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Author: Martin Driver

Opportunity to take part in national COVID-19 research

4 May 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

University College London is running a study into the psychological and social effects of Covid-19 in the UK and is looking for people across the country to take part.

Over 80,000 people are already taking part in the study but University College is looking for more participants. They are looking for adults who are happy to take part by answering a 10-minute online survey now and then answering a shorter follow-up survey once a week while social isolation measures remain in place.

The results are being used to understand the effects of the virus and social distancing measures on mental health and loneliness in the UK and to inform government advice and decisions.

Get involved.

University College is also keen for people to spread the word about the study so tell your friends and family.  They have sent us the following FAQs about the project.

What happens to the data?
The data people provide are analysed anonymously (so people can’t be identified) and provided into weekly dashboards for cabinet office, wider departments of government (including DHSC and DfE), Public Health England, NHS England, and mental health organisations and charities.

In line with an ‘open science’ approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, the reports are also made publicly available for members of the public to see what is happening at www.marchnetwork.org/research.

The data are then being used to inform what advice is given to people, and what support is available, whether that is formal mental health service support or other support such as from telephone lines (such as Samaritans) and voluntary organisations.

The data are also being used to inform decisions such as the length of lockdown. These are all decisions that directly affect individuals’ daily lives, so taking part can give individuals a chance to say what challenges they are facing.

Is the study ethics approved and GDPR compliant?

This study has full ethical and data protection approved and is GDPR compliant, all hosted through secure servers and data safe havens. It is funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Nuffield Foundation (two of the largest scientific funders on medicine and society respectively).

Get involved.

Merseyside campaign highlights domestic abuse support during COVID-19

4 May 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council has joined partner organisations across the Liverpool City Region to launch a new domestic abuse campaign telling anyone experiencing abuse during the Coronavirus pandemic: #YouAreNotAlone.

Led by Merseyside Resilience Forum and Wirral Council, the multi-agency initiative aims to raise awareness, remind those experiencing abuse that support is still available, and encourage victims to report incidents to the police.

Both locally and nationally, there is growing concern about the threat of domestic abuse due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Home Office recently launched the #YouAreNotAlone hashtag across the UK – a move that was welcomed by domestic abuse charities and campaigners.

Adopting the Home Office Hashtag, the new Merseyside-wide campaign takes urgent action to spotlight the issue at a local level; working alongside a range of support agencies who offer specialist domestic abuse advice all year round.

It highlights were anyone worried about abuse can get help on a range of issues, including:

  • creating a personal safety plan
  • how to report concerns about a friend or neighbour
  • where local businesses can get guidance on supporting staff when abuse is suspected

DCC Serena Kennedy, Chair of Merseyside Resilience Forum, said: “Sadly, we know that staying home isn’t a safe option for everyone. For those experiencing abuse, getting out of the house to buy essentials can be a way of escape. But while everyone’s daily movements are restricted more than usual, perpetrators could be using the lockdown to further isolate, restrict, and control their victims.

“Local agencies offering advice on this issue are appreciated more than ever. Working together, we hope to reach as many people as possible to make domestic abuse one less thing to fear at this already uncertain time.”

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “It is vital that we let people who are silently suffering or concerned for their safety during this period of isolation and social-distancing know they are not alone and that people in their communities care about them and are looking out for them.

“I fully support this coordinated campaign to make sure that people have as much access as possible to ways of finding help, support and advice and would urge people across Sefton get behind the #YouAreNotAlone campaign.”

Merseyside Resilience Forum includes Merseyside Police, the NHS, and authorities from across the Liverpool City Region.

A full list of Forum members is available on its website.

Useful information for anyone worried about domestic abuse:

  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 2000 247
  • Wirral Women and Children’s Aid: 0151 643 9766
  • Involve North West: 0151 644 1100 and press 7
  • In an emergency, always call 999
  • www.itsneverokaywirral.org

Household Waste Recycling Centres to re-open from Monday 4th May 2020

1 May 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority has announced it plans to re-open Household Waste Recycling Centres from Monday 4th May. Along with its contractor Veolia, Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority will be implementing clear operating guidelines to ensure the safety of users and hard-working staff.

In Sefton Borough, the South Sefton site at Irlam Road in Bootle and the Southport site at Foul Lane will be open from Monday.

Restrictions and traffic management plans will be in place and the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority is currently working with Council Highways Departments and the Police on these.

The restrictions are:

  • sites will be open 8.00 am – 8.00 pm every day.
  • the number of vehicles allowed on site at any one time, which means queuing times will be significantly longer.
  • cars only – no vans, commercial-type vehicles or large trailers.
  • one person per vehicle (NB. Blue Badge holders will be able to be accompanied by one family member).
  • social distancing of at least 2 metres will be strictly enforced.
  • site employees will not be able to assist with unloading

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services said: “We know people will be pleased to see these sites opening but need to stress that they should only go along if it is really necessary or urgent.

“Also, to help us ensure we can manage the sites and ensure the safety of everyone, both visitors and staff, we are asking that if people do need to go to one of the sites, they pick a time through the week rather than all try to go along on Monday.”

Arrangements to ensure the Sefton sites at Maghull and Formby can be operated safely are still being finalised.

If anyone in a household has had Covid-19 symptoms, waste should be left for at least 72 hours before disposal and personal waste should be safely double bagged. These items should be placed in your normal bin collection if possible.

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority has thanked residents for their understanding and patience during this challenging time.

You can find out more from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority website and on social media @MerseysideRWA.

Details of local Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Council leader welcomes this weekend’s second Coronavirus testing site for Southport

30 April 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Ian Maher has welcomed the news that after the success of the recent mobile pilot Coronavirus (Covid-19) self-testing site in Southport, the exercise is being repeated from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 May.

Once again, the Council is working with partners to set up the site at The Eco Centre on Southport’s Esplanade where, during the recent three-day session, 350 people were able to get tested.

Cllr Maher said: “I am delighted that once again Sefton Council is working as part of a partnership to make the site available to carry out these important tests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“Having this site locally will help provide key workers including our own Council colleagues with access to a test and means those whose results come back negative can return to the essential roles they are playing in supporting our communities in the fight against Coronavirus.”

The previous three-days of testing in Southport, which took place from Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 April, was the very first pilot facility for key workers with Coronavirus symptoms in Cheshire and Merseyside.

Cllr Maher added, “As well as making possible this second mobile testing site, Sefton Council is working with its partners to secure one or more of the government’s planned satellite testing stations for the Borough.”

Feedback from the organisers of the initial site was very positive with Sefton Council staff being described as “extremely patient and polite.”

Tests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be for essential workers including Council, NHS and social care workers with symptoms, anyone aged over 65 with symptoms, anyone with symptoms who cannot work from home and anyone with Coronavirus symptoms who lives with any of these groups.

People must have registered for a test at www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test and have an appointment before going to the site.

Sefton Borough of Culture 2020 Covid-19 Time Capsule launched.

28 April 2020
Martin Driver
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Front Page, Latest News

To mark the historic times we are all living through to ensure everyone’s safety, Sefton Council’s Borough of Culture 2020 team is creating COVID-19 Time Capsule.

The Team wants to capture young people’s views on social isolation and living in lockdown. They want to know how young people feel, what they’ve done to stay connected with their friends and family. The pack also asks how they have celebrated some special occasions and what they are looking forward to doing when Coronavirus is over.

To help record the memories, the Team has created a COVID-19 Time Capsule kit.  Young people can use the kit to record artwork they’ve created and photographs including the people they are with and the people they are missing. They can also include special memories, a diary of the time and newspapers or clippings.

Copies of kits submitted to the Borough of Culture 2020 team will be judged and the best will one of two, ÂŁ50 Smyths Toys vouchers and their diaries be included in the Time Capsule itself.

Download the COVID-19 Time Capsule kit.

Anyone who doesn’t have a printer, you can email BOC2020@sefton.gov.uk and we will send one out in the post. All entries must be returned to BOC2020, Bootle Town Hall, Trinity Road, Bootle Liverpool, L20 7AE no later than Tuesday 30th June 2020. One entry per person and will not be able to return any diaries that are not chosen as a winners of this competition so people are advised to keep copies.

Cllr Trish Hardy Sefton Council’s main Borough of Culture sponsor said: “These really are unprecedented times and creating a COVID-19 Time Capsule to mark it is a great idea.

“These kits are an ideal way of helping our young people record their experiences to share with their families and their own children one day and for one lucky winner, a chance to have their experiences included in the Time Capsule itself.”

Also going into the Time Capsule, will be number of objects to mark the Borough of Culture celebrations. These include an origami squirrels with instructions how to make it, examples of diaries that the young people at SING have been working on and memory boxes the older people have been doing. Items from the Playing Out project that families have been making and photographs from the competition that the Birkdale HUB will be running will also be included.

A decision has not yet been reached on where in Sefton Borough the COVID-19 Time Capsule will be placed but once all the items have been chosen, the Borough of Culture 2020 team will be asking for suggestions from local people.

Download the COVID-19 Time Capsule kit. 

Earlier this month Sefton Council’s Borough of Culture 2020 team announced that it had worked with local arts, culture and community groups with successful grant applications to adapt their projects for digital delivery to enable people to enjoy and take part in the activities online or by post. Find out more.

 

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