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Lets put a stop to child sexual exploitation

18 March 2019
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Sefton Stories

Merseyside Police and Sefton Council are showing their support as part of National Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Awareness Day.

The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of CSE by gathering information, working alongside our partner agencies and talking to children and vulnerable people about standing up and speaking out against CSE.

On Tuesday, March 19, officers and staff from the local policing teams in Sefton are carrying out a day of action at St Michael’s Secondary School in Crosby. Here they’ll be accompanied by charity ‘Catch 22’ where they’ll deliver a series of CSE workshops where children can learn about supporting their friends, ways of reporting abuse and inappropriate relationships as well as speaking out against abuse.

Cllr John Joseph Kelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Safeguarding said; “The Council are committed to preventing young people from being sexually abused. We are working with the Merseyside Police and partner agencies to help tackle this problem.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to protect children from this devastating crime and so it’s important to understand what child exploitation is, be aware of the warning signs, and have the confidence to discuss any concerns with the Council’s safeguarding team.”

Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs from the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said: “Sexual exploitation exists in lots of different forms and it is not always obvious to the victim when it first starts happening. It’s a dreadful crime which can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and their families, which is exactly why having something like National CSE Day to highlight the issue is so important.

“We all have a duty of care to young people living, working and visiting Merseyside and we should all continue to try and help in any way we can to put a stop to the sexual exploitation of children.

“We must talk openly and encourage parents, grandparents, teachers, health professionals, social services and any other adults alike to take some time to better educate themselves about CSE and its devastating consequences. That way, each of us can spot the signs, protect young people and reduce the number of offences being committed.”

Active Alma astounds instructors as she turns 100!

18 March 2019
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: 2019 - Sefton's Year of friendship, Active Sefton, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

A Maghull woman is proving that age is just a number as she continues to impress instructors at Sefton’s Active Ageing sessions – at 100 years old!

Alma Jones, who celebrated her landmark birthday on Tuesday March 12, is a familiar face at her local Active Ageing Falls Prevention class and she insists keeping active is key to her longevity.

Bootle born Alma regularly joins other elderly residents at St Andrews Church, Maghull for the weekly classes where skilled instructors help Over 65s to develop muscle strength and improve balance, with the aim of preventing potentially serious falls or accidents.

As well as attending the sessions, Alma, a mother of two, admitted to keeping a very active lifestyle from an early age – including rock-climbing, fell walking, hockey and tennis – is the secret to reaching 100!

Alma said: “Not only are the Active Ageing classes fantastic for keeping well and building up your muscle strength, they’re also a great opportunity for people to make friends and have a chat between exercises!

“I love coming to the class. I have always been very active and throughout my life I’ve done lots of exciting things like rock-climbing and made sure I always kept fit by swimming, cycling and general good living.

“I still swam right up until my nineties and played sports too. Now I enjoy this Active Ageing class and I can assure you, you know which muscles you use at the end of it!

“We balance, stretch and make sure we keep as fit as possible in the class. I’d encourage anybody to come to one of our classes as it’s not only a fantastic way to keep fit, but it’s also very beneficial for making friends.”

At a recent Active Ageing class Alma was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a cake from instructors and her fellow members sang happy birthday to her.

She followed up by celebrating her landmark birthday surrounded by family and friends at her home.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Alma is a fantastic lady and she has proven that you can still lead an active and healthy lifestyle, even at the age of 100!

“Our Active Ageing teams, are committed to helping anyone who is unsteady on their feet or wants to gain more confidence walking through their free twelve week courses.”

Active Ageing is a Free 12-week programme designed to help with the prevention of falls for those aged 65 and over and who live within the South Sefton area.

The programme includes a range of exercises aimed at focusing on improving strength and balance to help reduce the risk of a further fall occurring.

For more information about the Active Ageing programme, which is funded by South Sefton CCG, and other available courses, please call 0151 934 2352.

/Ends

Sefton Council receives accreditation for excelling in customer service delivery

15 March 2019
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Sefton Stories

Sefton Council is delighted to have been awarded the Customer Service Excellence (CSE) Quality Mark.

The accreditation is a unique tool designed to promote and encourage continual improvement and maintaining standards when dealing with customers.

Gaining this award demonstrates the Council’s commitment to maintain a first-class customer experience, ensuring that residents are at the heart of everything the Council does.

Since 2013, revenues and benefits services and front-line customer services such as ‘One Stop Shops’ and Contact Centres, have successfully achieved the CSE accreditation following an annual independent assessment.

The council received the accreditation based on 5 key categories; Customer Insight, The Culture of the Organisation, Information & Access, Delivery & Timeliness and Quality of Service.

A dedicated team coordinated the accreditation process over the period of six-months leading up to the award in December 2018. The team are now working towards repeating this success in 2019.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: “We are very proud to have received such a highly recognised accreditation. During the assessment, the Council stood up to rigorous scrutiny in order to achieve it. This involved gathering evidence and examples of how we have excelled in service delivery and customer service, a visit to the site from an independent assessor and interviews with staff and partner organisations.

“We are extremely pleased that several areas were highlighted to have shown a real commitment to customer service delivery, based on a good understanding of our residents needs and preferences. Staff politeness, friendliness, professionalism and knowledge were commended as being a core strength of the culture of the organisation. The assessor also emphasised the high levels of customer satisfaction with the quality information and accessibility across our front-line services.”

Recognition and thanks goes to the team of CSE champions: Mike Mooney, Kim Leggett, Steve Woods, Helen Pritchard and Alex Blundell.

Detective to run half marathon in memory of murdered friend

15 March 2019
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Police, Sefton Council, Sefton Stories

The sister of a man who was fatally stabbed in Bootle is taking her campaign to end knife crime into schools across the North West, and running a half marathon to raise awareness.

Colin McGinty, from Crosby, was just 21 when he was killed after being chased by four men who detectives believed may have mistaken him for someone else.

Since his death in 2001, his sister Laura Hughes has dedicated herself to trying to spare other families the same heartache.

This year, to mark what would have been Colin’s 40th birthday, Laura has organised a team of more than 60 people to run the Liverpool Half Marathon in May in his memory and to raise awareness about knife crime. They are also taking donations for Radio City’s ‘Cash for Kids’ charity.

Laura said: “I have spoken with an academy trust, E-ACT, which operates 28 schools around the country, to deliver knife crime awareness days. The first will be at Oldham Academy North and for that day, every lesson will have a knife crime theme – so in drama they may be acting out a scene, in art they might be designing posters, and in English they could write a letter or even an obituary.

“The hope is that this will impact the children who go to Oldham Academy North as well as the local community.

“We have also had the backing of Liverpool FC legend Robbie Fowler and on Saturday 13 April, Oldham Athletic AFC will wear ‘In Memory of Colin McGinty’ t-shirts during the warm up ahead of their game against Swindon Town.

“The match will also be dedicated to what we are doing, and we’re thrilled that they have shown such great support for what we are trying to achieve. I’m sure it will all help spread the message that we must all do our bit to end knife crime.”

The runners in the half marathon will include Colin’s friend Detective Inspector Andy McCourt as well as Sergeant Jon Hannan, Constable Kelle Hannan and Detective Constable Emma O’Toole.

Last month a number of the runners got together and completed a 5km run in the city, starting and finishing at the knife angel at the Anglican Cathedral.

DI McCourt said: “As a police officer I am passionate about making our streets safer, and the fact one of my close friend’s died at the hands of people carrying a knife only strengthened my resolve to do everything I can to make sure we rid our streets of knives.

“Two men received life sentences for Colin’s murder, and his death shows the impact the carrying of a knife can have not just on the victim and their family and friends, but also on the offenders.

“This week Merseyside Police, alongside forces up and down the coutnry, is tkaing part in a national week of action to tackle knife crime. But the impact of knife crime on families and the wider community can last 365 days a year for the rest of their lives. It cannot be understated – it is destructive and toxic, and we must do everything we can to raise awareness from an early age and reduce incidents in Merseyside. As a police force, we’ll continue educating the public on the dangers of carrying knives.

“We know we cannot tackle the issue alone and I would urge the community to support and help us by spreading the message that it is never acceptable to carry or use a knife and remind people the devastation it causes.”

Learn more about money with Southport Money Advice Group

13 March 2019
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Front Page, Health

Southport Money Advice Group are holding a free learning exchange event on Wednesday 27th March 2019 in Southport. The event will discuss money as an issue nationally and locally and its impact on health and wellbeing.

With record levels of household debt, this event explores the changing policy context, the impact of debt on local communities and shows how residents and organisations in Southport are working together to improve access to money advice services.

Who is the event for?

The event is open to agencies and organisations who work with residents (e.g. community and resident’s groups, charities, statutory and third sector organisations and registered social landlords) and who want to find out more about money advice.

It will provide an opportunity to meet over lunch with service providers within the area and to learn more about other money and wellbeing services available in Southport.

Who’s organising the event?

The event is being organised by the Southport Money Advice Group and partners as part of a ‘Neighbourhood for Learning’ and is one of nine taking place across the north-west.

The overarching Neighbourhood Resilience Programme aims to bring together residents, academics, local groups and services to research and improve underlying social, economic and environmental factors which affect people’s health and wellbeing.

You will hear about:

  • Changing national money and health policy context
  • The impact of financial difficulties on health and wellbeing
  • Examples of how ‘Neighbourhoods for Learning’ are working together to change services to benefit local people
  • How simple changes away from the negative language of debt can positively impact on people with financial difficulties
  • What residents and organisations have done so far to improve access to money advice services in Southport

Book your free place here.

 

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