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Author: Martin Driver

Carers Rights Day – Thursday 26 November 2020

20 November 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Most of us will provide unpaid care for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill at some point in our lives. Taking place on Thursday 26th November, Carers Rights Day brings together organisations from across the UK to reach out to carers with information, advice and support.

This year’s theme is Know Your Rights. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of caring, affecting carers’ access to support and services, and their physical and mental health. Many are caring for the first time, while those who’ve been caring for a while are facing greater challenges and pressures than ever before. It’s never been more important for carers to be informed and know their rights.

Sefton Carers Centre provides free advice and support to unpaid carers living throughout the borough. To help carers find out more about their rights, specialist teams will be available to take telephone calls during Carers Rights Day and answer any questions carers might have about their caring role.

Vicky Keeley, CEO of Sefton Carers Centre, said: “Caring has become a lot more challenging for unpaid carers who are living in unprecedented times. Carers are under increased stress and demands on their time have become overwhelming, which is leading to a rise in mental health issues and deterioration in carers wellbeing.

“It is therefore important that carers have the opportunity to know and understand their rights and be recognised for the essential work they do. This Carers Rights Day we want to promote the voice of our local carers now and in the future.”

As well as providing one-to-one support Sefton Carers Centre will be hosting a virtual coffee morning via Zoom, 10am – 11am, for carers to connect with each other, share tips and speak to people who understand what it’s like to care for someone. To join the event please register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carers-rights-day-coffee-morning-tickets-129665273323

Sefton Carers Centre have also recorded a number of videos with public sector and voluntary sector organisations to answer questions from local carers of all ages to help explain their rights and the support available to them, watch on their website from Thursday 26th November: sefton-carers.org.uk

To help you know what you are entitled to, you can read the latest looking after someone guide, which gives carers the full picture of the practical and financial support available to them every year. The latest 2020-21 guide can be downloaded at: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/get-resources/looking-after-someone

You can also call our 0151 288 6086 or email help@carers.sefton.gov.uk

For a full list of services provided by Sefton Carers Centre please visit www.sefton-carers.org.uk – Follow on Twitter @SeftonCarers and Facebook: SeftonCarersCentre

Contact numbers for specialist teams on Carers Rights Day, Thursday 26th November 2020, 10am – 3pm:

  • Welfare Benefits Advice – 0151 288 6060
  • Carers Courses and Older Activities Project – 0151 288 6092
  • Carers Support Service – 0151 288 6086
  • Parent Carer Service – 0151 288 6086
  • Young Carers – 07719 314 205
  • Personal Health Budgets – 0151 288 6110
  • Direct Payments – 0151 288 6071
  • Living Well Sefton – 07394 540 393

 

Covid-19 Mobile Testing at Aintree Racecourse

19 November 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

A mobile testing unit will be on site at Aintree Racecourse next Monday so that people who have symptoms of Covid-19 can get tested.

This drive through test site will be available on Monday 23rd November, and appointments must be booked in advance either by calling 119 or visiting  www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. People are asked to stay in their vehicles for the duration of their visit.

A separate area of the racecourse is also being used as a location for a test site for asymptomatic testing as part of Liverpool’s Mass Testing Pilot scheme. This is a walk-through test site, no appointment is needed.

These two test sites are on entirely different parts of the racecourse to ensure the two groups do not mix.

For more information on Covid testing please visit https://www.sefton.gov.uk/miscellaneous-pages/coronavirus-testing.aspx

Continued support for Sefton businesses

19 November 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Sefton Council has shared nearly ÂŁ50 million in grants to 4,000 Sefton businesses and support will continue.

Local businesses have been kept up-to-date with the latest support available and are being reminded of ways that they can seek grants under both the local and national restrictions faced recently.

The Local Restrictions Support Grant helps businesses that have had to close due to the government’s national lockdown from 5th November until 2nd December, or if a business has had to remain closed on a national basis since 23rd March.

Businesses that were required to close under Tier 3 restrictions (including pubs not serving main meals, betting shops, casinos, adult gaming centres and soft play areas) from 14th October to 4th November will be entitled to a separate payment for that 3-week period.

Full details of eligibility and an application form can be found on the Council’s website at https://www.sefton.gov.uk/business/business-rates/covid-19-business-support-for-202021

At the moment ONLY businesses that have been instructed to CLOSE can access this grant.

Other funding will become available and further details will be issued on this as soon as possible – to be kept up-to-date on these announcements businesses should sign up to InvestSefton’s mailing list by emailing Investsefton@sefton.gov.uk

 

Festive joy needed more than ever for Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal

19 November 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Young People

Sefton’s Mayor, Cllr June Burns, is urging as many people as possible to help spread a little festive joy with this year’s Christmas Toy Appeal.

Each year thousands of toys, gifts and stocking fillers are lovingly donated by kind-hearted residents, Sefton Council staff, partners and community groups to put a smile on the faces of Sefton’s children.

After a year quite like no other, there will be many families across the Borough who will receive gifts that will make all the difference and bring them some Christmas cheer.

Due to the current national COVID restrictions in place, the safety of Sefton’s communities is a priority. However, donations can still be made in the following ways:

  • Purchased online and sent to the following delivery address:
    • Sefton Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal, Town Hall, Oriel Road, Bootle L20 7AE
  • Dropped off at the in-store donation point at Asda Central 12 in Southport

All gift donations, which must be brand new and unwrapped, are gratefully appreciated. Presents could include toys, pyjamas, slippers and hat & scarf sets for children of all ages.

Donations of gift cards and toiletries are especially welcome for older children and teenagers.

People need to send their donations by Tuesday 22nd December 2020 in time to be sent out for Christmas Day.

This year monetary donations can also be made on Sefton’s Crowdfunding platform, donations can be for as little as £2, and all contributions will be used to buy gifts for the Toy appeal. Donations can be made online up until Tuesday 1st December here: www.spacehive.com/mayors-christmas-toy-appeal

Volunteers from Sefton Council, following COVID guidelines, will then distribute all presents to children and young people, throughout the Borough on behalf of the Mayor.

Cllr Burns said: “I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Sefton during last year’s appeal and every year we see thousands of donations given to the annual Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal.

“We can all empathise with one another that 2020 has thrown a lot our way, and Christmas will feel very different for us all. So, this year it’s more important than ever for us to give what we can for others. People might not realise that a small gesture could go a long way to making this year special for Sefton’s children and families.

“We’re looking for donations for all ages, be that babies right through to teenagers, and we ask that gifts are new and unwrapped so that the right gift can be shared with the right child. We also welcome gift vouchers and smaller stocking fillers as well.

“We’ve seen incredible gestures of kindness and self-sacrifice right throughout the health crisis, and I know that we can count on our communities across Sefton to pull together once again this Christmas. I urge as many people as possible to get involved and donate a present!”

For further information on the Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal call or text the Mayor’s Office 07837 863075 or visit www.sefton.gov.uk/toyappeal

Have your say on how social housing is allocated in Sefton

18 November 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Local Consultation, One Vision Housing

Sefton Council has begun a consultation, along with local authorities in the Liverpool City Region, on how social housing is allocated and are asking tenants and future tenants, residents, landlords and housing associations to have their say.

Property Pool Plus is the system used to match people with social housing and is used by Sefton along with the local authorities in the Liverpool City Region.

The consultation invites residents, landlords, voluntary organisations, and housing associations to comment and provide feedback on the proposed changes to how social housing is allocated.

Social housing is allocated through several different ways – considering a resident’s eligibility, choice, preference, and priority – and proposed changes are suggested to each of these.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “This consultation will ensure that people right across Sefton can help to shape how social housing is allocated to residents, and ensure that the process takes into account all factors within an individual’s personal circumstances.

“We would encourage as many residents, current and prospective tenants, as well as landlords and housing associations to utilise this opportunity to help enhance the process for matching homes with people across the Borough.”

The proposed changes plan to make the social housing allocation process more accessible and quicker for those who need it most by assigning certain people with more priority based on their situation.

Some criteria that may place someone in a higher priority could include:

  • People who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
  • Victims of domestic abuse, racial abuse or hate crime
  • Members of the armed forces and reserved forces
  • Medical need

To find out more information about the changes to the policy and to take part in the consultation, please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/PPP-HaveYourSay.

The consultation will take place for 12 weeks, running from Wednesday 18th November 2020 to Wednesday 10th February 2021.

Authorities in the Liverpool City Region will all simultaneously be undertaking this survey, the authorities include Halton Borough Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Liverpool City Council, Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council and Wirral Council.

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