Meet the People Spreading Joy this Christmas- Monday News Issue 192
- Matthew Paminter
- Dec 22, 2025
- 7 min read
“If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore”
Events this week:
December 18th- 26th- Chanukah
December 24th- Christmas Eve
December 25th- Christmas Day
December 26th- Boxing Day
Legislation/Regulation of the week
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act contains powers to help the UK respond to the threat of terrorism. It received Royal Assent on 12 February 2015. The act will:
· disrupt the ability of people to travel abroad to engage in terrorist activity and then return to the UK
· enhance the ability of operational agencies to monitor and control the actions of those who pose a threat
· combat the underlying ideology that feeds, supports and sanctions terrorism
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
Please remember to review this in your policy/legislation review workbook)
Videos of the week – Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth
Caroline Flack was one of Britain’s biggest stars. But after her arrest in 2019, her world spiraled, and months later, she took her own life. This powerful Disney+ documentary follows her mother, Christine, as she investigates what really happened, uncovering shocking truths and revealing the story Caroline was never able to tell.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning – Approx. 90 mins)
Safeguarding & ED & I
NSPCC Christmas Appeal - Most Dangerous Time
The NSPCC has published a news story highlighting the risks that some children face at home during the Christmas holidays and how Childline can help. The news story explores findings from a YouGov survey analysing UK adults’ perceptions of the risks children could face at Christmas. Findings show one in eight adults have had concerns for the safety of a child they know over the festive period and two thirds believe children face an increased risk of abuse during the holidays. Concerns identified about abuse during this period included: financial pressures at home; substance misuse at home; and food insecurity
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 40 mins)
Not every child has the same Christmas – exploitation, gifts & safety
Christmas is a time where families come together, festive food is shared, telly specials are watched and children are wrapped up in the magic. But this isn’t the case for every child.
For a child who is being exploited, Christmas can be a very difficult time.
During the festive period, child exploitation can sometimes increase, with gifts such as laptops or phones making it easier for perpetrators to target, befriend and start grooming children and young people.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 10 mins)
Understanding and Preventing Online risks During the Holidays
With more free time and excitement over the festive season, children may be exposed to inappropriate content, scams, or online contact from strangers. Early awareness and proactive discussion can significantly reduce these risks. Staff and families should talk openly with children about staying safe online, including not sharing personal information and recognising unsafe or uncomfortable situations.
Professionals can also provide resources for parents, such as tips for monitoring screen time, reporting concerns, and discussing online safety in a way that is positive and age-appropriate. By maintaining vigilance and clear communication between home and setting, children can enjoy online experiences safely while building healthy digital habits that last beyond the holidays.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Mental Health and Family Instability: A Rising Safeguarding Priority
Recent data shows a significant shift in the landscape of safeguarding referrals, with mental health and substance misuse now surpassing domestic abuse as the leading causes. This trend is particularly relevant for further education (FE) providers, where learners often face the ripple effects of family instability.
FE providers are reporting increased cases of student anxiety, self-harm, and emotional distress with many incidences linked to breakdowns at home. In response, safeguarding teams are strengthening early help pathways and deepening collaboration with external agencies to ensure timely, holistic support.
As we move into 2026, FE professionals are encouraged to remain vigilant, foster open dialogue with learners, and embed trauma-informed practices into their safeguarding frameworks.that suggest the person is unsuitable to work in regulated activity, even if there is no criminal conviction or caution.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Health & Safety
What is holiday heart syndrome - and how could it affect your Christmas?
Christmas is often a time to treat yourself to a well-earned drink and a few festive indulgences. Enjoying the occasional tipple isn’t something to feel guilty about, especially if it’s part of an otherwise healthy lifestyle. But the holiday season can place more strain on your heart than you might realise - particularly if you already have a heart condition.
Holiday heart syndrome happens when your heart starts beating too fast or falls out of rhythm after you’ve had more alcohol than your body can comfortably handle
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 10 mins)
How to maintain your fitness New Year's resolutions
Many of us like to set New Year's resolutions, and often vow to start exercising more or become healthier. However, on average, 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by the second week of February and fitness resolutions in particular can be challenging to keep up.
So, how can you maintain your fitness goals when the urge to stay in bed rather than jog to the gym on a cold January morning is just so strong?
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
How to avoid stress over Christmas and the New Year
Many of us see the festive period as a time for celebrating, but it can easily feel overwhelming. From spending money on presents to non-stop social obligations and extended time with family, Christmas can easily become exhausting and stressful.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 30 mins)
Wider Curriculum
Reframing loneliness during the Christmas holiday period
The Christmas festive season is often portrayed as a time of togetherness, joy, and celebration. However, this time of year can intensify feelings of isolation and loneliness for some individuals. Onebright explores how reframing loneliness can help them feel empowered as they find ways to navigate it.
Loneliness does not discriminate - it can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status. Studies have shown that loneliness is becoming increasingly prevalent in modern society, with approximately 33% of adults worldwide reporting feeling lonely or socially isolated. The holiday season can exacerbate these feelings as some individuals face Christmas alone.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
How volunteers are spreading joy this Christmas
Tens of thousands of items are set to be donated across the west of England to spread joy this Christmas to families in need.
From toys for children staying in emergency accommodation to a unique campaign ensuring that young people can enjoy the magic of a pantomime performance, a team of volunteers have been working hard to support families.
Everything from toys and food, to sleeping bags and gift packs have been collected by charities and organisations over the past few months.
(Watching this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
Sustainability
Top Tips For A Sustainable Christmas- WWF
Around half of UK adults receive gifts they don't want at Christmas.[1] When buying gifts, think less but better. Put time into picking a quality item that will both last and be loved. This reduces the chances of gifts going to waste and will ensure that your gift lasts for many years to come. This could even be better for your wallet by purchasing one quality gift, rather than lots of cheaper, disposable or poor-quality items.
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)
How to make a low-carbon Christmas dinner
There's an unspoken rule that you don't discuss the calorie content of a Christmas feast. It would take a brave host to point out that the average person consumes around 5,200 on the day, by one calculation – more than double the recommended intake – while handing round a plate of roast potatoes.
So, perhaps it's not exactly festive to dissect its environmental impact, either. But after a year of headlines about the climate emergency, water shortages, and the global collapse of biodiversity, you might just feel like you can't ignore these things. What if you could deliver a Christmas dinner that's so spectacular, no one even notices that it's also planet-friendly?
(Reading this can be counted towards your 20% off the Job learning if it links to the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in your apprenticeship standard – Approx. 20 mins)`
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