Scunthorpe Journal - December 2025/January 2026

Scunthorpe J ournal

Dec/January 2026

promoting the positive side of SCUNTHORPE and surrounding areas

Registered children’s speech and language therapist

SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH LANGUAGE, SPEECH SOUNDS AND SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

Offering: Initial assessments, 1:1 intervention, coaching of strategies and targets

Sessions will occur at home or in school/nursery

School contracts available upon request

Call 07725 482178 today for a free 10 minute no obligation conversation to discuss your child’s needs, or email: WordWaves.slt@gmail.com

@scunnyjournal

INTRODUCTION

Hello and welcome to your December/January edition of Scunthorpe Journal.

And just like that we are now coming to the end of 2025! Christmas is just around the corner and we hope this year has been a brilliant one for you. December brings lots of festive celebrations so we hope you get to spend some quality time with your friends and family.

As we enter the new year, along come the cold nights where we look forward to home-cooked warm meals and getting all cosy in front of the fire.

In this edition, we showcase Suzanne

Stephenson’s childrens book ‘Mr Perkins and the Jump Puppy, which is out now to purchase.

We also showcase Scunthorpe Samaritans. For more than 60 years they have been part of the local community, offering a safe place for anyone who needs someone to talk to.

As always, our friendly team is just an email or phone call away to help you with all your advertisement needs.

We will see you again in 2026, but for now, sit back with a cuppa and enjoy your latest instalment of Scunthorpe Journal.

WHO ARE WE? MEET THE STAFF...

Distribution Assistants:

Jamie Walton

Craig Shaw

Mitchell Brewins

Justin Newton

Ben Hammill

LISA WARRENER EDITOR

RACHAEL LIDDLE DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Daniella dennis sales manager

Children’s book ‘Mr Perkins and the Jumpy Puppy’ is out now

Mr Perkins and the Jumpy Puppy is a comic tail of a cat and a dog by Suzanne Stephenson.

As a youngster Suzanne loved reading but she also liked to write stories and hoped one day she might publish a book or two. Only when she retired from the legal professiona did she fulfill her ambition to write and illustrate books.

Suzanne was inspired for this book by her rescue puppy dog, Poppy, who is very naughty and still needs a lot of training. She was also the model for the drawings.

The inspiration for Mr Perkins lies among her cats, who have all been acquired from cat rescues. One cat in particular is a large black cat called Tom. He has been the model for many of her illustrations.

You can purchase the book today on Amazon by visiting: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1917411456 or visiting selected shops in the Kirton Lindsey.

These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Yorkshire Loft Ladders come in.

The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50 sq ft of boarding and a light all fully fitted in less than a day from just £277 + VAT. But it’s not just the affordability of the package the company offers that makes Yorkshire Loft Ladders stand out as manager Warren Ingleson explains:

‘Our watchwords are Quality,

Integrity and Value. Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen so our customers are assured of the best job. Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, and Value in that we offer our services at a price people can afford. Our business relies on referrals and we got a huge amount of our calls from people who have been referred to us by our existing customers - that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles.

lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’ So, if you want to make use of your loft space, however big or

lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’

So, if you want to make use of your loft space, however big or

small, call Warren on 0800 612 8359 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!

At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers

ASHBY

07900

ROAD CLUB,

STREET AMANDA - 07784 463405 Tuesday

& 7pm, Wednesday

9.30am & 11am RAOB CLUB, BOTTESFORD ROAD TINA - 07988 386361 Monday 5.30pm & 7pm, Wednesday 5.30pm & 7pm WESTCLIFF COMMUNITY CENTRE, NEWBOLD AVENUE ANT - 07917 772021 Thursday 9.15am & 10.45am

SUNSHINE HALL , ASHBY HIGH STREET JANE - 07792 146913 Saturday 8.30am & 10am

BRUMBY COMMUNITY CENTRE, EAST COMMON LANE SASHA - 07793 982224 Tuesday 6pm

Scunthorpe Samaritans Listening to our community for over 60 years

The Samaritans movement began in 1953, founded by Reverend Chad Varah, who wanted to create a place where people could speak openly when they felt they had nowhere else to turn.

His story has special meaning for Scunthorpe because Chad was born nearby in Barton upon Humber.

The Scunthorpe Samaritans branch opened in 1963 and was one of the first outside London. It was led by Chad’s brother, Reverend Hugh Varah, and that connection to the Varah family continues to shape the values they hold today: kindness, empathy, and the belief that listening can change lives.

Across the United Kingdom and Ireland there are now around 200 Samaritans branches and more

For more than 60 years, Scunthorpe Samaritans has been part of the local community, offering a safe place for anyone who needs someone to talk to. From their base in the town, their volunteers give their time freely so that, day or night, there is always someone ready to listen when people are finding things difficult

than 22,000 trained volunteers. Someone reaches out for support every few seconds. They all share one belief: suicide is not inevitable, and listening can make a difference.

In 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics, 5,717 people in the United Kingdom lost their lives to suicide. The highest rates remain among men in middle age, and the Yorkshire and Humber region, which includes North Lincolnshire, saw one of the biggest increases. Each number represents a person, a family, and a community affected.

Preventing suicide is at the heart of everything they do, but they also believe it is vital to reach people before they reach crisis point. Scunthorpe Samaritans regularly takes part in events across

North Lincolnshire, promoting awareness about mental health and wellbeing. In the last year they have attended and supported over 20 events and initiatives in and around Scunthorpe.

Their awareness gazebo and mascot attended the Ongo Fair and Scunthorpe Pride.

They have been active with community groups from their target demographic including The Grumpy Old Men’s Club, the RAF Cadets and the Baton of Hope when it made its first visit to Scunthorpe.

As a branch they have highlighted and shared information on National Suicide and Mental Health initiatives; Brew Monday, The Big Listen & Suicide Prevention Day and most recently in October they held a Branch Dawn Walk through the Chad Varah Samaritans Garden and spent time in community engagement at Scunthorpe Rugby Club.

At all their events volunteers engage with the community, share information, raise awareness and remind people that help is available, 24/7.

Branch Director Marion Goodchild told Scunthorpe Journal: “Our volunteers answer the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. We are always open and always there to listen. We listen to people who are in crisis and need to be

heard. To do this we need the support of our local community to get our message out to those who might need our help. Our callers are at the heart of everything we do, please help to spread the message – we are here to listen.”

Today, Scunthorpe Samaritans supports people not only in North Lincolnshire but also across the country through phone and email. More than 50 trained volunteers help to ensure that someone is always available to listen, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Their charity shop on Ashby High Street plays a vital part in keeping the service running. Staffed by volunteers, it raises essential funds through sales and offers a welcoming place for local people to browse, donate, and support their work.

Whatever you are facing, Scunthorpe Samaritans are here to listen. Call 116 123 for free at any time.

WHAT’S ON

NYE with Levi Heron

Wednesday 31st December

Britannia Nightclub, Scunthorpe

This New Year’s Eve, Britannia Nightclub and Reflexion will bring you a night you will never forget. Welcoming the one and only “Levi Heron”, who is responsible for the remix of ‘The Glen”.

Baths Laughs

Comedy Club

Thursday 22nd January

The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe

Partnering with Off The Kerb Productions, Baths Laughs is held on the ground floor bar, featuring some of the country’s top up-and-coming comedians.

Queen Of The Night

Friday 20th February

The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe

A Tribute to Whitney Houston returns for another show-stopping celebration, following sold-out tours across the UK. Established as the UK’s biggest Whitney Houston tribute, this breathtaking production honours the music, legacy, and unmatched talent of the legendary star.

Whole Lotta Shakin

Saturday 24th January

Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe

Fully endorsed by members of Shaky’s own family, the award winning tribute to the UK’s biggest selling singles artist of the 1980s is a nostalgic celebration, jam packed with feel-good rock ‘n’ roll.

Jive Stylistic presents

LeRoc Modern Jive Dance Classes