Opinion

Penshaw Monument lit up red in support of Wear it Red Day back in 2025.

Bridget Phillipson MP: Sunderland will always stand against racism, even if our ...

Check the nutritional information when you buy a coffee and decide what suits you best.

Shaping Up: Are your autumn coffee habits adding more sugar than you think?

You must apply for an extension to a non-molestation order before it expires.

Legal Eagle: How to apply for an extension of a non-molestation order

Taking part in Halloween festivities like trick-or-treating and parties with friends can be an exciting, but also can involve risks.

Childline: Halloween festivities are a fun time for children - but be aware of t...

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to combat those weekend pleasures.

Shaping Up: Is Your Weekend Undoing Your Week of Healthy Habits?

A Nearest Relative is a legal role under section 26 Mental Health Act 1983.

Legal Eagle: Explaining the 'Nearest Relative' term in the Mental Health Act

Ofcom found that more than half of children who game online played sometimes with people they have never met. Photo posed by model

Childline: Gaming companies need to put children's safety at the heart of platfo...

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivering his keynote address to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Photo by Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Sharon Hodgson MP: Youth investment, social care reform and public control: a ne...

If you spend a lot of time watching television, get up during the adverts and have a walk around the house.

Shaping Up: Why you feel stiffer when you stop moving

If no agreement can be reached, seek legal advice.

Legal Eagle: Court will make final decision on access to children if an agreemen...

A young person may carry worries and concerns as they grow up. Photo posed by model

Childline: Increasing number of counselling sessions now involve mental and emot...

Resistance bands can help strengthen muscles, as can using your own body weight or dumbbells.

Shaping Up: Why getting stronger matters more than getting lighter

Bolt cutters - a popular choice for some youths to purchase.

Legal Eagle: Bolt cutters and the Equality Act

Significant changes have not yet been made to block the creation, viewing or sharing of nude material. Photo posed by model

Childline: Call to install nudity blocking technology on children’s smartphones ...

Build up your strength, with resistance bands being useful to do this.

Shaping Up: The autumn reset – five habits to feel better before winter

Anyone affected by the report can contact the team of clinical negligence specialists at Ben Hoare Bell.

Legal Eagle: Local hospital trust admits 20 unnecessary mastectomies
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) has admitted that 20 women underwent mastectomies that, following a review of their care, may not have been necessary.
Andrew Freckleton

The Kindness Challenge initiative runs between Monday, October 5 and Friday, October 9.

Childline: Challenge aiming to spread kindness in school and nurseries

Add 10 minutes doing a workout at home to your daily routine to help maintain your activity.

Shaping Up: Why you feel more tired when you become less active

Ben Hoare Bell LLP has specialist Court of Protection Solicitors who can help. Call 0191 565 3112 or email advice@benhoarebell.co.uk.

Legal Eagle: Explaining a Deprivation of Liberty authorisation and its safeguard...

Childline marks International Day of Sign Languages

A solicitor can write to the other parent, set out the issues and help identify a practical solution.

Legal Eagle: Back to School: When separated parents cannot agree

Despite the benefits of young people being able to connect with friends and family, it also leaves children open to risks.

Childline: New legislation must make mobile phones and tablets safer for young u...

A good, healthy breakfast, such as porridge with fruit, is an ideal way to start the day.

Shaping Up: Five simple ways to beat the back to school slump

The opening inquests were held at Sunderland Coroner's Court.

Legal Eagle: Regulations on carrying out a post-mortem explained

The first two years of a child’s life play a major role in shaping lifelong development and wellbeing. Photo posed by models

Childline: Bill needs to pass to support families during a child’s critical earl...

Meal planning is one of the easiest ways to get back on track.

Shaping Up: Back to school – time to get back to you

You must meet with your Responsible Clinician when your Community Treatment Order is being renewed. Photo posed by models

Legal Eagle: What is a Community Treatment Order (CTO)?
A Community Treatment Order (CTO) is a legal framework that allows a person to leave the hospital and receive supervised mental health treatment in the community instead of remaining detained in a psychiatric ward.
Andrew Freckleton

Giovanna Fletcher, chatted with a Childline practitioner on her Happy Mum podcast for the Back to School campaign.

Childline: Tackling your child’s anxiety and uncertainty when they return to sch...

A bike ride can be the ideal way to get back moving when you return from holiday.

Shaping Up: Back from holiday? Here's how to get back on track

Speaking in confidence to the free NSPCC Helpline can be the first step to help families to move forward.

Childline: Helpline handled record number of child welfare contacts where main c...

The start of the Great North Run, which is only weeks away. Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Shaping Up: Training for the Great North Run? Don't forget recovery

The new law is welcome, but it is not quite as beneficial to survivors as it may appear.

Legal Eagle: Time limit for child abuse claims removed

Results day, the period running up to it and days after can be difficult, assure them they are not alone. Photo posed by models

Childline: Helping young people through the anxiety and uncertainty of what thei...

Being part of a supportive community makes it easier to stay consistent because people encourage you.

Shaping Up: Why community is becoming the biggest fitness trend

Mediation can assist parties to reach an agreement a lot quicker, and at less expense. Photo posed by models

Legal Eagle: Mediation can assist parties to reach an agreement and should be co...

While the online gaming community can help young people to stay connected with friends, it can bring some risks. Photo posed by model

Childline: Help your child stay safe when they take part in online gaming

Helping in the garden, with the watering or tidying up is a great activity.

Shaping Up: Five easy ways to keep the kids active during the school holidays

Outside the Supreme Court in central London. Photo by Niklas Halle'n/AFP via Getty Images

Legal Eagle: The AGNI effect – a new world for the DOLS procedure

Childline’s volunteer counsellors offer advice and support both online and over the phone.

Childline: Forty years since being founded by Dame Esther Rantzen, our mission r...

Enjoy the food and stop when you feel satisfied. Photo posed by model

Shaping Up: How to enjoy the all inclusive without overdoing it

Understanding of the law around finances and property when divorced.

Legal Eagle: Guidance on the financial ties when couples are divorced

Planning will give them a sense of control and freedom and help you both schedule the days. Photo posed by models

Childline: Make a visual timetable to help plan the children’s summer schedule t...

If you have a barbecue on Saturday, enjoy it, then get back to your normal routine at the next meal.

Shaping Up: Why healthy living gets easier once you stop chasing perfection

The former Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham.

Legal Eagle: Abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre ignored due to the status of vi...

Family photos make great memories, but it is important to remember the dangers when sharing on social media. Photo posed by models

Childline: Take care when sharing family photos on social media accounts

The launch of Labour's general election manifesto in June 2024, which MP Sharon Hodgson says has led to many changes for the better. Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

Sharon Hodgson MP: Two years on: the difference a Labour Government makes

Dehydration is a common issue when feeling tired and low on energy during warm weather.

Shaping Up: Why you feel more tired in hot weather

For separated parents, it is common to wonder whether you need permission, or a Court Order, before taking your child abroad on holiday.

Legal Eagle: The pitfalls facing separated parents at holiday time

More than 3,300 counselling sessions were delivered last year to young people concerned about body image and eating disorders. Photo posed by model

Childline: Support available for those worried about their body image or eating ...

Schools in Sunderland will face a legal limit on branded uniform: no more than three compulsory branded items, plus a branded tie in secondary schools.

Bridget Phillipson MP: No parent should be priced out at the school gates – and ...

The start of the Great North Run, which is only two months away. Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Shaping Up: Five things I wish every first time Great North Run runner knew

Donna Ockenden during a press conference following the publication of the former midwife's independent report into maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust. Photo by Jacob King/PA Wire

Legal Eagle: Ockenden Report represents a damning assessment of patient safety f...

NSPCC Sport has an all-new website at sport.nspcc.org.uk.

Childline: NSPCC Sport helping create safe and inclusive environments so childre...

Water plays a role in almost every function of the body and without enough of it, your body cannot perform at its best.

Shaping Up: Why water is the most underrated health tool

Legal protection is available for the victims of domestic abuse. Photo posed by models

Legal Eagle: Legal protection for victims of domestic abuse

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