News reports located on this page = 2.

Boxing legend Bruno rounds off Edge Hill conference

THE Former world heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno was the guest of honour as Edge Hill University hosted the Emergency Services Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference.  Attended by stakeholders from the:- Police, NHS and Fire Services, as well as academics and students, the day consisted of a range of presentations, seminars and group activities catering for a range of target audiences. Subject matter and issues addressed included:- Dementia, Loneliness, PTSD, Mental Health in young people, Study Stresses, Suicide Callers, Recognising Risk and Modern Safeguarding.

The conference, held at the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine, was instigated to provide up skilling and training for attendees, providing knowledge on subjects and issues that continue to evolve in the emergency services sector, and the need for recognition of the continued challenges faced on the front line. The day was then rounded off with a Q&A with British boxing legend Bruno, chaired by Sport and Physical Activity Professor, Andy Smith.

Frank spoke openly about a range of subjects, including his sometimes difficult childhood, how being sent to borstal was the making of him, the highs and lows of his boxing career and his mental health struggles in retirement. The 57 year old, who revealed how a regular fitness and exercise regime had been key in his recovery, also offered views on the need to focus on aftercare for mental health patients and urged men not to suffer in silence should they feel they are struggling, as he also revealed details about the work being done by the Frank Bruno Foundation, and their aims in tackling mental health issues.

Frank, having twice been sectioned and struggled with mental illness since his retirement from the sport, he spoke out about his own treatment and aftercare, and the improvements that could be made to help others, particularly those without the celebrity status his achievements afforded.  He told those attending that:- "I'm no different, no better than anyone else. When I was boxing there was no time to worry about my mental health, it was no time for stress, my focus was on providing for my family. It was afterwards I began to struggle. Without the routine, being home more… I became drained, lethargic, anxious, personal issues began to take their toll. I was working too hard, was feeling pressured. Of course, I'm a man, with a macho image, I thought I could handle it. I was sad, lonely. It wasn't nice, it was a horrible experience. But lessons need to be learned in how patients are treated, how they are spoken to. They are humans going through a difficult time, respect, manners, would be helpful. Get to the route of the problem. It's an embarrassing time for them. Talk to them on a level, you'll get a better response. Understanding is key to respecting mental health."

Frank Bruno also commented:- "Talking is key, a good starting point in dealing with any signs of mental health problems." Adding:- "Make sure you look after yourself…the pressure of life was an issue for me, of not sharing my problems. Women are much better at it, they talk about their problems, but men can bottle it up."

1 attendee shared the following feedback of the day:- "It was a fantastic. Frank Bruno was amazing. I could relate to some of the things that were said throughout the day and feel more able to help others and believe that there is more to be done about awareness of mental health, but it's nice to know that it's being recognised and that there are people out there to help."

After the talk he happily posing for pictures and chatting to the public throughout the afternoon, as he toured the University's award winning campus and met members of staff from the Department of Sport and Physical Activity, he was extremely complimentary of the University.

Frank said:- "There's great facilities here, different buildings set-up focusing on different areas of study. The sports centre is impressive, which the public can enjoy, and which can help people to look after themselves. Unfortunately, there's a lot of facilities being shut down all over the country, but to see something like this is encouraging."

The British boxing legend also revealed how he could only have dreamed of being given the opportunity to experience higher education and studied at places like Edge Hill. Recalling some of his experiences, which included being sent to Borstal youth detention centre at the age of 12, he said:- "I had dyslexia, I struggled academically, and I didn't come out of School with any qualifications. I'd loved to have gone to College, gone to university…I'd loved to have studied somewhere like this. But boxing is the only thing I could do."

Dr Evelyn Carnegie, Head of the Department of Sport and Physical Activity, said:- "We were delighted to welcome Frank Bruno to the University and to hear his enthusiasm for the benefits of studying at places like Edge Hill. He was extremely complimentary about the campus, the learning opportunities available for students to study subjects in sport and physical activity (and beyond), and our commitment to providing students with high quality teaching and research, including in relation to sport and mental health."

The event was fortunate to have been funded by Health Education England, coordinated by Paul Jones at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and supported collaboratively by Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Cumbria and the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. There are 2 further events planned in Lancaster and Liverpool in October and December focusing on paediatric care and education in the workplace; further information can be requested from:- pjones17@uclan.ac.uk.

If you need help talking to someone and you are at University, ask to speak to a Student Councillor and if not at University you can get help from organisations like Mind and Samaritans.

28% of children in North West have given out their personal details to people they meet online

THE very worrying results of a survey of 2,000 children, commissioned by O2, has revealed that children aged 8 to 13 social media profiles contained potentially sensitive information, with almost a ¼ displaying their email address and 8% showing their phone number. Some even revealed their home address. Seemingly innocent details such as pets'  names (25%) and the School they attend (24%) were the most frequently revealed.

It was also found that, from a list of 36 apps, children were most likely to say they used:- YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and Roblox regularly. But just 37% of children feel their parents understand YouTube, with that figure dropping below 10% for Snapchat and Roblox.

Shockingly within the North West Region, more than a ¼ of the 252 children surveyed (28.2%), revealed they had given out their personal details to people they had only met online! The news comes as O2 and the NSPCC re-launch Net Aware, a website designed for parents to learn more about the latest apps, sites and games their children are using, along with technical and safeguarding tips. The survey results also showed that parents are more likely to talk to their children about safety in the real world versus the online world.

While 82% of parents speak to their kids about wearing a seatbelt, and 81% tell children about the importance of saying no when they are asked to do something they're uncomfortable with in the real world, less than 2 3rds (65%) of parents check who their kids talk to online. Both O2 and the NSPCC recognise that keeping children safe online can feel overwhelming for parents. Net Aware takes away the fear factor and encourages parents to have regular conversations with their children about their online lives.  When it comes to devices, parents are strictest about phones (40%), followed by tablets and videogame consoles. Just 8% of children felt their parents were strictest about them using a laptop.

Presenter and mum of 2, Tess Daly has teamed up with O2 and NSPCC to launch the Net Aware site. She said:- "I know how difficult the topic of online safety can be between parents and their kids. It's our job as parents to do all we can to make sure our children know about staying safe online, and to make sure we have open conversations with them so they feel comfortable asking questions they might think seem awkward. The new Net Aware site helps you keep up to date on the latest social networks, apps and games children use, letting you know about their safety features and whether they' re age appropriate. It's really helped me get a better understanding of how to talk to my kids about the online world. You' d talk to your child about not talking to strangers in the real world, and it's really important to apply that to apps and games too."

Ann Pickering, Chief HR Officer and Chief of Staff at O2, said:- "Apps and social media are a brilliant way of keeping in touch with friends and making you feel less alone, but it's vital that parents understand and talk to their kids about the potential dangers too. We launched the Net Aware website with the NSPCC so that parents can learn about the latest social ne2rks, sites and games, and we're very proud to announce that we've now expanded the platform with even more up to date advice, information and top tips from our O2 Gurus."

Laura Randall, Associate Head of Child Safety Online, NSPCC, said:- "It is vital parents think of the online world in the same way as the real world. They wouldn't send their child on a School trip without checking where they are going and who they are going with. The same level of scrutiny should apply to any app or game their child is using. That's why we continue to work with O2 to provide the latest information for parents about the most popular apps, sites and games their children are using; all at their fingertips on 1 website."

Net Aware is free to access at:- Net-Aware.Org.UK.