Action for Happiness campaign launched today

Action for Happiness, is a new charity aiming to help create a happier society - by enabling people to make positive changes in their personal lives, homes, workplaces and communities.

Ten keys to happier living:

Giving - Do things for others
Relating - Connect with people
Exercising - Take care of your body
Appreciating - Notice the world around
Trying Out -  Keep learning new things

Direction - Have goals to look forward to
Resilience - Find ways to bounce back
Emotion -  Take a positive approach
Acceptance - Be comfortable with who you are
Meaning - Be part of something bigger

The first five relate to how we interact with the outside world in our daily activities. The second five come more from inside us and depend on our attitude to life.

http://www.actionforhappiness.org/

What do you think of this campaign? Do you think it's a good idea, and that it will help to create a happier society?

Good news regarding British citizenship for children born abroad to British mothers!

When I was on Twitter today, I noticed some new 'tweets' (posts) from Harriet Harman and was stunned to read these particular messages:

Talked to the Home Sec. We are going to scrap registration fee for nationality for British via mother from next year. Sweet tweet success

Equality Bill through the House of Lords. Great milestone for further progress on equality.

To say I am very pleased would be an understatement! I have been campaigning on twitter quite extensively to get the unfair law changed regarding British citizenship for children born abroad to British mothers.

In particular, I've addressed tweets directly to Harriet Harman (she is not just the deputy PM but also the Minister for Women & Equality) asking her how she can justify the inequality in the Borders, Immigration & Citizenship Bill, and had several replies from her with assurances that she would "get on to it". I was hopeful that the inequality would finally be addressed but since she also told me she couldn't give me a timescale, I could only keep watch on the situation and wait and see what happened.

After reading the tweets from Ms Harman today, I am very confident now that we (the adult children born abroad to British mothers) will finally get the same automatic right to claim British citizenship that children of British fathers have always had. I'm not sure about the details - why Harriet Harman states "from next year" for example - but hopefully the necessary changes to the law are at least starting to be put in place.

This news is very good news indeed! Thank you to everyone for all your support in this campaign and particularly thanks to everyone who has signed the petition started by Mrs Elizabeth Peterson.

I will be keeping a close eye on how this change to the law progresses. This blatant inequality must be corrected and I'm not going to stop my campaign for citizenship equality until it is.

Edited to add:
It would appear that I was too hasty in making this announcement because in fact nothing has changed yet. While it's true that Harriet Harman did make a promise via Twitter, it doesn't look like any changes to the law were instigated. And now that we have a new government, I can only deduce that we have to start our campaign all over again for citizenship equality. I apologise if I raised anyone's hopes that this issue was resolved.

I am closing comments to this particular post now.

Please see this Related Post for latest news:
People born before 1983 to British mothers

England: Prescription Promise Campaign

The British Heart Foundation has a campaign to fight for free prescriptions in England: Gordon Brown promised last year to make prescriptions free for all those with long term conditions in the coming years so we have joined forces with 18 other charities representing people with long term conditions as part of the Prescription Promise Campaign. Prescriptions are free in Wales and will be in Scotland and Northern Ireland by 2011.

ConservativeHome launches anti-BNP web campaign

ConservativeHome launches anti-BNP web campaign: There's Nothing British About the BNP Sign the petition: Online petition - There's nothing British about the BNP

UK Department of Health:"CATCH IT. BIN IT. KILL IT"-new advert showing how to prevent swine flu

A mass public health campaign has begun with TV, print and radio adverts warning people about swine flu with the simple message: CATCH IT. BIN IT. KILL IT. Watch the video of the advert via the link: Department of Health releases advert showing how to prevent swine flu (link via guardian.co.uk) It's just good old common-sense really and people should be following this advice anyway but hopefully the message will get through to those people who have been lazy about practising good respiratory and hand hygiene. I think people forget that coughs and sneezes spread the germs far and wide, and that the germs can live on hard surfaces for several hours. Hopefully, the simple advice from this campaign will help to stop the spread of the swine flu.

The messages of CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT are simple:

• CATCH IT Germs spread easily. Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.
• BIN IT Germs can live for several hours on tissues. Dispose of them as soon as possible
• KILL IT Hands can transfer germs to any surface you touch. Clean your hands as soon as you can.

Tories launch plan to use empty homes

I've always wondered why the government doesn't make use of all the empty homes in the UK as a logical solution to the housing shortage. Well, the good news is that the Tories (the Conservative Party) have proposed plans to use the empty homes: David Cameron reveals plan to bring empty homes back to use David Cameron today unveiled details of an empty property "rescue scheme" he claimed could bring some of the almost 1 million empty homes in the UK back to use. The Conservative leader said he would change the rules governing the way housing associations spent their money to make it easier for them to buy or rent properties that were lying empty. (link via guardian.co.uk) Gordon Brown and the Labour Government should be embarrassed and ashamed about ignoring the potential of Britain's empty homes. It seems to me that not only is the Empty Property Rescue Scheme (EPR), the perfect solution to the housing shortage but it would also help prevent the increasing practice of squatters*. *when someone is occupying an empty or abandoned property which they don’t own or rent, and without the owner's permission. Related Internet Links: The Empty Homes Agency Report Empty Homes Unlocking the Potential of Empty Homes - Empty Homes Agency Blog

Farmhouse Breakfast Week 25th - 31st Jan

Farmhouse Breakfast Week 25th - 31st January 2009 Farmhouse Breakfast Week is an annual campaign that emphasises the importance of eating a healthy breakfast every day. 'Think Breakfast' is the theme of this year's celebration to encourage everyone to wake up to breakfast as part of a healthy balanced diet and active lifestyle. Farhmouse Breakfast Week I usually have a toasted crumpet or yogurt for my breakfast. My husband likes to have porridge or beans on toast for his breakfast. Our youngest son likes to have porridge or waffles, and our eldest is away at university but when he's home, he always has cereal. On the weekends, I usually make boiled eggs and toast "soldiers" or scrambled eggs. How do you start your day? Full breakfast, just a snack or do you skip breakfast? If you are looking for breakfast ideas (and how to make them): How To Make A Traditional Full English Breakfast How To Make Eggy Bread How To Make Scrambled Eggs On Toast How To Make Boiled Egg And Soldiers How To Make Poached Eggs How To Make The Perfect Bowl Of Porridge How To Make American Pancakes (links via videojug.com)

Complaints about "probably no God" campaign

Atheist bus adverts could lead to watchdog ruling on God's existence (link via telegraph.co.uk) The advertising watchdog is being called upon to rule on the likelihood of God's existence after complaints were made about the atheist bus advert campaign. Members of the public donated £140,000 to the Atheist Bus Campaign after its founder, the writer Ariane Sherine, suggested there should be an antidote to religious posters on public transport that "threaten eternal damnation" to non-believers. I think this campaign is about freedom of speech as much as it is about religious beliefs versus non-religious beliefs. I did wonder about the wording of the message - "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." - since it sounds more like an agnostic campaign than an atheist one but the word, "probably" was only included to meet British advertising guidelines. Anyway, I think they were wise to include the word, probably because it is true to say there is no proof that "God” does exist or not. Since "God" can't be proved to exist, why should the opposing view - that there probably is no God - be offensive? It seems to me that people (particularly so called "religious" ones) should be more tolerant of other views! And if people believe in God, they shouldn't feel worried or threatened by this campaign. Indeed, in my opinion, their faith isn't very strong if this campaign bothers them enough to complain. Furthermore, the statement "There's probably no god" printed on the side of a bus is actually no different to the statement, "Jesus Christ: The Only Way" — printed on a message board outside a church or on a billboard. Both state a religious view that cannot be proved or disproved. Atheists tolerate religious views that are quite openly advertised and broadcast all the time and yet when the opposing view is aired, "religious" people like Stephen Green claim to be offended! If this campaign message is banned then all churches should be banned from displaying religious slogans outside where the public can see them. It's a shame the Atheist Bus Campaign is so controverial and is attracting complaints instead of promoting tolerance and being used as a platform for an open debate about religious and non-religious beliefs. Personally, I was raised a Christian but as I got older, I questioned my belief in God and became an agnostic (skeptical about the existence of God). I think this campaign is a good idea and I'm pleased the message will be spreading* all across the UK. *The campaign aimed to raise £5,500 but has ended up raising over £140,000 – enough to support buses all across the UK, adverts on the London Underground and two animated screens in Oxford Street. Official Website of the Atheist Bus Campaign What are your thoughts about the campaign?

Recycle Christmas Cards to help the Woodland Trust plant a forest

Until the 31st January 2009, if you take your old Christmas cards to one of the following stores, they will be collected as part of the Woodland Trust Christmas Card Recycling Scheme to plant trees and create the largest new native forest in England - HEARTWOOD FOREST. The stores taking part are: WHSmith UK mainland high street stores Tesco All supermarkets including selected Express stores Marks and Spencer all stores including selected Simply Food stores TK Maxx

Knit a Poppy campaign

Knit a Poppy for Remembrance Day knitonthenet is proud to announce the return of our Knit a Poppy campaign in support of The Poppy Appeal. You can download the poppy brooch pattern by making a donation of £2.00 to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. After making your donation, click the Download button and your pattern will be supplied as a PDF document. Donations are made using PayPal, however a PayPal account is not necessary as all major credit cards are accepted. The poppy pattern is only available until midnight on Tuesday, 11th November, 2008 The Poppy Appeal - supporting the Royal British Legion

Global Handwashing Day

Today, Wednesday 15th October 2008, is the first-ever Global Handwashing Day The campaign will focus on schools and children: Of the approximately 120 million children born in the developing world each year, half will live in households without access to improved sanitation, at grave risk to their survival and development. Poor hygiene and lack of access to sanitation together contribute to about 88% of deaths from diarrhoeal diseases, accounting for 1.5 million diarrhoea-related under-five deaths each year. Children suffer disproportionately from diarrheal and respiratory diseases and deaths. But research shows that children – the segment of society so often the most energetic, enthusiastic, and open to new ideas – can also be powerful agents of behavioral change. I can understand the problem in the developing world where running water and soap are not available to everyone but in the UK , the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine just released shocking results of a study of contamination levels on commuters’ hands in five UK cities (Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham, London and Cardiff): A preliminary study of commuters found that the hands of people in northern UK were up to three times dirtier than those in the south, especially those of men, and overall, more than one in four commuters were found to have bacteria from faeces on their hands. (link via medicalnewstoday.com) Eeeew! I can't believe so many people don't wash their hands! It's not just disgusting but it spreads infectious diseases. What has happened to simple good hand hygiene? I can't believe people don't know how important hand washing is. Rather, it would seem that people are being very lazy.

Petition for review of the compulsory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Thanks to an informative post - Want a happy, healthy child? Then sign this petition - on Little Green Blog, I've been reminded about legislation for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) that is due to take effect soon that involves a set of Learning and Development Requirements which must be followed by providers of care for children below 5 years old. You read that right - learning and development requirements for children under five years old! I support the campaign (Open EYE, the campaign for an open Early Years Education) that is opposing this new law and agree with their views that it's: overly prescriptive; potentially harmful to the development of children; and a breach of the human right of parents to have their children educated in accordance with their own philosophies. The petition states that: We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to commission an urgent independent review of the compulsory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) policy framework, and to reduce the status of its learning and development requirements to ‘professional guidelines’. More details from petition creator We recognise the government’s good intentions in its early-years policy-making, but are concerned about the EYFS legislation, which comes into force in England next September. Our concerns focus on the learning and development requirements, as follows: 1. They may harm children’s development 2. They will restrict parents’ freedom of choice in childcare and education 3. Their assessment profile requirements may place an unnecessary bureaucratic burden on those who care for young children 4. Recent evidence suggests that government interventions in education generally may not be driving standards up and may be putting too much pressure on children Read more on the blog, Open EYE, the campaign for an open Early Years Education. And please sign the petition via this link: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/OpenEYE/

Connect2Earth & change the world!

Connect2Earth is about caring for our environment and saving the planet. It all comes back to you!

Fair Flags Campaign

There is a new blog called Fair Flags Campaign which "calls on supermarkets and other retailers to recognise and treat fairly all the constituent countries of the United Kingdom." (link via Why England Needs A Parliament blog)

Keep Britain Tidy campaign - why not Keep 'England' Tidy?

I just noticed something. There is a Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy, and TIDY Northern Ireland but there isn't a separate (and related) website for England! Keep Britain Tidy is launching England’s first ever Big Tidy Up Why is it called Keep Britain Tidy, and not Keep England Tidy? I just watched the Panorama special via BBC iPlayer about litter, "Notes on a Dirty Island", presented by Bill Bryson, the American author who lives in England, and who became president of Campaign to Protect Rural England last year: Leading author Bill Bryson became CPRE’s President, in July 2007. His love of the English countryside is well known and celebrated in his books such as Notes from a Small Island. We believe his passion will help us win support in our campaigning. I couldn't help but notice that England is seldom referred to in the Panorama special - instead it's almost always Britain, and this despite the fact that Bill Bryson is the president of Campaign to Protect Rural England! And read this BBC News article about the Panorama special - England is never referred to once! Litter is a serious problem in England as well as the rest of the UK, and I support the idea behind The Big Tidy Up (I don't hesitate to pick up litter that I find when out and about) but I can't help but resent the fact that the campaign is called, Keep Britain Tidy. Maybe I'm being a bit picky but there you are. What are your thoughts?

American blogger's campaign on behalf of a Yemeni journalist

After reading the International Herald Tribune article, A living-room crusade via blogging, about how Jane Novak, an American who has never been to Yemen, fights for a Yemeni journalist on trial for sedition, I was so impressed that I went straight to her blog, Armies of Liberation to read more about this amazing woman and her campaign. Then I signed her letter/petition (via the link from her blog) to Protect Media Freedom in Yemen. Please encourage your friends and family to send letters as well.