< Previous50 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY EDUCATION A ccording to the House of Commons library report, the number of students who have disclosed a mental health condition to their universities has risen from under 1% in 2011 to over 5.7% in 2022. This increase shows that younger people are under increasing amounts of mental stress during their times in schools, but it’s often being misrepresented by ideological groups looking to push agendas. The argument is that younger people are becoming “too sensitive” and that mental illnesses are becoming more common due to vaccines or foods or additives. The reality is in the wording of the report – that more conditions are being “disclosed” to universities. Mental health conditions have been a thing for thousands of years, and yet there is more understanding of them now and less stigma surrounding them, so people are more comfortable admitting the problems. It used to be that even if you knew you had a condition, you would never reveal it for fear of a job or university rejecting you on the basis of it, but since that is now discriminatory, people feel they can be honest. This problem is shown when studies of students that were confidential reported far higher rates of mental health conditions, including as much as 27% of students saying they had a medically diagnosed health condition. This shows that despite efforts, mental health is sill stigmatised and many students feel they cannot, or should not, talk about it. Thankfully, suicide rates among students have not peaked, and actually fell somewhat in 2017, suggesting that students might be getting better access to emotional support. So, what is causing mental health issues in students and what can be done to help with them? Some of the biggest issues that have been recorded are to do with students moving away from home to attend university, having to create new social groups, and also adapt to a completely different study environment. Schools don’t transition well to universities (speaking from experience) and going from a regulated school where you’re forced to attend every lesson to a university where you have more freedom and are expected to study on your own, is a challenging one for many. Adults are likely to see it as easy to budget time and work on things productively, but students have never Supporting the younger generation Reports show an increasing issue with younger people and students feeling undue stress, especially surrounding education. Supporting the younger generation LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 51 EDUCATION really had to do so outside homework, which is why so many can fall foul of a university’s lackadaisical early terms leading straight into a sudden exam period. Similarly, teachers often reach out to help students in schools, but that doesn’t hold true for university, leaving students to stumble around on their own with no idea what to do. Legally speaking, there aren’t any real statutes or laws saying that a university has a duty of care to its students (outside obvious health and safety ones). In 2022, a judge in court regarding a case between a student and a university said the following. “[There is] no statute or precedent concerning a duty of care owed by a university to a student to take reasonable steps to avoid and not to cause injury, including psychiatric injury, and harm.” This decision came across as shocking as it could be seen as allowing a university to disavow any and all responsibility for any accidents that happen. When it comes to helping students, it’s important to remember that the jump from school to university is a significant one that often comes with a lot of sudden financial and emotional pressure. While learning to live on their own and balance a budget is great life experience, having to learn it at the same time as a thousand other things is a cause of stress, so it might be worth families teaching the lesson a little earlier and giving their children a chance to practice beforehand. Similarly, making sure that children always know they have a backup option if things go wrong can help, but it’s important to make sure this is truly accepted and not just taken as a half- hearted comment. Every person who has ever been through a school knows that as much as parents say, “you can tell me about anything”, their children will never do so, and often feel they have to struggle through things on their own. It’s important to make sure children of any age don’t fall into such self-destructive thinking, especially when there are online communities pushing new ideas of “manliness” on young men. We learn best by being taught and by learning from mistakes, but that doesn’t mean younger people should feel like they have to make those mistakes on their own with no support. It’s a similar scenario seen with bullying in schools, with kids feeling they have to “deal with the bullies themselves” or they’re somehow seen as weak. That leads to parents being unaware of bullying campaigns and teachers being helpless to intervene as their students won’t admit to it for fear of being seen as a coward for telling the teachers. © stock.adobe.com/Monkey Business © stock.adobe.com/terovesalainen52 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY THE AIR & SPACE INSTITUTE (ASI) Q&A T he Air & Space Institute (ASI), in Newark is one of the most surprising developments to come to the region in recent times. Part of the wider Lincoln College Group, it’s not only an extension of the College, but also offers the East Midlands a unique and unrivaled pipeline of highly skilled professionals for the aviation and space industries. We asked Lincoln College Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Tom Marsden more on the development and ambitions of this new project. What makes the ASI such an exciting place to study? The ASI was born out of an idea to give young people a place to study that combines learning with industry experience and a guided pathway into careers into aviation, travel and tourism and associated careers. There is also a wide range of Further Education and Higher Education courses that learners can take full advantage of. As well as a stellar teaching programme and a challenging and exciting curriculum being taught, learners can get hands-on experience Q&A Sky No Longer the Limit at the Air & Space Institute in NewarkLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 53 THE AIR & SPACE INSTITUTE (ASI) Q&A through use of the ASI’s cutting edge facilities such as a full-size Airbus A318, which has been converted to an A320 Neo and is used for training and orientation purposes for a host of the courses on offer. This year has also seen the installation of an ALSIM AL250 simulator, equipped with an advanced engineering pack, giving students vital experience of realistic flight control, but also the ability for those on engineering pathways to create their own aircraft configurations and test them ‘in air’. How did the ASI come about? The ASI, one of the Newark Town Board projects, has been a long-awaited project. The £15.4 million investment is now poised to train hundreds of young people. The College wanted to bridge the gap between the skills needed in the region and the ambitions of learners to succeed within aviation and travel and tourism. Offering courses from Level 2 to Level 5, the institute’s curriculum is designed in collaboration with leading industry partners, ensuring that students are ready to embark on a wide range of careers. This chimes with the LCG’s key principles, which is to be employer led. What makes the ASI courses different to a traditional college course route such as A-Levels? The courses at the ASI are designed to give learners the chance to find their path into a career within areas like aviation, travel and the tourism industry. Learners are given the chance to pursue To find out more about the ASI or courses available, visit www.asi-newark.co.uk or email enquiries@lincolncollege.ac.uk Photos courtesy of Electric Egg specialised routes but are also encouraged to learn about all facets of the aeronautical industry. This ranges from technical engineering, aircraft operation theory, cabin crew knowledge and much more. Learners are also given plenty of opportunities to engage with enrichment activities, with visits to industry specialists and interactive site visits. There are also regular visits from industry, with guidance talks delivered from the likes of Jet2 pilots, members of the RAF Red Arrows and former alumni in order to inspire and prepare our cohorts for the careers of their dreams. 54 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY EDUCATION Set in 220 acres of countryside between Harrogate and York, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate (QE) is an award- winning, co-educational school catering to students aged 3 months to 19 years. The school welcomes both day and boarding students, with boarding available from Year 3 onwards. As a through-school, many students begin their QE journey at Chapter House Prep or King’s Magna Middle School before advancing to one of two senior schools: QE College or The Faculty of Queen Ethelburga’s. The Faculty of Queen Ethelburga’s for students in Years 10-13 has recently been awarded the prestigious title of Independent Schools Association’s Senior School of the Year 2024. This recognition celebrates the school’s commitment to academic excellence, future-focused learning, and creative opportunities. The Faculty excels by offering a flexible, individualised curriculum designed to nurture each student’s passions and academic goals. With over 150 extra- curricular activities, students have the freedom to explore diverse interests while receiving a strong academic foundation. The school’s Gold Artsmark accredited creative arts department is another standout feature, offering rich opportunities for budding artists and designers. The Queen’s Academy of Creative Arts provides specialised support and extra studio time, ensuring students receive the guidance and resources necessary to thrive. For students with a passion for sports, QE Faculty offers the Performance Sport Pathway (PSP), which includes an additional five hours a week of tailored sports development for Year 12 students. Available from Year 7, this pathway is designed to provide high-level coaching from former professionals, access to elite training facilities, and individual strength and conditioning plans. QE offers the ADA (Academic of Dramatic Arts) performing arts pathway, which provides audition support and dedicated lessons for students interested in acting, musical theatre, dance, and stage combat. Students can showcase their talents in school productions held at the school’s 312-seat professional theatre, as well as participate in annual outdoor shows, LAMDA exams, and a range of music, drama, and dance ensembles. The second senior school at Queen Ethelburga’s, QE College, is a highly academic institution that challenges students to excel in their studies while benefiting from a broad enrichment program. For four consecutive years, QE College has been named the Sunday Times Top School in the North for Academic Performance, with students achieving 99% A*-B grades at A Level, 74% Distinction in BTECs, and 87% grades 7-9 at GCSE. QE College offers an Academic Pathway that supports students aiming for top universities, with specialised programs tailored to high-achieving students. The school’s Medics Programme, part of the Academic Pathway, provides invaluable support for students aspiring to study medicine, veterinary, and dentistry. This program includes guidance on achieving the required grades, writing personal statements, preparing for MMI interviews, and studying for medical entrance exams such as the UCAT and BMAT. Additionally, students benefit from visits to universities and research facilities, and engagement with professionals. The ethos of Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate is centred around developing students into resilient, compassionate, and confident individuals. The school’s philosophy, “To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have,” is embedded throughout the school experience. To find out more, visit www.qe.org/faculty and www.qe.org/college. Alternatively, attend their upcoming Open Morning on Saturday 25th January. A choice of two award-winning schools at Queen Ethelburga’s CollegiateLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 55 CARING D espite the benefits inherent in caring for elderly family members at home, maintaining this closeness of loved ones, along with a warm personal touch, also provides emotional support and dignity right through to the end of life. It’s these areas of inner wellbeing, both for the elderly and their families, that prove the worth of home care and why it’s a worthwhile, if challenging, responsibility to take on. If you are considering stepping up to care for a loved one, or otherwise comparing the routes available, it’s always a compassionate step to consider how you can keep being there for someone close to you who needs that extra level of support. Three of the most important reasons to bear this in mind are the independence, respect and self- respect of the elderly person. As people age, they can often experience a loss of freedom in their usual routines due to physical and cognitive decline. By providing care and support at home, caregivers can give any assistance that might be needed, while still giving elders their own time and space, and promoting their agency and autonomy within comfortable surroundings. Think about the emotional stability and grounding you find in making decisions about your own life and routines, and you’ll begin to understand the negative impact on a loved one whose sense of personal control may be fading. Caring for the elderly at home allows them to maintain this autonomy and command over their lives, which is so easy for those of us still in our prime to take for granted. Regular home visits by people they know and trust allow them to feel reassured in the support you’re providing them, as well as their liberty to make decisions about their own schedules and activities when you’re away. This can help © stock.adobe.com/Studio Romantic How to care Many nowadays are becoming carers for their own parents in the elder years. There’s a lot to learn, but also plenty of resources out there to learn from. 56 Á56 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY CARING reduce feelings of helplessness or dependence, which can each be detrimental to emotional health in their own complex ways. With tight schedules and high attention demands on care home or visiting staff, there may not be enough time in a day to make sure every patient or resident is coping well, whether with pre-existing illness or disability, age- related health decline, or simply new surroundings and strange faces. The ability to stay in a familiar environment, such as their own home or a relative’s, might better provide the security of feeling safe and cared for. This familiarity, as well as boosting emotional wellbeing, can provide an extra support system for physical health in a space that they know and can move around easily, especially Ruckland Court Care Home Our home has been newly refurbished with a charming bistro, welcoming pub, new lounge dining rooms and more. Plus Community coff ee mornings every Wednesday 10am - 12pm Call us today Contact Home Manager Adam Atkin on 01522 530217 www.countrycourtcare.com Ruckland Avenue, Lincoln, LN1 3TP or email rucklandcourt@countrycourtcare.com © stock.adobe.com/Rido LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 57 CARING when there is suitable mobility equipment installed. Seniors who receive care at home are often able to receive more personalised care, since caregivers can tailor their care to the specific needs of the individual, allowing them to maintain a sense of individuality and uniqueness. Receiving this one-to-one attention while surrounded by familiar settings, people and their own belongings, can dramatically reduce their risks of anxiety and stress in the long term. In many ways, caring for a loved one at home can be a rewarding and meaningful experience, providing a sense of purpose and fulfilment. By taking on the duties of a health care provider, while having a deeper, more personal knowledge of what your loved one needs, you can guard them ones from feelings of loneliness, isolation and even depression. Such ailments are all too common with age, if someone is made to feel alienated in their surroundings or left behind by their family. The privilege and pride to be taken in protecting the elderly from mental illness are often not highlighted enough. In the societal tendency to undervalue older members of our families and communities, those who care for their own are powerful examples of the importance to treasure the worth of any life, up until the moment of death. Choosing to bear this responsibility is sometimes a commitment to many years of patience, kindness and putting time aside for someone who needs extra help, all of which can cost high levels of mental and physical energy. However, while the long-term obligation itself can be a heavy ask, taking small steps to foster the happiness of someone you care for needn’t be a struggle. For one, being an encouraging voice to keep someone company while they engage in a favourite hobby or activity can be a huge source of positivity for so small a gesture. Whether it’s arts and crafts, a short walk around a nearby nature spot, or getting meals ready together, these can all provide essential, gentle exercise and happiness-boosting social time. As well as being beneficial for overall health and mood, these regular reminders of what your loved one enjoys in life further supports their sense of identity, independence and purpose. Engaging each other in a fun task also provides opportunities for intellectual stimulation, which can help prevent depression and cognitive decline. On a good day, you can let them pick the activity and let yourself be carried along by their enthusiasm. Sometimes this will be easier than others, but your encouragement is all the more important on days when low mood and lack of motivation need to be lifted to sustain their mental health and emotional wellness, both of which can ultimately impact the immune system and physical health. These simple gestures of kindness involved in caring for an elderly person hold great significance, particularly in providing emotional support during the difficulty of changes in physical and mental abilities. It can be intimidating to feel isolated and alone, and many older individuals may avoid asking for help, even if they are struggling, out of concern for burdening their loved ones. The easiest way to help is to make sure they don’t have to ask, at least not for daily assistance. © stock.adobe.com/Halfpoint58 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Suzuki e VITARA All we want for Christmas is new cars, new technology and new advancements. These cars all bring it in spades. Excitement on the road LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 59 COUNTY MOTORING Suzuki e VITARA The e VITARA is based on the concept model eVX, which was showcased at the Auto Expo held in India in January 2023, and at the JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW in October of the same year. It marks Suzuki’s first global strategic BEV model. With the concept of Emotional Versatile Cruiser, the e VITARA features a design that combines a sense of advanced technology and strength, a BEV powertrain that delivers a nimble and sharp driving experience, an electric 4WD system ALLGRIP-e that provides not only off-road capability but also powerful performance, and a newly developed platform HEARTECT-e specifically for BEVs. The design theme is High-Tech & Adventure, embodying the advanced feel of a BEV and the robust nature of an SUV, inspiring a sense of adventure. The exterior features a striking design characterized by large-diameter tires and a long wheelbase, while the interior incorporates an integrated display with advanced equipment and tough-looking panels and center console, reflecting the High-Tech & Adventure theme. Renault Emblème (demo car) Responding to the challenges raised by climate change and the conservation of resources, the automotive industry is engaged in a major transformation. The Emblème is based on specifications implementing the principles of eco- design. Engineers and designers worked together to find the best solutions in terms of aerodynamics and efficiency. The result is stunning: an elegant shooting brake 4.80 metres long, placing equal emphasis on styling and interior space. With a 70% reduction in the carbon footprint of its components, 50% recycled materials and almost all of the materials used which can be recycled at the end of their life, Renault Emblème demonstrates the capacity of Ampere and its partners to innovate in order to maximise vehicle decarbonisation in the future. Audi A6 e-tron The state-of-the-art foundations of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) enable the A6 e-tron to reap the benefits of the most advanced electrification technology. The new entry-level model, simply called A6 e-tron, combines a single electric motor delivering up to 326PS (with launch control) to the rear wheels with an 83kWh battery (75.8 kWh net) developed Renault Emblème (demo car) 60 ÁNext >