A man who has spent the past two years separated from his beloved dog has been reunited with his companion after moving to a new home in Wigan.
After 73-year-old Lawrence Knight was diagnosed with dementia, he was admitted to a care home in 2019 – but as dogs were not allowed in that home, his yellow Labrador, Millie, was put into a shelter.
Mr Knight had objected to the first home he was placed in, but had been assessed as lacking capacity to make decisions in respect of his residence and care.
But legal firm Irwin Mitchell were instructed to represent him, and after several hearings at the Court of Protection, secured new accommodation for him at Lakeside Nursing Home in Standish, where Millie could live with him once again.
Not only that, his legal team also ensured he has the use of a wheelchair again too, after he was mostly bed bound in his former care home.
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73-year-old Lawrence Knight has been reunited with his beloved companion after two years / Credit: Facebook (Lakeside Nursing Home)
Elizabeth Ridley – the specialist solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, who represented Mr Knight – said: “When Lawrence was admitted to the care home two years ago, he was extremely upset that he couldn’t bring Millie with him [and] after his wife passed away, he didn’t have many family or friends to visit him either
“So Millie was understandably of great importance to him.”
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She continued: “Due to the pandemic, contact between Lawrence and Millie was sadly stopped, but now she and Lawrence are living right next to a lake where she can run about as much as she wants.
“We are absolutely delighted to have been able to reunite them in such a lovely new setting.
Lawrence and Millie now live together at Lakeside Nursing Home in Standish / Credit: Lakeside Nursing Home & carehome.co.uk
“It was heart-warming to bring them back together and nice to have some positive news during such difficult times for all.”
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Gail Howard – the manager of Lakeside Nursing Home in Standish – added: “Millie has become part of the Lakeside family since coming here, and brings happiness to all the residents in the home.”
Featured Image – Irwin Mitchell
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
7th October 2021 
