“Football gathers people”: Doncaster friendly football club focuses on improving mental health
A local Doncaster man set up a football club to break down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and build a community around the game.
The football matches are friendly games to promote fitness and provide an open space for the players to talk about their mental health.
One of the players, Liam Bryan, 35, said: “It does help knowing that when you’ve had a tough week you can just come here [...] and you can talk about it with other people who go through the same thing.”
Mental Health FC was founded by Ryan Oldfield, 33, after he realised how difficult it was to organise a get-together with his friends.
As Mr Oldfield already had experience in running non-profit organisations and the overwhelming response he had from his social media posts about friendly matches, he decided to start a permanent football club.
He explained that he has seen a variety of positive changes since starting the club, such as many people being able to build their confidence and find new friends through sport.
A local teacher, Olly Boldy, 29, enjoys being able to “let off a bit of steam” after dealing with long nights at work. He said: It’s encouraging lads to speak. After playing we go for a drink and everyone is encouraged to talk.”
The club is hoping to expand by putting on fundraising events for families to get involved in sports and extra sessions to suit everyone’s schedule. They would also like to put on social gatherings for members to make friends.
Mr Oldfield said: “We’re looking to build the relationships and friendships of people outside of football and be able to have more of a chat.
“The more people we can reach and help, the better.”
You can find out more information about the club and how to get involved here.
Restaurant boss accused of trying to spike woman’s drink
A restaurant boss who owns two Michelin-starred establishments is to stand trial accused of trying to spike a woman's drink at Annabel's club in Mayfair, London.
On January 15, Vikas Nath, 61 and father of one, has denied attempting to administer a substance with the intention of stupefying or overpowering the alleged victim to engage in sexual activity.
He has also been accused of possession of the Class B drug gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) on the same day.
For legal reasons the alleged victim cannot be named.
The defendant appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, where he spoke only to confirm his name and his plea of "not guilty".
While he awaits trial, the defendant has been bailed on condition that he lives and sleeps at his home, surrenders his passports, does not travel south of the river Thames unless to attend court, and remains at home between 11pm and 7am.
Rishi Sunak does not regret GB News stint
Rishi Sunak does not regret taking part in People’s Forum: The Prime Minister on GB News despite Ofcom launching an investigation into whether the programme breached impartiality rules, Downing Street has said.
Asked about the watchdog’s actions, his official spokesman told reporters: “No. This is obviously a matter firstly for Ofcom, who’s rightly an independent regulator.
“But obviously, as you’ll see regularly, the Prime Minister undertakes interviews from a range of broadcasters, outlets and other media.
“And media appearances such as the one he conducted last week are an important part of the democratic process.”
Two injured and one dead in Birmingham crash
Two people were injured and one dead after an Audi crashed into a number of vehicles on Soho Road, Handsworth, on Sunday.
One man sustained life threatening injuries and could not be saved.
A woman from one of the cars involved sustained serious injuries.
A man who was a driver of one of the cars sustained injuries, but they were not believed to be life threatening.
Unanimous Support Given to Fulwood 20mph Speed Limit Zone
A 20mph speed limit zone will be introduced within Fulwood after councillors unanimously supported the scheme at the city's council meeting last Wednesday.
Sheffield City Council voted to implement the new speed limit throughout all residential areas in Fulwood, covering areas surrounding Nether Green Infant School and Junior School, as well as Hallam Primary School.
Lisa Blakemore, the scheme's senior transport planner, said the zone will create a "feeling of safety".
The new limit aims to follow the success of other 20mph zones, which have been rolled out within the city over the last decade.
Reflecting on the success of previous schemes, Councillor Ben Miskell said: "We know that they are much better and safer, particularly for young people, and they are also good for the environment.
"There will always be some objections to these schemes but I think they're the right thing to do for the future of our city and also the safety of young people who live in these areas."
However, the limits will not be policed by speed cameras, as councillors agreed to a sign-only approach.
Councillor Denise Fox said that while speed cameras will not be imposed, the scheme should "change people's mindsets".
Coun Fox said: "If more people start travelling at 20mph then the ones that want to travel at 30mph will start travelling at 20mph."
This decision also comes after a petition was set up by Lyndsey McLellan, supporting proposed speed limit changes in Fulwood, particularly within areas surrounding schools.
Commenting on the petition, Steph Roberts said: "I am a local resident who walks to Nether Green Infant School every school day and feel the speed limit on Fulwood Road is too high. A 20mph limit on Fulwood Road would be much safer.
"My eldest will soon move to the Junior School and it terrifies me thinking of walking between the schools along Fulwood Road with small children. It's just too fast."
Support for the scheme was also majorly shown through letters of support from residents, with proposals receiving 252 letters of support in comparison to 157 objections.
Yet, the scheme has received particular opposition to the blanket approach which covers all residential areas within the set out boundaries.
Rachel Barker said: "Everyone wants a 20mph speed limit on their road, but moans about having to drive at 20mph along everybody else's road."
Ofcom launches investigation into Rishi Sunak’s appearance on GB News
Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether the programme 'People's Forum: The Prime Minister' on GB News breached impartiality rules.
Younger people at higher risk of being diagnosed with diabetes
Younger people with the condition, which causes blood sugar levels to become too high and can lead to serious complications without treatment, faced a higher risk of being undiagnosed.
Using data from the Health Survey for England 2013 to 2019, the ONS estimates that 7% of people over the age of 16 show evidence of type 2 diabetes, although three in ten, or about one million, were not diagnosed.
Diabetes : The symptoms to look out for and who they affect
Around 4.3 million people were living with a diabetes diagnosis in the UK.
Symptoms include excessive thirst, tiredness and needing to urinate more often, although many people have no symptoms.
Nikki Joule, policy manager at the charity, said: “Type 2 diabetes is a life-changing condition that often develops slowly, especially in the early stages, when it can be very difficult to spot the symptoms.”
Those most likely to develop the condition had known diabetes risk factors such as being overweight or older.
However, the ONS said there was “considerable prevalence” in people considered at low risk of pre-diabetes, including 4% of people aged 16 to 44 and 8% who were not overweight or obese.
Those from black or Asian groups also faced more than double the risk of pre-diabetes at 22% compared with 10% of people from white, mixed and other ethnic groups.
Type 2 diabetes overall was higher among black and Asian people at 5%.
One million adults living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, figures show
An estimated one million adults in England are living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
People left shocked after the tragic crash in Birmingham
X user @shuranjeetsingh believes "this behaviour is far too common on our roads"
Some question if school phone ‘ban’ is a waste of teachers’ time
@Mrsfairylights on X questions whether teachers' removing students' phones is a waste of teaching time.
“It’s nothing new” – Phone ban already in place in most schools.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said "Most schools already forbid the use of mobile phones during the school day or allow their use only in limited and stipulated circumstances.
@ChirpyChet on X agrees, saying "It's nothing new."