By Thomas Carter

New Dawn New Day (NDND), a women’s centre in Leicester, has launched a new donation drive to support those affected by violence and abuse.

The charity works to help women who have left the criminal justice system and are sufferers of domestic abuse, rape, poverty and homelessness, among other issues.

Without a designated fund, NDND is now looking to the public for donations so that it can continue to support women in desperate need of help.

Speaking to Leicestershire Press, Meg Foxall, the business support manager for NDND and a former DMU student, said: “I think the number one thing our service does is make women realise that they are not alone.

“Lots of the women we work with are very socially excluded, so coming to the centre is really helpful for meeting people from similar backgrounds and forming friendships

“The clients we work with have high levels of need, and our rule is that we will never let a woman sleep on the streets.

“That’s what this Crowdfunder is for – to have an ongoing fund for emergencies, supplies and immediate support.”

As with many charities, NDND was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and had to change how it provided its services.

Meg added: “We had to adapt very quickly, as before the pandemic we would have a full centre, with clients in every room, one-to-one sessions, and support groups taking place.

“We moved our service online and over the phone, and have continued our blended approach to working, because we found that some women can’t afford bus fares to see us or find child care.”

On the matter of support, a client of NDND (who must remain anonymous), said: “When you walk into the centre it feels like a huge hug. 

“The energy and atmosphere is so lovely, even talking on the phone to staff – it’s a safe space and I can drop my walls.

“Since talking to the charity, I have received non-judgmental support and I didn’t have this before. 

“I had felt that no one cared before coming to NDND but I now feel heard and understood. I now realise my thoughts and feelings are valid.”

The charity, which covers the entirety of Leicestershire, also frequently recruits new volunteers, for which full training and support is provided to aid in its mission of helping those in need.

For more information and to donate to the Crowdfunder, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-women-affected-by-violence-and-abuse

By Luke Williamson

Twycross Zoo is getting ready for nine days of terror with two events celebrating Halloween this October half-term.

Boo at the Zoo and Horrors of the Wild are running through the October Half Term from Saturday(OCT23) until Sunday, October 31.

Adam Kay, the Zoo’s Events, PR and Content Co-Ordinator, said: “We hope that we will see a lot of support from visitors over the half-term and Halloween activities.

“As a large outdoor attraction, we’re a great place for meeting friends and family at this current time, even more so with all of our fun spooky activities.”

Boo at the Zoo is a family friendly event, taking place daily through half-term where guests will be greeted at the front of the zoo by a wicked witch and families can take part in Broomstick Training to learn how to fly around Twycross’ 100-acre park safely.

It isn’t all about the fun, though, as the zoo’s discovery and learning rangers will be teaching guests about the real dangers that are faced by the more than 500 animals housed at the zoo in the wild.

Adam added: “The pandemic forced us to close for a prolonged period of time throughout 2020 and 2021 as well as opening with very limited visitor numbers and restrictions.

“For the zoo this meant we lost our biggest source of income and did not receive government funding.

“By providing fun activities that also highlight our mission and purpose, we hope this will encourage people to visit the zoo, support us and learn more about why the work the zoo completes is so important.”

Horrors of the Wild – which was nominated for the Best New Scare Attraction 2020 by Scare Con – is back with a new route and new scares to terrify the visitors.

The evening event takes place between Friday, October 29, and Sunday, October 31, starting at 6pm each night where guests can again learn about the real dangers facing animals in the wild including poaching and deforestation.

Visitors need to take their own torch to see in the pitch-black zoo with a variety of surprises hidden in the darkness.

“We have been warmed by the support we have received from the public during the pandemic and we hope that this support will continue into the future allowing us to keep working towards our goals and purpose and provide great days out for families,” Adam added.

By Shantelle Gondo

The Students’ Union at De Montfort University is encouraging students to put their money to better use instead of paying for an essay.

Members of the De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) were handing out free doughnuts to students, raising awareness about contract cheating on Wednesday(OCT20) afternoon.

Contract cheating, commonly known as essay mills or ghost writers, is a form of academic dishonesty, where students pay others to complete their work or essays.

It is not tolerated at DMU and is soon to be made illegal in the UK, as it can be classified as a ‘university crime’.

DSU’s student adviser in the Advice and Wellbeing team, Kayleigh Ware, said: “As a students’ union we are just raising awareness about contract cheating, this is something that students get targeted about, people will usually send them essay mails – where they ask the students to complete their work.

“When it comes to university, what a lot of students don’t realise is that academic offences can be serious.”

Academic offences include:

• Collusion – people working together on a task that you were instructed to do by yourself.
• Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s works or ideas as if it were your own.
• Cheating in exams – having notes, copying, or helping another candidate.
• Re-use of your own work without reference.

If a student is found guilty of an academic offence, they will be called to an Academic Practice Officers meeting (APO) or in worst case scenario an academic offence panel and could lose their place at DMU.

It can also lead to legal complications, blackmail, fraud, waste of money, personal data theft and employment struggles in the future.

Kayleigh said: “We are trying to raise awareness of the policies and point the students in the right direction as well as familiarise them with an understanding of the procedures of these policies.

“We can help with students’ companions, providing that emotional support and guidance throughout the whole process, because this is something very serious, so students should make themselves more aware of what they need to know.”

For more information about contract cheating or an further information, email: dsuadvice@dmu.ac.uk or visit: https://www.demontfortsu.com/news/article/dsu/Pay-for-a-takeaway-not-an-essay-Contract-Cheating-explained/