As Spring dawns and the sun shines; I think it makes everyone feel more positive and hopeful. Young children, in their innocence, notice the purity of the spring flowers, whilst adults see how lush the countryside and the grass in our gardens look after all the rain. Even the two bunches of daffodils my husband brought back from the supermarket brought a smile to my face.

TransPennine Express (TPE) is set to launch a new children’s book featuring Nya, its much‑loved therapy dog, in a bid to help young passengers feel more confident and reassured when travelling by train. Written by the train operator’s Safeguarding and Crime Prevention Lead, Steve O’Callaghan, the story was released on World Book Day.

Three team members from Candlelighters, the leading Yorkshire-based children’s cancer charity, have been named finalists in the prestigious Yorkshire Leadership Awards 2026. The awards recognise individuals who act as role models, empower their teams, and drive positive change across the region.

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to visit RHS Garden Bridgewater for just £1 this March, as part of National Lottery Open Week 2026. From 7-14 March, anyone presenting a National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard or Instant Win game - digital or physical - can enjoy £1 entry per person for up to four people.

Do you know what’s on your doorstep? This spring, some of Cumbria’s most loved National Trust places are reopening their doors following winter closure for cleaning and conservation work.

New figures from Yorkshire-based law firm, LCF Law suggest people are making a will earlier in life than commonly assumed, with the average client instructing the firm to prepare their first will in their mid-40s. The findings sit alongside long-running national research into will-writing behaviour.

As parents, ensuring the well-being of our children is a top priority. Oral health has an important role in the general health and wellbeing of families but it is often something we neglect, instead focusing on the benefits of exercise, a healthy diet and good sleep hygiene.

A cursory glance along the shelves of bookshops and libraries of any town will reveal a discomfiting, or perhaps encouraging, reminder that books for children are available in overwhelming numbers. Almost too well served by the market, the genre is glutted to the point of saturation with ‘product’, and it is heartening, in the context of surfeit, to find a gem glittering in the tide.

Yorkshire children's cancer charity Candlelighters has published advice on how to spot the symptoms of childhood cancer, as part of International Childhood Cancer Day on Sunday February 15th. Emily Wragg is the CEO of Candlelighters and says: “Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults.

In February thoughts often turn to romance with messages about Valentine’s Day circulating everywhere on social media and in every shop on the high street. It’s easy to be drawn into the hype and see our own relationships or potential relationships through the lens of what the marketing tells us love should be like.

An estate planner who went from selling windows to producing wills says too many people are “putting their lives in the hands of a robot”. Estate planning expert Steve Bish lost one of his closest friends, Carl, in a scooter accident in 2001. Carl had not left a will and Steve helped his widow deal with the estate.

This Children’s Mental Health Week (9th-15th February), I am taking a look at the core aspects of a child’s life that are important from a mental health perspective and offer advice on how families can help improve their children’s health and wellbeing.

Jones Myers family law solicitor Katie Jennings has successfully completed the key first stage of her training to become an accredited Family Law Mediator. Katie, who is based at the niche family law firm’s York city centre office, has undergone training with the Family Mediators Association, completing her assignments in the evenings and weekends.

A new year often brings about new reflections and new ambitions, whether it's rekindling old friendships, beginning a new hobby, learning a language or setting off on an adventure to a distant land. Many of us use the first few months of a new year to make plans for ourselves or for our families.

In 2026 more couples who are divorcing and separating are expected to choose non-confrontational ways to legally end their relationship and put their children’s best interests first.

A new maternal wellbeing support group is launching in Thirsk on Thursday 08th January 2026, marking the first community-based session delivered by Brighter Skies, the Yorkshire-based campaign founded by local parents Stef Scurr and Andrew Dunn. The group, which will run from 9am–11am at Thirsk Community Primary School in partnership with Giggle & Grow Tots group provided by Community Works.

This title may be a little confusing as it almost suggests I am using old pieces of artwork to celebrate the new year. This is totally not my intention. I hope all you wonderful young artists and your families and friends had a joyous time and are now looking forward to a healthy, happy creative new year.

My son Dylan was born via emergency caesarean section on 28 July 2025, but he wasn’t crying properly when he was born. He sneezed and cried a bit before going silent. That’s when I knew something wasn’t quite right. As they finished my surgery other doctors were attending to Dylan. They then informed us that he was struggling either due to an infection or a heart condition.

A recent poll by cancer charity Maggie’s, found that nearly half of people worry about speaking to family and friends with cancer. Maggie’s cancer charity is well known for its compassionate support for people living with cancer and those close to them.

Yorkshire children’s cancer charity Candlelighters is showcasing the role of outreach play specialists, within the broad range of services it offers to the families of children with cancer. Emily Wragg, Candlelighters’ CEO explains: “We’re proud to fund two NHS outreach play specialists based at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

Motorsport fans enjoyed a special evening with racing car driver Daniel Lloyd raising awareness and funds for Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice while discovering a range of supercars at the newly restored Three Acres Inn, near Huddersfield. The ‘Ignition’ event was the brainchild of BTCC driver Daniel, who has been an ambassador for Forget Me Not since 2012.

In the UK, more than 35,000 deaths are attributed to cold-related illnesses each year, this is equivalent to more than 96 preventable deaths per day. For older people, freezing temperatures and cold weather present significant risks, especially amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis.

One-thousand families of premature and sick babies in the North of England have been helped through difficult times by a generous donation. The 1,000 beneficiaries’ milestone has been achieved through three years of support from the operator of the Tyne Tunnels, TT2, to Tiny Lives Trust which pays for the transport costs of families with babies in hospitals.