New research shows that schools and colleges are the most common route into social action activities such as volunteering, campaigning, and fundraising. Teachers were identified as having a particularly strong influence on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, as results also showed that support from teachers, parents and friends to get involved is vital. Almost all young people who take part in regular social action receive some form of encouragement to do so, compared to less than half of those who...

After rising like a phoenix from the flames of the fire that devastated the beautiful former council building, the cool South London cultural hub of the Battersea Arts Centre continues to dazzle, bringing London's unique untold stories to the stage. And Conrad Murray is certainly unique - nimbly looping and live mixing beatbox, guitar and rapping about his own extraordinary childhood, while sampling lines from Hamlet, Murray's autobiographical one man show is as courageous as they come. For a one man show it...

We caught up with fantastic comedian Lucy Porter as her new show "consequences" takes the the road What can people expect from your show?   It’s a mixture of candid storytelling, political musings and giving booze to audience members. What’s the inspiration behind ‘Consequences? A women’s magazine asked me to write a ‘Letter to my 16-year-old-self.’ I sat down and thought about the advice I’d give to a younger me. I realised that in my teens I wouldn’t have taken any...

By Maggie Majstrova, @Foodstrova Despite British food historically having a stereotypically negative image (think overcooked vegetables and a repertoire of bland dishes), the last few years have seen a complete revival, with so many traditional dishes being re-worked into something more contemporary and, ultimately, flavoursome. Still, when a restaurant is described as ‘Modern British’, it’s impossible to be 100 per-cent sure of what to expect. Just consider, Despite British food historically having a stereotypically negative image. On the other hand,...

The son of a Bangladeshi immigrant from one of the country’s poorest areas is to follow in the footsteps of Princes William and Harry after winning a prestigious place at Eton. Kaashif Kamaly, 15, will swap impoverished Forest Gate in the East End of London for the hallowed halls of the world-famous public school after winning a two-year £76,000 scholarship. He will rub shoulders with the elite when he takes his place at the Windsor school to study A-level Maths,...

More worrying economic news has emerged, this time from The Institute for Fiscal Studies. They believe that child poverty will reach 5.1 million by 2022 as households face a squeeze on wages. The think-tank believes that average pay rate won’t grow over the next two years. The analysis says households are suffering the worst slowdown in incomes for 60 years and if planned benefit cuts go ahead, and earnings growth slow, inequality will start to rise over the next five...

A breast cancer sufferer who had a life-saving mastectomy left with differently shaped boobs - after the NHS refused to lift her other one to match. Mum-of-two Gina Truman, 53, has bravely shared photos of her "monstrous" body after learning that funding for the follow-up procedure was cut in her area. The cuts in the NHS are beginning to bite with the Red Cross claiming the health service was suffering from a humanitarian crisis. Jeremy Hunt as come under a lot...

"'And you, Ring-bearer,’ she said, turning to Frodo. ‘I come to you last who are not last in my thoughts. For you, I have prepared this.’ She held up a small crystal phial: it glittered as she moved it, and rays of white light sprang from her hand... May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.'" – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers Gift-giving is an act from the heart. Much has been...

These shocking videos show a 22-year-old woman ‘clicking’ herself back into place due to a rare condition which sees her joints dislocate ‘60 times a day’. 22-year-old Danielle Shield was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – an inherited condition which leaves her joints ‘loose’ and susceptible to ‘stick out at odd angles’ – in 2014 at 19 years old. Two years on, trainee nurse Danielle has 60 breaks or dislocations a day and has given up sport, is often reliant on...