A range of outstanding young people aged 15-29 have been honoured with Commonwealth Youth Awards at the Youth Forum of the Commonwealth Summit.  The awards recognise young people whose innovative projects have had a significant impact on their communities. This year’s awards celebrated young people’s contribution towards a fairer, more sustainable, more secure and more prosperous future for the Commonwealth: the four sub-themes of the Summit that is taking place this week in London.

Usman Iftikhar was named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year and received his award from Prince Harry. “The Commonwealth is such an amazing platform to share our ideas and perspectives,” he said.

Usman, 27, was also the regional winner for the Pacific.  He founded Catalysr, a startup incubator that enables migrants and refugees in Australia to start their own businesses and create a sustainable future for themselves and their communities. The company has a four-month incubator programme that offers office space, mentoring sessions, networking opportunities and access to capital. Usman believes that the Youth Forum and the Commonwealth Summit is an opportunity to collaborate on a long term sustainable future for everyone.

The regional winners were presented with their awards by the UK’s Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds.

Jonathan Barcant, 29, the regional winner for Caribbean and Americas, is from Trinidad and Tobago. He founded Vetiver TT, a cost-effective bio-engineering scheme to build climate change resilience. He would like to take the scheme to other nations affected by hurricanes such Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, and says that “to be part of this network to showcase on this platform is very useful” for expanding his work.

The regional winner for Asia, Vanessa Paranjothy, said that the award will enable her to promote her social enterprise, Freedom Cups, to a wider market.  Vanessa, 29, from Singapore, co-founded Freedom Cups with her sisters. It provides underprivileged women with menstrual products in a buy-one-give-one model.

The regional winner for Africa and Europe, Sherifah Tumusiime, 29, is from Uganda.  She founded Zimba Women, a social enterprise that helps underserved women get internet access.  She said she was deeply humbled to be honoured by the award: “it’s not just East Africa or Africa that I’m working with now, it’s global.”

Layne Robinson, the Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth, said that the Regional Winners and Commonwealth Young Person of the Year “demonstrate real innovation and dedication in working to make the Commonwealth fairer, more secure, more sustainable and more prosperous. Their projects demonstrate the powerful potential of young people all over the Commonwealth and we are thrilled to recognise them during the Youth Forum this year.”

The 20 finalists span every region of the Commonwealth and were shortlisted from more than 400 applications from around the world. The awards are coordinated by the Commonwealth Youth Programme.

Finalists receive a grant of £1,000 to continue their development work.  The Regional Young Persons of the Year receive £3,000 and the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year receives £5,000.

The Pan-Commonwealth adjudication panel included the High Commissioner for Saint Kitts and Nevis, representatives from the High Commissions of Fiji, Malaysia, and Kenya, a trustee of the British Youth Council and a representative of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Awareness Week has been renamed as Dementia Action Week.

It takes place from 21-27 May 2018 and Alzheimer’s Society is calling on everyone in Birmingham to unite today and plan actions, big or small, to make a huge difference to people affected by dementia.

There are more than 10,000 people living with dementia in Birmingham and too many face the condition alone without adequate support. Here are top five ways you can get involved in 2018:

1. Become a Dementia Friend Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative allows people to learn a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia and then turn that understanding into action. In Birmingham there are already more than 64,490 Dementia Friends across Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire. To get involved you can either find your nearest Dementia Friends Information Session – a fun, interactive session that covers five key messages through activities and discussion – or watch an online video. The growing dementia movement has already seen two million people become Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. To find your nearest session, visit dementiafriends.org.uk

2. Spread the news This year’s Dementia Action Week theme is community change and we want to see a big impact in Birmingham. People with dementia and carers have shared actions with us that will make a difference, from ‘invite me out. Friends still mean the world to me’ to ‘take time to listen. I can still teach you a thing or two.’ Unite against dementia and help people affected to feel included in their community and able to live the life they want. Get your family, friends or work colleagues to sign up and be the first to hear more about Dementia Action Week, unite now at alzheimers.org.uk/DementiaActionWeek

3. Arrange a quiz event Sign up, team up and compete to unite against dementia with our all-new, action-packed mega-quiz. With someone developing dementia every three minutes, it’s the biggest health and social care challenge we face right now. This is your chance to help us outsmart it, using the mighty power of the quiz to raise funds – and have a lot of fun. Sign up today for your free Challenge Dementia Quiz pack at alzheimers.org.uk/challengedementia You can also contact your local Community Fundraising Officer, Lisa Courtney on 07484 504 822.

4. Join dementia research In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes and almost everyone knows someone whose life has been affected. There hasn’t been a new drug for dementia in 15 years. But since 2013, the number of clinical trials for Alzheimer’s drugs has doubled. Alzheimer’s Society will continue to drive forward research for effective treatments for dementia and – ultimately – a cure. Unite against dementia and sign up to take part in research, visit alzheimers.org.uk/joindementiaresearch

5. Get involved on social media Whether you are planning your own fundraising event, attending a Dementia Friends Information Session or have a unique action to help make a difference, Alzheimer’s Society wants to hear about it. Share what you are planning on social media by using #DAW2018. You can ‘like’ or ‘follow’ your local Alzheimer’s Society pages: Alzheimer's Society West Midlands.

Independent charity Crimestoppers and the Electoral Commission are urging the public in Birmingham to protect their right to vote by reporting any cases of electoral fraud.

The campaign asks people to tell Crimestoppers if they suspect or have information on someone breaking electoral law. This includes cases of:

·         Personation (people pretending to be someone else in order to vote / at the polling station)

·         Bribery (offer of money or other inducements to vote in a particular way)

·         Intimidation (influencing a voter through the use of threats)

·         More than one person using a polling booth at the same time

During 2017, police forces across the UK investigated 336 electoral fraud allegations. Of these, 104 alleged cases related to voting offences and 36 to registration offences.

Of these, there was one prosecution and conviction for personation. Two suspects accepted police cautions regarding personation when voting by post, and four suspects accepted cautions for registration offences.

The ‘Your vote is yours alone’ campaign materials depict different types of electoral fraud offences taking place in a polling station or in someone’s home as they complete their postal vote. They are designed to empower voters to protect their vote and report any concerns about possible fraud to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via our anonymous online form which can be found at crimestoppers-uk.org.

In addition, local authorities have been provided with resources – including videos, posters and a leaflet – which they can use in their local areas.

Mark Hallas, Chief Executive of the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Whilst electoral fraud is quite rare, it’s important for us all to be aware, lookout for it and work together to stop people from jeopardising our tradition of fair and free elections.

“Last year, as a charity, over 400,000 people trusted us to pass on their information about all sorts of crimes – safe in the knowledge that they remain 100% anonymous. Always.

”With elections on the horizon, we are asking people who – for whatever reason may not wish to speak to the police – to contact us on 0800 555 111 or via our anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. Once you hang up the phone, or click send, you’re done.”

Crimestoppers and the Electoral Commission have been working together since the 2015 general election when they first joined forces to raise public awareness and encourage people to speak up about their electoral fraud suspicions or concerns.

Craig Westwood, Director of Communications and Research at the Electoral Commission, said: “Electoral fraud is a serious crime, and the cautions and convictions handed down in the last year show that the police take reports seriously. No one should feel pressured to vote a certain way whether at the poll station on 3 May or by post. Our campaign seeks to empower voters to protect their vote; anyone who suspects fraud should contact Crimestoppers as soon as possible.”

As the resurgence in house plants takes the UK by storm in 2018, BBC Gardeners’ World Live has introduced a new stage dedicated to the art of indoor gardening – Blooming Interiors.

The Blooming Interiors stage brings indoor gardening gurus to the fore including Matt Biggs, author of Practical Guide to Growing Healthy Houseplants and Jane Perrone, presenter of podcast On The Ledge. Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek) completes the line-up with an exclusive Houseplant Edition of his Weird and Wacky Plant Show. Complementing the houseplant hotshots, British Florist Association experts present daily demos on how to create the most stunning indoor displays with your garden flowers. You can even pay a visit to renowned floral designer Jonathan Moseley and his team on the British Flower Bus for more floristry tips, including wedding florals, situated next to the Blooming Interiors stage.

Then all you need to do is start creating your own indoor jungle! Browse over 100 places selling quality plants, many suitable for indoor gardening, in the Floral Marquee and Plant Village at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (14-17 June at Birmingham’s NEC). From Streptocarpus, orchids and air plants to cacti, carnivorous plants and the stunningly colourful Coleus you’ll be spoilt for choice!

As houseplant-mania hits the streets, we’ve asked Jane Perrone, famed Gardening Editor of Guardian and presenter of On the Ledge, for her top tips for extending your garden indoors.

1. Know your plants!

2. Don't overwater

3. Keep them close

This year, Sydney will host both a historic standalone State of Origin encounter on Sunday 24 June, when the NSW Blues face rivals QLD Maroons at ANZ Stadium in Game Two of the 2018 Series, and the first ever Women's State of Origin game played under the Origin brand on Friday 22 June.

To add to the anticipation, the men's Game Two in Sydney could be the 2018 Series decider; with either the Brad Fittler led Blues creating history in claiming just their second Series victory since 2005 or the Maroons continuing their decade long dominance of Australia's most watched sporting event.

This clash will also be the first time in 17 years that a State of Origin game will have been played on a Sunday and furthermore, there will be no NRL Premiership games contested that weekend, allowing State of Origin Game Two in Sydney to take centre stage.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the State was proud to host the first Sunday State of Origin encounter in almost two decades and the Women's State of Origin on the same weekend, providing fans with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a long weekend in the Harbour City.

“NSW is the country's number one state for tourism and major events, with the annual State of Origin Series one of Sydney's key sporting events both in terms of visitation and exposure via broadcast audiences.

“In 2017, Sydney hosted Game Two of the Series which attracted 19,000 overnight visitors, delivered $12 million in visitor expenditure to the NSW economy and was watched by 3.5 million people across Australia.

“Fans attending this year's Game Two in Sydney could witness history in the making, with the fixture a potential Series decider, adding further significance to this Sunday encounter.

“History will also be made in Sydney that weekend when the first ever Women's State of Origin game will be contested under lights on Friday night, showcasing the passion, skill and determination of the country's finest players.

“We look forward to welcoming supporters to Sydney for these must see events and to enjoy an extended break in NSW,” Mr Marshall said.

In partnership with the NRL, Queensland State of Origin legend, Cooper Cronk features in a short video, personally urging fans to visit Sydney for Game Two of this year's State of Origin Series.

The dual Dally M Medallist was filmed in locations across Sydney, where he highlights some of his favourite activities, attractions, food destinations and hangouts.

Having retired from representative rugby league at the end of 2017, Cronk is a firm fan favourite in both Queensland and Victoria having played for the QLD Maroons on 22 occasions including seven series wins and 323 NRL games for the Melbourne Storm.

This year, Cronk will join 83,000 fans in the stands at ANZ Stadium on Sunday 24 June as State of Origin fever grips the nation.

“As a rugby league player you aspire to play State of Origin football. There is nothing like it. It's more than just a sporting contest, it's an event that means so much to so many,” Mr Cronk said.

“This year I'll be experiencing State of Origin as a fan for the first time in a long time. And while I'm sure I'll have the same nerves as my playing days, I'm looking forward to being part of a passionate crowd in Sydney.”

Cronk, who now plays for the Sydney Roosters, said Sydney has so much on offer for travelling fans.

“I love Sydney, it's a special city with so much to see and do,” Mr Cronk explained.

“You can't go past Sydney's famous attractions and stunning beaches, its world-class museums, theatres and festivals, plus Sydney has amazing cafés and restaurants.

“With Game Two of this year's State of Origin being played on a Sunday night, what a fantastic opportunity for fans to rally up their friends, teammates or work colleagues for a few days of fun and excitement in Sydney,” he concluded.

The warm weather has finally arrived – and about time too!  This inevitably means that people will be heading into the garden to start getting ready for summer, and Severn Trent has some great tips on how to look after your garden and be water savvy at the same time.

Doug Clarke, water efficiency manager at Severn Trent, said: ““We all want to keep our gardens looking their best and now is the time that people will be planting bedding plants and seedlings.  These can take a lot of watering in, and the biggest temptation is to get the hosepipe or sprinkler out and leave it running.  But this can use as much as 1,000 litres of drinking water in just one hour. To put it in perspective, that’s more water than a family of four would normally use in a whole day!

“We’re also urging gardeners not to worry about the health of their lawns just yet – in fact, watering established lawns is not only unnecessary, but can cause many common lawn problems.  Watering encourages shallow rooting, which in turn means the lawn is more at risk in dry conditions.  So once you start watering, you can’t stop.

“When we do get a shower or two, and no doubt we will – the warm weather never seems to last long - that’s probably all your garden needs.  And it’s also the perfect time to collect April showers in a water butt, that way you can keep the garden watered without using water from the tap, and save money too!”

It’s been over 20 years since Severn Trent last had a hosepipe ban in place and while the company is confident it has enough supply to meet demand, it's still encouraging customers to save what they can.

Doug continues: “Our reservoirs and other water sources are in a healthy position and looking good for the summer ahead, despite the rainfall over the winter being less than average.

“Now, we’re asking our customers not to be complacent and to think about being ‘water wise’ in whatever they do.  If there’s even a chance that it’s going to be a long dry summer, then we need to get into good habits now.”