According to a YouGov poll of over 1000 separated parents with children aged 18 or under, 60% said they turned to their parents, siblings and friends for help and advice while only 27% talked to a solicitor. Notably grandparents are the most likely to be called upon of that group, with 30% of the parents surveyed saying they turned to their mums and dads.
With an estimated 2.6 million children living in separated families in Britain, the survey highlights the need for the parents of couples who are splitting up to offer accurate and useful support. With this in mind Child Maintenance Options is today publishing a new 'Grandparents Guide to Child Maintenance' explaining how they can help to make sure their grandchildren are properly provided for after divorce or separation.
"More and more grandparents and other members of the family and friends of separating couples are calling our helpline, seeking guidance on their behalf," says Janet Paraskeva, Chair of the Child Maintenance Options. "A quarter of those using our website are 55 and over and many are grandparents. As a result we have decided to prepare this simple guide to child maintenance. We hope it will provide grandparents with the facts they need to offer the practical support that should lead to more children benefiting from effective child maintenance arrangements.'
Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of charity Grandparents Plus, said: "Grandparents play an increasingly vital role in modern family life, supporting their children and grandchildren through change and providing guidance in difficult situations. When parents separate they often turn to grandparents for support and advice. We welcome this new publication as it will help grandparents as they do what they can to support their families."
The free guide includes sections explaining what child maintenance is and outlines the three ways it can be arranged:
* Privately - without involving the Child Support Agency (CSA)
* Via the courts
* Through the CSA
It also covers common concerns such as how child maintenance can be calculated, what to do if a couple are not on speaking terms and how to handle things if a parent stops paying.
The guide is designed for Grandparents like Tony and Gwen. They recently helped their son David through his separation from the mother of his son. They knew about the Child Maintenance Options service and encouraged him to call and speak to an Options specialist, but they wanted to help him more. 'We couldn't give David any more advice on maintenance because we didn't know what his options were," Gwen said "We didn't want to give him the wrong help as it might have just added to the confusion at what is already a difficult time." Following his call to Options, David now has a successful maintenance arrangement in place. He and his ex signed a private agreement form which they got both their fathers to sign.'
The free guide for grandparents is downloadable from www.cmoptions.org http://www.cmoptions.org/ or people can call the Child Maintenance Options helpline on 0800 988 0988 to request a copy.
Facts about child maintenance:
* The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that around 300,000 couples with children separate each year.
* Since October 2008, no one has been compelled to use the CSA
* 93% of separated parents questioned by YouGov believe mothers and fathers still have a financial responsibility to their children even if they don't live with them
* Grandparents and other guardians who provide the main day-to-day care can also make a private agreement for child maintenance with either (or both) of the parents living apart from the child
Facts about grandparents:
* There are 14m grandparents in Britain (Bob Broad and Grandparents Association)
* Almost a third of grandchildren (31%) say their grandparents are like 'second parents' to them (Research carried out by Opinium Research for BeGrand.net December 2009)
* Grandparents in Britain are spending over £11.5bn a year on their grandchildren (Research carried out by Opinium Research for BeGrand.net February 2010)
* Among single-parent families, between half and two thirds rely on grandparents to provide some childcare on a weekly basis (Grandparents Plus and Equality and Human Rights Commission)
Europcar, the UK's leading vehicle hire provider is offering families its top tips for keeping boredom at bay this half term. Catriona Lougher, Marketing Director said: "Huddling in the car out of the wind and rain is not everyone's idea of a perfect holiday and can give rise to frayed tempers and frustrated kids. But with the right clothing to brave the elements and some games up your sleeve to see through the worst downpours, a bit of wind and rain can actually be quite exhilarating.
"Hiring a car for longer journeys certainly offers more space, comfort and reliability than the family run around. With our up to 30% discount this Autumn, and free delivery and collection from most locations, Europcar is making car hire simple, accessible and affordable for a half term get away in the UK."
Europcar's Top Tips for Rainy Days:
· Stock the car with lots of snacks and drinks, wet wipes, CDs, paper and pens and pillows.
· Make sure small children are sitting high enough to see out of the window and that they are in suitable seating for their age. (Child seats are available to hire from all Europcar locations).
· Hand-held computer games are a very good way to keep kids occupied. Don't forget to bring extra batteries and to charge items such as mp3 players and games consoles.
· Audio books on CD can be engrossing for everyone and provide some respite for adults - consider classics like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Winnie the Pooh.
· Don't forget traditional games like I-spy, car snooker, word association games or what famous person am I?
· Give kids a backpack with their favourite toys and books, plus something new that will keep them quiet for a while longer.
· Sing! - no matter how old the kids, Old MacDonald Had a Farm is always good fun or try songs from The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia or Oliver!
· Have a competition to see who can count the most passing red cars
· Challenge the whole family to make up a story together - taking turns to say a line or word each.
To take advantage of Europcar's great Autumn discount of up to 30% off, call 0871 384 1089 or log on to www.europcar.co.uk. Alternatively, customers can book via Europcar's on the go mobile service - which allows customers to make reservations and find their nearest hire location, all from their mobile phone by simply logging on to http://mobile.europcar.co.uk
