Latest news with #DaveWard
Scotsman
02-07-2025
- Scotsman
Expert psychologist reveals top tips for a relaxing holiday
The great British summer getaway is officially on, but we aren't truly switching off once we get to our destination. According to new research from Ring, three quarters of Brits (75%) admit they struggle to relax on holiday, with nearly two thirds (64%) worrying about things back home. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Over half (54%) of respondents pointed to home security as their biggest concern, with parcel deliveries (34%) and car security (31%) also top of mind for holiday goers. Outside of home security, two in five (41%) worry about pets, 1 in 5 (20%) worry about their garden, and 19% are thinking about work. For one in five Brits, the stress starts the moment they step out the door - and with good reason. Over a third (35%) have experienced home issues while away, from break-ins and car damage to missed deliveries, turning dream holidays into nightmares. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Knowing these issues could arise, over half (53%) of Brits will ask a friend, neighbour or family member to check on their home, over a third (35%) are taking preventive measures such as closing curtains or blinds, and a quarter (25%) leave lights on to make their home look occupied. Amazon Ring UK Holidaymakers aren't leaving the security of their homes to chance when they're away. Brits are relying on tech – with over a third (35%) trusting smart home devices or security cameras, and 32% checking in on their property remotely. In fact, 68% say they'd find it easier to relax on holiday if they could monitor their home virtually – something Ring devices provide, with features including Live View, Two-Way Talk and Motion Detection. To help Brits alleviate stress directly from the sun lounger, the Ring & Relax (R&R) Guide has been unveiled today – packed with simple psychology-backedtips to help holidaymakers make the most of their well-deserved break. "Our research shows that home security is the number one worry stopping Brits from truly unwinding on holiday," said Dave Ward, Managing Director EU and International at Ring. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "With a quick tap on your phone, you can literally see that everything's fine back home. It's like having eyes on your property while you're soaking up the sun - giving you one less thing to stress about on your well-deserved break." Amazon Ring UK The R&R guide, developed with award-winning psychologist and author, Dr. Lalitaa, will help calm nerves about taking a trip away from your home, featuring expert techniques; from digitally detoxing to grounding exercises and affirmations. The R&R guide:
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Three union leaders included in King's Birthday Honours
Three trade union leaders have been included in the King's Birthday Honours for services to areas including education and green jobs. Dave Ward, long-serving general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) is made a CBE for services to trade unions, and Dr Patrick Roach, who recently retired as general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union is made a CBE for services to education. Sue Ferns, deputy general secretary of the civil service union Prospect, is made an OBE for services to green jobs and workplace transition. Mr Ward has been general secretary of the CWU for a decade, leading the union through the privatisation of Royal Mail and recent sale of the postal giant to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. He started work as a messenger boy at Tooting delivery office in south London before becoming a union rep, holding several positions before succeeding Billy Hayes as general secretary in 2015. He is married with four children, supports Chelsea and is a keen blues guitarist. He told the PA news agency: 'The New Deal for Workers campaign was founded and led by the CWU. 'At a time when society has never been more unequal the trade union movement pushing Labour to turn this campaign into a new Employment Rights Bill could not have been more important. 'This honour is recognition of our union's work in this area and for the way we stand up for postal, telecom, financial services and tech workers across the UK. 'I joined the GPO as a telegram boy in 1976 and it is a privilege to now be the general secretary of a union that campaigns for our members in and out of the workplace. 'We now need employers and the Government to go even further in rebalancing workplaces and society. We will continue to lead this.' Dr Roach stepped down as NASUWT general secretary in April after five years. The son of Jamaican immigrant parents, he grew up in Walsall, West Midlands, in the 1970s, and has described how he faced racism at school on a daily basis. He is married with two children. He was a teacher of politics and sociology in further education and was a researcher and lecturer in education, social policy and equalities in higher education. He later joined NASUWT and headed the union's education and equalities work before becoming assistant general secretary and then deputy general secretary. He has served in a number of voluntary roles as a school governor and in supporting the provision of supplementary education for African Caribbean children. Dr Roach became head of the union in 2020 at the start of the first national lockdown, leading union members in uncharted territory as schools and colleges, teachers and headteachers adapted to one of the most challenging post-war periods in education. As head of the TUC's anti-racism taskforce, Dr Roach was instrumental in leading Britain's trade union movement in challenging racism and injustice at work. He told the PA news agency: 'I am humbled and incredibly proud to be granted this honour. 'It has been my privilege to have been afforded the opportunity to devote my career to education and in the service of NASUWT members, teachers and headteachers, whose commitment, work and dedication every day continues to inspire, shape lives and make a world of difference.' Sue Ferns, who has also been a member of the TUC General Council since 2005, grew up in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and was the first member of her family to go to university, studying industrial relations at Salford University. After graduating in 1982, she started working for the TUC's economics department. She joined Prospect in 1993, becoming head of research in 2002, director of communications and research in 2013, and senior deputy general secretary in 2018. She has campaigned on issues including the gender pensions gap, workers' rights in the science, engineering and energy sectors, and clean energy. She has taken part in several government taskforces and working groups, particularly on clean energy jobs and workforce skills. She told the PA news agency: 'I am privileged to have spent my career in the trade union movement, determined to make a positive difference to the lives of working people. 'I'd like to thank the countless colleagues, trade union representatives and members within our movement, whose commitment to improving the lives of others has been an inspiration throughout my career.'
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bristol name ex-Scotland hooker Lawson head coach
Bristol Bears women have appointed Scott Lawson as their new head coach ahead of the 2025-26 Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) season. The 43-year-old joins from the Scottish Rugby Union where he has been a specialist skills coach for their women's squad, men's under-20s team and Glasgow Warriors' academy 16-year playing career saw him win 47 international caps for Scotland and make 250 appearances for clubs including Glasgow, Sale, Gloucester, London Irish and Newcastle, where he retired in hooker, who has also worked as director of rugby at the University of St Andrews, will make the move to Bristol following the U20 World Championship in Italy, which is being held from 29 June to 19 July. The Scot comes in following the departure of former head coach Dave Ward in April, after four years in the Bears finished fourth last season to reach their fourth successive PWR semi-final, but were beaten by Gloucester-Hartpury in what proved to be Ward's final match. He also took the team to their first final in 2024, where they were also beaten by said he planned to work hard and be relentless to aim to bring success to the club."From the moment I spoke with Daisie Mayes [general manager] and Pat Lam [director of rugby] it was clear that the vision for the women's programme and the aligned approach across the whole club was something I really wanted to be a part of," Lawson said."I've loved my time with Scottish Rugby and will always be grateful for the experiences and relationships I've built there, which I'll continue to value moving forward. "But this was an exciting opportunity I simply couldn't resist."The club have not disclosed the length of Lawson's contract. "His vast coaching and playing experience across a range of different environments and levels, together with his passion for the role, understanding of the club vision and focus on player development and winning impressed us during the interview process," Lam said.
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Ring is giving away FREE outdoor cameras worth £80 – and it only takes 30 seconds to apply
Don't miss important tips to help the cause at the bottom DING DONG Ring is giving away FREE outdoor cameras worth £80 – and it only takes 30 seconds to apply RING is giving away free video cameras to selected Brits as part of a special initiative. The Ring Outdoor Camera Battery is a stick up cam device that would normally set you back £79.99. 2 Ring wants to support birdwatching across the UK Credit: Ring 2 Bird species like Greenfinch have experienced declines in recent years Credit: Ring / RSPB But Gen Z and Millennials can apply to get one totally free in an effort to encourage help with an important conservation effort. The Amazon-owned firm is mostly associated with home security. But it turns out hundreds of Ring users are using their cameras to monitor garden wildlife too. In a fresh twist, Ring has teamed up with RSPB to support remote birdwatching in the UK. Data from the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch survey shows that Starling numbers have dropped to their lowest recorded levels, while Song Thrush and Greenfinch populations have also experienced significant declines over the past 40 years. "The decline of key British bird species like the Starling and Greenfinch highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts across the UK," said Emma Marsh, the RSPB's director of digital technology and communications. "Remote birdwatching plays a crucial role in raising awareness and connecting people to nature, and every sighting contributes to our understanding and protection of these vital species." A study suggests a growing interest in birds among younger generations, with a quarter (24 per cent) of under-35s planning to begin birdwatching. So, Ring is giving away 50 video cameras to those aged between 18 and 35 years-old. All you have to do is fill out a quick form and give a short 50 word reason why you want to birdwatch. Ring introduces new doorbell security features Those who have a Ring Home subscription and manage to capture footage of priority species - including Starlings, Song Thrushes, or Greenfinches - are encouraged to share their footage with the RSPB. "Ring is best known for keeping neighbourhoods safer, but we're always impressed by how our devices can capture remarkable wildlife footage," said Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring. "We hope that collaborating with the RSPB will raise important awareness of declining bird species, while encouraging customers of all ages to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature from wherever they are."
The Irish Sun
10-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Ring is giving away FREE outdoor cameras worth £80 – and it only takes 30 seconds to apply
RING is giving away free video cameras to selected Brits as part of a special initiative. The Advertisement 2 Ring wants to support birdwatching across the UK Credit: Ring 2 Bird species like Greenfinch have experienced declines in recent years Credit: Ring / RSPB But Gen Z and Millennials can apply to get one totally free in an effort to encourage help with an important conservation effort. The Amazon-owned firm is mostly associated with home security. But it turns out hundreds of In a fresh twist, Ring has teamed up with RSPB to support remote birdwatching in the UK. Advertisement Read more about Ring doorbells Data from the RSPB "The decline of key British bird species like the Starling and Greenfinch highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts across the UK," said Emma Marsh, the RSPB's director of digital technology and communications. "Remote birdwatching plays a crucial role in raising awareness and connecting people to nature, and every sighting contributes to our understanding and protection of these vital species." A study suggests a growing interest in birds among younger generations, with a quarter (24 per cent) of under-35s planning to begin birdwatching. Advertisement Most read in Tech So, Ring is giving away 50 video cameras to those aged between 18 and 35 years-old. All you have to do is Ring introduces new doorbell security features Those who have a Ring Home subscription and manage to capture footage of priority species - including - are encouraged to share their footage with the RSPB. "Ring is best known for keeping neighbourhoods safer, but we're always impressed by how our devices can capture remarkable wildlife footage," said Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring. Advertisement "We hope that collaborating with the RSPB will raise important awareness of declining bird species, while encouraging customers of all ages to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature from wherever they are." RSPB tips to support bird conservation Install bird-friendly habitats, like nest boxes and feeding stations Keep gardens and green spaces wildlife-friendly by planting native flora Submit your sightings from Ring devices of key species like Song Thrush and Greenfinch using the 'Share' feature Image credit: Ring / RSPB
