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IKEA to expand in the North West

26 October 2022
Ella Fleetwood
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Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News
  • The North West of England is a key region for IKEA
  • IKEA will open new Plan & Order Points that will provide free, one-to-one consultations with experienced IKEA kitchen and bedroom planners
  • Aintree, Preston, and Stockport will be the first new Plan & Order Points to open, with more to follow
  • The opening follows the launches of both Online Planning and In-Home Planning, alongside ‘Collect near you’ points in the area

IKEA has announced its expansion plan for the North West of England, starting with three new Plan & Order Points and an expanded service offering. The initiative comes as part of the retailer’s ongoing transformation to make it easier and more accessible to shop with IKEA.

The North West is a key region for IKEA. The first IKEA store in the UK opened in Warrington 30 years ago and was later followed by a store in Ashton-under-Lyne. Now, the retailer takes the next step to strengthen its physical presence in the region with Plan & Order Points in Aintree, Preston, and Stockport.

As a complement to the bigger IKEA stores, the Plan & Order Points will provide customers with a free, bespoke design consultation with experienced IKEA kitchen and bedroom storage experts. The focus will be on bespoke kitchen and wardrobe designs, although customers will be able to get help planning any room in their home.

The units, located in retail parks and shopping centres, will be sized between 70–90 sqm, showcase around five kitchen and wardrobe solutions as well as having a consultation area.

Although much smaller than a standard IKEA store, the units will be packed with information, samples, tools and specialist knowledge needed to plan a kitchen or bedroom storage solution. There will be no products to take away or food for sale on site. Instead, customer orders will be transported to the customer’s home, or made available for collection to another convenient point of delivery.

Alongside the new openings, IKEA is expanding its fulfilment network in the area. Last month, they announced the launch of several ‘Collect near you’ points, located within select Tesco carparks in close proximity of the new Plan & Order points, enabling faster, cheaper and more sustainable customer deliveries.

IKEA has also invested in online and in-home planning services. This enables customers to either plan their kitchen or bedroom together with an IKEA co-worker online, or have a co-worker come to their home and plan it from there.

Marsha Smith, Deputy Country Retail Manager, IKEA UK & Ireland, says: “Our investment in the North West is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business, making it easier for our customers to shop with usin a number of convenient ways. With a variety of stores, service offers and digital solutions that complement each other, our aim is to be there for our customers, however they want to meet us.”

“Our expert co-workers will be available to help the customers to plan affordable kitchens or bedroom – helping our customers to create a better everyday life at home. We offer a full complement of affordable services including finance, installation and assembly.”

Customers will be able to shop at the new Plan & Order Points when they open during this Winter. Appointments for the free service can be made online via the IKEA website and customers can shop the full IKEA product range online at IKEA.co.uk.

Over 50s in Sefton invited for autumn COVID boosters and flu jabs

26 October 2022
Alex Jones
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

With winter illnesses and cold weather on the way, healthcare leaders in Sefton are inviting all those over 50 years of age to get protected this winter by getting their COVID-19 autumn booster vaccine as well as their annual flu jab.

All over 50s

Photo showing someone wearing a mask being injected in their arm.On Saturday 15 October, the autumn booster rollout expanded to include all over 50s, as well as those previously eligible for the jab including:

  • frontline health and social care workers;
  • care home and housebound residents;
  • anyone who is pregnant;
  • carers aged 16 or over;
  • those aged 5 and over who have a weakened immune system or who live with someone at high risk from COVID-19.

Anyone now eligible can have their autumn booster if it’s been at least 3 months since their previous COVID-19 vaccine dose. For anyone who has missed their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the offer to get these jabs is still available through the NHS national booking system.

Save lives

Jan Leonard, primary care lead for Sefton at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “As with previous vaccination rollouts, the NHS is focusing on delivering the jabs to those most at risk first, to get them up to date protection ahead of the winter period and to save lives.

“COVID-19 is still very much with us in Sefton and the protection we get from the vaccines needs to be topped up to keep us safe from serious illness, so it’s just as important to get your autumn booster when eligible, as it is to get any other doses of the vaccine you may have missed.”

Those eligible for the autumn booster are also likely to be eligible for a flu vaccination. The two jabs may need to be booked separately, but it’s safe to get both vaccinations at the same time.

Don’t hesitate

Margaret Jones, director of public health at Sefton Council, said: “The best time to get your flu jab is now, before flu starts to spread in the winter months. The flu vaccination is the best way to stop you getting the virus in the first place, and if you do catch it, the vaccine can protect you from getting seriously ill.

“Winter viruses are already circulating locally and, if unprotected, you could become seriously ill if you catch flu and COVID-19 at the same time, so if you’re eligible for both vaccines then don’t hesitate to get booked in.

In the video below, Sefton GP Dr Abdul Zubairu urges those eligible to get their autumn booster and flu jabs.

 

Booking

To book a COVID-19 autumn booster, anyone eligible can book an appointment at a vaccination centre or participating pharmacy in Sefton, or find a walk-in vaccination site nearby, by visiting the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination

The flu jab can be given at GP surgeries and participating pharmacies. To book a flu jab through a participating pharmacy in Sefton, visit the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/book-flu-vaccination

Symptoms

Anyone who has a COVID-19 infection or who is showing symptoms of the virus should wait until their symptoms are better before getting their jabs. They should ideally wait:

  • 4 weeks (28 days) if you are aged 18 or over
  • 12 weeks (84 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17
  • 4 weeks (28 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17 and at high risk from COVID-19, or live with someone who has a weakened immune system

‘A real honour’ says Bootle superstar Alex Greenwood as she unveils huge hometown mural

25 October 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Active Sefton, Bootle Strand, Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Featured Friendship News, Front Page, Latest News

Alex Greenwood with Cllr Ian Moncur & Cllr Trish Hardy“It’s a real honour and if I can inspire just one girl from Bootle to play football then I feel like my job is done!”

That is the message from Bootle Lioness and England Women’s Footballer Alex Greenwood as she officially unveiled a huge mural celebrating her successes.

Proud

The 29-year-old Euro 2022 winning Lioness said she was extremely proud to have a mural commemorating her sporting successes painted onto the front of 320 Stanley Road in Bootle, thanks to joint funding from Sefton Council and REPT Sports.

At the official unveiling on Monday, October 25th crowds of youngsters gathered alongside Alex’s family and national media to officially unveil the mural, painted by artist John Culhsaw.

While all eyes are now on the 22ft mural, Alex is keen to use it as an opportunity to push for greater support for young girls in sport.

Inspire

Alex said : “It’s a real honour to have this mural and if I can inspire just one girl from Bootle to play football then I feel like I have done my job!

“I used to walk up and down this street as a kid and it’s fantastic to know young girls and boys will walk past [the mural] and hopefully be inspired.

“I’ve seen a massive shift in mentality towards female sport and women’s football since the Euros.

“As a collective we are going to keep asking questions of those higher up and demand more opportunities for little girls and boys in the future.

“I really hope there’s another young girl standing here in however many years to come telling the same story.”

The mural sits pride of place on the busy Bootle town centre thoroughfare and be seen by thousands of schoolchildren, shoppers and commuters every day.

Hometown roots

Alex, a former St Monica’s and Savio Salesian pupil, has remained true to her hometown roots and has long been a major influence in the advancement of women & girls football within Sefton, ensuring she takes time out of her busy footballing career to motivate and inspire future generations of sporting stars throughout the borough.

She said: “I would like to thank Sefton Council for this mural.

“It’s really important for me to be able to send a message to young girls in my area that anything is possible.

“Many of the dreams I had while walking the streets of Bootle and playing on the pitches have come true through hard work and perseverance.

“Characteristics that were formed in Bootle.”

Amazing

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Alex has always been an inspiration to our sporting youngsters and we were over the moon when she, along with the other amazing Lionesses, brought home the European Championship.

“To be able to honour Alex in this way with a permanent mural in the heart of her hometown is fantastic and I know that the thousands of schoolchildren who will pass by it every day will be inspired just by seeing it.

“I want to take this opportunity to urge all our young sporting stars to take a look at Alex’s hard work and dedication to getting where she is today as one of the world’s best female footballers. Her progress is a testament to the excellent school and sports facilities we have within Sefton.”

Real honour

Popular Liverpool artist John Culshaw, who rose to fame with his incredible murals of Ringo Starr in Toxteth and Mo Salah in Anfield, designed and painted Alex’s mural said: “It was a real honour to be asked to create this mural.

“I think we have a way of getting behind our stars in Liverpool and for a Bootle girl to bring home our nation’s first piece of international silverware in 56 years is definitely something to be celebrated!

“What better way to show how proud we are than to have this mural in Alex’s hometown.”

Sefton Council, through its Active Sefton team and continued work with sports partners, strives to actively promote, support and improve football facilities in the borough to allow future generations the opportunity and access to the beautiful game.

You can find out more about how to get involved in sport and  leisure in Sefton here.

 

Free event to be held in Southport to show residents how to keep warm and well this winter

25 October 2022
Alex Jones
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Sefton Council is hosting a Keep Warm, Keep Well event as part of its commitment to helping vulnerable people get through winter.

Image of someone staying warm next to a fire while holding a hot drinkThe Council’s Affordable Warmth team, in partnership with Sefton OPERA are holding the free event at The Atkinson Centre in Southport, Monday 31st October, from 10.30am to 3:30pm.

Information stands will be open between 10:30am and 12.30pm. Blood pressure checks, chair-based exercises, free goody bags and massages will also be on offer.

There will also be dance sessions taking place from 1.30pm onwards accompanied by live bands, music and entertainment.

Energy billsSefton Council recognises many households will struggle to pay their bills this winter due to the cost of living crisis. Autumn’s expected rise to £3,554 will leave average household bills 80 per cent higher going into the colder months when energy use soars. Many vulnerable people will be hit hard, including older people and those in ill-health, living in energy inefficient homes that are difficult and expensive to heat.

People can find out more information about the event by contacting Sefton Opera on 0151 330 0479 or 07452 867 648 admin@seftonopera.org.uk.

Anyone concerned about keeping warm at home should contact Sefton’s Affordable Warmth Team on 0151 934 2222.

People worried about paying gas and electricity bills or who are struggling due to rising prices in shops can find support and advice by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/cost-of-living

Cllr Trish Hardy
Cllr Trish Hardy

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “With their gas and electricity bills set to rocket and inflation rising to the highest rate in 40 years, households and business across Sefton will be wondering just how they are going to get through the coming winter and beyond.

“While Sefton Council has no magic solutions and like councils across the UK is hit by the same rises in costs to run its operations and services, it is vital we recognise people’s plight and work with our partners to provide what support and advice we can.”

Sefton Council launches brand new Social Work Academy

24 October 2022
Bridie Finnan
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Last week, Sefton Council launched one of its flagship initiatives to improve Children’s Services for children, young people and families.

The Social Work Academy is a new, innovative approach to supported learning and talent development; the aim is for Sefton to ‘grow its own talent’ and produce confident, high quality practitioners.

Through the Academy, the Council will be able to provide the right support for Newly Qualified Social Workers and give them the right environment to grow into exceptional practitioners with a deep understanding of the barriers and problems families face in Sefton. They will have protected caseloads and a high level of managerial support to allow their practice to flourish.

A rolling programme of recruitment aims to see our Academy always filled with fresh new talent from all stages of the social work career, we welcome applications from recent graduates, social workers who may have taken a career break or ex social workers who wish to regain their registration in a supported environment   

As our new recruits go through their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), they will be managed by experienced team managers who will develop their practice through reflective supervision and modelling of practice. Practice Assessors will ensure the Newly Qualified Social Workers meet the required standards. They will also receive clinical support around emotional resilience that will help prevent the recognised social work phenomenon of burn-out, sickness and early retirement by enabling them to manage the stress and pressure of the profession.

The first 3 months will focus on building a solid base of learning including theories of practice, relationship building and learning key process and systems. The next 9 months will focus on building the confidence of our ASYE’s to handle increasingly complex situations and finding the best outcomes for children, young people and families. They will get the chance to slowly specialise in a team they feel best suits their passions and hopefully go on to join our permanent workforce.

Martin Birch, Sefton Council’s Director of Children’s Services said:

“Providing the right support, protection and consistency that delivers better experiences and outcomes for Sefton’s children, young people and their families starts with our own workforce.

“We are determined to make sure that Social Workers at all levels in our Children’s Social Care teams are being equipped to do their jobs to the highest standards from the moment they join us.

“I was delighted to welcome 23 new recruits last week who are at the beginning of an exciting journey- this is just the start and we’re so pleased you have chosen Sefton as the place to make a difference!”

 

Cllr Mhairi Doyle MBE, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said:

“Creating an Academy where our social work teams can learn and grow in confidence is a key part of our Improvement Journey.

“We face unprecedented demand for our services but we remain absolutely committed to tackling the issues raised by our recent Ofsted rating. The Social Work Academy is a crucial part of tackling these two key issues and will give us a resilient, confident, high quality  workforce for the future.”

You can apply to our Social Work Academy at https://seftonmakeadifference.jgp.co.uk/

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