Opinion

In order to be detained three professionals must carry out a Mental Health Act assessment.

LEGAL EAGLE: The Mental Health Act and how you could be detained by an order Andrew Freckleton

The Leamside Line.

Why new Metro loop and Leamside route should be PM's 'lines of duty' Gary Oliver

A gift left in your Will to the NSPCC can help to fund Childline service and ensure counsellors can be there to ensure young people can get help whenever they need it.

CHILDLINE: Writing the NSPCC into your Will can help keep future generations of ... Darren Worth

Cllr Martin Gannon.

OPINION: Leamside Line and Washington Metro Loop vital to levelling up Cllr Martin Gannon

JULIE ELLIOTT MP: After 13 years of Conservatives in power they are out of ideas... Julie Elliott MP

You will be eligible for legal help in regards to a PLO Process as long as you can provide a copy of the letter addressed to you and a signed legal help form which your solicitor will provide.

LEGAL EAGLE: Legal help is automatic when called by the local authority for a me... Andrew Freckleton

Gary’s victory - now licence payers must have the same BBC freedom David Montgomery

Childline counsellors support young people through whatever they are experiencing, whether that might be neglect, bullying, or physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

CHILDLINE: Counsellors hear from young girls who have found themselves exposed t... Darren Worth

Anna Malia explains the hidden harm of poop.

Why it's time to talk about poop Anna Malia

Using your skill and judgement, which of these buildings do you reckon has lasted 1,324 years longer than the other?

St Peter's beats Glass Centre by just 1,324 years Tony Gillan

Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their own home and in our community. But the Conservatives are soft on crime, and victims are paying the price.

BRIDGET PHILLIPSON MP: The Conservative legacy on crime is criminals being let o... Bridget Phillipson MP

Supermarket tomatoes... another vine mess.

RICHARD ORD: It's our pockets the supermarkets are picking ... not tomatoes Richard Ord

Make sure that you contact a specialist solicitor who should be willing to have a preliminary chat with you for free to obtain more details.

LEGAL EAGLE: Evaluating the expense of making a claim for compensation Andrew Freckleton

Loneliness can be an issue for children. Picture posed by model.

CHILDLINE: Campaign tackles loneliness among children Darren Worth

Does Rishi Sunak even know the price of a pint of milk? Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

KATE OSBORNE MP: Does Prime Minister Rishi Sunak even know the cost of a pint of... Kate Osborne MP

Penshaw Monument.

Proper letter writers beat the social media mob every time Tony Gillan

Rare Disease Day provided the opportunity for us to shine a light on conditions that are lesser known but carry with them complex symptoms and a need for highly specialised treatments.

SHARON HODGSON MP: Rare Disease Day provided opportunity to shine light on lesse... Sharon Hodgson MP

Teachers are using pennies from their own hard-pressed pockets and food from their own cupboards. They’re bending over backwards for the kids in their care. As well as planning lessons and marking homework they are having to add food bank referrals and outreach work to their workload.

KIM McGUINNESS: Schools shouldn’t have to step in to help communities in crisis ... Kim McGuiness

In partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation, Childline has created the Report Remove tool, which allows young people to report images.

CHILDLINE: Online Safety Bill should hold senior tech bosses criminally liable i... Darren Worth

'In the May local elections, voters will for the first time be required to present
photographic identification to cast their vote.'

EMMA LEWELL-BUCK: Tories' unnecessary photo IDs will lock millions out of democr... By The Newsroom

Young people spend more time online at earlier ages than ever before, and while the internet offers many positive opportunities, it can also pose a serious risk. Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Wire

CHILDLINE: Young people must make space for conversations about life online Darren Worth

This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. (U.S. Navy via AP)

RICHARD ORD: Sam Smith versus US warplanes equals 'pop' music Richard Ord

RICHARD ORD: Why my big fat crazy column will leave you mad for more Richard Ord

A 'Deputyship' is applied for where a person does not have mental capacity to make important decisions because, for example, a condition such as dementia, an accident causing a brain injury or a learning disability as there is often a need for someone else to take those decisions on their behalf. Photo posed by model.

LEGAL EAGLE: 'Deputyship' - why you would need to apply for one and how to acqui... Andrew Freckleton

“We save money in the long run because we don’t waste anything and we don’t spend as much time in supermarkets, where we always buy more that we go in for!”

SHAPING UP: Meal box deliveries provide food for thought when time is at a premi... By The Newsroom

“I am worried that she is so angry with me that she will not let me see the baby once he is born. I am also worried that she won’t let me be involved in any important decisions about his care."

LEGAL EAGLE: My ex-partner is having our son but we're not in a good place - wha... By The Newsroom

“By talking about Children of Alcoholics Week, we hope to help break the cycle of secrecy and give young people the confidence to speak up."

CHILDLINE ADVICE: Alcohol can have an incredibly damaging effect on the entire f... By The Newsroom

Is the spelling of 'meters' American or merely wrong?

Don't use Americanisms y’all Tony Gillan

To keep your chocolate biscuits fresh... just add wall.

RICHARD ORD: Caveman solutions that takes the biscuit Richard Ord

"Try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, pulses and wholegrain varieties of bread, rice and pasta."

SHAPING UP: Use National Heart Month to introduce good habits into your lifestyl... By The Newsroom

“Essentially, parental responsibility gives you a right to be involved in any decisions taken in respect of the child. For example, consenting to medical treatment.”

LEGAL EAGLE: I'm not on my child’s birth certificate but I want to have a say in... By The Newsroom

“It is deeply concerning that children are being exposed to misogynistic content that promotes violence against women while they navigate social media."

CHILDLINE ADVICE: Girls are being 'picked on' by boys due to messages online By The Newsroom

Pat Phoenix with Tony Booth whom she married in a dramatic hospital wedding after diagnosis with cancer (photo: Getty Images)

Ruling soap queens who reigned Supreme and lit up our television screens Steve Cain

“The internet is as essential as the utilities in our homes that we often take for granted.”

JULIE ELLIOTT: Broadband price rise will only add to the cost of living crisis By The Newsroom

Richard Ord: On the joys of yoga - scream if you want to stretch further! Richard Ord

Making morning exercise part of your daily routine isn’t easy at first. You’ll have to be disciplined to wake up early. But it just takes a little time and practice to make it a habit.

SHAPING UP: Graham Low

When someone is 'sectioned', this means that, following an assessment, they are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. Being 'sectioned' usually refers to the person being required to stay in hospital for a period of either 28 days for further assessment and treatment (section 2), or a minimum period of six months for medical treatment (section 3).

LEGAL EAGLE: What does it mean to be 'sectioned' under the Mental Health Act? Andrew Freckleton

Veteran children’s TV presenter and maths enthusiast Johnny Ball is supporting this year's Childline Number Day.

CHILDLINE: Number Day – the annual fundraising event where schools can join in Darren Worth

The gallows were once a typical sight (photo: Adobe)

The gruesome business of public execution put under the microscope Andrew Southam

'No teacher wants to strike. No teaching assistant wants less time with the children they help. No headteacher wants to close their school. They go into teaching to improve children’s lives.' Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Wire

BRIDGET PHILLIPSON MP: A Labour government would ensure every child is taught by... Bridget Phillipson MP

Beautiful, bur where on Earth can it be?

The £19,000 River Wear blunder on The Chase leaves our columnist vexed Tony Gillan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. Could their differences with other royals be settled with a pillow fight on a greased up log over a vat of sludge? Only time will tell.

RICHARD ORD: Could Prince Harry deliver a Knockout blow to the royals? Richard Ord

SHAPING UP: Taking small steps to improve your overall health and your quality o... By The Newsroom

“The police will only interview you if they have received a complaint or have a suspicion that you may have been involved in a criminal offence.”

LEGAL EAGLE: The police want to interview me; do I need to take a solicitor with... By The Newsroom

“You could be a hairdresser that notices bruises on a child.”

CHILDLINE ADVICE: Learn more about ways in which you can help to keep children s... By The Newsroom

Coming soon. Cleo's Bar in Park Lane with disco and karaoke.

Good luck to the new karaoke place - and less of the snobbery please Tony Gillan

SHARON HODGSON: Patients are paying the price for 13 years of Conservative misma... By The Newsroom

“My father had suffered a fall and injured his hip but there was no ambulance available due to industrial action so we decided to get to the hospital ourselves.”

LEGAL EAGLE: No ambulance due to industrial action to help my dad who'd fallen; ... By The Newsroom

The fitness challenge everyone is talking about this year is RED January (Run Every Day). The aim is to be active every day in January.

SHAPING UP: Set yourself realistic goals and then use these top tips to stay on ... By The Newsroom

(left to right) Francesca Gonshaw, Gordon Kaye and Vicki Michelle of British sitcom 'Allo 'Allo! (photo: Getty Images)

Why, after four decades, UK remains occupied by risqué sitcom ’Allo ’Allo! Steve Cain

“An estimated 23,000 online child sex offences have been recorded by police forces across England and Wales since the Bill was delayed by the Government’s leadership contests last summer."

CHILDLINE ADVICE: Bill could help tackle online child sex abuse that is now taki... By The Newsroom

“Participants do four simple tasks each day, including drinking two litres of water.”

SHAPING UP: Keep your health and fitness goals simple to get longer lasting resu... By The Newsroom