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Musical Bingo set to raise money to support socially isolated

A series of musical bingo nights are set to take place in Maghull to help raise money that will support socially isolated residents across Sefton.

The fundraising events have been planned by former day centre manager Michelle Rossiter who launched a not-for-profit company looking after vulnerable adults in her own home.

Home from Home-Sefton provides personalised care for the socially isolated. This can include people who are lonely, those living with depression or anxiety, and those unable to access their community unaided due to lack of confidence, recent or long-term illness, or reduced mobility.

The musical bingo nights will be held on the first Thursday of every month at the Maghull Community Association (MCA), doors opening at 7.30pm. Admission is ÂŁ5 which includes the first game and nibbles, or ÂŁ8 to play all games and quizzes throughout the evening.

Michelle said: “Our first event at the MCA in Maghull, was a huge success. Everybody had a great laugh and a fabulous night, and it raised £350.

The next event will be on Thursday, 5 September when there will be a 70’s disco theme.”

Upcoming events will take place at the MCA on the following dates:

  • Thursday, 3 October
  • Thursday, 7 November
  • Thursday, 5 December

 Michelle spent ÂŁ5,000 adapting her home to accommodate the company and has the support of partner Dave, and mum Kath.

Home from Home has seen the number of people it cares for grow and Michelle says they are looking for volunteers to help out with activities and fundraising.

To contact Michelle email homefromhome.sefton@gmail.com or phone 07713 444991.

Half-price rail travel for young apprentices in the Liverpool City Region

From today (September 2) young people in apprenticeships across the Liverpool City Region are being given half-price train travel, just in time for the start of the autumn term.

 The Apprentice Travelcard could now save apprentices aged 19-24 as much as ÂŁ680 a year on train travel, that’s on top of the ÂŁ420 saving already available on bus travel.

 The discount scheme fulfils a key election pledge made by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram to remove one of the main barriers to entry for young people looking to enter vocational training – access to affordable transport.

 Launched in November 2018, the Apprentice Travelcard is one of the most generous transport discount schemes for apprentices in the country, and was recently recognised by the TUC as an example of best practice which should be adopted across the UK.

 Chris Williams, 23, uses his Apprentice Travelcard to access half-price bus travel between his home in Garston and the City of Liverpool College where he is enrolled on a vocational training course. He is now looking to take advantage of discount available on rail travel.

 Chris said: “The half price bus travel has made a massive difference. It makes being an apprentice a much more viable option since I don’t have to worry about money as much – it’s saved me a ton already. It’s really helped me out, and it’s great for me that it’s extending to the trains too.”

 To get hold of an Apprentice Travelcard applicants must be aged between 19-24 and living in one of the six districts of the Liverpool City Region – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral.

 Eligible cardholders will then be able purchase weekly and monthly Railpass season tickets at 50% discount from all Merseyrail and staffed Northern stations. Depending on the travel zones covered by the pass, the ticket allows unlimited travel across the Northern, Wirral and City lines with all rail operators, including Merseyrail, Northern and Transpennine Express.

 Application packs are available from training providers, further education colleges and at Merseytravel TravelCentres – further details are available at merseytravel.gov.uk/apprentice

 Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “With the autumn term about to begin, I’m pleased that we’re able to help young people starting on apprenticeships by giving them half-price travel which could potentially save them hundreds of pounds a year.

 Apprenticeships are a vital pathway to skilled, well-paid jobs. As the TUC highlighted recently, we’re leading the country when it comes to removing transport costs as an obstacle for young people beginning vocational training.
Yet again, we’re showing how devolution and local decision making can improve the lives of ordinary people across our city region. “

 Councillor Liam Robinson, transport portfolio holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: “Making travel by public transport easier and more affordable for young people has always been a priority for us.

 “Already young people in the Liverpool City Region have access to great value rail fares, with Railpass tickets offering them unlimited travel across the Merseyrail network for less than ÂŁ2.50 a day.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to extend the provision of reduced fares to young apprentices, right up to their 25th birthday.”

Southport BID seeks new Directors as they prepare to launch their second term

Southport Business Improvement District (BID) is looking to recruit a new Chief Executive and voluntary Director’s to lead them through their second five-year term, which begins this November.

Having received a successful yes vote from the businesses within the town centre this June, Southport BID’s vision for their second term is to make a meaningful difference to the future of Southport.

By working in partnership, the BID’s main aim will be to work to help make Southport a forward-facing town.

Representing over 740 businesses of all sizes in the town centre, the BID will use the money invested from them via a levy, to deliver projects designed to make Southport greener, cleaner and safer, to add value to the town through events and to attract and support new and existing business.

Newly appointed interim Chair of the BID, Susannah Porter, knows there are big challenges ahead but says the team of passionate and committed Directors are feeling confident and positive about what can be delivered, “We are grateful for the show of support the levy payers gave us in voting for a second term.

“We know there have been challenges but we are determined to evolve and build on the achievements of the first five years and make Southport an inspiring place to live, work, shop and invest.

“We will be listening closely to the views of the levy payers to make sure the projects we invest in represent their priorities for the town.

“As such will be undertaking a consultation project over the coming weeks and will introduce working groups going forward to give people a chance to tell us, be heard and be actively involved in our projects.

“We want to work harder to talk to our levy payers and the wider Southport Community, constructively and positively. We are also looking for more stakeholders with the core skills to support our Management team to join our Board of Directors”

The Southport BID Board is made up of representatives from the local business community who offer their time and expertise to oversee the activity of the BID.

All BID Directors are unpaid in their role. Susannah says “we are applying a rigorous application process to ensure we find the very best candidates with the skills, experience and knowledge to help oversee the development of project ideas, drive investment and engagement whilst ensuring value is delivered to levy payers”.

Ahead of the new term, the BID will also recruit a new CEO to replace Hugh Evans, who recently retired. They hope to have someone in place once the new term begins and are looking for a candidate with experience in place management, who has the skill set to drive the BID, and Southport, forward with vision and strategic thinking.

To launch the new term, the BID will host their annual AGM on the 14th November. The event will host with key note industry speakers and will provide a chance for levy payers to meet the team of Directors and find out more about the plans for the next five years. Full details of the event will be announced soon on their website.

Southport BID was re-elected for a second term in June of this year following a successful ballot result. Each eligible property received a ballot paper and a 58% yes vote was returned. The new term officially begins on the 1st November this year and runs until 2019. More details of the ballot process and the BID’s current project can be found on their website – southportbid.com.

The Board ask that all potential applicants for the CEO or Director roles should head to the website to find out more about the positions or how to get apply.

Susannah is available on chair@southportbid.com – and as someone who lives and works within the town centre, she is always happy and willing to meet business owners with any questions or feedback.

Merseyside Police launch massive recruitment drive

Recruitment lines to join Merseyside Police are now open and we are encouraging driven individuals who are passionate about serving their community to join the Force.

The force will be taking on additional new Constables from this recruitment drive and details of how to apply can be found here.

The force is committed to providing an effective service to communities across Merseyside and we aim to put our communities first in everything we do.

To do this, they need to understand all of our communities and our officers and staff should reflect the diverse communities we serve.

T/ACC Natalie Perischine said “The Government recently announced funding for an uplift in the number of police officers nationally, and as a result Merseyside Police is looking towards a sustained recruitment of new officers.

“In addition to this, there will be another recruitment drive in November. Then, throughout the next three years there will be further opportunities for members of the public to join us.

“For those applying in the future, there will be changes in relation to how you can apply to become an officer. However, we will ensure these changes are communicated and the different routes to become a police officer are made clear.

“We want to encourage people from various communities, who have the passion, ability and drive to deliver an effective policing service, to join us and help us better understand the needs of the diverse communities we serve and protect.”

Chief Inspector Karen Wiesenekker from our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Team added: “Often when we run recruitment campaigns, we find that there aren’t many applications from the different and underrepresented groups which can be quite disappointing.

“Being a police officer, although a tough job, is extremely rewarding and is definitely a job for all people from all backgrounds or walks of life. Therefore, it is extremely important that our officers are representative of the communities we serve. We embrace diversity and inclusivity and work as one team to provide the public with an effective policing service.

“People from different backgrounds bring different experiences and viewpoints to the force and can help us shape the future of policing, whilst better understanding the various cultures, beliefs and traditions that makes up Merseyside.

“The skills for being a good police officer includes the ability to work as part of a team, solve problems and keep calm and confident in difficult circumstances.

“The role can be both physically and mentally demanding but it is an opportunity to make a difference and ensure that the people who live in Merseyside feel safe.”

If you would like to apply to join Merseyside Police or would like more information, please click the link: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/police-forces/merseyside-police/areas/careers/join-us/

Southport Air Show 2019: Traffic & Travel advice

As thousands of aviation enthusiasts descend on Southport for the annual awe inspiring Air Show next weekend, Sefton Council has put together a helpful guide to the three day spectacular. 

Bigger than ever before, the stunning show takes place along Southport’s golden sands from Friday, September 6 to Sunday, September 9 with tens of thousands of visitors due to visit the resort over the weekend.

Also paying a flying visit to Southport will be a whole host of jaw dropping aeroplanes performing stunning, daring and, at times, emotional displays to wow crowds, starting with a thundering Friday night line up.

A fireworks finale on Friday will set up an amazing weekend of both aerial and ground entertainment for the whole family.

However before all that, visitors need to know how and when to get there!

Gates will open at 6pm on Friday (September 6) and from 10am on Saturday and Sunday (September 7-8).

With thousands of people expected to visit the resort over the three days, the local road networks will be busy and visitors are encouraged to take full advantage of public transport where possible.

Due to the size of the show, a number of road closures will be required to assist with the setup and safety of all those attending.

Marine Drive (Pleasureland to Marine Parade) will be closed from 4:30pm on Wednesday, September 4 to Monday, September 9.

From Friday, September 9 the following road closures will also be in effect at varying times:

Coastal Road (Weld Road – Pleasureland) 

Esplanade (Victoria Park – Marine Drive) 

Marine Drive (Fairways – Marine Parade) 

Both the Coastal Road and Marine Drive will reopen each evening following site checks.

Those travelling to the show by car are advised to tune in to the dedicated Southport Air Show Radio channel on 87.7FM for the latest news and up to date travel and parking advice.

Parking is available on Princes Park, the Esplanade Car Park and Victoria Park. Beach and Marine Drive parking will only be available on Saturday and Sunday.

Directional signage and stewards will be on hand throughout all three days to lead visitors to designated parking sites.

Motorists are advised to switch off any Sat Navs and follow air show signage.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “The 28th Southport Air Show promises to be a fantastic three day event for all the family and I can’t wait to see the huge crowds across the weekend.

“We are committed to offering an incredible events programme throughout the year which caters for all the family.

“This promises to be an exciting weekend for the Southport Air Show and the whole of the borough with an incredible flying programme. If you are planning to attend, make sure to get there early and make the most of your visit to our beautiful borough.”

Once the show finishes each evening, visitors are encouraged to take full advantage of the resort’s fabulous restaurants and nighttime entertainment.

More details about the 2019 Southport Air Show and other information about Southport is available via www.visitsouthport.com.

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