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Would you like to volunteer in a fun and friendly environment where you get to meet new people on a daily basis?

Crosby Housing Association’s Charity Shop, on Lorne Road in Waterloo, is looking for new volunteers.

Volunteers can take part in a variety of duties at the shop, from staffing the tills and serving customers, to behind the scenes work such as sorting and pricing donated stock, arranging displays in the shop and stock control.

“Volunteering at the shop can be great fun,” says Kerrie Smart, Shop Manager “As well as gaining retail experience, our volunteers also get to meet lots of local people who visit the shop. As well as casual shoppers, we have our loyal regulars who often pop into the shop for a catch-up as well as to pick up a bargain!”

Crosby Housing Association are unique as a housing association, to have a charity shop that has been established for nearly 50 years. The Charity Shop is run by 3 paid members of staff and a team of volunteers and raises valuable funds that support the work of the Association across a range of tenant welfare, environment and community initiatives across Sefton.

The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 4.30pm. Any time that a volunteer can give would be most welcome, but the shop is particularly keen to hear from people who can cover half-day or full-day shifts.

For more information, please contact Hannah Wilson, Crosby Housing Association’s Corporate Resources Officer, on 0151 920 7300 or by emailing Hannah.Wilson@crosby-ha.org.uk

Businesses in Sefton have received more than half a million pounds from Sefton Council in rate support.

Enterprises across the borough that faced large increases in their businesses rates bills following a national revaluation in 2017, have benefited from additional relief to help keep their bills down.

In March, 2017 the Government made additional funding available to Sefton Council to assist businesses with their rates bills in 2017/18.

As at October 31, 2018 the Council has been able to use the additional funding to assist 1,140 businesses in the borough to financial assistance totalling £542,973 when the final relief payments were distributed. This represents 98.4% of the total available funding of £551,739 made available for businesses in Sefton.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “At a time when our high streets are facing unprecedented challenges, we are delighted to able to help so many businesses keep their bills to a minimum through this support.

“The money distributed across Sefton will help retain people in employment and make a significant contribution to the economic well-being of our residents.

“We actively support businesses of all shapes and sizes throughout the borough and will continue to do so enforcing our position that Sefton is well and truly open for business.”

Seven Sefton schools have come together with other schools from the region to sing and record a charity single in aid of Children in Need.

Pupils from Bedford Primary School, Freshfield Primary School, Formby High School, Redgate Primary School, Trinity St Peter’s Primary School, Valewood Primary School and Waterloo Primary School sang on a new track titled, ‘We Are All Stars’, which shines the spotlight on young people and celebrates their talents and learning gained through the world of education.

To help raise money for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, the team behind the Educate Awards partnered with Formby High School’s senior assistant headteacher, Steve Cook and music technology teacher, Gary Heatherington, to write the song.

Schools were notified about the exciting opportunity and were encouraged to write in for a chance to take part.

After an intensive teacher training session and a month of top secret rehearsals, over 300 students from primary and secondary schools in Chester, Lancashire and the Liverpool city region, recorded the single at Parr Street Studios.

Cameras also captured the once in a lifetime opportunity so that a music video detailing the process will accompany the track at a later date.

Other schools that took part included; Bickerstaffe Primary School, Brownedge St Mary’s Catholic High School, Queens Park Primary School, Riverside Primary School, Saughall All Saints Primary School, and Whitefield Primary School.

The recording also features the voices from members of the G:Force Gospel Choir.

Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said:  “There is an incredible amount of talent within primary and secondary schools today and what better way to showcase this than with a song dedicated to Children in Need.

“Everyone worked so hard to make this unique song come to life and we’re thrilled with how it has turned out – they have really helped us put a spotlight on education in the North West.

“We’re looking forward to playing the music video at the Educate Awards ceremony on Friday 16 November which is also when Children in Need takes place.”

The song is available to download on iTunes and Spotify. All proceeds will be donated to Children in Need.

The Educate Awards, in partnership with Copyrite Systems and Ricoh, is now in its seventh year and is the largest education awards in the North West, taking place at Liverpool Cathedral.

Since launching in Liverpool in 2012, the awards has grown rapidly, now recognising schools and colleges right across the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

From inspiring teachers, superb support staff to innovative projects across the curriculum, the awards identifies the work of schools and colleges which are delivering outstanding education and helping students achieve their full potential.

For more information, visit:  www.educateawards.co.uk.