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A new campaign from the Department for Education, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Social Care’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), has launched to improve childhood early language and help to close the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.

Some of the most disadvantaged children in the UK start school months behind their peers and the gap can grow through their school years and into their adult life. This issue has further increased during the pandemic, with a rise in the number of children starting school with language skills poorer than would have been expected prior. 

The campaign aims to encourage parents and carers to chat, play and read more with their children to develop their communication, language and literacy skills before starting school. The aim is to empower parents and help them overcome the key barriers they face, such as lack of time, confidence and not knowing the types of activities they should be doing.

The reality is that these activities take little time, can happen anywhere and can be easily integrated into a daily routine. All the little things parents do with their child – like everyday conversations, make-believe play and reading together – make a big difference to their development. And, ultimately, it is as rewarding for parents and carers as it is for their children.

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education said:
“Early years and infant teachers tell us that they can quickly tell the children who are talked, to engaged with and played with because they arrive at school more confident, inquisitive, eager to learn and ready to enjoy school life to the full.

“This puts them at a distinct advantage and is the reason why following the guidance in the Start for Life campaign and carrying out the simple quick and fun activities with our children is so important to their development and future life opportunities.”

The main objective of the campaign will be to encourage parents for search ‘Start for Life’ or visit the Start for Life online hub at www.nhs.uk/start4life. There they can find ideas of activities to do with their children, and explore where to find further support in their local area.

Sefton Council was once again awarded the Navajo Charter Mark for displaying good practice and commitment towards its LGBT+ staff and community at the annual Navajo Awards Ceremony, held at The City of Liverpool College on Thursday 6th October 2022.

In 2018, Sefton became the first local authority to receive the charter mark recognising its commitment to LGBT+ people across the Borough.

Other organisations were who retained or newly received the award on 6thincluded Sefton CVS, charity Sahir House, and the Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust.

Also in attendance was British Paralympian A.J. Jackson, who spoke on their experiences regarding inclusion before taking part in Q&A for ceremony attendees.

The Navajo Merseyside & Cheshire LGBT+ Charter Mark is an equality mark sponsored by In-Trust Merseyside and supported by the LGBT+ community networks across Merseyside. It is a signifier of good practice, commitment and knowledge of the specific needs, issues and barriers facing LGBT+ people across Merseyside.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “By retaining our Navajo Charter Mark, we are once again sending a strong message to LGBT+ people across Sefton and beyond that as an organisation, we value them, understand their needs.

“Sefton Council is committed to ensuring that our Borough enables everybody to be their true selves and will continue to make sure we do everything we can to support the LGBT+ community. “

The process to receive the Navajo Charter Mark consists of ten assessment criteria, each asking for supporting resources. These resources include documents such as Sefton Council’s Equality & Diversity Policy, an equality monitoring form, or brief details of working procedures, for example specific staff policies.

Organisations wanting to find out more about the free Navajo Charter Mark and the process involved should visit the In-Trust website.

Sefton resident David, formerly street homeless and struggling with his mental health, shares his story to encourage others to reach out and get support.

David, 57, suffers from bipolar disorder and last autumn was sleeping rough in a shelter on Southport promenade when he stumbled across a flyer for the Sefton Crisis Cafes. With locations in both Southport and Crosby, the Crisis Cafe service offered him out of hours support for his mental health conditions and would go on to help him change his life for the better.

The Southport Crisis Cafe offered David a warm welcome, food and drink, a calm and safe space and a group of friendly staff who provided a wealth of support for both mental health and practical issues that he was experiencing. They gave him one to one support with his mental health concerns, helped him to register with a GP, get a winter clothing grant and referral to a food bank, as well as providing regular social activities with the staff and other service users in the cafe’s social space – all of which began to have a hugely positive impact on David’s life.

WATCH: David shares his story www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUUN7Mtlk5o

David said: “It’s not possible to measure it, I’ve made some great friends through the café and there is nobody in my life who’s been there longer than (Crisis Cafe staff) Sherran and Sarah.

“I’m a lot more positive than I was. I know that there is somebody there if I need someone.”

David now has a place to live with a housing association and has seen great improvements in his physical and mental health since accessing support from the Southport Crisis Cafe. He is so thankful for the help he has received that he now works as a volunteer for the service, offering support and encouraging others in similar situations to himself to come along and get help when they need it.

He said: “I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. I wanted to give a little bit back, to make up for what I’ve received.

“I’m not qualified to give advice, I can however fill in a form, I can put the kettle on, and if somebody wants to come and have a quiet chat – I think I’m a good listener.

“Seeing a change in some of the people who come through the doors – I get a buzz from seeing other people progress.”

Sherran Robb, manager of the Sefton Crisis Cafes, said: “Seeing the changes that David has made in his life, with the support of the Crisis Cafe, is a wonderful result.

“We are delighted to have had David’s support as a volunteer and to now see him helping others, and would encourage anyone who is suffering with their mental health to come along or reach out to our team.

“Many local organisations have worked together in partnership to provide the Crisis Cafe service for Sefton, and seeing the impact it can have on people like David shows just how essential this service is to those struggling with mental health issues.

The Sefton Crisis Cafes are based in Crosby and Southport, and offer out of hours support to anyone aged 18 years or over in Sefton experiencing a mental health crisis. They offer drop-in sessions from 5pm-11pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings to give local residents a place of safety as an alternative to A&E.

The service also offers a social space with refreshments and one to one support to reduce stress and help manage crisis situations, as well as support via phone, email or online Zoom calls.

The Sefton Crisis Cafe service was set up thanks to the local NHS in Sefton, Sefton Council, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and local community groups; Sefton CVS and Parenting 2000.

Find out more about the Sefton Crisis Cafes at: www.seftoncvs.org.uk/project/crisis-cafe or get in touch with the team by emailing: crisiscafe@seftoncvs.org.uk or calling 0300 323 0197.

Further information on mental health and wellbeing support and services in Sefton can be found by following #SeftonInMind on social media.

Sefton Council’s Active Workforce Team are holding a 5-kilometre challenge on Thursday, 13 October.

Starting from Princes Park in Southport, at 6pm, the event is open to people of all running levels and abilities. They are welcome, and participants can walk, stroll, or run the race.

And the Active Workforce Team are encourage people to invite along colleagues they no longer see any more for a social, fun evening.

Medals and T-shirts will be given out to all participants and there will also be a trophy for the Fastest Male and Fastest Female. People can enter as a team of five or as an individual and race times will be recorded.

Taking part in the race costs £10 per person. The Sefton UNISON Branch have offered to pay 50% entry fee for all its members.

People can request an entry form here.

You can find put more about Active Workforce’s previous 5km events at Crosby, here.