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‘Living Well’ bus will be in Bootle on Wednesday 11th January offering COVID-19 vaccinations

10 January 2023
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Living Well bus graphicThe ‘Living Well’ bus will return to Asda Bootle on Wednesday 11th January to offer Sefton residents all COVID-19 vaccines, including first, second, booster and seasonal (autumn booster) and free health checks.

Asda car park

The bus will be parked in Asda car park from 10:30am-4pm and residents can come along throughout the day with no need to book.

Residents will be able to get up to date with any COVID-19 vaccines they may have missed, including first, second or booster doses and the seasonal (autumn booster).

Those who are eligible to receive the autumn booster include people aged 50 and over, frontline health and social care workers, and those deemed at risk because, for example, they have either a weakened immune system, a learning disability or are pregnant.

Free holistic health checks will also be available for residents aged 18 and over if time and capacity allows, which include a pulse check and blood pressure check, cholesterol and blood glucose check and a BMI check.

Still circulating

Jan Leonard, primary care lead for Sefton at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said: “A new year is a great time to take steps to boost your health and wellbeing, and we’re reminding residents that COVID-19 is still circulating and the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get up to date with your jabs.

“If you are eligible for a seasonal (autumn) booster and haven’t had a chance to go for it yet, we would strongly encourage you to take up the offer.

It’s also a brilliant opportunity to have a health check which will help to find any hidden health problems and tackle them early on.”

You can find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine, who is eligible, and how to book an appointment online or find other walk-in vaccination sites  here.

 

Sefton says thanks for the incredible support shown for the Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal 2022

10 January 2023
Bridie Finnan
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News

As 2022 came to a close, hundreds of people and scores of businesses across Sefton demonstrated their kindness and community spirit by contributing to the Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal.

Many families in Sefton were anxious about Christmas this year, especially due to cost of living pressures but thanks to the incredibly generous support of individuals and organisations across the Borough, children did not miss out on the special magic of the festive season.

Hundreds of pounds was raised through online donations so that volunteers could purchase gifts for children of all ages. Businesses donated thousands of pounds worth of toys as well as hosting drop off points for their staff and Cllrs donated thousands of pounds to our fund.

The generosity of the Sefton community shone through this year with many families worried about Christmas themselves but still making a donation to the appeal.

Thousands of items, ranging from giant teddy bears to junior science kits and scooters to toiletries were also donated meaning over 500 families received gifts to open on Christmas Day.

 

Cllr Clare Louise Carragher, the Mayor of Sefton, said:

“I have been blown away by the sheer amount of donations we have seen for our Toy Appeal. When times are tough, our community really pulls together and this year has been our best Toy Appeal yet!

I want to give a personal thank you to everyone who donated to our appeal, every single donation made this year has gone some way to ensuring no child went without a gift this Christmas.”

 

The Mayor of Sefton is writing personal letters of thanks to those across Sefton who went the extra mile to support the initiative and gave time, money and energy to give our campaign a boost.

Our ‘12 Days of Community’ campaign shone a spotlight on those businesses, community groups and people who played a big role in the success of our Toy Appeal this year and without the donations from across a community the Toy Appeal wouldn’t be the fantastic initiative it is.

 

Cllr Carragher added:

“For many of our families across Sefton, Christmas can be a time of real pressure and hardship and the incredible gestures of kindness and self-sacrifice from people right across our Borough has been inspiring.”

Industrial action by ambulance staff on Wednesday 11th January 2023

9 January 2023
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Ambulance staff from the GMB and Unison trade unions will go on strike on Wednesday 11 January 2023.

Wednesday’s strike will include staff from across the service, including contact centres and corporate services and will result in fewer ambulances to respond to emergencies, fewer 999 and 111 call centre staff and fewer staff in the patient transport service.

Think before dialling

The North West Ambulance Trust (NWAS) is advising anyone needing medical help on Wednesday 11th  January should think before dialling 111 or 999.

When it’s not an emergency, try the online symptom checker at 111.nhs.uk.

But if someone is seriously injured or ill and their life could be at risk, they should not hesitate to contact NWAS.  

Their focus will be on attending to people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Patients with less severe conditions are likely to be asked to seek alternatives as there will be delays to emergency responses.

Find out more about NWAS.

 

Make 2023 the year you do something amazing – foster with Sefton and build a connection to last a lifetime.

9 January 2023
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

As we make plans for the year ahead, could 2023 be the year you become a foster carer?  Sefton Council is urging local people to think about giving a loving home that can help children grow and connect.

Make a Connection

There are many different reasons why a child may come into Sefton’s care and this experience can be traumatic for them. With your help, having that caring connection can make a child feel safe, loved, and help them to turn their life around.

Lauren’s Story

Lauren is a student social worker with Sefton’s Fostering Service. She has also lived with her foster family since she was eight years old.

Lauren said: “Unfortunately there was drug and alcohol misuse in my birth family’s home so being in foster care really changed my life. I’m so close with my foster parents and foster brother and sister. It’s just like being in a normal family.

Laughing she added: “I’m still there at 21 so they’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Lauren went on: “Being in a loving foster family has given me the motivation and stability to go to Uni and follow my dreams. Now I love what I do. I’m giving back, I can relate to the children and know what a foster home should look like.

“Anyone thinking about fostering should find out more. It’s such a good feeling to give back and I also know the amazing impact it can have on a child’s life.

In this short video, Lauren shares some of her experiences. 

More of a Need than Ever Before

Councillor Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care said: “There is now more of a need to recruit new carers than ever before. Nationally there is a shortage and our capacity in Sefton is full. We need to recruit a least 15 more carers by the end of this year to offer suitable homes for our cared for children.

“At this time of year some people are evaluating their lives and thinking about changes for the future. Sefton’s Foster Carers are paid for their skills, receive full training and support, plus allowances.

I urge anyone who has thought about becoming a foster carer to take this opportunity to find out more and see whether giving this vital support is for them.”

Meet our Friendly Team

Thinking about fostering? Find out more by meeting our friendly team, Sefton’s foster carers, and young people at the Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle,

Tuesday 17th – Friday 20th January 9.30 – 4.30pm. More details here. 

You can also visit Sefton’s dedicated Fostering website. 

And you can also speak to one of the team by calling our freephone number on 0800 923 2777 or email fostering@sefton.gov.uk

Market traders take two week break after serving half a million dishes in 2022

9 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

After serving nearly half a million meals and drinks during 2022, Southport Market’s traders will begin a well-deserved two week holiday from today (Monday, January 9th).

Over 437,000 tasty treats and thirst quenching drinks were sold at the hugely popular venue on King Street to visitors from around the region.

The jaw-dropping figures, which include the serving of 25,000 pizzas and 16,000 burgers, show how hard traders and market staff have worked in the first full calendar year of Southport Market’s new life.

While they take their well-earned rest, the Market will be closed from today (Monday, January 9th), reopening on Wednesday 25th January.

The break follows one of the Market’s busiest periods yet with tens of thousands of customers celebrating Christmas in style. Attractions included festive film showings, visits to Santa’s grotto, stunning decorations and a delectable array of dishes and drinks.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “We knew from detailed research prior to launch that the venue would be a success, but we could not have predicted just how popular it has been with our residents and tourists.

“It is down entirely to the dedication, hard work and talent of our traders, bar staff and Sefton Council’s tourism team, who have worked non-stop since we opened.

“Thanks to an international smorgasbord of delectable foods and a stunning events calendar we have seen an amazing 2022 and we want to say a huge thank you to our traders and staff for all they have done.

People can find out more about Southport Market and keep up to date with the latest events at the venue by visiting www.southportmarket.com.

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