THE BLOG
Bluebells
We went looking for Bluebells in Leicestershire today. RB thinks they may be a couple of weeks yet as there was still snow on Burrough Hill!
Mair Health Tweets
We have just started using Twitter again, so check us out @mairhealth
Culturebabies in Manchester
Great ongoing work in the North West linking babies with museums and galleries. Check out the new Culturebabies blog
Jake Connor McCarthy
Jake McCarthy was an exceptional person and he is sadly missed every day.
Song of the day
Check this out – worth a listen
Swannington
Oh, and don’t forget the Christmas Market on Sunday 2nd December at Houge Mill, 4pm – 7pm!
Swannington Heritage Trust
We are working with Swannington Heritage Trust to look at developing the offer for under 5s and improving links with local children’s centres. We spent a happy couple of hours looking at the railway incline, goarse meadow, old pits and spectacular windmill. What the volunteers have achieved is remarkable and really exciting. Check it out here
Thanks..
..to Mary, the lovely welsh woman who showed great kindness yesterday. Liz went for lunch with no money for the food or car park. Mary didn’t hesitate to pay for the both. Diolch yn fawr!
What we are reading and listening to
BOOKS: Siddartha, Herman Hesse; Cosmopolis, Don DeLillo; A Possible Life, Sebastian Faulks
MUSIC: Alt J, Cold Mountain Soundtrack, David Kitt, David Bowie
Linking museums and culture with children’s centres
We are currently involved in another project to build links between local museums and culture with families who use the children’s centres in Leicestershire. We know from research and previous work that these spaces are rich in learning opportunities for parents and under fives, and are often fun and free. Check out Ashby de la Zouch Castle. Although there is a charge for this one, under fives go free. A great place to visit on a nice day.
MAIR Health in New York
Liz recently went to New York and checked out some of the museums and galleries for suitability for under fives. The one where they seemed to be having the most fun was the Natural History Museum
Congratulations to the Early Years Team in Manchester Museum and The Whitworth
Excellent work to improve provision to very young children and their families at the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum has recently been recognised. The partnership in Manchester were joint winner of the 2012 Clore award for museum learning. Check the link here which outlines the work and prize. We were involved in evaluating the provision, and were bowled over by the passion and drive shown by the team, who aim to improve links with local communites
Bradley Wiggins
Were very excited about the Tour de France results and looking forward to the Olympics
Margaret Rees Mair
On the 10th May 2012 Liz’s dear mum died. She was a great woman, intelligent, resourceful, caring, hard working, positive and truly happy with her lot. She will be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. Liz would like to thank all of her family, friends and colleagues who are providing love and understanding. Margaret’s chosen charity was NSPCC, so if you are looking for a charity this is a good one!.
Song to check out
We’re listening to this in the office at the moment – check it out, Looper 77, 0ldie but goldie!
Favourite author of the moment
In the office at the moment we are enjoying SELF by Yann Martel, weird but good!
Shout out to Alice Taylor
Good luck Alice in your new role in London Town!
Supporting Parent Volunteers in Leicestershire
The programme of goal setting and confidence building is now coming to an end. We have really enjoyed working with parents and the evaluation today showed that the volunteers enjoyed and benefited from the Confidence Workshop we ran
Early Years Arts and Culture programme in Manchester
We’ve just completed and evaluation of the very early years work at the Manchester Museum and The Whitworth Art Gallery. Keep a look out for the new website promoting what’s on, it’s a really exciting and innovative programme
COACHING PARENTS
We are currently working with parent volunteers to support the important work they do to develop the children’s centre programmes. We are helping parents develop goals and identify what they need to do to reach the goals.
WE WANT TO TALK TO CHILDREN UNDER FIVE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR PARENTS AND CARERS
We are just starting a project looking at how to make children’s centres more appealing and accessible to under 5s with disabilities, their parents and carers. If you have any views or ideas please contact us
GOOD EARLY YEARS WORK IN MANCHESTER IS RECOGNISED
Congratulations to the team who have been long listed for the Clore award for the early years work. Check out the blog!
UNDER TWOS IN MANCHESTER
can now benefit for the specialist provision at the Manchester Museum and Whitworth Art gallery. We are now coming to the end of evaluating the provision and have some really interesting findings which show under 2s, their parents and carers like and benefit from attending sessions linked to the exhibitions.
BLOG & WEBSITE EVALUATION
We are now undertaking a really interesting project which involves evaluating a blog and website. Our findings will be used to develop of the use of the blog, develop good practice guidelines and increase use and function of the website. This is a growing area with huge potential to help facilitate communication and the sharing of information.
RECENT projects
We are currently involved in evaluating the provision for under 2s, their parents and carers at the Mancester Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery. This is a very rewarding and enjoyable project and we are establishing some very useful and interesting findings.
We are also involved in reviewing a community service provider team in the midlands.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
We would like to wish you all a happy and healthy 2012. These are some of our resolutions; to be more active, to go to see more live bands, to practice mindfulness and live in the moment
EVALUATING provision for under 3 year olds
This is a really interesting document that was recommended to us recently, sics-ziko-manual. Although designed for care settings it can be applied to any early years setting. Continue reading
MOODOMETER
This Moodometer app has been recommended to us here at MAIR HEALTH. Thanks Emma!
MAIR HEALTH in Manchester
Mair Health and Mair Education are delighted to be working with Manchester Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery. Over the coming months we will be evaluating the Museum and Gallery offer to the under 2 age group. This is really exciting and important work. Not only is visiting museums and galleries fun, recent evidence shows that “in the early life period, interactions and experiences determine whether a child’s brain architecture provides a strong or weak foundation for future health, wellbeing and development” ; Families in the Foundation Years, 2011 DfE, DH
CultureBaby
Check out the work of CultureBaby on the website. The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Museum and Manchester City Galleries are working together to highlight innovative cultural practice with the under twos.
MUSIC is good for the soul
Here at Mair Health we believe that music is important, and recognise that it contributes to our emotional health and wellbeing. Check this out, from Blue Sky Black Death.
MAIR HEALTH supports the BHF Robin Hood Bike Ride 2011
This year we are supporting a rider in the 36 mile off road challenge through Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park. Funds raised will support the British Heart Foundation. If you want more information and would like to donate, please click on the link DONATE NOW. Good luck Adam!
MAIR HEALTH supports Movember
Issues around men’s health are often ignored. The aim of Movember is to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate, testicular and other cancers. Check out the website and see how you can help.
Emotional wellbeing
This week we’ve been planning the delivery of emotional wellbeing services. This got us thinking about all the things that we can do to promote good emotional and mental health. Here are some ideas we came up with; GO FOR A WALK, TALK TO FRIENDS, WATCH A FILM, FIND A HOBBY, DO SOMETHING FOR OTHERS. The New Economics Foundation is a good website to look at for tips and ideas.
Facilitating an event
This week Liz is preparing to facilitate an event in the North. This will involve working with a group of stakeholders to ensure services are planned and work well together, to avoid duplication and make the best use of resources.
FUN AND FAMILIES
Today Liz is working with a charity, Fun and Families, looking at their marketing strategy. They are a Leicestershire based charity and do great work to promote parenting and positive behaviour in children and young people. 22nd August 2011
IMAGES
We’ve been looking at these images by Deborah Bird artist. These beautiful paper and ice sculptures are photographed through a variety of light sources.
Big Society
There is a chance for community groups to get money to develop projects that contribute to developing a Big Society. Funding is available on application from Leicestershire County Council
Developing a bid
This week Liz has been working on a project led by fellow consultants. This has involved research and developing service models with the client
Mair Health and Mair Education are working together
Mair Health and Mair Education are working with groups to help them develop projects and find funding. This is all about being part of The Big Society.
Welcome to MAIR HEALTH
Welcome to MAIR HEALTH
This is our new website! let us know what you think.