Jackie Kemp - freelance journalist and writer - Edinburgh, Scotland

Game guys, meet the husbands of Scots sportswomen

Monday, 26 October 2009 14:41
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Sportswomen step out with their Hobos - Herald Saturday mag

We all know about the Wags, but what about the men who stand behind successful sportswomen?

First there was the unstoppable rise of the Wags, the smart, supportive and often glamorous women behind many a sporting success. But what about their counterparts on the opposite side of the gender divide? Meet the Hobos

Forget the sportsmen – the Wags wield the real power behind the thrones. From Coleen Rooney, the wife of England and Manchester United striker Wayne, or Amy Mickelson, spouse of US golfer Phil, to model Leah Shevlin, the fiancee of Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor, the wives and girlfriends often take centre stage.

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Children removed from 'fat family'

Thursday, 22 October 2009 07:48
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The Times - October 22 2009

Social workers who removed two children from an overweight family acted yesterday to ensure that all their remaining children, including a newborn baby, are taken into care.

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Dementia - patients charter launched

Friday, 09 October 2009 08:57
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The Herald - 8 Oct 2009

The Scottish Government needs to find another £15 million a year for the next five years to fund the better management of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a Dementia Manifesto launched by Alzheimer’s Scotland this week.

One-quarter of all deaths in Scotland are now due to the condition, which affects 70,000 people and their families – set to almost double in 20 years – and costs the country £1.7 billion a year, according to the charity. Yet it gets only two pence in every pound of medical research funding.

One major demand of the manifesto, based on consultations with patients and their families, is for more to be done to help people when they are diagnosed. “No-one should be left to face this on their own,” says the document, which aims to influence Scotland’s first National Strategy on Alzheimer’s due next spring.Also this week, the Scottish government launches a national consultation which will include a face-to-face event to get input from sufferers and carers.
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Newborn girl will return to parents of ‘obese family’ after ruling

Friday, 23 October 2009 07:39
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The Times - October 23, 2009

TA couple whose overweight children were taken into care by social workers are to be reunited with their newborn baby this week.

The girl, who was judged to be at risk because of the family’s obesity and other aspects of their lifestyle, will be allowed home as soon as she is well enough to leave hospital, which officials said was likely to be this weekend.

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England wasn't built on babysitting bans

Wednesday, 30 September 2009 09:56
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28 September 2009, guardian.co.uk

What would Orwell make of a nation in which mothers are investigated for looking after each other's children?

When did it happen? When did the English, described by George Orwell in his famous essays, as a byword for tolerance, eternally suspicious of "power worship" and the overweening authoritarian state, turn into people who report their neighbours to the authorities for babysitting each other's children without permission?

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