Drone helps find Lincolnshire rough sleepers

HMP Lincoln has launched a new education programme for prisoners with learning needs in a bid to cut crime and reduce the £18 billion spent on reducing reoffending each year.

Prisoners at HMP and YOI (Young Offender Institution) Lincoln with learning needs such as dyslexia, autism and ADHD will receive tailored education.

The new pilot will take place in five prisons – HMP Bristol, Berwyn, Lincoln, New Hall and Swaleside.

Figures show that prisoners who take part in learning while behind bars are 9% less likely to go on to commit further crimes compared to those who didn’t, according to the Ministry of Justice.

A new team will also work to ensure prisoners with neurodivergent needs such as dyslexia and autism are identified earlier, so they can receive more tailored support as soon as they arrive at the prison gates.

Andy Burton, Acting Governor at HMP & YOI Lincoln, said: “I’ve seen for myself the difference it makes when prisoners fully engage with formal education.

“That’s why I’m confident that through this initiative, we will bring learning and education to even more prisoners in a way that will really improve their chances of rehabilitation.”

Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland said: “I’m determined to transform the education on offer inside our prison system because it plays a huge role in rehabilitating prisoners.

“Increasing the support for those with diverse learning needs will create safer streets, fewer victims and ultimately ease the financial burden of further offending on the law-abiding public.”

Lincolnshire’s patch of sunshine could be about to end, with forecasts of thunderstorms in the county this week.

Yellow warnings of thunderstorms have been listed for the majority of England and Wales from Wednesday until Saturday by the Met Office.

There are also expected to be very high pollen levels this week, not good news for hay fever sufferers.

Very high pollen levels and thunderstorms could be on their way. | Photo: Met Office

Highs of 26°C have been forecast for Wednesday, dropping below 20 for the rest of the week, with showers predicted for Thursday and Sunday.

Overnight the temperature will still be in double figures for degrees celsius, and the mornings will be incredibly humid, sometimes over 90% in the early hours.

With the thunderstorm warnings come small risks of flooding and damage to buildings, as well as power cuts and potential road closures if the weather gets particularly bad.

The vast majority of England is at risk of storms. | Photo: Met Office

England’s eagerly anticipated Euro 2020 match with Scotland on Friday night has heavy rain forecast throughout the evening, so you might want to find somewhere to watch the match indoors.

Sixteen cancer nurses from Lincoln will take on a 26 mile ‘Mighty Hike’ for charity and have already gone above their initial target by raising over £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Lincoln woman Polly Johnson, 39, and her colleagues from the Waddington Ward at Lincoln County Hospital wanted to do something positive after surviving one of the most stressful years of the their career.

Many of the group know someone affected by cancer and some were even treated on their own ward, so it is a cause close to their hearts.

They will take on the ‘Mighty Hike’ across the Lake District for Macmillan Cancer Support on Saturday, June 19 – make a donation here.

Polly Johnson (right) with some of her nursing colleagues training for the ‘Mighty Hike’.

Polly said: “We chose Macmillan because we work with a lot of Macmillan nurses and have two on our walking team, so we see the benefits of the Macmillan funding. Quite a few of our nurses have loved ones who have been affected by cancer and some have even been treated on our ward, so it is a cause close to our hearts.”

“The last few months have been extremely difficult for all healthcare workers. We’ve had a lot of very poorly patients and a lot of our nurses have recovered from COVID too. So training for this walk has been good for our wellbeing and mental health as well. It has been a great bond for us all at a difficult time.

“Taking on this challenge has embedded walking into our lives. Some of the group have done triathlons, some of us have never really walked before so we have varying levels of fitness. It’s been lovely training together, we’re really excited to be doing something positive.”

The 16 nurses have been training together over the past few months.

The Macmillan Mighty Hike 2021 series is being held in coastal and mountain locations across the UK between June 5 and September 11.

COVID-19 forced the cancellation of Mighty Hikes in 2020, losing the charity fundraising income, and Polly and her colleagues were among those participants who were forced to defer their entry for 2021.

Nurses from the Waddington Ward at Lincoln County Hospital have already raised over £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Helen Hancock, Macmillan Mighty Hikes Senior Programme Manager, said: “Mighty Hike season will be a time of renewed optimism with people seizing every opportunity to get out there and live their life and make a difference. This is what Macmillan Mighty Hikes are all about.

“We are determined to make this a success for the thousands of Mighty Hikers who were forced to cancel or defer their 2020 places – and for everyone who is joining us for their first Mighty Hike.”

Make a donation to the fundraiser here