Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope you all have a nice relaxing break.
I shall be on holiday after today until 12th January - so see you in the New Year.
Wishing you every success in 2015. Sallyxxx.
Campus Closure
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Bedford Campus will be closed from 25th December until Monday 5th January 2015. The Library will remain open 24/7 during this period.
For any PhD students out there...
The British Library are hosting a series of doctoral open days for PhD students to discover more about their research materials. For more information click here:
Just a reminder...
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Remember that books borrowed from the University of Bedfordshire may be returned to any of our campus libraries or LRCs.New Report Says It's "Shocking" That Nobody Know The Number Of Children Who Fall Victim To Crime Each Year
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
A report by Victim Support and the University of Bedfordshire for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Victims and Witnesses of Crime has found that some young people see crimes such as robbery, theft and assault as a normal part of growing up and do not even see themselves as victims.
Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: 'It’s shocking that nobody knows how many children fall victim to crime every year. Understanding the scale of the problem is an essential first step to tackling it.
'Part of the challenge, as we know through our direct work with children, is how difficult it is for young people - particularly those who have been groomed or sexually exploited - to tell someone about abuse they experienced.
'When children are brave enough to come forward, too often the professionals who should be protecting them let them down, by failing to believe them or by dismissing them as troublesome. Overall professionals must get better at identifying children who may be victims, supporting them when they disclose abuse and helping them after they have come forward. And schools need to teach children about healthy relationships and consent, so young people are better able to recognise abuse and know where to turn.'
Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: 'It’s shocking that nobody knows how many children fall victim to crime every year. Understanding the scale of the problem is an essential first step to tackling it.
'Part of the challenge, as we know through our direct work with children, is how difficult it is for young people - particularly those who have been groomed or sexually exploited - to tell someone about abuse they experienced.
'When children are brave enough to come forward, too often the professionals who should be protecting them let them down, by failing to believe them or by dismissing them as troublesome. Overall professionals must get better at identifying children who may be victims, supporting them when they disclose abuse and helping them after they have come forward. And schools need to teach children about healthy relationships and consent, so young people are better able to recognise abuse and know where to turn.'
Don't forget...
Monday, 15 December 2014
Remember that Bedford Library and Luton LRC will remain open throughout the Christmas holiday.
Teenage Runaways Lack Safe Places To Go
Monday, 8 December 2014
Research suggests that only a tiny fraction of the 100,000 UK under 16s who run away yearly are given emergency shelter by councils.
Nearly two-thirds of the 210 English, Welsh and Scottish councils who responded to the Railway Children charity survey offered no under-16s accommodation in the past year. The research found just 157 children were offered this sort of support.
Council leaders acknowledged a shortage of emergency accommodation. However, only about half the local authorities kept figures on how many times such emergency accommodation was used, the study said.
The research was prompted by growing concern about runaway children. It highlighted how all refuges but one for young children had closed by this year.
"Inconsistent use of local authority emergency accommodation was leaving young people without a safe place at the time they need it most," it said.
More on this story and the full report is available from the Railway Children Charity here.
Nearly two-thirds of the 210 English, Welsh and Scottish councils who responded to the Railway Children charity survey offered no under-16s accommodation in the past year. The research found just 157 children were offered this sort of support.
Council leaders acknowledged a shortage of emergency accommodation. However, only about half the local authorities kept figures on how many times such emergency accommodation was used, the study said.
The research was prompted by growing concern about runaway children. It highlighted how all refuges but one for young children had closed by this year.
"Inconsistent use of local authority emergency accommodation was leaving young people without a safe place at the time they need it most," it said.
More on this story and the full report is available from the Railway Children Charity here.
Pop-up WiFi Support
From 8th December ICT will be running a pop-up WiFi support desk in the Hub at the Bedford Campus. The desk will be manned by ICT from 9.00 am - 5.00 pm for the next two weeks and then again in the first two weeks of January to help students and staff with any relevant WiFi issues. Similar desks will be in operation during this period at the Luton Campus in the Campus Centre and Park Street receptions.
You can also download PDF versions of the guides for iOS, Android, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Mac OSX devices from there
Information on connecting to eduroam (for staff and students and visitors from participating institutions) and the guest network (for all other visitors) is also available on the main University web site at:
Prisons Struggling To Cope With The Increase In Elderly Inmates
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
A Prison Reform Trust report says that prisons are struggling to cope with the increase in elderly, sick and disabled people behind bars.
It reveals that those aged 60 and over are the fastest growing population in English and Welsh prisons, with an increase of 146% between 2002 and 2014. Those aged 50-59 are the second fastest-growing group.
Longer sentences mean more people are growing frail in prison, but high rates of social and support needs are unmet, says the trust. It added that two in five prisoners over 50 now have a disability of some kind.
Trust director Juliet Lyon said: "In the last few years, prison has been reduced to a punitive holding operation for people growing older and sicker behind bars. Prisons are less safe and less decent than they were even a year ago when we published our last report."
The proportion of prisons whose performance is "of concern" or "of serious concern" according to the National Offender Management Service has risen from 13% in 2012-13, to 23% in 2013-14.
It reveals that those aged 60 and over are the fastest growing population in English and Welsh prisons, with an increase of 146% between 2002 and 2014. Those aged 50-59 are the second fastest-growing group.
Longer sentences mean more people are growing frail in prison, but high rates of social and support needs are unmet, says the trust. It added that two in five prisoners over 50 now have a disability of some kind.
Trust director Juliet Lyon said: "In the last few years, prison has been reduced to a punitive holding operation for people growing older and sicker behind bars. Prisons are less safe and less decent than they were even a year ago when we published our last report."
The proportion of prisons whose performance is "of concern" or "of serious concern" according to the National Offender Management Service has risen from 13% in 2012-13, to 23% in 2013-14.
On TV Tonight: Baby P, the Untold Story
Monday, 27 October 2014
Tonight (27th October 2014) on BBC 1 at 8.30 pm there will be a documentary entitled Baby P: the Untold Story.
The 90 minute film hears from those directly involved in the investigation into the death of Baby P in 2007.
Film-maker Henry Singer's documentary detailing the timeline of events leading to the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and her boyfriend's brother in August 2007, and considering its aftermath. The programme examines how some powerful institutions evaded the spotlight, while public attention was focused on the involvement of social workers in the infant's home area of Haringey, north London. Among the interviewees featured in the film are social workers Gillie Christou and Maria Ward, then-Children's Secretary Ed Balls MP and the husband of the last medical practitioner to see Peter before he died.
The 90 minute film hears from those directly involved in the investigation into the death of Baby P in 2007.
Film-maker Henry Singer's documentary detailing the timeline of events leading to the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and her boyfriend's brother in August 2007, and considering its aftermath. The programme examines how some powerful institutions evaded the spotlight, while public attention was focused on the involvement of social workers in the infant's home area of Haringey, north London. Among the interviewees featured in the film are social workers Gillie Christou and Maria Ward, then-Children's Secretary Ed Balls MP and the husband of the last medical practitioner to see Peter before he died.
Child Poverty Set To Rise Says Social Mobility Commission
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
The UK risks becoming a "permanently divided" society unless "radical new approaches" are taken by the next government, a report suggests.
The Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission also claims the target to reduce child poverty by half by 2020 will not be met.
Chairman Alan Milburn said the three largest Westminster parties were being "less than frank" on the issue.
He said housing costs and youth unemployment needed to be tackled.
Mr Milburn, a former Labour minister, said the current government had "discredited existing child poverty targets and failed to put in place new ones", creating an "unholy mess".
The existing targets were put in place in 2010 by the last Labour government. Currently, a child is classed as being in relative poverty if his or her family income is less than 60% of median earnings.
According to the commission's report "absolute child poverty increased by 300,000 between 2010-11 and 2012-13" and "independent experts expect child poverty to increase significantly over the next few years". It also says that "working poverty after housing costs is rising".
The Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission also claims the target to reduce child poverty by half by 2020 will not be met.
Chairman Alan Milburn said the three largest Westminster parties were being "less than frank" on the issue.
He said housing costs and youth unemployment needed to be tackled.
Mr Milburn, a former Labour minister, said the current government had "discredited existing child poverty targets and failed to put in place new ones", creating an "unholy mess".
The existing targets were put in place in 2010 by the last Labour government. Currently, a child is classed as being in relative poverty if his or her family income is less than 60% of median earnings.
According to the commission's report "absolute child poverty increased by 300,000 between 2010-11 and 2012-13" and "independent experts expect child poverty to increase significantly over the next few years". It also says that "working poverty after housing costs is rising".
The Benefits of Setting Up a Personal Account with DISCOVER
Wednesday, 15 October 2014
Did you know that you can set up a FREE personal account with DISCOVER? A personal account allows you to:
- Store your search results online (backup to stop you losing your results)
- Sort your search results into folders (for different assignments)
- Save your searches so you can run the same search, with the same search terms again
- Set up "Search Alerts" - DISCOVER will email you each time a new record matching your search terms is added to a database - helping you to keep up-to-date with the latest research on your topic
- Go to DISCOVER.
- Click on the Sign in link in the top red menu bar.
- Click on the link Create a new account.
- Fill in the form (making a note of the username and password you choose)
Emotional Needs of Children Leaving Care are Unmet says new Study
A study by the charity Action for Children says that the emotional needs of children who have been in care are not being well looked after.
The small but in-depth study by Action for Children called Too Much Too Young is based on in-depth work with 31 care leavers and 12 professionals working with such children in England and Wales.
It says: "Most young people who have been in care continue to cope with the lasting impact of a traumatic childhood.They can suffer from depression and anxiety, on top of dealing with the challenges of living on their own for the the first time."
The report argues that leaving care is not the same as leaving home, as care leavers rarely have the stability or support networks that most teenagers take for granted. It says that government policy has focused on the quality and location of accommodation that youngsters move into when they leave care and the practical support they are offered.But it warns: "Emotional wellbeing should be our starting point. Without it, practical support is not enough for the most vulnerable young people. Poor emotional health permeated young peoples' stories. Essential support disappears rapidly after those with complex needs and disabilities leave care".
The small but in-depth study by Action for Children called Too Much Too Young is based on in-depth work with 31 care leavers and 12 professionals working with such children in England and Wales.
It says: "Most young people who have been in care continue to cope with the lasting impact of a traumatic childhood.They can suffer from depression and anxiety, on top of dealing with the challenges of living on their own for the the first time."
The report argues that leaving care is not the same as leaving home, as care leavers rarely have the stability or support networks that most teenagers take for granted. It says that government policy has focused on the quality and location of accommodation that youngsters move into when they leave care and the practical support they are offered.But it warns: "Emotional wellbeing should be our starting point. Without it, practical support is not enough for the most vulnerable young people. Poor emotional health permeated young peoples' stories. Essential support disappears rapidly after those with complex needs and disabilities leave care".
FREE Writing & Study Skills Workshops at the Study Hub in October
Friday, 3 October 2014
The following FREE drop-in workshops on Writing / Study Skills are available in October at the Bedford Library Study Hub (1st Floor of the Library). There's no need to book just 'drop-in' anytime between 1 - 4 on a relevant date.
Dates of the workshops are:
Dates of the workshops are:
- Monday 6th October 1 - 4
- Tuesday 7th October 1 - 4
- Wednesday 8th October 1 - 4
- Thursday 9th October 1 - 4
- Monday 13th October 1 - 4
- Tuesday 14th October 1 - 4
- Wednesday 15th October 1 - 4
- Thursday 16th October 1 - 4
- Monday 20th October 1 - 4
- Tuesday 21st October 1 - 4
- Wednesday 22nd October 1 - 4
- Thursday 23rd October 1 - 4
- Monday 27th October 1 - 4
- Tuesday 28th October 1 - 4
- Wednesday 29th October 1 -4
- Thursday 30th October 1 -4
Bedford, Polhill Library Closures
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Over the summer vacation contractors will be carrying out upgrades to the Polhill Campus electricity supply. As there will be no electricity whilst these works are carried out,to ensure the safety of staff and students the block undergoing the upgrade will be locked down and nobody will be allowed into that area whilst there is no electricity supply.
These works will affect Bedford, Polhill Library on the following dates:
These works will affect Bedford, Polhill Library on the following dates:
- Sunday 8th June - There will be no access to the whole site as the University will be shut down. Permission will not be grated at any given time.
- Thursday 3rd July - the library will be closed all day
Systems Downtime
There will be a scheduled downtime of all University computer systems and services (with the exception of email extenally of the University) from 6pm on 11th July - 8am on 14th July.
This will be to upgrade the University internal network equipment. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Learning Hub Closed for Summer 2014
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
The Learning Hub at the Bedford Campus will be closed for summer from 18.00 on 20th June until October 13th 2014.
The Library at Bedford is open 24/7 throughout the summer vacation.
The Library at Bedford is open 24/7 throughout the summer vacation.
New FREE Support With Your Own IT
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
Pop Up IT Support is a new free service to help University of Bedfordshire students.
Help for student IT issues with their own laptops, tablets and mobiles.
Where is it?
Pop Up IT will take place outside the SU in Bedford and Luton from 11.00am - 1.00pm on Mondays until further notice.
Who can use Pop Up IT?
Students of the University of Bedfordshire. It is not available for staff, visitors or members of the public.
What support is provided:
The University of Bedfordshire will take no responsibility for any damage to equipment, hardware / software or data loss or corrupted during help given by our staff.
Help for student IT issues with their own laptops, tablets and mobiles.
Where is it?
Pop Up IT will take place outside the SU in Bedford and Luton from 11.00am - 1.00pm on Mondays until further notice.
Who can use Pop Up IT?
Students of the University of Bedfordshire. It is not available for staff, visitors or members of the public.
What support is provided:
- They will look at Windows, Mac and Android devices
- They will provide basic technical support with software, configuration and connectivity problems
- Although they can't fix every problem they are happy to diagnose issues and offer you advice on what to do next. They can also provide information/suggestions to help you to fix the problem yourself
- They do not repair hardware, only software but can advise you on what to do next.
- They don't provide Windows or recovery CDs
- You cannot leave your device with them
- On a first come first served basis
- You need to be present when support is provided
- Bring your device and power supply
- Bring your Windows or recovery CDs that were supplied to you
The University of Bedfordshire will take no responsibility for any damage to equipment, hardware / software or data loss or corrupted during help given by our staff.
Permanent Change to Vehicular Access to Bedford Campus
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
From 8.00am on Wednesday 14th May the current vehcile road access entrance to the Bedford Campus, adjacent to the library, will be closed.
From this time forward the current ‘exit’ road will become fully operational for two-way traffic flow; for both entrance and exit.
This is a permanent re-routing of traffic onto the campus.
As users become familiar with the revised traffic flow, may we ask both drivers and pedestrians to be particularly vigilant when moving around the campus.
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