Lifestyle
Housekeeping experts share top tips to turn messy kids into ‘clean-agers’

Autumn’s here, and for a lot of young people, that means going off to university for the first time. This season will see the start of essays, revision and learning all kinds of new skills to shape careers. But when it comes to life skills, it seems not everyone knows the basics.
Budget hotel chain Premier Inn recently carried out some research asking 1,000 parents with kids aged between 13 and 19 just how much their teens knew about cleaning – and the results are in!
For starters, 9 in 10 parents think their teenage kids lack some basic domestic skills, with bed making, ironing and vacuuming among the top chores they struggle with. It also revealed that 29% of teens couldn’t make a bed, 41% couldn’t iron a shirt, and 38% of parents aren’t sure that their teens would know how to clean a toilet.
There’s more! The survey found that nearly a quarter of parents asked didn’t think their teens could vacuum a room – or fold sheets and clothes properly – while a fifth also leave dirty dishes in their bedroom. The research also found that it’s not just the younger generation who are lacking some domestic skills. Around 67% of those asked via OnePoll admitted that even as a parent, they’re still missing some of the basics, while almost two thirds revealed they didn’t know a lot of the essentials when they left home.
Simon Ewins, managing director for Premier Inn said: “Our research has shown that in many cases teenagers still appear to live up to their messy reputations, with many parents adopting an ‘if I want it done properly I might as well do it myself’ approach – but it doesn’t have to be this way because everyone rests easier knowing their room is clean and comfortable.
“Who better to offer insider tips on housekeeping than our expert teams, who take care of millions of rooms each year? Whether it is through one of our Life Skills Academies or online video tips, we hope we can step in to help and give young people a bit of domestic prowess.”
Two of the first ‘clean-agers’ we helped were 19 year old twins Bradley and Lewis Fox, university students who were given a crash course by Premier Inn on housekeeping after letting slip to their mum that they might need a little help in the cleaning department.
Mum Kim, 55, from Rochester, Kent, said: “Both the twins are well known for being extremely messy and pretty useless when it comes to cleaning, ironing and making a bed properly. I discovered that despite being at university for several months, Bradley hadn’t even changed his bedding once when I collected him at the end of the year. This Premier Inn session was a fun way to set them on track to develop some useful life skills which will help them not only for uni but beyond – they haven’t listened to me in 19 years and it took the housekeeper just a few hours.”
Along with providing online tips, Premier Inn are also inviting teenagers to three different locations across the UK where they’ll be taught the basics by our team of expert housekeepers. Not only do they make up over 23 million beds in a year, their housekeeping teams will typically plump over 47 million pillows and iron over 3 million shower curtains in more than 83,000 bedrooms across the UK – so they know a thing or two about keeping things clean!
Do your domestic skills need an upgrade?
If you or someone you know need to brush up on some domestic skills, why not apply for one of the limited places available at Premier Inn’s Life Skills Academies? They’ll be running exclusive, one off sessions in different parts of the UK where their team can show you some top tips on making the perfect bed and general cleaning. Plus, those who attend can leave with one of their cosy bedding bundles! To see full details and terms & conditions, click here.
To enter, email your name and telephone number, with the location you would like to attend in the subject line to lifeskillsacademy@premierinn.com
Like Skills Academy. Steps on how to make a bed
Life Skills Academy. Our first duvet changing technique: the shimmy method
Life Skills Academy. Our second duvet changing technique: the corner to corner method
Education
“Stuck in a catch-22”: parents drive their children to school because they are concerned about traffic

New polling data released for Living Streets’ Walk to School Week (16-20 May 2022) finds that traffic is one of the biggest barriers to children walking to school, with 17 per cent of parents in Wales naming it as a reason their child doesn’t walk.
With over 460,000 pupils in Wales, it would mean tens of thousands of them are being denied the physical and social health benefits of being more active.
Schools being too far away from home (18%) and cars parked on pavements (17%) were also barriers for Welsh parents.
The latest data suggests just 50 per cent of primary school aged children in Wales walk to school.
Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive, Living Streets said: “We’re stuck in a catch-22 where families see driving to school as the safest way to protect their children from traffic.
“Leaving the car at home will reduce chaos and road danger around the school gates. It’s also a great way for children to learn about road safety in a real life setting and build their confidence in managing risk.
“Walk to School Week is an excellent opportunity for families to give walking to school a go and reap the health and social benefits of moving more.”
Living Streets works with schools, local authorities and parent groups to help improve the walk to school.
Stephen Edwards continues: “We want to enable as well as encourage more families to walk to school. We’re here to help parents who are worried about safety around their child’s school. Car-free zones, 20mph limits and better crossings can all help make the walk to school safer and we’re here to help people campaign for them in their area.”
For more information on Living Streets’ walk to school campaign, visit livingstreets.org.uk/WalkToSchool
(Lead image: Shutterstock)
Food & Drink
Chicken products recalled at a dozen national retailers due to salmonella fears

The Food Safety Authority (FSA) has issued a recall notice for cooked chicken sandwiches, wraps and other products sold at TWELVE major retailers due to salmonella fears.
The products were supplied by food producer Cranswick Country Foods who manufacture own-brand products for a number of supermarkets and food outlets.
In a statement the FSA said: “Cranswick Country Foods are recalling several products containing chicken because salmonella has been found in some of the chicken used to manufacture these products.
“As a precaution additional products are also being recalled whilst investigations continue.”
Products sold by Aldi, Waitrose, Amazon, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Costa, Cafe Nero, M&S, Starbucks, Shell, One Stop and Tesco are all affected by the warning.
Aldi Chicken & Stuffing Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 Aldi Chicken & Sweetcorn Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 Aldi Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wraps Mixed Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 Waitrose Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Waitrose Deep Filled Roast Chicken & Bacon Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Waitrose Deep Filled Roast Chicken & Stuffing Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Waitrose Entertaining Meat Roulade Wrap Selection Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Waitrose Essential Chicken Mayo Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Waitrose Roast Chicken & Bacon Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Waitrose Roast Chicken & Stuffing Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Waitrose Roast Chicken & Sweetcorn Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Waitrose Roast Chicken Salad with Salad Cream Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Aldi Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap Triple Wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 Use by Amazon Arabiatta Chicken Pasta Salad Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon BBQ Chicken Hot wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Chicken and Bacon Caesar Baguette Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Chicken and Spinach Protein Pot Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Chicken Caesar Wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Chicken Tikka Bites Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Chicken Triple Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Harissa Chicken and Grain Salad Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Aldi Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 Amazon Katsu Chicken and Coconut Slaw Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Lemongrass Chicken Grain Salad Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Mexican Chicken Mini Salad Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Sweet Chilli Chicken Noodle Salad Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Thai Chicken Hot Box Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 Amazon Tikka Chicken & Masala Potato Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Sage & Onion Chicken Breast Slice 180g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Café Chicken & Bacon Topped Toastie Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Cajun Chicken Grills 180g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chargrilled Chicken Slices 160g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 Aldi Chicken Beechwood Smoked Bacon and Stuffing Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chargrilled Chicken Slices 300g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chargrilled Salt & Chilli Thigh Fillets 150g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chicken & Sweetcorn Sandwich Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chicken and Bacon Sub Roll Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chicken Salad Sandwich Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chicken Triple Sandwich Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chicken with Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffing Sandwich Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Chicken, Bacon & Caesar Wrap Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Classic Sandwich Platter Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 12 May 2022 Aldi Eat & Go Chicken and Bacon Club with Mayo Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Classic Triple Sandwich Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Coronation Chicken Sandwich Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Firecracker Chicken Slices 160g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Flamegrilled Chicken Grills 180g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Flamegrilled Chicken Mini Fillets 170g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Garlic & Herb Chicken Breast Slices 180g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Gluten Free Chicken Caesar Wrap Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Gluten Free Sandwich Platter Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 12 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Grilled Tandoori Chicken Thigh Fillets 150g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Jerk Chicken Wrap Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 Aldi Eat & Go Classic Selection Chicken Salad, Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Prawn Mayonnaise Sandwiches Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Kansas City BBQ Wings 486g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Meat Sandwich Platter Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 12 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Mexican Chicken Mini Fillets 170g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Piri Piri Chicken Mini Fillets 170g Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 20 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Spring on the Lemon Chicken Sandwich Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Thai Red Chicken Sandwich Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s Wrap Platter Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 12 May 2022 By Sainsburys Chicken & Bacon Sandwich Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 By Sainsbury’s TTD Greek Chicken & Tzatziki Premium Wrap Use by All use by dates from 3 May up to and including 14 May 2022 Caffé Nero Chargrilled Chicken Salad Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 13 May 2022 Aldi Flavoured Mini Chicken Fillets; Mango Curry & Shwarma Use by All use by dates up to and including 19 May 2022 Co-op Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Co-op Chicken & Sweetcorn Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Co-op Chicken and Stuffing Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Co-op Chicken Mayo Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Co-op Coronation Chicken Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 14 May 2022 Co-op Oriental Chicken Curry with Egg Fried Rice 400g Use by All use by dates up to and including 20 May 2022 Co-op Oriental Chow Mein 375g Use by All use by dates up to and including 20 May 2022 Co-op Oriental Sweet and Sour Chicken with Egg Fried Rice 400g Use by All use by dates up to and including 20 May 2022 Costa British Chicken Fajita Wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 Costa British Roast Chicken & Bacon Classic Toastie Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 Aldi Roast Chicken & Bacon Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 Costa Chicken & Chorizo Stonebaked Panini Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 ‘Jamie Oliver deli by Shell’ Spicy Chipotle BBQ Chicken Wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 13 May 2022 M&S 14 Piece Classic Sandwich Platter Use by All use by dates up to and including 13 May 2022 M&S Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 M&S Classic Mini Roll Selection Use by All use by dates up to and including 12 May 2022 M&S Deli Filler Coronation Chicken Use by All use by dates up to and including 17 May 2022 M&S Made Without Wheat Gluten Free Chicken & Bacon Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 13 May 2022 M&S Roast Chicken & Bacon Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 13 May 2022 M&S Roast Chicken & Salad Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 13 May 2022 M&S The Café Classic Selection Use by All use by dates up to and including 13 May 2022 Aldi Roast Chicken Salad Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 M&S The Café Gluten Free Chicken Salad Use by All use by dates up to and including 13 May 2022 M&S Honey and Mustard Chicken Pasta Salad Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 M&S Chicken and Bacon Layered Salad Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 M&S Chicken Caesar Salad Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 One Stop BBQ Chicken Chunks 180g Use by All use by dates up to and including 19 May 2022 One Stop Sliced Roast Chicken Breast 180g Use by All use by dates up to and including 19 May 2022 Starbucks Coronation Chicken Sandwich Use by All use by dates up to and including 13 May 2022 Tesco BBQ Chicken Breast Pieces 180g Use by All use by dates up to and including 19 May 2022 Tesco Chicken Breast Slices 180g Use by All use by dates up to and including 20 May 2022 Tesco Chicken Breast Slices 180g (Express) Use by All use by dates up to and including 19 May 2022 Aldi Sweet Chilli Chicken Triple Wrap Use by All use by dates up to and including 15 May 2022 Tesco Chicken Breast Slices 360g Use by All use by dates up to and including 20 May 2022 Tesco Coronation Chicken Pieces 180g Use by All use by dates up to and including 18 May 2022 Tesco Fajita Chicken Breast Mini Fillets 170g Use by All use by dates up to and including 18 May 2022 Tesco Flame Grilled Chicken Breast Mini Fillets 170g Use by All use by dates up to and including 20 May 2022 Tesco Flame Grilled Chicken Thins 180g Use by All use by dates up to and including 18 May 2022 Tesco Garlic & Herb Chicken Breast Mini Fillets 170g Use by All use by dates up to and including 19 May 2022 Tesco Piri Piri Chicken Breast Mini Fillets 170g Use by All use by dates up to and including 18 May 2022 Tesco Piri Piri Chicken Breast Pieces 180g Use by All use by dates up to and including 19 May 2022 Tesco Sliced Chicken Breast with Sage & Onion 180g Use by All use by dates up to and including 19 May 2022 Tesco Tandoori Chicken Pieces 180g Use by All use by dates up to and including 19 May 2022
A full list of products affected is available on the FSA website.
The FSA added: “Our advice to consumers If you have bought the above products, do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.”
(Lead image: Lara604 / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Food & Drink
Supermarket Aldi to stock Ukrainian beer with profits going to humanitarian relief

Supermarket Aldi has announced it will sell Chernigivske, Ukraine’s most popular beer brand, in stores nationwide.
Priced at £9.99 for a pack of ten 440ml cans, all profits from sales will go towards humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
Brand-owner AB InBev is guaranteeing at least $5m from the initiative, with funds distributed across designated NGOs.
Chernigivske, also known locally as “Che”, is considered a national treasure in Ukraine.
Originally brewed as a gift to celebrate the 1,300-year anniversary of the city from which it got its name, Chernigiv, it remains the number one beer brand in Ukraine.

Like many Ukrainian businesses, the Chernigiv brewery closed its doors at the end of February. However, the brand has since started producing its lager in three breweries across Europe, with plans to open additional locations across the globe. Aldi proudly stands in partnership with Chernigivske, stocking the beer across stores nationwide, making every can count.
“Che” is a crisp and refreshing lager, originally brewed with character that perfectly balances strength and spirit; fruity aromas highlighted with light hoppy notes. It is a traditional Ukrainian lager loved and shared by generations of Ukrainians.
Chernigivske lager is available in Aldi stores from 1st May, £9.99 for 10 x440ml and available as a pack of 4 from mid-May, while stocks last.
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