Having a menatl health problem

Marian Moore 67 was diagnosed with schizophrenia twenty years ago. She faced discrimination when she first told people she had schizophrenia with losing friends and her job. Nowadays Marian works with Shift to create public awareness and offer support for people with mental health problems, something which was not heard of when Marian was first diagnosed in 1989.

Mental health and violence

Half of the general public believe mental health patients are dangerous and a third of people believe schizophrenia is linked to violence.

In fact drugs and alcohol are more likely to make people violent, with mental health patients more likely to be the victim. Theodore Dalrymple a psychiatrist and a former prison doctors argues that most violence is, in fact, committed by people who are not mentally ill.

Shift, a department of health funded charity which was set up four years ago believe like Marian that people with schizophrenia can live normal lives.

have joined the national crisis and are struggling to get there student loans on time.

Monica Randell says she applied for her student loan in May and it took until the 5^th October to get hers. Whereas Dave Evans a commercial music student applied in April time and is still waiting for his loan despite being 5 weeks into term.

Another commercial music student Robert Curran says he had to sell his guitar after the student loans company over paid his grant and now wants the money back.

Student Loans Company

A spokesperson for the Student’s Loans Company who wanted to remain anonymous said the reason that some students are still without loans was due to the record number of applicants and nothing to do with administrative problems.

The effect on Westminster University

A spokesperson from Westminster student finance says that the crisis has not affected Westminster University at the moment, but the University is having to send out reminder letters for tuition fees that have not been paid as a result of students not having their loans.

Nas Said, President of the Westminster Students Union, says “he has had a lot of students come to him with money dilemmas as a result of not getting their loans”. He says, “Students events have not been affected because of the decrease in bar prices, but students are struggling to pay more important things such as rent and travel costs to uni.”

The report recommends a way to reduce waste going to landfill sites (c) D'Arcy Norman 2009

A report which recommends turning London’s waste into energy has received a positive reaction from environmental charities, Snap Features has learnt.

The report from the London Assembly Environment Committee reveals that the capital’s waste could be used to generate electricity for 2 million homes and heat for 625,000 homes.

It outlines a number of technologies which could be utilised to carry out the conversion. These include some, often controversial, incineration technologies. According to the report incineration involves “unsorted waste [being] burnt at high temperatures…to produce heat and electricity”.

However other methods which would not involve incineration are also outlined, such as ‘anaerobic digestion’. According to environmental chairty Friends of the Earth, anaerobic digestion “is a treatment which composts…waste in the absence of oxygen, producing a biogas that can be used to generate electricity and heat”.

The capital produces 22 million tones of waste every year; enough to fill Canary Wharf tower every eight days, according to the report ‘Where’s there’s muck there’s brass’.

A spokesperson from the London Assembly told Snap Features; “We’ve received a very supportive statement from Friends of the Earth [about the report] and fantastic media coverage”.

Concerns about incineration

Snap Features spoke to Environmental Protection UK, a charity which campaigns for policies that will help minimize air, noise and land pollution. They also gave an overall positive response to the report.

Ed Dearnley, Policy Officer at the charity, called incineration a “valid option”. However he stressed this would need a “coherent waste strategy” and that the location of the incineration sites “must be managed carefully, making sure that emissions control is well managed and regulated”.

In a statement to Snap Features, Edouard Guidon, Project Manager at London Community Resource Network (LCRN), a charity which helps other organizations work towards responsible resource management, gave similar warnings over the use of incineration techniques.

He said that LCRN have “strong reservations about the viability of incineration” adding that, “there are still some gaps in knowledge relating to its impact on human health”.

Support from charities

But the technology both charities most recommend is anaerobic digestion.

The report says of this method; “Defra [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] forecasts that by 2020 anaerobic digestion will be an established technology in the UK, playing an important role in reducing CO2 emissions”.

Dearnley said; “we’re very supportive of this technology and the gas it produces is very green…you can even use it to run buses. And it’s also very good for reducing CO2 emissions”.

Guidon agreed; “anaerobic digestion is a valuable and proven means of managing biodegradable waste”.

Indeed a reduction in levels of London’s CO2 is an outcome the report highlights. It states that if London’s waste was utilized to generate energy for the capital’s homes, CO2 could be reduced by 1.2 million tones per year.

London Assembly Member Murad Qureshi, chair of the Committee said in a press release; “Waste to energy technology will help the capital reduce greenhouse gases, cut down on waste sent to landfill, increase renewable energy generation, benefit the economy and create jobs”.

By Sophie Hudson

In an effort to dispel the negative public perception surrounding schizophrenia, the mental health campaign Time-to- Change have produced a short advert. So far the advert has received sharp criticism from one woman affected by the condition.

Marian Moore, who had been diagnosed with schizo-effective-disorder (a mixture of schizophrenia and bipolar) in 1989, believes that although the film is ‘a marketing tool to get attention, it looks like a horror film.’

It opens with dark titles, creepy music and the words “SCHIZO – he’s amongst us” in bold across the screen. We are then shown a perfectly normal man making a cup of tea in his kitchen with his wife in the background.

‘They use the very word I would never use,’ says Moore, ‘I just wouldn’t put it out there in the public domain.’

‘It jars people a little bit,’ says Laura Deeley a member of SHiFT. ‘There has been some backlash about it [the film] but mainly it has had a positive response.’

However Moore, who campaigns against mental health prejudice, says ‘I didn’t like the advert.’ She believes that a positive, open discussion, caught on film, would be a more powerful tool to tackle society’s ‘last taboo.’

Mental Health issues are the ‘most discriminated against of all disabilities,’ according to Deeley of SHiFT. SHiFT is an organisation which, ‘works to reduce discrimination towards people with mental health problems.’

In a recent survey conducted by the charity, 1 in 8 people in the U.K. would not want to live next door to a mental health patient. 1 in 3 believe that schizophrenics are violent.

To watch the video click here

Starbucks opened a new “community” coffeehouse in central London last week as part of a worldwide plan to give the coffee chain a new image.

Downstairs at the Conduit Street store

The new coffee shop is located on Conduit Street, close to the shopping centre of Oxford Circus.

It is one of many new store designs around the world. Starbucks’ intention is that in the future no two outlets will ever look the same.

Tim Pfeiffer, senior vice president, Starbucks global design, said:

“Our philosophy is simple.  Design a great store that fits in with its neighbourhood and the customers that will use it.  That means every store will be different but it will still have Starbucks in its DNA. We’ve had great fun finding furniture and materials from across the UK and Europe for this store which represents a huge leap forward in coffeehouse design.”

Outside, the green Starbucks logo has vanished and has been replaced with a vintage style brown sign.

But inside, it still looks like Starbucks. Upmarket pushchairs block the door, the familiar Christmas coffees (Gingerbread and Eggnog lattes) are advertised and the shelves are stacked with Starbucks branded mugs and coffees.

Downstairs there are bookshelves, old coffee grinders and mismatched furniture. The look is more repro than retro but it looks comfortable and inviting.

Supporting the community?

A Starbucks spokesperson said:

“In the West End, we support Soho Parish School with fundraising events and we also support other groups in the community including the Soho Family Centre on Brewer Street, The Salvation Army on Princes Street, Police Community Support in Peter Street and The Samaritans in Marshall Street.”

Community notice board

Alex Ribola lives close by and works in Sketch, next door to Starbucks. He is having his “breakfast” (Tall hot chocolate and an apple fritter donut) before he starts his evening shift. He is not happy with the crowds of shoppers.

“I came here around an hour ago but it was so busy I knew I would have to wait at least 15 minutes to get served so I went away and came back. Prêt is across the road and Cafe Nero is around the corner but they are always crowded too.”

It is crowded but this is one of the busiest areas in London, at the end of a shopping day and in the run up to Christmas. Whether for community or for coffee, the customers look unlikely to stay away.

Lights in Oxford Circus

Hollywood actor Jim Carrey was in London on the 3rd November to turn on the Christmas lights in Oxford Circus.

 He was joined by British actors Colin Firth and Bob Hoskins who switched on the lights for Regent’s street and St Paul’s.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of Christmas lights in Oxford Street and drew out record numbers of people, as it was the first time both Oxford Circus and Regents Streets lights have been switched on the same night.

It was so busy that Oxford Circus tube station needed to be closed down and you had to get off at Tottenham Court road to get a spot near the front.

Musical entertainment was provided by The Saturdays, Peter Andre and Taio Cruz and a world record attempt was made by Andrea Bocelli and the St Paul’s Cathedral Choir who led the crowd in trying to secure the world record for most people singing a Christmas carol.

The stars who were also in town to promote their new Disney flick  ‘A Christmas Carol’ then joined crowds in Leister Square for the premier of the film.

Andrew Kobren who is a massive Jim Carrey fan said, “It was cool but really busy, with the highlight of his night being Boris Johnson walking past him.”  His friend Robyn Bartlett said, “it was really manic, a classic London experience good, but busy!”

Following the launch of Digital Theatre, the first online theatre archive, Snapfeatures caught up with Rachel Thackery the artistic director of The English Touring company to see how it felt being the first to upload one of their plays.

Digital Theatre launched on the 26/10/09 and offers “high definition downloadable theatre productions available from their website using their specially developed Theatre Player” (Press release Premier PR).

So far “people are interested,” said Thackery. Robert Delamere [co-founder of the website] “is in New York at the moment campaigning, doing breakfast and TV interviews.”

Purpose of having online theatre

Digital Theatre hopes to bring London theatre to a regional audience. “It’s an access issue. It is there for people who can’t get to the theatre for whatever reason – whether they live abroad or can’t physically get there,” said Thackery.

Thackery continues, “if you live in a town with a theatre within 25miles you are very lucky. A lot of people just don’t and that’s why digital theatre could work.”

It is unlikely online theatre will ever replace live theatre. Thackery said, “it won’t replace only enhance. I hope that it will bring our theatre to 100s of thousands. Some of our big shows can get audiences of between 10 and 30 thousand and I think this has the capacity to expand that.”

The financial cost of being involved.

The ETT did not have to pay anything to be involved with the website because it has been entirely funded by theatre investors. “It’s a really complicated deal and it’s been a huge learning curve. Nobody makes money until somebody else makes money,” explained Thackery.

So far The Royal Court, The RSC, The Young Vic and The Almeida have all agreed to be a part of the Digital Theatre website.

However, The National Theatre has declined involvement. David Sabel, Head of Digital Media said, “we wish Digital Theatre all the best in launching this exciting new project.  We are currently focusing our efforts and resources on building our live broadcast to cinemas programme, NT Live, and may explore other opportunities in the future.”

For the full interview with Rachel Thackery click here.

An innovative tennis scheme has been well supported by both the public and the government in its opening few years, according to its founding trustee.

Tennis For Free was set up independent of the sport’s governing body The Lawn Tennis Association in 2003 by comedian Tony Hawks, with the help of Fashion Designer Celia Hollwey. Its aim – to encourage people to pick up a racket and enjoy playing tennis, for free.

The mission statement of the organisation, as published on their website, is to increase participation in tennis nationwide for all ages regardless of ability, background, race and financial circumstance, through the use of public courts up and down the country which are normally unused.

Free Coaching

Tony Hawks with some of his older pupils at the Joseph Hood recreation ground, Morden

As well as the 2,600 courts that are now open free of charge across the country, thanks to Tennis For Free, at 13 of these there is also coaching for all ages and abilities on offer.

Hawks, a former county player and fully qualified coach, runs group sessions at one of these sites in South West London.

Speaking exclusively to Snap Features he said, “The LTA don’t spend enough on grass roots tennis, here we are teaching kids, and adults, the basic skills so they enjoy the game and hopefully pass it on to others.

I’m not saying the next big player will come from Tennis For Free but if we could expand it across the country and get loads of youngsters playing then in ten years time maybe”.

He added that he felt positive about the future of his initiative which had now got the backing of the Sports Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, with the next step to get further funding from Sport England.

Benefits for Children and Adults

Local resident Clive Pearson attends Hawks’ sessions at the Joseph Hood recreation ground near Morden with his 7 year old son.

“I used to play tennis as a teenager and thought I would take it up again to keep fit as I bring my son down here on a Saturday morning anyway. It’s a good thing for us to do together.

I don’t think that this will replace paid for coaching, and I would consider this for my son in the future if he wanted to play more. However tennis is not always cheap and this is a great idea for kids to try out tennis before making the big and expensive commitment of joining a club”.

The Poppy Appeal is taking on the Internet in an attempt to gain the support of a new generation,  says a representative from The Royal British Legion.

The organisations official Twitter feed @Poppysupport have  launched a campaign for users to refrain from tweeting at 11am on Remembrance Day next week.

The original message has been retweeted thousands of times and the Legion is confident that British users of the site will virtually respect the two minute silence that is held annually on the morning of the 11th November.

The poppy is the national symbol of remembrance (c) Dave Lewis 2009

Connecting with a new generation

Ed Lloyd Owen explained to Snap Features that the idea was part of the theme of the 2009 appeal, and that embracing social media was necessary to connect with what he described as the “Afghanistan and Iraq generation”.

Mr Owen added “Although no-one can take away from the atrocities that happened 70 years ago, the tragedies that took place this week in Afghanistan mean that Remembrance this year will take on a different meaning for many.

We need to look after our current soldiers, remembering as well those who have lost their lives in present conflicts”.

New ideas and events aimed at a younger audience

In addition to their 1,500 Twitter followers The Royal British Legion have an iPhone app and their own social networking site, Legion Live, with the hope of expanding their campaign onto Facebook in the future.

And alongside their traditional calendar of events, that includes the Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and the Remembrance Sunday march past at the Cenotaph,they will also be hosting a modern service on Remembrance day itself.

Following its success in 2008, Silence in the Square will again be held in London’s Trafalgar square. Hosted by popular presenter Ben Shephard, there will be a series of live music performances, with Indie band Athlete the latest act to put their name to the cause.

In a press release for the event, Russell Thompson, Director of National Events and Fundraising for the Legion said,  “At a time when the Legion is helping a whole new generation of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, it’s great that younger acts like Athlete are showing their support for our work”.

Reaction

Speaking to Snap Features in reaction to this, a regional Royal British Legion Welfare and Membership officer in Cumbria, John Chandler said, “I think it’s important to try and get young people thinking about what is happening in Afghanistan and Iraq and if this helps to do that then it’s a great idea.

But it’s equally important that young people don’t forget the sacrifices made in the World Wars either, it may seem like a long time ago but there are still people alive who can remember them. Remembrance is the only way to ensure history is not repeated”.