Crime & Safety
Oxford University launches neuro disorder video campaign
Launched by the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford, the Genes, Brains, and Breakthroughs campaign aims to raise awareness through family-informed, animated video resources.
The short animations explain conditions affecting children’s brain development in an accessible way, covering neurodevelopment, genetic diagnoses and new therapies like gene therapy.
The series was created with input from families, clinicians, researchers and patient advocacy groups, and is designed to make complex science clear and relatable.
Dr Narjes Rohani, the campaign’s lead researcher, said: “Families consistently tell us that accessible information and public understanding are among their greatest unmet needs.
“This campaign is about opening up conversations around neurodevelopmental disorders, reducing stigma, and ensuring that advances in therapeutic genomics are communicated in a way that is meaningful and empowering for families and society as a whole.”
Helen Newton, from Tamworth, was involved in the project after her own family’s difficult journey with genetic testing.
She said: “My experience of genetic testing for my son was extremely difficult.
“Five years ago, we requested testing for our now 31-year-old son, but it took more than two years for the results to arrive in a letter through the post stating that he had SLC6A1 and SCN2A gene mutations.
“The letter simply said that our neurologist would have discussed this with us. We were referred for genetic counselling, but then faced another wait of almost a year.
“One of the biggest challenges with rare genetic conditions is that many healthcare professionals simply do not have enough information about them, so families often have to search elsewhere for support and guidance.
She welcomed the campaign and its resources.
Adding: “I did not want other families to go through the same experience we did, which is why I wanted to support the Genes, Brains, and Breakthroughs project.
“These animations will help families better understand rare genetic conditions and emerging research in a way that is accessible and reassuring.
“Being involved in developing the videos also gave me the opportunity to advocate for families without a scientific or genetic background.
“I was able to help identify when explanations became too technical and ensure the information remained clear, understandable, and genuinely useful for parents and carers.
The 16 animated videos were developed by the MRC Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) in Therapeutic Genomics, based within Oxford’s Department of Paediatrics, and shaped by families’ real questions and experiences.
In a Facebook post on ‘Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire’, the principal leader of the group asked campaigners to join the demonstration for ‘justice for Henry Nowak’.
The protest follows days of demonstration outside the police station following the murder of University of Southampton student Henry Nowak.
Protesters hurled bins, chairs and bricks at police as hundreds gathered outside the station.
READ MORE: Nationalist group to protest after murder of student
Activist Tommy Robinson and former actor Laurence Fox were among those who spoke to the crowd.
Speaking to the crowd Robinson said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.
“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”
Demonstrators were heard chanting “Henry, Henry” as large group moved across town and threw object at police in riot gear.
The controversy surrounding the murder of Mr Nowak centres on the initial police response after the 18-year-old student was stabbed in Southampton in December 2025.
A trial heard that officers arriving at the scene were allegedly misled by the killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, who claimed he had been the victim of a racist assault.
Police initially placed Mr Nowak in handcuffs.
In camera footage Nowak can be heard telling officers that he had been stabbed, with an officer on the scene replying “don’t think you have mate”.
Hampshire police’s Deputy Chief Constable Robert France said that within three minutes of interacting with Nowak they were starting to perform CPR.
He added that: “This is a complete tragedy and I am sorry that they couldn’t save Henry that night and I’m sorry that Henry was handcuffed and arrested as he lost consciousness.”
In a statement to the press outside Southampton Crown Court after Digwa was sentenced, Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, said: “We are calling on the Government to treat knife crime as the national emergency that it is.
“Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him.”
A group of Oxford ‘patriots’ are due to protest in Oxford this week as well.
Aiden Noble, organiser of the protests, is calling on the public to stand in ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ on Friday, June 5.
The group will gather at 6pm outside Carfax Tower to ‘demand answers, accountability, and justice for Henry Nowak’.
The protests join other demonstrations in Southampton, Birmingham, Nottingham, Blackpool, Liverpool, London, and Gloucester.
Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years served on Monday for the murder of 18-year-old Mr Nowak in Southampton.
It is part of its new ‘Frozen Pledge,’ aimed at helping shoppers reduce their grocery bills.
The decision follows reports that the supermarket’s prices rose by 5.8 per cent in April.
It was the second-highest increase among supermarkets and well above the industry average of 3.8 per cent, according to The Telegraph.
WHEN YOUR FAVOURITE CHEESE MEETS SPAGHETTI CARBONARA… 🧀🍝
Brand #NEW Cathedral City Cheesy Spaghetti Carabonara is landing in-stores & online from tomorrow! 🤩
Grab yours for just £4.50 each or 2 for £8 🚚 pic.twitter.com/PWtEkLhvTw
— Iceland Foods ❄️ (@IcelandFoods) June 1, 2026
However, executive chairman Richard Walker disputed this data, calling it “flawed” and arguing the figures were skewed by “very specific lamb deals in place last year.”
He also said the figures did not reflect new products or deals introduced this year.
According to The Grocer, Mr Walker said: “Doing the right thing for customers has never been more important and this Frozen Pledge is a huge commitment to both our new and existing shoppers.
“It’s one of our biggest-ever refreshes on deals and now includes hundreds of our frozen products across our stores.
“We know people from all walks of life are continuing to feel the pressure of rising costs, so we want to help people save money just when they need it most.”
As part of the refresh, Iceland is extending its multibuy offers and adding new items to its promotional calendar over the coming months.
What products will be reduced?
The £2 ice cream deal now includes reduced prices on several branded packs.
Snickers ice cream four-packs, previously £2.89, are now £2.
Other reductions include Solero Strawberry Twists, reduced by 75p for three, and five-packs of Calippo Strawberry Minis, reduced from £2.75.
Starting July 28, three-packs of Magnum Almond, Mint, and Salted Caramel will also be reduced from £3.50 to £2.
The supermarket said it has halved the price of other branded staples.
The Chicago Town Tiger Crust Pepperoni Pizza has dropped from £4 to £2.
Young’s Chip Shop XL Battered Fish Fillets are down from £4.50 to £2.25, and McCain Smiles now cost £1.25 instead of £2.50.
Iceland has also added nine more own-label pizzas to its £1 Pizza Cabinet and extended its 10-for-£10 multibuy deal through to at least July 6.
Which is your favourite supermarket? Let us know in the comments
Leon Docwra, 50, from Great Yarmouth, filled the £15 pillow with underwear, T-shirts, swimming shorts, and even a beach towel before boarding a Ryanair flight from Norwich to Portugal.
Having paid only for hand luggage on the around £400 flight, he also wore two tracksuits, three pairs of pants, and three pairs of socks to avoid a fine.
Mr Docwra said: “We fly frequently and have been charged for having too much stuff in our bags and wanted to find a way to get extra on without paying fees.
Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed
“Neck pillows are allowed and they didn’t check it.
“If they had, I would have gone to the bathroom and worn everything to avoid paying a £75 fine.
“I was already wearing two layers of clothes, three pairs of pants and three pairs of socks and it did get hot, but it was worth it.”
He revealed it was not the first time he had used the pillow-packing trick.
Mr Docwra said: “I’ll do it every time.
“Flights are expensive enough without having to pay for extra luggage and fines.
“I fly a lot so I’d spend a fortune on baggage.
“It’s money we can spend on our holiday.”
He shared a video of the stuffed pillow online, earning praise from other travellers for his ingenuity.
Mr Docwra said: “People think it’s great.
“They said they’re going to start doing it themselves.
“Anything at the moment where you can save money is great to share with others.”
One viewer commented: “I wore two trackies when I travelled last week to avoid the extra cost.
“Was sweating like a b*tch though.”
Another joked: “Mate, I’d rather pay the 80 quid than have to iron that lot the other end.”
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