Autism Warrior: Russell LehmannAward-winning motivational speaker, poet, author, and advocate, who continues to overcome his personal struggles with autism to travel the world and share his knowledge, compassion, and hope.

In 2003, eleven-year-old Russell was admitted to the psychiatric ward at his local city hospital and stayed for five weeks. Later that fall, he was diagnosed with autism after years of developmental and behavioral symptoms without answers. Despite starting the journey towards proper treatment, Russell still struggled.

He dropped out of public school in the fifth grade and pretty much became a recluse for the next decade, battling incapacitating OCD, tumultuous panic attacks, and severe depressive episodes. He almost lost his life to anorexia and was admitted to two more psychiatric wards at 21 and 25. At the height of his distress, he was practically non-verbal, petrified of speaking to anyone other than his parents.

Any external stimuli was terrifyingthe ring of the doorbell, the TV being on, the beep of the microwave. He felt like a prisoner in his own body and was extremely low-functioning.

Now, at 28, Russell is an award-winning and internationally recognized autism advocate. He has written two books, On the Outside Looking In: My Life on the Autism Spectrum and Inside Out: Stories and Poems from an Autistic Mind, the first of which was released in April 2019. His passion to be a voice for the unheard drives him to continue writing and speaking, especially due to his intimate understanding of the frustration of going unnoticed.

He works towards erasing the stigma and stereotypes that come with having a disability, and his efforts have led to being named Reno-Tahoes Most Outstanding Young Professional Under 40 in 2018. He has lectured for the prestigious Kings College of London and his story is archived in the Library of Congress as well.

Russell considers his greatest achievement becoming a functioning member of society, as well as the personal development it required. Hed always been driven to overcome any obstacle in his path, but hed never expected he would come as far as he did, believing hed be dependent on his parents forever. Even at 22, he needed his moms company to walk to the mailbox.

However, he pushed himself out of his comfort zone over and over to become a more well-rounded and adaptable person. While he greatly appreciates his career success and acknowledgment, nothing compares to looking back on his life and seeing just how much hes grown.

Russells biggest inspiration is his daily struggle. Every day is still a fight. He never wants to portray himself as someone who reached personal and career success and no longer has any problems in terms of mental health or autism. Rather, he wants to emphasize how he found success through his challenges and how his perseverance bolsters his understanding of himself and others.

He sees how much pain and silent suffering is in the world, and it makes him ever more passionate about spreading lasting compassion, understanding, and the importance of broadening ones sense of perspective. He believes the most valuable of lifes lessons and insights are hidden within its trials.

Career-wise, Russell has only been in the public eye for about two and a half years, and though he has achieved more in that time than he ever dreamed of, hes just getting started. He hopes to turn his advocacy into activism at some point in the future. Yet, sometimes he gets too caught up in advancing his career and takes a moment to prioritize his personal goal: to find peace of mind in contentment.

While happiness is a gift of the moment and thus more of a privilege, he believes everyone deserves to be content. He has already won at the game of life and views it as a moral obligation to pass his knowledge on so others may do the same much faster than he did. When he recalls how he was given no resources, interventions, or supports other than the love of his family, he wants ensure others will have more.

Russells biggest advice is to trust in the journey. Do not doubt yourself or question if you are on the right path. Rather, have conviction that the path you are on is, and will always be, the only path, therefore making it impossible to step foot on the wrong path, he said. Living with autism can be brutal, but he believes the heaviest burdens are only given to those with the strength to carry them.

For parents, he believes if you do something out of love, you can never go wrong no matter the outcome, so lead with your heart and parental instinct. You know your child better than anyone else; this makes you the professional, not a doctor or therapist. Embrace your loved ones and embrace the ups and downs of life. He also recommends remembering this comforting quote from an anonymous author: Everything will be okay in the end, and if its not okay, then its not the end.

Website: http://www.theautisticpoet.com

Facebook: fb.com/lehmann.russell

Instagram:www.instagram.com/autism_advocate

Twitter: twitter.com/Russell_Lehmann

Email: Russell_lehman@yahoo.com

This article was featured inIssue 92 Developing Social Skills for Life

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Multi-Talented Man with Autism Spreads Hope and Awareness - Autism Parenting Magazine

Before his team played its preseason finale Friday night, Brett Brown labeled the game as something approximating a dress rehearsal. But, unless a flurryof unexpected misfortunehits the Sixers before their regular-season opener Wednesday night vs. the Celtics, Furkan Korkmaz will not start, as he did against the Wizards in place of Ben Simmons (out with back tightness).

It does appear, however, that the Turkish wing will play legitimate minutes early this season. Brown seemed to confirm as much before the Sixers' 112-93 loss, talking about Korkmazs progress and resilience in glowing terms.

The Sixers declined Korkmazs third-year option last season, then ultimately re-signedthe 22-year-old in late July.

I am [looking for him to contribute]. And I dont want to be harsh about itthats what hes gotta do," Brown said of where Korkmaz finds himself now after his struggles last year. "Thats part of life in the NBA. Its not like hes an established player. This is not the league for the weak.

He should go to Europe if that was going to dismember his spirit. Hes great people, and hes fighting to stay in the league, hes fighting to get minutes hes fighting. Thats the phase and the stage that the young man is at, and I give him credit for not blinking. He just didnt go away. Now, here he is.

Browns answer was impassioned, and his words weren't bogus. But Korkmazs character and attitude alone dont warrant a spot in the Sixers rotation. He started Fridayfor one primary reason the notion that he is an outside shooter.

Though Brown praised Korkmazs defense and his maturation, the Sixers head coach also said this:

Were always just trying to mine shooters. Youre trying to find and mine and help cultivate shooters. If he is anything, he is that.

Korkmaz has, in fact, not been a good shooter at the NBA level. Hes shot 38.8 percent from the field in 62 NBA regular-season games, 32.3 percent from three-point range. After a 2-for-9 performance Friday, he finished 10 for 25 overall during the preseason, 4 for 13 from behind the arc.

The concept of Korkmaz filling a three-point shooting void after JJ Redicks move to the Pelicans is, on its face, appealing tothe Sixers. Korkmaz has a pretty shot; hes done well in international play; he had an incredible July night last year in Las Vegas, scoring 40 points in a summer-league game.

Perhaps those hints of promise will translate to the NBA. However, if theres an assumption that Korkmazs identity as a shooter makes him worthy of a rotation spot, it would be misguided.

There are alternatives in that mix for bench wing minutes, though theyre also young and unproven in the NBA.

Shake Milton, a two-way player last year,has played both at point guard and on the wing during the preseason. The SMU product, who averaged 24.9 points in 27 G-League games as a rookie, is a more advanced playmaker and a superior defender to Korkmaz.

The 23-year-old told NBC Sports Philadelphia he hasnt been given an indication yet of his regular-season role.

No, he said. My job is just to come in and do whatever the team needs me to do. Ive kind of been flip-flopping during practice. Ive just got to do whatever the team needs me to do, bottom line. Guard and either make plays for others or be ready to knock down shots and score.

This time last year, Milton was returning to competitive basketball aftermissing summer league because of a stress fracture in his back. He acknowledged Friday night he feels more explosive, and hes looked it, showing off a burst on the fast break that wasnt present early last season.

I feel like its been a huge jump, personally, he said. For one, the confidence that I have out there, my body feels good, feel physically ready. I go out there with confidence, my teammates have confidence in me, the coaches have confidence in me. Just going out there and being fearless.

Zhaire Smith, meanwhile, has been seen exclusively in garbage time this preseason. Just as Korkmazs shooting or Miltons versatility might be attractive to Brown, one would think Smiths pogo stick athleticism and penchant for on-ball defense could boost his stock.

That hasnt been the case, with Smiths novel of a rookie year one that included a broken foot, a severe allergic reaction and jumpers with tubes in his stomach putting him behind Milton and Korkmaz at the moment, in Browns eyes.

Hes expecting me to develop all around, Smith said Friday of Browns expectations. Last year we tried to develop, but then obviously I had the setback. He feels like this is my rookie year, like this is [about] development.

The perspective that this season should be centered on learning and personal growth for Smith is fair enough. So is the idea that Korkmaz might have unique value for the Sixers.

He hasnt delivered it yet, though. The Sixers would, in this writers view, be wise not to let their vision of his potential block out other options.

Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.

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Sixers' vision of what Korkmaz could be shouldn't lead them to block out other options - NBCSports.com

Nearly a quarter of secondary schools in North Yorkshire are falling behind the required standard, the education watchdog says.

Of the 43 schools in the area, Ofsted rates four as inadequate, its lowest mark, while six require improvement, as of 30 September.

Its latest figures list 12 as outstanding and 21 as good.

The regulator visits all new schools, including academies, within three years of opening.

Inspectors judge them on categories including the quality of teaching, personal development and welfare, the effectiveness of the leadership and pupils achievement.

Schools requiring improvement will be inspected again within 30 months, while those rated inadequate now face mandatory conversion into academies, funded directly by central government.

In North Yorkshire, there are 367 schools registered with Ofsted including primaries, 18 of which are rated inadequate while 39 require improvement meaning 16% overall are below standard.

This is, though, slightly below the 19% average for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Across England, 20% of all schools were classed as outstanding, 66% good, 10% requires improvement and 4% inadequate.

But with more than 1,000 outstanding state schools going without an inspection in a decade, the National Education Union warned this did not accurately reflect the quality of education they offer.

Dr Mary Bousted, the unions joint general secretary, said: The fact that some schools havent been inspected for over 10 years demonstrates that the information Ofsted provides is misleading at best and may be downright wrong.

The Department for Education recently announced it will consult on plans to remove the exemption for outstanding schools, a move Ofsted says it welcomes.

A DfE spokeswoman added: This Government is committed to providing world-class education for all students.

Teachers and school leaders are helping to drive up standards right across the country, with 85% of children now in good or outstanding schools compared to just 66% in 2010.

Link:
Nearly quarter of North Yorkshire secondary schools are inadequate or require improvement Ofsted figures - The Scarborough News

Its important to understand the data you have available to give you insights into the priorities, and then it is important to ask people how they think and feel about the priorities, Ekkelenkamp says. This includes cultural surveys, engagement and sick leave data.

Once a business understands how it can measure these elements, there are lots of opportunities for workplaces to take a proactive approach to managing mental health.

These include interventions aimed to protect everyone in the business, specific interventions targeted to higher risk work groups, and interventions that are inclusive and are aimed to reduce the impact of mental ill health where it does occur.

icare relationship manager Adam OLeary travels around the state supporting employers and helping them implement good mental health practices. He says that workplace harassment and bullying is the most common cause of mental health claims in NSW.

OLeary says its not easy to manage these claims. They can be quite personal in nature and can create a challenging working environment, especially when a direct accusation has been made against a colleague or manager.

icare relationship manager Adam O'Leary says that workplace harassment and bullying is the most common cause of mental health claims in NSW. Credit:icare

Mental health research centre The Black Dog Institutes data shows depression and anxiety are the most common psychological injuries in the workforce. In certain high-risk occupations, you may also see elevated levels of PTSD and substance abuse, says Dr Aimee Gayed from Black Dog Institutes Workplace Mental Health Research Program.

She says organisations have a responsibility regardless of the cause of a workers mental illness to support their staff through a period of mental ill health and provide an environment free of stigma.

It is important upper management model accepting and supportive behaviours towards staff who are experiencing mental ill health, and provide evidence-based training for their managers if they are uncertain how to support staff, she says.

Strategies managers can implement include initiating conversations about mental illness as soon as it becomes known an employee is unwell. Its also important to maintain contact with employees regularly during periods of ill health because there are many benefits to taking a proactive approach to mental health.

When workplaces support the mental health needs of staff and better manage mental health risk factors present in the workplace, we see an increase in health and productivity and a reduction in absence. Workers are also more able to stay at work or return to work sooner from a period of leave for mental health reasons than those who are not supported, she adds.

Credit Union Australia (CUA) is a great example of a business that has taken a planned and proactive approach to good mental health in the workplace. They looked at their data and consulted with their people and have specific solutions for their needs, says Ekkelenkamp.

PwC research has found financial services has a high incidence of mental health issues, which is one reason why CUA takes a proactive approach to supporting good mental health.

CUAs senior safety health and wellbeing business partner Vanessa De Amicis explains the frontline role its team members play during stressful times in their customers lives is one reason why its important to support employees mental health.

The financial services sector has a high incidence of mental health issues, says PwC research. Credit:Getty

When youre buying a house, going through a divorce or after a death, one of the first steps is getting your finances in order. We also work in a highly regulated environment and understanding how banking and insurance works is complex. So our workplace is inherently stressful. As a credit union, mutual good is part of our purpose and values. So we have a genuine interest in caring for our peoples mental health, she adds.

CUAs program recognises people's mental health is impacted by many aspects such as relationships, physical health and also personal development. So it has a multi-pronged approach to supporting staff mental health and wellbeing.

It provides team members with access to the Headspace mindfulness mobile app and conducts health assessments to identify people who are at risk of declining mental health (as well as physical health). It also gives staff access to a mental health portal full of great information, tools and resources. Additionally, it trains leaders to have evidence-based, structured conversations with team members to support good mental health practices across the business.

CUA measures how effective its actions are in relation to supporting good mental health. Thanks to its focus on this issue, 79 per cent of its people believe it is proactive in supporting their wellbeing.

Ultimately, says Ekkelenkamp, good mental health in the workplace all comes down to culture. It's important to make it okay to talk about mental health and to ensure leaders are appropriately equipped to have good conversations with their teams, especially when people work remotely and are less likely to have traditional relationships with leaders. Its also essential not just to support people when they're unwell but to prevent mental health problems from developing in the first place, she adds.

There are dividends for businesses that get this right. A more engaged workforce and a workforce that feels supported, regardless of what's happening in their life, are just a few.

This leads to operational benefits such as longer tenure and higher productivity, as well as lower workers' compensation costs and reduced sick leave. Moreover, focusing on protecting and promoting mental health not only makes good business sense, it makes good sense from a community perspective as well.

Do you want to make workplace safety a priority for your business? icare can partner with you to offer valuable strategies to reduce the risk of physical and psychological injuries in the workplace.

For more info visit https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/prevention

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Creating a mentally healthy workplace - Sydney Morning Herald

When Dave Anderson started Famous Daves in Hayward, Wis., 25 years ago, his plan was to smoke up a couple cases of ribs and then go fishing. He had no idea that people would drive 100 miles to eat ribs, brisket and corn muffins. At its peak, the barbecue chain grew to 200 locations across the country. It is now at more than 130 locations in 33 states and three countries. After a period of revolving CEOs who paid little attention to Andersons core beliefs, he says current CEO Jeff Crivello has put the restaurant chain back on track. Its smaller, neighborhood-focused restaurants are still using original recipes side by side with healthier alternatives. The two sat down for an interview last week at the corporate office in Minnetonka:

Q: Dave, when you started your first restaurant in Hayward 25 years ago, did anyone tell you that barbecue was not really an upper Midwestern thing?

Anderson: They did more than just tell me that. They laughed. When we were building the first one, people would drive up and say, What are you doing? Id say Im building a rib joint and theyd say Are you crazy? Theres nothing but Swedes and Norwegians up here in Hayward. Nobody knows what a barbecue joint is here. Why arent you doing this in Nashville, Memphis or Kansas City? Who knew that by the end of the summer in a town of 2,000 people, we were serving almost 6,000 a week.

Q: What convinced you that it could succeed?

Anderson: I had a cabin up there and would hold backyard barbecue parties and at some point people would come and say, Anderson, why arent you selling this? You should open up a restaurant. I dont think I ever thought it would grow until people starting poking me in the chest and saying, When are you putting one of these in my town?

Q: Competition is fierce among restaurants, whether its barbecue, pizza or burgers. Smokey Bones, Tona Roma, TGI Fridays and Chilis are hurting. How do you stay alive?

Crivello: Competition has become brutal in the last 10 years. As the market has evolved from full service to counter service, the quality of the food has been downgraded in most counter-serve models. Were going to stick to the great food weve always served for 25 years. When Dave started he said someone must be willing to drive 100 miles to have the ribs or another favorite and that has helped us stand the test of time.

Q: How is barbecue different from pizza or burgers?

Anderson: Barbecue typically has more of an everyday appeal down South. So we have to offer just plain good food.

Crivello: Weve added turkey, doughnuts, salads, bowls, and Beyond Meat to cast a wider net. Were trying to attract a lower age demographic. Theyre the ones buying the non-barbecue items. But we have core items that we dont mess with called the third rail ribs, brisket and corn muffins.

Q: Jeff, what kind of an imprint has Dave made on Famous Daves that does not relate to food?

Crivello: Both Dave and his family have made huge philanthropic efforts, giving millions of dollars to work with Native American schools and at-risk youth in inner-city and rural areas. Hes brought the management team to personal development seminars called Life Skills. Our general managers tenure, at 10-years plus, is unheard of in this business.

Anderson: I grew up on the west side of Chicago never thinking I could succeed in life. I was like the dumbest kid in class with Native American parents. There were a lot of struggles in my early years. I always felt a need to pay it forward. I realized that if we were going to be successful, we had to grow people who genuinely believed they could be successful. Our training program put the focus on people rather than the history and products. Most companies say, Heres our product line and our goal, and they tap you on the butt and say Go get em tiger. We created leadership from the heart.

Q: Dave, how did you get into barbecue?

Anderson: I never got into it as much as I was born into it. When my dad, whos from Oklahoma, married my mom after the war in 1945, they moved to Chicago because thats where all the jobs were. My dad used to haul my mom down south every other weekend to learn how to make fried chicken. That was the intensity for barbecue. I knew my family was different because when all the other kids were going out for burgers and pizza, we went to the south side of Chicago for rib tips. I can remember eating at Lems Bar-B-Q, a black-owned barbecue joint at 59th and State Street as early as 1959.

Q: Jeff, how are you celebrating the anniversary?

Crivello: Were doing Famous Deals with $3 burgers on Mondays, $2 ribs on Tuesdays, $4 pork sandwiches on Wednesdays and $5 hand-breaded chicken sandwiches on Thursdays.

Q: Dave, what does Jeff bring to the table?

Anderson: First, he grew up eating Famous Daves. Hes willing to take on the hard stuff to become a stronger company. For any restaurant to be around 25 years is not so much a testament of what happens in the ivory tower but what happens in the restaurants. Jeff and I both realize that the most important people in the company are the ones that are belly to belly with our guests.

Originally posted here:
BBQ and doughnuts: Famous Dave and the CEO who turned things around - Star Tribune

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has sponsored the school as a lead partner alongside Heathrow Airport Ltd and Brunel University.

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is currently working at Heathrow to upgrade key elements of the airports infrastructure including taxiways, a number of landside roads and car parks. The partnership with UTC Heathrow will provide opportunities for young people to enhance their skills and development in local communities where it works.

The company will work in partnership with UTC Heathrow to help run a variety of programmes to provide students with real project-based learning experiences and personal development skills essential for employment pathways.Their commitment to UTC Heathrow will also include funding for the provision of essential equipment and resources, offer work experience placements, as well as contributing employees time in school for mentoring and practical project learning.

Simon Smith, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, commented: We are delighted to support this innovative school as a Lead Partner and privileged to be able to help positively influence the students and their lives after education. We are keen to share our success with students to help them achieve all they want in their future careers.

We are very grateful to Lord Baker for his sterling work as chair and co-founder of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, and Wayne Edwards, Principal UTC Heathrow, for the opportunity of this partnership. Our own teams benefit greatly from the relationship and we look forward to playing our part within this fantastic school.

Michael Halliday, head of employer engagement strategy at the Activate Learning Education Trust which manages the Heathrow UTC, said: We are delighted to be working with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure in building the engineering skills pipeline and in developing innovative ways in which young people are prepared for the world of work.

With the experience that the Morgan Sindall Infrastructure team brings, we will together foster an environment where we transform young peoples lives through learning.

Wayne Edwards, principal at UTC Heathrow, added: We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure to help support the education of young people in the Hillingdon area. Students here will benefit from developing the employability skills and plugging the skills gap that we have currently in the UK.

These skills will help support the students moving forward in their future whether they go to University, into an apprenticeship or employment.

Link:
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure partners with UTC Heathrow - Planning, BIM & Construction Today

I thought I knew about feminism. I had the word FEMINIST written in black marker pen across the front of my homework diary aged 15, along with an anti-war sticker that incongruously involved a cupcake. I had graduated from the girl power of my primary school years to reading Germaine Greer on a beanbag in the college library. I felt sorry for the girls in sixth form getting Brazilians, who, unlike my enlightened self, clearly hadnt clocked that waxing was a tool of patriarchal oppression. I studied feminist theory, went to feminist gatherings and listened to feminist podcasts. I had spent several evenings sitting cross-legged at a collective organised by other middle-class, university-educated women talking about intersectionality and Frida Kahlo. By the time I graduated from university, I had firmly absorbed a list of the correct ideas and words that I needed to be a proper feminist (but was probably not someone you wanted to invite to a dinner party).

In 2015, two years after graduating, I began a job working in a high-security womens prison. I had read enough statistics and policy reports before I started to know that women in prisons were in desperate need of a little female empowerment. But what I quickly learned was that my feminist education had a thick wedge of information missing: namely, the part where it connected to actual women being very fundamentally oppressed because of their gender. Confronted by someone whose cervix had been plugged with four egg-sized capsules of crack cocaine on the behest of a controlling boyfriend who would reap the profits, I found it difficult to work out quite how my Frida Kahlo T-shirt and mansplaining radar were going to help things.

I quickly learned that my feminist education had a thick wedge of information missing

Women in prison are a group statistically likely to be on the wrong side of almost any curve: to have grown up in areas of deprivation and be victims of childhood sexual exploitation, sexual and domestic violence, domestic homicide and homelessness. Half of women in prison are there for committing a crime to support someone elses drug habit almost always a mans. For some, this crime is selling sex from pavements, or soliciting; for plenty of others it is professional shoplifting, known as grafting. This means pocketing anything from fillet steak to mascara to be resold round the houses. In the months leading up to Christmas, shopping lists are collected in pubs for toys and gifts to be stolen on request and sold cut-price. Women are sent out on these grafting missions because they are seen as less conspicuous than men.

Needless to say, I was very green in my first few months in prison. I worked between the education and chaplaincy departments and the majority of my time was spent running art classes to help women with their personal development and self-expression.

I had been helping to run a soup kitchen, and lived at a community house where we gave homeless people emergency shelter in our spare room, so I had naively thought the problems would feel familiar. It was so different, though, when those issues unstable housing, addiction and abuse were condensed in the prison, packed into classrooms and three metre by two metre cells.

In one session, we asked the women to make an A3 map of their lives from torn-up magazines. The collage would show a road that meandered from their past experiences to future goals. Almost every road began with bottles of vodka, syringes and shadowy characters, and almost every one ended with symmetrical houses and white wedding dresses and Laura Ashley sofas. I had spiked the magazine pile with my partners railway-modelling magazines and glossy Sunday supplements in the hope of inspiring something different a new job, an interesting hobby, some travel, perhaps? but to little avail. What else would you be doing in the future? I asked Cathy*, looking at the scenes of domesticity she aspired to. Youve been writing some beautiful poetry about your experiences, I told her. I could help you get them published as part of a campaign for prison reform.

Cathy was about my age (29) but since leaving the care system had only known the control of either a man or the state. She, like many others, was a shoplifter and was frequently in and out of prison for theft and drug possession. It will be finding the one that will get me out of my mess, she said. He will look after me and keep people away who come round trying to sell me gear [heroin] again.

Cathys was an oft-told story. She had been prevented from seeing her children by social services because she couldnt stop seeing an abusive partner. He kept coming round and, against her best judgment, she opened the door.

What I wanted to say was that she didnt need a man to straighten her life out for her, that she had everything she needed inside of her (life advice that works best when Instagrammed over a picture of a thin white girl walking into a sunset).

In time I came to realise that she was probably right. Ambition and independence are a good deal further up the hierarchy of need than security. Its pretty realistic to assume that the quickest way to ward off a coercive and abusive man is to find another man who is kinder and stronger to stand in the way.

Prison changed my attitude to sex work, too. The jail had just appointed its first female governor and she was keen to put feminism on the agenda for International Womens Day that year. My projects (I had previously hosted a lecture by a non-binary Mars astronaut, run a workshop on gender-neutral pronouns and started a choir that sang protest songs) that would have been met with eye-rolls before her arrival were now enthusiastically scheduled: a showing of the film Made in Dagenham followed by a debate on the gender pay gap. The learning and skills department was running a concurrent visit from a local museum, featuring artefacts from the suffragette movement.

I had engaged with ideological debates on the topic of sex work before, of course I had. I knew that to question whether sex work is really like any other work would make you a dreaded swerf (sex worker exclusionary radical feminist) and like the patriarchy is an attempt to control what women do with their bodies. People dont need rescuing, the theory goes, they need rights and unions.

I had assumed that sex work was well paid. Most women could only keep 10%

Phoebe was the first to speak after I had introduced the topic of equal pay and sexism in the workplace. She was, as many of the women in prison were, on the game. She worked as an escort, managing her business online, so she could charge her own prices and didnt need to rely on a pimp. She was fairly new to the jail, and had been transferred from a big city prison, ruffling the other inmates with her manicured nails and diamante sliders. I dont think women get it worse at all, she said. We get doors opened, bought presents, we got everything we need to get what we want right here. She ran her hand down the length of her body and winked. You cant do that if youre a man.

She directed her comments pointedly to the woman next to her. Lesley was the kind of sex worker we more often see in prison, known as a survival sex worker, someone on the game because they have no other choice. Lesley sold 6 blowjobs from street corners to fund her and her partners heroin addictions, the signs of which showed on her face, with hollowed cheeks and yellowed teeth. Before I worked in prisons, I had assumed that sex work must be quite well paid per hour that even those with a pimp could surely enjoy a 60:40 split of the takings. This was wishful thinking. Although there are plenty of women like Phoebe, they are less likely to end up in jail, meeting people like me. Most of the women I met were getting more like 10%, or being paid in drugs and housing rather than cash. The almost universally male pimps often have a group of women in their employ and rake in the takings in return for protection. In other words, its a racket. Survival sex work has a worse gender pay gap than almost any other industry. Does anyone disagree with Phoebe? I asked. There was a silence, then Lesley piped up. I dont see anyones boyfriends having to go out on the game, she said. Phoebe rolled her eyes. No ones making you, babe. And no one is setting your prices that low either. I started to sense that there was some sort of argument from the wing going on here that I was not aware of, and the spat was working its way into our discussion in the guise of a price war. Youre bringing everyones prices down with what you charge on the pavement, you slut. By this point, they had both got up. We do the same thing, Lesley shouted. Dont you go thinking youre better than me. By this point, I had lost the room. Security had arrived. And the questions I had planned about unionisation and female solidarity were drowned out by more immediate concerns.

It was not the International Womens Day I had planned. But as happened so often in my time in prison, the theories and beliefs I came in with sat uncomfortably next to the nuance of the reality. The majority of sex workers I met in prison, who arrived with bruises and track-marks, would rather have been doing anything else. They needed their rights protected, sure, but they also wanted a route out. The reality was not simple. It rarely is.

I learned that my idealism had made me treat feminism like a club rather than a journey. My self-congratulatory, cross-legged-femcast feminism was not flexible enough to accommodate the volume of womens conflicting experiences, thoughts and feelings in the prison.

The truth is that some women want to start a business, and others would like the safety and security provided by giving control to a trustworthy man, at least for now. Some sex workers want unions, others want an escape route. For feminism to be at all useful, it has to be uncomfortable. It has to include people whom it would be easier to leave out: women who say theyre not feminists; who think they need a man to save them, or who say they fancy Piers Morgan.

Working in prison messed up my ideas of what feminism should be. It didnt invalidate the ideas I had learned and fought for, it just disrupted the clean lines, leaving me with unresolved tensions and fewer opinions. I went into prison thinking that I would be able to use feminism to help empower women, and to reform a system. Instead I met women who taught me about feminism, and saw myself change instead.

* Womens names have been changed.

Jailbirds: Lessons from a Womens Prison by Mim Skinner is published by Seven Dials (RRP 16.99) To order a copy go to guardianbookshop.com or call 020 3176 3837. Free UK p&p over 10, online orders only. Phone orders min p&p of 1.99.

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I thought I knew about feminism then I started work in a womens prison - The Guardian

BY MARCI CAPIELLO

In 1977 I remember the campaign to stop Sus initiated by parents from South London to protect innocent young black men. There were so many men who were subject to the humiliation of Suspicion stop and search processes for no reason.

Mavis Best was the leader of the Scrap Sus Campaign in London which was supported by Paul Boateng. He was the first mixed race cabinet member to become the chief Secretary to the Treasury in May 2002.

The police under the sus law could stop and search anyone on suspicion of them committing an offence. They could also search and potentially arrest people.

In 1999 The Macpherson inquiry, some twenty years later stipulated that police stops should be recorded to give some accountability to the process. This was a recommendation that was finally implemented in April 2005.

On reflection Black men in the 1970s felt discriminated against and singled out and it was apparent that many were being stopped and searched with no evidence of crimes being committed. Parents became tired and frustrated for their children and insisted that this abuse of power be brought to an end.

In looking at the soaring statistics of knife and gun crime it is obvious that there has to be a way to retrieve weapons that are being carried by young people.

There have to be positive initiatives and safe spaces to allow young people to express feelings of anger and frustration that are safely supervised and channelled in a positive way. The concerns of course are just how and what would be the best way to do this without creating further conflict.

We do not want to see a repetition of the Brixton riots where feelings of prejudice and discrimination between young black men and the police reached an all-time high.

We want there to be law and order on our streets to feel safe and for people of all generations to be able to walk the streets.

This should be without fear of being stabbed or shot. We want our young people to be mentored and appropriate community initiatives to be supported.

We cannot completely understand what goes on in the mind of a young person who pursues a life of crime, but we should have a voice and respond to our concerns as it continues to affect our communities. These are hugely worrying statistics with rising death tolls that do not seem to be subsiding.

Young people seem to be restless, bored having unrealistic expectations about what they can achieve by doing very little. It concerns me that the world of drugs seems to offer a quick and easy path to wealth with little educated efforts, toll or labour.

They believe that through imposing fear and intimidation onto others that they are somehow in control of their own universe.

There is little moral sense of community nor responsibility. There are skills involved sure i.e. negotiation, maths and great organisational skills these are unfortunately not being put to the best and most appropriate use.

Tony Lloyd a boxing coach and friend of ours would say that through his boxing activities he allowed young people to believe for a brighter future where they could feel safe and secure and be kept off the streets.

K and GC Victim Support Group want all our young people to take pride in themselves have a sense of purpose and a positive sense of identity.

We want to encourage and protect our young people so that they appreciate just how to make an important contribution to society so that the next generation benefits and does not just focus on immediate and present rewards only.

The virtual world of Facebook and snap chat offers something of an illusion and a fake reality of how to communicate, how to express emotions sometimes unsafely.

One on one is needed and now more than ever mentors like Tony and those of us of an older generation who have sacred knowledge of how our elders raised us, have to pass on that knowledge to young people to enable and empower them to thrive, teaching them how to be successful.

We need to be able to offer a future an alternative to a life of crime where education and career are accessible and of interest.

To those looking for a life less ordinary where a life of crime appears to be glamorous and more interesting, we must promote safer and better alternatives.

It is important for all our children to feel warmth, love and acceptance. This is vital for their mental health and emotional well-being, their personal development and their future.

Read more here:
In My Opinion: Marcia Capiello speaks on the old evils of "Sus" coming back into the everyday lives of black people - London News Online

When Londoner Saher Bhatti was working as a commercial lawyer in the heart of the City, she had many frustrations, but the one which prompted a completely new career change was not to do with the stresses of the legal profession, but rather to do with not being able to find the right accessories. Needing a bag that was practical yet stylish, at an affordable price point, she realised there was a gap in the market for pieces that reflected the fast-paced, versatile lifestyle of the modern woman. She also realised there were hardly any brands at this level which offered an ethical and sustainable approach to fashion.

Bags from Lawful London marry style and ethics.

Eventually, after meeting with a UK designer, who had previously collaborated with the likes of Ralph Lauren and House of Fraser, they came up with the concept of Lawful London atimeless, cruelty-free fashion house that took conventional handbag styles and enhanced their capabilities, as well as not compromising on ethics.

Bags are practical and covetable.

The Classic Collection is Lawful Londons first range, and includes three styles of contemporary, adaptable bags: the Aspen, Dahlia and Sienna. The bags are made from cruelty-free vegan leather (PETA-approved) and are also eco-friendly (PVC-free). Combining functional features such as slip pockets, laptop sleeves, detachable straps and bottle holders the range is not only suitable for well-heeled travellers, but also has travel at its heart. Crucial to launching the brand, says Saher, she travelled extensively for a year around the world to find just the right suppliers that fitted in with her ethical ethos, to garner style ideas and to find partners who would fit in with her vision. Here, she explains how this experience has ultimately shaped the brand.

What countries did you go to in the quest to find the right supplier for your brand?

When looking for a supplier in the first instance, I considered Italy, South Korea and China. After exploring the manufacturing options with a few Italian suppliers and learning of their reluctance to experiment with alternative materials, I had to consider suppliers located elsewhere, as cruelty-free fabrics are a key component of the brand. I then approached suppliers in South Korea and China, after researching the best factories for vegan leather, and also discovering where existing brands were manufacturing high-quality ethical products. Both countries have a number of experienced suppliers who manufacture using leather alternatives. However, China is undoubtedly the manufacturing capital of the world, and from my own experience, I think this is due to the extensive choice they can provide to businesses of all sizes, in terms of quality, materials and manufacturing speeds.

Behind the scenes: design sheets.

Where did you find the right supplier which fits in with the ethos of your brand?

I finally found the right supplier in China, but the manufacturing journey was far from straight forward. China has so much choice, so while it is easier to locate a factory that will produce using cruelty-free fabrics, it is very difficult to find a manufacturer that will also create products that accurately represent the design sheets and provide the desired finish. The search for a factory that reflected the ethos of the brand of no compromises on ethics, quality and aesthetics was incredibly challenging and time-consuming, but after working with five suppliers in China and multiple sample rounds, I finally found the best supplier for Lawful London located in Guangzhou.

What were the highlights of your 'year of travel'?

There are so many highlights and small wins when travelling around. The best was reaching the final products after 12-months of liaising with suppliers, sourcing materials and working with factories to produce prototypes followed by multiple sample rounds. Another key highlight was meeting a bag designer in New York completely randomly in a pop-up space. She spoke to me about her experiences, and it was refreshing to meet someone who had already gone through the same struggles. My trip to America also gave me so much inspiration. I discovered so many ethically produced high-quality products, and this gave me confidence that it was possible to source the fabrics to produce excellent bags with immaculate workmanship. It reinforced that my vision was totally achievable, it was simply a matter of time and commitment to the process with perhaps a couple of hurdles along the way.

A fitting travel companion.

In terms of travel, what inspires you?

I am inspired by variety and innovation. I love travelling to places which continually seek to evolve, showcase something new and deliver new experiences. I also enjoy learning about local cultures. Born and raised in the UK, there are a number of similarities with other western countries, so travelling to other regions, such as the Middle East, provides greater insight into what local people want, how they view trends and whats important for them, ethically or otherwise. As a fashion brand aimed at providing timeless accessories, it is important for us to understand how style trends, ethics and values are perceived globally in order to create classic, contemporary and universally appealing products.

Is there a country that is leading the way when it comes to vegan living?

The USA is definitely leading the way for vegan living. The choice of vegan products, including food, beauty, fashion and household items, are endless and not solely limited to supermarkets or online vegan websites. This is clear even when shopping in prestigious stores like Bergdorf Goodman, which offers such a vast range of vegan products in response to the fact that it is no longer an online-only market. The visibility, accessibility and range of products in the USA generally, shows that American brands have reacted well to the shift in values and lifestyle choices of the vast number of people who are choosing to embrace ethical, sustainable living.

What is the USP of Lawful London?

The USP is thecombination of ethics, form and functionality. We understand the difficulty of finding a durable workbag that is ethically produced, practical for everyday use yet still contemporary and timeless. When creating the products, we were committed to designing bags which were practically beautiful in every way aesthetically, ethically and functionally. Each bag has been designed with all three concepts in mind with no single factor being more important than the other as shown in the first range, the Classic Collection.

Have bag, will travel.

How has your background in law helped you in the launch of the brand?

Law is a very challenging career that taught me so many transferable skills which I use in my business. From my legal background, I now appreciate the importance of patience, perseverance and purpose. Without these three key qualities, I think it is very difficult to achieve ambitious personal or professional goals. My journey as a lawyer involved many ups and downs, acceptance of continuous learning and personal development, late nights, high expectations from colleagues and clients, setbacks and disappointments. This is reflective of business. Creating a valuable and thoughtful product, a brand that people relate to and love, and learning from your customer to continually improve and create better products involves patience, consistency and dedication to a defined purpose.

Ethical and sustainable fashion is having a moment is this the way the industry is going?

I feel like its a movement and not just a moment. When the concept of ethical and sustainable fashion started to become more recognised a few years back, a lot of people were reluctant to connect with them to the extent that they do now. Perhaps with the rise of big brand initiatives, such as H&Ms Conscious Collection, Net-a-Porters launch of Net Sustain and Selfridges commitment to stop selling exotic animal skins, coupled with the growth of brands, like Stella McCartney and Everlane, people are more accepting of ethical fashion. The ethos is becoming embedded in mainstream brands and department stores. I think customers are also becoming increasingly aware of the impact of fast fashion and are beginning to consider other alternatives, which I feel will only increase, particularly as public awareness of the related environmental concerns continue to grow.

Where do you like to travel to?

I like to travel to places with a positive, vibrant atmosphere and a sense of uniqueness and innovation, where people are encouraged to explore the future without losing their culture and values. At the moment, Japan is top of my list of places to visit due to its innovation, culture and notoriously nice people not forgetting its neon-sky scrapers and Pokmon Outbreaks!

Saher putting her ideas to work.

What is the ideal holiday for you?

Depending on my mood, either a digital detox on a relaxing beach break or a city trip, sightseeing and exploring local culture, food and fashion!

How do you marry your ethical beliefs with a strong sense ofbusiness?

When launching Lawful London, I wanted to create something that would make a difference in business and learn how to make a business out of making a difference. I yearned for more than business success I wanted meaning and to contribute to making a positive impact on the world by creating better products in a better way.Combining a for-profit company with a social mission doesnt undermine either. The ethical beliefs make the bags more than a product, theyre part of a story, a mission and a movement open to anyone who wants to contribute something positive to the world. Building a business which helps women change a previously thoughtless purchasing decision into a meaningful one is both positive, rewarding and sustainable from a business and personal perspective.

Bringing an ethical approach to fashion.

What's next for Lawful London?

We are currently designing our second collection, which is aimed at the modern woman who wants a grab-and-go, easy bag. Something a little less formal but with the same elegance and ethics as the first collection. Were also exploring other cruelty-free, sustainable fabric options which may be suitable for a softer finish for the second collection.

lawfullondon.com

See the article here:
Lawful London: How Travel Influenced This New Sustainable Fashion Brand - Forbes

Press Release: The University of Cambridge and The University of Pennsylvania are among the top universities chosen for further study by students from the British School of Bucharest

BUCHAREST, 17th of October 2019:The list of current destinations for our students includes the exceptionally prestigious Universities of Cambridge, Warwick, Lancaster, Bath, UCL, Imperial College and Southampton in the UK and in the US, UCLA and the Ivy Leagues University of Pennsylvania. This is alongside many other excellent destinations which have been added to this year with students moving to the new destinations of the University of Essex, University of Liverpool, University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland, Delft University of Technology, Computer Science and Engineering Amsterdam, dBs Berlin, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, and University of Popular Arts Berlin.

So far, this year, 19 students received offers to continue their studies from 81 Universities after they graduate from the Britsh School of Bucharest.This reflects a gradual and measured growth showing an increase compared to 2018, when 17 students received invitations from 76 top Universities, while in 2017, 16 students received 65 offers.

We are concerned about the future of our students and we want to be close to them when they makechoices about future study. Thats why we pay keen attention to our higher education advice and this year we will bring the Universities closer to them and those interested to study abroad at the Bucharest International Schools University Conference, an event that will take place on 21st October on our campus at the British School of Bucharest, "said Philip Walters, Headmaster of the BSB.

On 21st October, representatives from many of the top Universities in the world will come to BSB to offer special presentations and One-to-One meetings for those interested in attending their courses.

Its the first edition ofBucharest International Schools University Conference that will take place at the BSB campus. Twenty-one top universities from the U.K, Austria, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Canada and USA will be there, waiting for pupils aged 14 to 18 years old that are interested in studying abroad, to come to get familiarised with the various courses, campus choices and the key points for a successful application at one of these world-renowned Universities.

What can you find at the Bucharest International Schools University Conference:

UNIVERSITY PRESENTATIONS A chance to participate in exclusive seminars and presentations from some of the best Universities in the World.

ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS- Participate in One-to-One meetings for individual guidance and specific information from the Universities you want to apply to.

APPLICATION PROCESS GUIDANCE Get expert advice for all stages of the university application process and studying abroad. Find out more about how to choose the right course and details of tuition fees and student loans.

UNIVERSITY FAIR Exclusive Fair of top Universities from the UK, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy and the USA.

PARENT SESSIONS Dedicated sessions for parents on helping your child make informed decisions, supporting them through the application process and student finance.

For ALL University presentations or One-to-One meetings, you have to register in order to reserve a place, here.

Each participant can take part in up to seven events - presentations and One-to-One meetings - but everyone will have access to the University Fair itself for specific details about the offers and courses.

The conference will end with the University Fair where all universities will have sections, and all participants can have discussions about programmes and offers, tuition fees and funding opportunities to study abroad.

10:00 -Start of the Event

10:00 - 13:00 - University presentations and One-to-One Meetings, based on previous appointments

13.00 - 15.00 - University Fair

15.00 -End of the University Conference & Fair

Starting time: 10:00 || Finishing time: 15:00

The British School of Bucharest (BSB) is an established and well-resourced international private school located in Bucharest, providing a comprehensive international education based on the National Curriculum for England. BSB serves more than 600 students aged 2-18. It is a richly diverse learning community, with students representing approximately 50 nationalities. They benefit from an impressive pupil to teacher ratio and small class sizes, ensuring a personalized and highly supportive learning environment.

BSB is the only British school in Romania rated as excellent for both the quality of pupils learning and achievements and the quality of pupils personal development in its 2018 UK Independent Schools Inspectorate report.

This is a press release.Here you can orderpress releases on this site.

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Press Release: The University of Cambridge and The University of Pennsylvania are among the top universities chosen for further study by students from...