“Working in the classroom with children who need additional support made me realise how much more I wanted to learn.”

Meet Sarahjane Dickson, a classroom assistant supporting children with additional educational needs in Belfast, who went back to university to better support the pupils she works with.

She is celebrating recently graduating with a BA (Hons) in Education Studies (Primary) from The Open University, after balancing two full-time jobs, caring responsibilities and six years of part-time study.

Sarahjane’s motivation for studying came directly from working with children with additional and neurodivergent needs and wanting to better understand how to support them. And this Neurodiversity Celebration Week, her story highlights the growing need for support for neurodivergent children.

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Sarahjane, 45, works as an ASEN (Additional Support Educational Needs) assistant and completed her degree in 2025 while working and caring for her mother — proving to herself that returning to education was possible.

With a background in further education and an NVQ qualification, Sarahjane had considered university study for years. After many conversations with a friend about The Open University’s flexible model, she decided to enrol.

“I wanted to study both for personal reasons and to progress my career,” she said. “Working in the classroom with children who need additional support made me realise how much more I wanted to learn.”

Studying while working two jobs full-time and providing care at home required discipline and determination. Sarahjane dedicated Sundays to study and developed strategies to manage the academic workload.

“The reading was probably the hardest part at the beginning,” she explained. “After long days at work and assignments due, I had to quickly learn how to scan read and focus on what mattered. But every time I got a TMA result back, I surprised myself, and it pushed me forward.”

Her studies have strengthened her knowledge and confidence in supporting children with additional needs in the classroom — something she hopes will support future career progression.

“Completing this degree has given me a solid foundation. It’s made me more confident and increased my self-worth. I hope to move into a role where I can use what I’ve learned to make a real difference for children who need extra support.”

Sarahjane credits The Open University’s tutor support and teaching materials with helping her succeed: “My tutor was always there when I reached out and kept me grounded. I would tell any student struggling to speak up and use the support available — don’t isolate yourself. Even though it’s distance learning, you’re never on your own.”

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Her colleagues in school were also supportive of her studies, with some teachers even helping to proofread assignments. Studying during the Covid-19 pandemic presented challenges but also unexpected opportunities.

“Being at home more during Covid gave me extra time to focus on assignments. I also changed jobs during my studies, so it was a busy few years, but finishing my degree is my proudest achievement.”

Reflecting on her six-year journey, Sarahjane said she never imagined she would reach the finish line: “I never thought finishing those six years was possible. Getting to the end has shown me what I’m capable of.”

Through both her role and her studies, Sarahjane has developed a strong passion for inclusive education and supporting neurodivergent pupils and those with additional learning needs to thrive.

To support educators, parents and professionals working with neurodivergent children and young people, The Open University has created a free online neurodiversity hub offering practical tools, guidance and resources to build understanding and confidence in supporting different ways of learning.

Explore the free Supporting Neurodivergent Children hub and toolkit here.

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A woman from Kingsland, Georgia has been charged with murder after she allegedly took an abortion pill and gave birth to an infant who died hours later at hospital

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A 31 year old woman has been accused of murder following her use of an abortion pill, which resulted in the birth of an infant who passed away hours later.

According to a local police report, 31-year-old Alexia Moore consumed 200mg of Misoprostol, a medication typically used alongside Mifepristone to terminate a pregnancy, on the evening of December 29, 2025. The following day, she delivered at Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus hospital.

Georgia’s heartbeat legislation bans terminations once a foetal heartbeat is detected, roughly five to six weeks into gestation. This law came into force on July 20, 2022.

Police records indicate Moore now faces charges including murder, possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of a schedule 2 controlled substance. The arrest documentation states Moore attempted to depart the hospital after trying to terminate the pregnancy herself, and was taken into custody last week on a murder charge, Action News Jax reported.

Hospital personnel notified local authorities about a “suspicious circumstance involving a female patient,” reports the Mirror US.

Officers logged the report on December 30.

“This is an unprecedented murder charge for an alleged abortion, even though no law in the state of Georgia permits such a charge,” Dana Sussman, Senior Vice President of Pregnancy Justice, told Jezebel in a statement.

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“Do they really want to send women to prison for abortions? This will cause untold harm to this woman and to the women of Georgia,” she added. The investigation is ongoing to determine how advanced her pregnancy was.

A criminal defence lawyer from Jackson informed the media that any murder case would hinge on whether prosecutors can demonstrate an intentional act directly resulted in a human fatality. Florida state representative Anna Eskamani, who has previously worked for Planned Parenthood, told the station that “banning abortion does not actually end abortion” and emphasised that abortion medication is generally safer when administered under medical supervision.

The Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act in Georgia has redefined state law to treat an unborn child with a detectable heartbeat differently under several statutes, a shift that legal experts suggest could complicate cases related to pregnancy outcomes.

According to the state code, the detection of a fetal heartbeat now serves as a significant legal benchmark in certain civil and criminal contexts.

Moore remains in custody without bail.

Public health minister Jenni Minto said: “The fact is that we are treating more patients with cancer on time, within both standards, compared to pre-pandemic. 95.1% of patients are being treated within 31 days of a decision to treat, with the median wait for treatment just two days – the joint lowest on record.

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has given his verdict on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future amid the club’s uncertain form this season

Wayne Rooney believes Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will still be at the club next season, amid speculation over the Catalan coach’s future. Guardiola’s contract at the Etihad runs until the end of next season and he’s made clear he intends to see out the length of that contract.

The City boss put pen to paper on an extension in November 2024, amid expectations he could bring his time at the club to an end. There has been no suggestion from Guardiola that he will not see out his contract but Manchester City have explored potential successors for the 55-year-old, setting tongues wagging.

Enzo Maresca is said to have told Chelsea he had held talks over the possibility of joining Manchester City when Guardiola departs. But the Italian, who has enjoyed two coaching spells at City, may be forced to wait.

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Rooney believes that despite some struggles this term, Guardiola still looks comfortable at City, and won’t bring a premature end to his time at the club.

“I don’t think so, he looks really relaxed there,” he said on Amazon Prime. “I think he’ll be here next season, yeah.

“It looks like he loves it here, he’s been very successful here, he’s brought so many happy memories here so i think he’ll be here next year. He’s a serial winner, he wants to win this game tonight.”

However, City failed to win a trophy last term, and their chance of success remains uncertain for 2025/26. The club take on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final this weekend, searching for silverware and remain in the FA Cup, facing Liverpool in the quarter-finals.

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Guardiola’s side were knocked out of Champions League contention by Real Madrid, failing to reach the last eight for the second time in as many seasons. The City boss had only been eliminated once before this stage in his first 15 campaigns as a manager in the competition.

Joe Hart is less certain than Rooney of Guardiola’s future, but the former goalkeeper told the Manchester Evening News that his former boss will be involved in any decision.

“He’s tied to that club; he absolutely adores that club,” Hart said. “And the club adores him. So whatever decisions get made, it will be a joint decision.

“I’m not sure whether he does do the remainder of his contract or whatever, but all they care about at that club right now is trying to win: the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, the Champions League.”

MSPs have voted overwhelmingly to regulate non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Scotland, banning treatments for under-18s and requiring Botox and filler injections to be carried out by registered medical professionals.

MSPs have voted to pass a Bill to regulate beauty procedures such a s Botox and fillers after the industry was described as the “wild west”.

The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill will ensure non-surgical beauty procedures are performed by registered medical professionals in “appropriate settings”.

It also makes it an offence for such a procedure to be given to someone under the age of 18.

Some 124 MSPs voted to back the Bill, with none voting against and two abstentions.

According to Advice Direct Scotland, 430 people – some as young as 15 – had contacted them about botched procedures.

Speaking in Holyrood on Tuesday, Scottish Tory health spokesman and practising GP Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “At its core, this legislation is about one fundamental principle, and that is patient safety.

“At the moment, in parts of the non-surgical cosmetic sector, that safety is far too inconsistent.

“To put it bluntly, in some areas, the situation resembles the wild west.”

While there are some good businesses, there are others who “botch” procedures, Dr Gulhane added.

“This would be unacceptable in absolutely any other area of healthcare yet, for far too long, that is effectively what we have allowed to develop here.”

Public health minister Jenni Minto, speaking on behalf of the Government on Tuesday, said: “Many people have had positive experiences with responsible and caring practitioners.

“But, as the sector has grown, so have stories of people who have been harmed or injured.”

The Bill had been criticised over concerns it could result in businesses with qualified practitioners being shuttered because they are not considered to be a healthcare professional, with independent MSP Ash Regan bringing amendments at stage three.

Responding to concerns, the minister said: “I did not urge members to resist those amendments lightly, because these amendments weakened aspects of the Bill that are necessary to achieve our public safety aims.”

Ms Minto later added: “Nevertheless, I expect the Scottish Government to continue working closely with businesses to mitigate the impact wherever possible.”

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“More than happy for other people to be interested, more than happy for other people to tell the story but he was an Ulster man, and that is something that we are going to very very proudly promote with the view to say to people, ‘why don’t you start to think a little bit about your ancestry, your heritage so we can have you over in Northern Ireland, to show you what Northern Ireland is all about.

He was someone who has always been fit and active, running many marathons and half marathons.

A Northern Ireland man has opened about suffering a stroke out of the blue in February last year at the age of just 50.

Thomas Gray from Newtownabbey had no signs or symptoms and was someone who has always been fit and active, running many marathons and half marathons.

He explained: “I had no health concerns before my stroke. There were no signs or symptoms that something like that might happen. On the morning I had my stroke, my wife had made me a cup of tea, and I went to get it and just hit the floor. I had absolutely no warning of what was coming. Afterwards I found out my blood pressure was sky high, but I didn’t know about that at the time.

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“We didn’t know what had happened to me after I collapsed but we knew it was serious because I couldn’t move my right-hand side. My wife remained very calm and managed to get me into the car and took me to the Mater Hospital, but they then rushed me to the Royal Victoria Hospital. I was trailing my right leg and had lost power in my right arm.

“I was fortunate that I was able to get thrombolysis which is a clot busting medication. I am one of the lucky ones. My wife was there when I had my stroke and acted fast to get me help. I had scans and thrombolysis in about an hour and a half. Time is of the essence with stroke, and I was fortunate that way.”

According to NICHS, 51% of stroke survivors are under 75 years old and over 42,500 people in Northern Ireland have a stroke or TIA, also known as a mini-stroke, diagnosis.

Thomas added: “I still find it hard to believe that I had a stroke as I’ve always been an active person. I’ve completed ten marathons and lots of half marathons. I wasn’t concerned about my health and had no warning signs of anything being wrong. That’s exactly why I’m sharing my story, to raise awareness that stroke can happen to anyone, at any time, at any age.

“Looking back on things now is a bit easier but it has been a tough time emotionally as well as physically. You think about the ‘what ifs’ and it took me a few months to work through that. Stroke obviously has a physical impact, but there is a huge mental impact that comes with it too. I was only 50, I didn’t expect anything like this to happen to me.

“There is a lot to process and deal with. But I also want to let other stroke survivors know there is life after stroke. If sharing my story helps give others some hope that would be a great thing.”

Now, a little over one year later, Thomas is preparing to take on local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s (NICHS) Red Dress Fun Run to raise awareness of young stroke as well as vital funds for the charity’s work.

Speaking about his recovery journey Thomas said: “When I was discharged from hospital, I had occupational therapy and physiotherapy at home for months. I was also referred to Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke and availed of their Family Support service. The team were really encouraging and gave me lots of very helpful advice and information about living with the impact of stroke.

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“NICHS also advised me to talk to my GP about being referred to the Healthwise scheme so I could go to the gym and work on my recovery. I go to the gym at the Valley Leisure Centre and the staff there have been great, giving me programmes to work on and monitoring me. I’ve found exercising at the gym so helpful to my recovery and I wouldn’t have known about the Healthwise scheme if NICHS hadn’t highlighted it to me.”

He added: “The public might not realise the work NICHS is doing to help people. My eyes were opened to the range of services the charity provides. I would urge anyone who has a stroke to take all the help they are offered right from the start. I didn’t do that- at first, I thought I could just get on and deal with things.

“I was saying I was ok but deep down, I did need that help and support offered to me and I should have taken it from the get-go. At the start there is an awful lot to take in but I would urge people not to bury their heads in the sand or shy away from help. NICHS is there to help you make the best recovery possible so please take their help.

“Fortunately, I have recovered well. I have regained power in my right-hand side, and it only really affects me now if I am extremely tired. I do suffer from fatigue although it is not quite as bad as it used to be thankfully. I get brain fog when I’m tired and I can’t concentrate but exercising and building my fitness levels back up has definitely helped me to control the fatigue. I have also been able to return to work which was my main aim after my stroke.

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“I am an example of how you can recover from stroke. It isn’t easy, it’s hard work. To look at me you would never know I’ve had a stroke. So again, that’s my motivation behind sharing my story to raise awareness and to also give hope to others.”

Thomas’ recovery journey and return to exercise has led to him setting his sights on completing Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s upcoming 5K Red Dress Fun Run.

He said: “NICHS really helped me after my stroke so that’s why I’m doing the event, to give something back. I have always been a runner, but this will be my first proper event since my stroke. I did a parkrun recently for the first time in over a year. It was tough but I managed it.

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“The running community is very supportive and that really ties in with the Red Dress Fun Run because it’s for everyone and anyone, no matter their age or ability which is great. I’m really looking forward to the day, and it will be a great way to mark how far I’ve come since last year.”

Last year, the Red Dress Fun Run had over 700 people take part, and the charity is once again hoping for a sea of red participants at this year’s event which takes place at Belfast’s Stormont Estate this Sunday, March 22.

You can still sign up to the Red Dress Fun Run at www.nichs.org.uk/RedDressFunRun.

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