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Southport Crisis CafĂ© saves Sefton woman’s life after suicide attempt

26 January 2023
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Uncategorized

Sefton resident BrittneySefton resident Brittney, who suffers with severe depressive episodes, is reaching out to thank the team at a mental health support service in Southport, crediting them for saving her life after she had experienced suicidal thoughts earlier this year.

Low point

Brittney lives in Southport and says that she had hit a really low point while struggling with poor mental health. On one evening in particular she was suffering from very strong suicidal thoughts and had taken steps to harm herself. Fearing the worst, she decided to visit the Sefton Crisis Cafe in Southport – a local mental health support service – to find help.

A support worker at the Crisis Cafe sought immediate help for Brittney, giving her emergency assistance to de-escalate the crisis situation she was in, preventing her from taking her own life and supporting her to get back to a safer mental state.

Dramatic

Brittney said: “I was in such a low place and I didn’t see a way out, I didn’t want to be here any more. As dramatic as it might sound, I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for the support of the Crisis Cafe.

“The support that they offer seems so real and genuine
 the consistent support here helped me get through that really difficult time.”

Watch Brittney share her story below.

Resilience

With locations in both Southport and Crosby, the Sefton Crisis Cafe service continued to offer Brittney out-of-hours support for her mental health conditions and has been there to help her on numerous occasions when she has found herself in crisis. She says that the service has also helped her build her resilience and develop coping strategies for when she feels low, as well as helping her get through more difficult times when she feels she cannot cope on her own.

Brittney continued: “I think now, as soon as I know I’m having a bad day, I reach out for their support and I wouldn’t leave things until they get as low as they did.

“It is a much needed service. From my own experiences, A&E is not always the most appropriate support or environment for people in crisis like me. Whereas here they’ve got staff on hand to step in and offer that emotional support immediately.”

Social activities

Brittney continues to visit the Crisis Cafe in Southport during their opening hours on Friday to Sunday evenings, to get one to one support, chat with staff and volunteers over a cup of tea, as well as taking part in social activities such as board games. She has found that the combination of talking therapy and group activities has really helped to improve her mental health.

Brittney has thanked the staff at the Crisis Cafe for saving her life and giving her ongoing care, saying: “I think, genuinely, it’s probably been the best service I’ve ever been to for support, and I couldn’t mean that more
 they’ve made such a difference.

She said: “For me personally, the Crisis Cafe means somewhere I can go if I’m struggling, and I know I’ll get help.”

Reach out

Sherran Robb, manager of the Sefton Crisis Cafes, said: “Thank you to Brittney for bravely sharing her story so that others know they are not alone in suffering from depression and poor mental health. Brittney and all of our staff would like to encourage anyone who is suffering with their mental health to come along to the Sefton Crisis Cafes or reach out to our team.

“Many local organisations have worked together in partnership to provide the Crisis Cafe service for Sefton, and to know that we have saved the life of one of our residents is testament to how essential this service is for those in a mental health crisis.”

Crosby and Southport

The Sefton Crisis Cafes are based in Crosby and Southport, and offer out of hours support to anyone aged 18 years or over in Sefton experiencing a mental health crisis. They offer drop-in sessions from 5pm to 11pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings to give local residents a place of safety as an alternative to A&E.

The service also offers a social space with refreshments and one to one support to reduce stress and help manage crisis situations, as well as support via phone, email or online Zoom calls.

The Sefton Crisis Cafe service was set up thanks to the local NHS in Sefton, Sefton Council, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and local community groups; Sefton CVS and Parenting 2000.

You can find out more about Sefton’s Crisis Cafes here.

Or you can get in touch with the team by emailing crisiscafe@seftoncvs.org.uk or calling 0300 323 0197.

Also, further information on mental health and wellbeing support and services in Sefton can be found by following #SeftonInMind on social media.

 

Sefton to shine a light on its workforce and lifelong skills for National Apprenticeship Week

26 January 2023
John McCabe
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is hosting a series of key events for its staff to consider apprenticeships as a route to develop their skills and career path during National Apprenticeship Week, while also shining a light on the progress of Sefton’s apprentices.

Taking place 6-12 February, the theme for National Apprenticeship Week is #SkillsforLife – a chance for employers to promote apprenticeships and how they prepare the workforce for the roles of the future.

Sefton’s Community Learning Service will also use this week to promoting core skills such as Maths, English and ICT – a level qualification (equivalent to GCSE C/4) will mean progress to higher level apprenticeships and in your career path. 

National Apprenticeship Week also represents a chance for the Council to celebrate its own apprentices online and on social media. 

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said:

“It’s never too early or too late to accelerate your career and enhance your skills.  Whether it is something that is on your mind or not, I encourage you to use National Apprenticeship Week to consider your future and what you want it to look like.

“At Sefton Council we promote learning and development, and have a fantastic Apprenticeship team who can support you to find qualifications to fit the many vocational areas. There’s no greater endorsement than that of apprentices themselves so please take the time to read their stories and be inspired by their journeys.

“We regularly recruit new apprentices as a way to join Sefton Council and learn on the job, so keep your eyes peeled for any apprenticeship opportunities and other vacancies on offer.”

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Skills and Regeneration said:

“It’s heartening to see apprentices progress with Sefton Council, and in many cases find permanent roles within the organisation. It’s heartening because it shows we’re truly a learning organisation, with a workforce ready to help us adapt to future challenges, and it also shows we’re an organisation where staff feel valued in an environment where they can push on in their chosen career path.

“I hear from apprentices on a regular basis, but it’s still satisfying to use National Apprenticeship Week as a time to hear their stories and reflect on their journeys with Sefton. If anyone within Sefton Council or not yet with us, you should consider an apprenticeship as a great opportunity to be at the cutting edge in your field and to move up in your career.”

To be alerted to apprenticeship or other employment opportunities with Sefton Council, check out the vacancies at our Jobs Go Public website

Visit Sefton Council’s Apprenticeship Service dedicated webpage to learn more about the support they offer, or check out our Community Learning Service webpages to learn more about functional skills and other courses on offer.

Hero healthcare workers honoured by Sefton Council

23 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Health, Latest News

Sefton Council will this week celebrate the heroism of healthcare workers across the Borough as it officially awards the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to four NHS trusts.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, as well as Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, will be given the prestigious honour at a special ceremony at Bootle Town Hall on Thursday, January 26th.

A decision to award the Freedom of the Borough was made in light of the hard work, sacrifice and dedication shown by medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freedom of the Borough is the highest ceremonial honour Sefton Council can bestow. It will stand as a permanent record of the Borough’s endless appreciation and debt of gratitude to the Trusts and their staff.

An Extra-ordinary meeting of council will take place to officially grant the Freedom of the Borough, with an accompanying civic reception for officers of the Trusts and their invited guests.

Organisations receiving Freedom of the Borough gain the ‘right, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the Borough on all ceremonial occasions with colours flying, bands playing, drums beating and bayonets fixed’.

Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council Leader said: “We and the people of Sefton will be eternally grateful for the selflessness and dedication of the Trusts in the face of COVID-19, putting themselves at risk in ensuring the safety of others.

“Their selflessness and dedication saved lives through the pandemic and they continue to strive tirelessly to provide the care that we, our families and our friends all need, when we need it.

“I am confident that people across Sefton will agree that the work of these NHS staff need to be recognised and rewarded, which is why I am delighted to be giving them  Honorary Freedom of the Borough next week.”

Sue Musson, Chair of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:“It is a great honour for the Trust to be awarded Sefton Council’s Freedom of the Borough for our services during COVID-19. The pandemic presented immense challenges for all of us working in healthcare, and this award recognises the remarkable courage, selflessness and resilience of our staff who cared for patients, families and each other at a very dark time. We are so grateful to receive this very special honour and for the continuing friendship and support of colleagues across the Borough.”

Neil Masom OBE, the chair of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust said: 
“This is a tremendous honour for the tireless and often challenging work of colleagues during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“Every one of them is on the frontline in one way or another whether they are in a clinical, support or administrative role. We all work as one team and one family, ensuring we deliver the best possible care for those in need.”
 
Dame Jo Williams, Chair of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Louise Shepherd, Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said: 
“We are hugely honoured to be recognised and to have been awarded the Freedom of the Borough from Sefton Council. It is fantastic recognition for our staff and colleagues who have worked tirelessly and bravely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“Alder Hey is privileged to play a vital role in supporting the health of children in Sefton and around the world. This would not be possible without the support we receive from children and families around the Borough and from our friends and partners in the Local Authority and other agencies.”
 
Joe Rafferty CBE, Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: 
“Like all other NHS organisations, the COVID-19 pandemic presented huge challenges for Mersey Care and I see this honour as recognition for everyone who have worked so hard during some of the most difficult times in the history of the NHS.
 
“We’ve had to adapt, quite often find different ways of working, but I’m extremely proud of the way we’ve continued to care and kept our mental health and community health patients and service users safe.”

Previous organisations to have been granted Freedom of the Borough include RAF Woodvale, in 2011, and No. 238 (Sefton) Squadron, 156 Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport, in 1982. Individuals who have had the honour bestowed upon them include Jamie Carragher, in 2004, and Donald “Ginger” McCain in 2006.

HMS Mersey will receive Freedom status in April while England footballer Alex Greenwood will also receive the Freedom of the Borough in a ceremony planned for late 2023.

Sefton Council’s Chief Executive announces retirement

23 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

 

Sefton Council Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council

Sefton Council’s chief executive will retire later this year after more than four decades of public service.

Stepping down

Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, today (23 January) announced he will retire later this year, stepping down from the post he has held since 2019.

He has worked in local government for over 40 years and started out as a Care Assistant in County Durham and worked for a number of Councils in the northeast. Dwayne has worked in local authorities across the Liverpool City Region, first in Knowsley then Halton, before finally arriving at Sefton in 2015 as Director of Social Care and Health, and became Chief Executive after the Council’s previous CEO, Margaret Carney, retired in 2019.

Integrity and transparency

Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Ian Maher, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank Dwayne for everything he has done for Sefton over the last 8 years.

“As Chief Executive he has acted with integrity and transparency, and he is highly respected in Sefton, as a dedicated, effective Chief Executive.

“His open and honest approach, with staff, elected members and partners alike, has gained him respect across the Liverpool City Region.

“I know many of our staff have welcomed Dwayne’s approachable and friendly manner, many of whom look forward to reading his fortnightly blog, with hundreds of staff watching and engaging with his monthly “Teams Q&A” live sessions.

“Dwayne led the Council’s response to Covid-19, which saw Sefton at the forefront of testing, with the first ever dedicated walk-through Covid-19 testing sites in Cheshire and Merseyside being deployed by the army and Council staff in Sefton. He also chaired the Merseyside Resilience Forum’s Test and Trace cell, ensuring swift and easy access to testing for all Merseyside residents.

“He will be greatly missed by all of us across the Council, and I know everyone who has worked with him will wish him and his family all the best in his retirement.”

Enormous privilege 

Dwayne said: “Sefton is a very special place, and it has been an enormous privilege to work here to serve the fantastic people of Sefton.

“When I started as a care assistant 40 years ago, it was never part of my career plan to become a Chief Executive. Until very recently I still retained my social work registration and it’s been an honour to serve the profession for so long.

“All of my colleagues across the Council have been amazing, and I always felt an immense sense of pride of having the privilege to lead such a wonderful workforce. We have been through some tough times, but with each one our staff met the challenge and delivered, coming out stronger as a result.

“I would like to thank all colleagues and members for their hard work and dedication, and for making my time at Sefton so enjoyable.

“I am proud of what we are achieving in the borough by working together with our partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors. We are making significant steps forward in integrating with health and with regeneration, with many exciting developments across the borough.

“Sefton will always be special to me, and I will continue to take a keen interest in the borough and will watch it develop and go on to achieve future successes.”

Process to recruit

The council will now begin the process to recruit a new chief executive, with Dwayne stepping down once the new Chief Executive is in post.

The post is expected to be advertised in February with the interview process spanning March and April.

More information will be available on the Sefton Council website. 

Sefton Council makes ‘Care Experienced’ a protected characteristic

19 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Essential Sefton, Featured Friendship News, Front Page, Latest News

At a full Council meeting last night, Sefton Council voted to make ‘care experienced’ a protected characteristic, putting it on equal footing with race and gender when it comes to fighting discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity for all.

It follows England’s Independent Review of Children’s Social Care which recommended care experience be a protected characteristic following lobbying by people with experience of the system.

The move is the latest in a line of changes aimed at strengthening the voice and needs of cared for and care experienced children and young people in Sefton and strengthens the council’s role as a corporate parent.

Care experienced includes all children who have had prolonged contact with our social care team; some may have been fostered, some placed with family members or others may have received support in a placement. This cohort face significant challenges upon leaving the care system and are statistically more likely to struggle across a range of areas including education, employment and housing.

In recognising ‘care experienced’ as a protected characteristic, the Council will actively seek out and listen to the voices of care experienced people in the same way they would ensure voices across the spectrum of age, gender, race and disability are heard. It will ensure that all decisions the Council make, the policies they set and the services they commission always consider the specific needs of care experienced young people and the impact on them.

 

Speaking at the Council meeting last night, Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Education said:

“Care experienced people face some of the greatest inequalities in life and the biggest hurdles. There are invisible barriers that hold care experienced children back. Instead of the love and care they need and deserve, they can face discrimination, stigma and prejudice.

“We as councillors our officers and partners are all corporate parents of care experienced people and we need to give them a voice and consider their needs in everything we do. We call upon other bodies to adopt corporate parenting principals such as signing up to our Caring Business Charter and join us in ensuring that our Care Experienced people are supported and have the tools to build a happy, healthy future

“Good parents continue to support, champion, care for, and be ambitious for their children throughout their life and the council and our partners have a responsibility to ensure that children in its care have the same opportunities and outcomes as children in more traditional families.”

 

The move to make ‘care experienced’ a protected characteristic was inspired by the work of Terry Galloway, a campaigner who has care experience and was in over 100 different placements as a child.

Speaking after the motion was agreed last night, Terry Galloway said:

“I am delighted to see Sefton Council make ‘care experienced’ a protected characteristic. It is encouraging to see local authorities willing to listen to care experienced people, learn from our experiences and commit to improving their services.

“When I left care, my life was chaotic and I was not well supported; it did not feel like anyone had a responsibility to care for me. I campaign for the rights of those leaving care to ensure that no one in my position feels like they are on their own when they reach adulthood.

“Recognising ‘care experienced’ as a protected characteristic will give a voice to those most in need and represents a lifelong commitment to cared for young people who are approaching adulthood; it signals that they will be supported, listened to and valued.

“The next step is to engage with care experienced people of all ages to find out what discrimination they have face, both direct and indirect. It has to be deep and not just through the lens of what services local authorities provide, but go right out into the community in places like prisons, education, DWP and Health because discrimination is everywhere.  When we hear that voice and understand it, then change will happen.”

 

ENDS

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