Please follow & like us

RSS
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
YouTube
Instagram

Front Page

Sefton crowdfunding platform celebrates landmark third birthday

22 November 2022
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Borough Of Culture, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton’s largest ever crowdfunding programme is celebrating its third birthday later this month.

Nearly ÂŁ120,000 has been raised by the Sefton Crowd platform since it was created in 2019 to help support good causes and community initiatives within the borough.

Now as the platform turns three years old, Sefton Council and operating partner Spacehive is hosting a special birthday party to celebrate the milestone achievement.

Communities are being invited to attend the free celebration will take place on Wednesday November 30th at SING Plus in Seaforth.

Twenty-three projects have been supported by the Sefton Crowd platform since it began, raising over ÂŁ119,000.

Projects have widely varied but all must show they can improve health, environmental and social wellbeing for communities across Sefton.

Councillor Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “I’m delighted that through Sefton Crowd, the Council along with many others across the Borough have been able to support local community groups over the past three years.

“Sefton Crowd’s success has made such a difference for our communities and offered them another avenue into funding their brilliant ideas.

“We take pride in making Sefton a better place for all residents and businesses, and we are so glad that so many have got on board over the last three years.

“By celebrating the success of Sefton’s crowdfunding, we are also recognising the generosity of our community and looking forward to even more developments and proposals from our communities in the future.”

“I encourage all those who are curious to come along and join me in celebrating this incredible achievement to find out how to get involved in Sefton Crowd and create more amazing projects and places together.”

Sefton Crowd was established as a result of the Council’s 2030 Vision, to make Sefton a borough for everyone. It is a crowdfunding initiative designed to encourage, support and create community projects which aim to make a positive difference. This includes park initiatives, community hubs and projects that aim to bring people together.

Successful projects are created by the community, for the community, with backers able to pledge as little as ÂŁ2 to Sefton Crowd schemes.

Spaces at the celebration event are limited and registration is essential.

To secure their place, people should use the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sefton-crowd-celebrating-100000-raised-for-community-projects-tickets-433626918787

 

It’s a goal! Sefton Council joins UK wide campaign to recruit more foster carers during the World Cup

21 November 2022
John McCabe
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton is joining up with local authorities from across the UK to form a new virtual team for the World Cup with the aim of achieving just one goal, to recruit more foster carers! Foster carer Ginny and her family pictured playing football

26 local authorities from across the UK have joined ‘Local Councils United’, a new virtual team which will share clips for each day of the World Cup highlighting the unique reasons why people should foster with their Local Council.

Football teams, carers, young people and families will all be featured in the clips during the World Cup campaign with the hashtag #FosterWithYourCouncil2022

Councillor Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care said “We are so proud to join forces with local councils across the UK to raise awareness about fostering and encourage people to think about taking up such an important role.

Fostering and football unites people and communities so we wanted to take the opportunity to come together as a fostering community, to emphasise the reasons why people should foster with your local authority.”

The campaign will kick off on the 21st of November with Northumberland County Council.

Sefton’s video, which will be shown on 3rd of December, features some of our fostering families at an Liverpool FC Football Camp brought to Sefton in partnership with our Leisure Services.

Ginny has been fostering for 20 years and came along to the football camp with her two foster children and her daughter Maddie. Ginny said: “We’re so happy to be part of this campaign to highlight the amazing difference a foster carer can have on a child’s life.

Football plays a big part in our family as it gives us that time to sit, watch the game and talk about tactics or anything else. When a child or young person in foster care likes football, it really helps them to come out of their shell as we can all chat about a shared passion. They begin to bond as they’ll go out and play with the other children and it just helps them forget about other things that maybe going on in their lives.”

Sefton Council’s Fostering Facebook will share each video every day so please follow @Seftonfostering.

You can watch all the videos from the 26 councils by going to the Local Councils United webpage

Merseyrail announces Boxing Day trains will be part of Christmas timetable

21 November 2022
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Merseyrail has announced it will be running trains every day over the festive period, except on Christmas Day.

Once again Boxing Day trains will be running with a limited service between 09:00 and 18:30, calling at selected stations across the network, in collaboration with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Boxing Day Services will run every 30 minutes calling at the following stations.

Southport line: Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale, Formby, Blundellsands and Crosby, Waterloo, Sandhills, Liverpool Central.

Ormskirk line: Ormskirk, Maghull, Aintree, Orrell Park, Kirkdale, Sandhills and Liverpool Central

Kirkby line: Kirkby, Fazakerley, Kirkdale, Sandhills and Liverpool Central

Hunts Cross line: Liverpool South Parkway, St Michaels and Liverpool Central

Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: Services will start and terminate at Hooton calling at Bromborough, Bebington, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Central, James St and Liverpool Central. There will no services between Ellesmere Port or Chester and Hooton.

New Brighton line: New Brighton, Birkenhead North, Conway Park, James St and Liverpool Central.

West Kirby line: West Kirby, Leasowe, Birkenhead North, Conway Park, James St and Liverpool Central.

On New Year’s Day a 30-munute Sunday service will run.

As has been the case in previous years, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will see services finish at approximately 20:00.

A normal timetable will be in place on all other days.

A range of festive surprises also await those travelling over the Christmas period. From a bauble wall at Liverpool Central to Father Christmas and festive carol singers, Merseyrail will be going all out to spread festive cheer at its stations.

Suzanne Grant, Commercial Director at Merseyrail, said: “As people across the Liverpool City Region prepare to enjoy the festive season, we are thrilled to be able to offer Boxing Day services this Christmas.

“Only a very limited number of trains operate nationally on Boxing Day, and I’d encourage those thinking of travelling to the Boxing Day sales, festive or sporting events to consider using our services to get there”

Cllr Liam Robinson, Transport and Air Quality Portfolio Holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: “We’re really pleased that we’ve been able to work with Merseyrail once again to ensure a timetable will be operating on Boxing Day this year.

“By running these services, it allows city region residents the chance to travel for whatever reason, whether it’s shopping, leisure, sporting events or just to visit friends and family.

“We would encourage rail users to plan ahead for their journey and make the most of these services that don’t operate in many parts of the country on Boxing Day.”

You can find full Christmas timetable information, Christmas shopping and event guides here.

How to book GP appointments during evenings and weekends in Sefton

21 November 2022
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Enhanced access graphicA range of GP appointments are available on weekday evenings and weekends for all residents registered with a GP practice in Sefton.

The ‘enhanced access’ service provides patients with access to pre-bookable appointments outside of normal practice hours to ensure that people can get the right care when convenient for them. A range of services are available for residents including routine appointments, smear tests, screenings and more.

Patients can pre-book appointments with the enhanced access service through their own GP practice, either by calling or visiting their usual practice during normal opening hours.

The services are delivered by different providers in south Sefton and Southport and Formby, meaning there is some variation in the opening hours and services in each area.

Services available in south Sefton

The GP Extra service is provided by South Sefton Primary Healthcare in partnership with South Sefton Primary Care Network. The following services are available at Litherland Town Hall, Monday to Friday, 5pm–8pm and Saturday, 9am–5pm.

  • General practice routine appointments
  • Cervical screening
  • Chronic diseases annual reviews (diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems)
  • Pill and HRT reviews
  • Physiotherapy
  • Blood tests
  • Blood pressure checks

Patients may be called during weekdays by an advanced nurse practitioner to see if their need can be dealt with over the phone, or if they can be directed to a more appropriate service.

Dr Gozzelino, clinical lead at South Sefton Primary Healthcare said: “We want to be as accessible as we can for our residents. We know that general practice is still seeing high numbers of patients seeking care beyond practices’ capacity, and we acknowledge our residents’ busy lifestyles, so we’re pleased to be able to offer these appointments to fit around people’s lives.

“Our service is staffed by a skilled, multi-disciplinary team specialised in different areas, meaning we’re able to offer a broad range of appointments to suit a variety of needs.”

WATCH: Dr Gozzelino talks about the GP Extra Service

 

Services available in Southport and Formby

 The 7 Day GP Service is provided by Southport and Formby Health in partnership with Southport and Formby Primary Care Network.

The following services are available at The Family Surgery, 107 Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 4DB, Monday–Friday 5pm-9pm, Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-1pm:

  • General practice routine appointments
  • Cervical screening
  • Ear syringing
  • Health checks
  • Pill checks
  • Physiotherapy – assessment and advice
  • Blood tests
  • Blood pressure checks
  • Foot checks
  • Electrocardiography
  • Mental health support

Dr Abdul Zubairu, medical director at Southport and Formby Health said: “The service has gone from strength to strength over the last four years, giving patients additional access to GP services at a time that may be more convenient for them and alleviating some of the pressures on local practices by providing additional capacity.”

Anthony Shonkry, a Southport resident and patient at the 7 Day GP service in Southport and Formby, said: “I phoned my GP and they booked me an appointment with the service on a Saturday morning. I spoke to a nurse practitioner who helped me with all my needs over the phone, but I know they have the availability to see me in person if they need further follow up.

“It was a really useful service and I’d definitely recommend it for anyone who works long hours like myself during the week, or university, or can’t get appointments during the day. They’re really quick to offer appointments on the evenings and weekends, so it suits most people.”

WATCH: Dr Stevens talks about the 7 Day GP Service

 

Find out more about the 7-Day GP Service.   

To book an appointment with the enhanced access services across Sefton, patients should contact their usual GP practice during their normal opening hours.

Outside of office hours or at weekends, anyone who needs to book an urgent appointment should continue to get in touch using the NHS 111 service.

Sandway Homes hands first customers keys to the doors of their new homes

21 November 2022
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News
L – R Nichola Howarth from Together Housing; Jackie (homeowner); Mary Corry, Customer Sales Advisor, Sandway Homes
L – R Nichola Howarth from Together Housing; Jackie (homeowner); Mary Corry, Customer Sales Advisor, Sandway Homes

Sandway Homes has welcomed its first homeowners to properties at its prestigious Hey Farm Gardens and Meadow Lane developments in Sefton.

Completed

Twenty-three plots have now completed at its Hey Farm Gardens development in Crossens and at its Sandy Brook site in Ainsdale. Thirty-six have been sold to a range of buyers including families, couples, and first-time buyers.

As well as open market homes, Sandway is also providing homes for shared ownership and rent, which are managed by Registered Provider Together Housing. The company has been registered as part of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, which has also assisted first-time buyers secure a number of plots on its developments prior to the scheme ending in December.

Dream

Among the first to move in is one of the shared ownership residents Jackie who said: “I cannot say how thankful I am to Sandway Homes, Together Housing, and Dashing Mortgages for helping me to achieve a dream I thought was beyond my grasp – finally having a place to call my own. It has been life changing.

“As with everything in life, it wasn’t all plain sailing but Together Housing and Sandway were always there, at the end on the phone, with positive encouragements.

“Turning the key, opening the door, and stepping into my new life at Sandy Brook, made the journey worthwhile. Thank you all, again, from the bottom of my heart.”

Thrilled

Sandway Head of Business Operations and Marketing, Sandra Coventry said: “We are thrilled to finally be handing our customers the keys to their brand new homes.

“Volatility within the construction sector has been a challenge at times, with some homes being delayed, but the team continues to work around the clock to ensure that completions are taking place as quickly as possible.

“It is rewarding to have received some great feedback from our customers, and we look forward to the sites further contributing to the thriving communities within Sefton.”

Award

In recognition of the popularity of its first phase of homes, the Company has been shortlisted for the ‘Emerging Developer of the Year award’ at the forthcoming Your Move Awards in Liverpool at the end of November. The Emerging Developer category recognises the rising stars of property development, who have started in the industry in the last three years and gone on to deliver new homes within the region.

In July, Sefton Councils confirmed that it will acquire 13 apartments from Sandway homes as part of its next scheme. These will be the first new properties to be used as council housing since 2006.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:“I am pleased to see Sandway Homes reaching another key milestone by providing people with keys to new, high-quality homes in Sefton.

“It confirms that the Council’s decision to establish Sandway to redevelop sites across the Borough to provide new and affordable housing, including properties for those taking their firsts steps onto the property ladder was the right one.”

Sandway’s approach is to provide a variety of house types for the modern-day buyer featuring open-plan layouts, contemporary fitted kitchens and bathrooms, home office space, as well as turfed gardens, e-charging points, and well-proportioned parking throughout.

You can find out more about Sandway Homes’ developments here. 

Search Box