Young people affected by the Manchester Arena attack are being urged to complete a questionnaire and share their experiences of the trauma support they received.
It’s all part of a groundbreaking new research project called Bee The Difference, which is a collaboration between nine young survivors of the attack – where 22 people tragically lost their lives on 22 May 2017 following an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena – the National Emergencies Trust, and researchers from Lancaster University.
Over 1,000 were also injured when when British-born terrorist Salman Abedi detonated a homemade bomb as fans were leaving the Arena, and hundreds more suffered severe psychological trauma following the attack.
People who were under the age of 18 when the attack occurred are now being urged to speak out.
“If you were affected by the terror attack at the Manchester Arena and were under 18 at the time, we would love you to take part in our survey,” the Bee The Difference project explains.
— National Emergencies Trust (@NatEmergTrust) August 15, 2022
The anonymous online survey is to all young people whose lives were affected by the attack – including those impacted by what happened to a loved one or friend, as well as those who were personally present at the Arena when the attack happened.
The survey asks about the support received since the attack, and how helpful people found this.
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Those behind the Bee The Difference project hope that the experiences shared will help to make sure that children and young people affected by terror attacks in the future receive “the best possible support”.
Later this year, the survey findings will be shared with various organisations – including the government, healthcare and education providers, and other civic and charitable bodies.
Dr Cath Hill – who is a lecturer at Lancaster University, and also co-founder of the Manchester Survivors Choir made up of attack survivors – is one of the lead researchers of the Bee The Difference project, and she explained: “I know through my experience with the choir that young people affected by the Manchester attack have sought support in a range of places, their GP, counsellors, teachers, social groups and social media.
“Some of this was incredibly helpful, some of it missed the mark completely, while some measures taken inadvertently introduced more trauma.”
Dr Hill added that, now over five years on from the attack, “it’s time to start to talk about this” and make sure young people who experience similar events in the future “get the best possible care.”
“Bee The Difference is a chance to take something that changed our lives completely in a negative way and turn it into something positive for the future,” added 20-year-old Ellie Taylor – who was 15 when she was caught up in the attack.
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“The questionnaire isn’t invasive [and] it’s not about your personal story and what you went through.
“It’s just a few questions to find out what worked mentally for you, and what didn’t help, so we can find out what needs to happen in the future.”
— National Emergencies Trust (@NatEmergTrust) August 15, 2022
The Bee The Difference survey will be open until 17 October 2022.
Those who are currently under 16 and wish to take part will be asked for consent from a parent or guardian, and you can find out more about Bee The Difference and complete the questionnaire here.
Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Greater Manchester urged to ‘check before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in tonight
Emily Sergeant
People in Greater Manchester are being urged to check before they travel as Storm Goretti prepares to bring chaos this evening.
In case you weren’t aware, yellow weather warnings for snow have been put in place for parts of Greater Manchester – including Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside, and Stockport – from 5pm this evening until around midday tomorrow, and additional amber warnings are even in place from 8pm tonight for some neighbouring areas like Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
As a result, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), is understandably warning locals that there could be disruption to journeys this evening, including by rail, trams, buses, and on the roads.
Trams on the Oldham, Rochdale, and Ashton lines are most likely to be disrupted by the weather, as are buses in the north and east of the region, TfGM has warned, and due to the expected impact, no trains will run on the following routes from 6pm this evening:
New Mills Central – Sheffield (no trains between Manchester & Sheffield)
Hazel Grove – Buxton
Guide Bridge – Glossop/Hadfield
🌨️ Storm Goretti will hit parts of Greater Manchester from 5pm tonight to midday tomorrow [8 and 9 January].
If you're making a journey, please check before you travel to see if your route is impacted and take extra care when travelling.
Train ticket acceptance will be in place on the 237 and 341 bus services tonight and tomorrow to help passengers get to where they need to be, although disruption could be on the cards here too, once again.
All train routes are planned to reopen after midnight on Saturday morning.
Interchanges, platforms, and crossings across the region are being treated with grit and anti-icing measures to make sure they are safe to use, and TfGM has confirmed that ‘ice breaker’ trams are also ready to be deployed to keep overhead lines clear of ice so trams can keep moving.
For those driving this evening, TfGM is also urging people to take extra time and make sure you are driving ‘appropriately’ for the conditions.
Greater Manchester is urged to check ‘before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in / Credit: rawpixel
Speaking ahead of Storm Goretti’s arrival, Danny Vaughan, who is TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: “We are expecting Storm Goretti to hit Greater Manchester as we head into the evening peak travel time and we are urging everyone to check their plans before they travel, leave extra time and if possible to consider if they can make their journey before 5pm before the storm hits.
“Working with our partners and operators we are ready to respond to the storm and help to keep Greater Manchester moving.”
He also warned commuters that there may also ‘be an impact on journeys’ tomorrow morning, so if you are planning to travel, then it’s advised to check before you do so.
Emily Sergeant -
15th August 2022 
