Essential Sefton

Sefton Libraries service are helping to champion Dementia Action Week (May 21-27) with a number of special events across the borough.

A number of events, including a Memory Walk at Formby Library and a Chit & Chat reminiscence session at Netherton Library, will help mark the week of action which calls on all residents to help improve the everyday lives of those affected by dementia.

Residents are being encouraged to join library staff at the library on Duke Street, Formby on Thursday May 24 from 1.30pm for a leisurely walk through Formby Village.

Taking around an hour, the Memory Walk is designed to raise awareness of Dementia and Alzheimer’s as part of Dementia Action Week between May 21 and May 27.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Dementia Action Week is so important, especially in Sefton as a dementia friendly borough.

“One person develops dementia every three minutes, yet too many face it alone.

“This Dementia Action Week, we’re calling on everyone to take action to improve the everyday lives of people affected by dementia.”

“I encourage everybody to try and take part in some form of action to help a family member, a friend, anyone who may be affected some way by this horrible disease.

“If you would like to take part in our Memory Walk, staff and guests will, under a leisurely pace, walk through Formby village which will take around 60 minutes.

“Please come prepared for all weathers! There will be tea and coffee on return to Formby Library.”

Anyone interested in joining the Memory Walk is asked to arrive at Formby Library from 1:15pm on Thursday May 24.

Over at Netherton library, residents are warmly welcomed to take part in a Chit and Chat reminiscence session on May 22 from 2.30pm.

All other Sefton libraries will have a specially selected display of ‘Book on Prescription’ which support people who are living with or affected by memory loss.

An organisation which works on behalf of the local community in Sefton has been formally recognised for its contribution to the NHS.

Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) has been awarded the NHS 70 community partner of the year award, as voted for by staff of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG.

Sefton CVS is an independent charity which aims to ‘support independent, resilient and sustainable communities’ by promoting and assisting the work of voluntary, community and faith (VCF) groups. One of the charity’s objectives is to promote the advancement of health with Sefton. This has seen Sefton CVS link up with a variety of groups including the Alzheimer’s Society, Healthwatch Sefton, Sefton Council, as well as NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG.

Some of the highlights from the work Sefton CVS has done with the NHS in Sefton include the Strand by Me community signposting and health shop in the Strand, the creation of an online directory for over 3,500 services delivered by more than 1,000 VCF groups in Sefton and the Sefton Emotional Achievement Service which delivered self-harm prevention and support for 11-25 year olds.

It is the first time the CCGs have chosen to recognise a community partner of the year award and it was voted for by members of staff at the CCGs as part of their annual staff awards. The award is part of a year-long celebration of the NHS 70th anniversary which will include national celebrations at Westminster Abbey and York Minster on the 5th July.

Speaking about the award, chief executive of the CCGs, Fiona Taylor, said: “Sefton CVS is an incredibly important partner for us in terms of working with the local community. The NHS is increasingly looking to community groups to make sure the health services we commission are joined up with other services and deliver the most benefit for local people and the team at Sefton CVS is an invaluable part of that. I am delighted that our staff have chosen to formally recognise its work through this award.”

Sefton CVS chief executive, Angela White OBE, said: “We are delighted to be presented with this award, which is made all the more special because votes have come from staff and colleagues at NHS South Sefton CCG & NHS Southport & Formby CCG”.

“This award is a testament to the strong local partnerships that exist within our borough and I would like to thank our colleagues at both CCGs for nominating Sefton CVS”.

The CCGs have also asked the three Sefton MPs to submit a formal nomination for Sefton CVS to the NHS 70 Parliamentary Awards. Winners will be announced at a special ceremony which takes place in Westminster on the 4th July.