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This Thursday, 23rd June at Southport Bijou Cinema, Southport Against Racism are hosting a night of music, film and food as part of Refugee Week.

The Refugee night starts with cultural food tasting with local youth from Christ the King and Greenbank reciting poetry through performance. They will then host the highly talented Daria who will be playing violin for us from the world acclaimed Amore Twins; Daria is a refugee having fled the Ukraine. Guests (from a wide demographic) will then be seated in the lovely cinema to relax and watch Limbo. There is also an extra special guest performer (also a refugee) after the film, but this is being kept as a surprise.

There are no more tickets available, but attendees have the following itinerary:

6:30pm Start: Introduction from Kenny Thompson with poetry readings, cultural food tasting and music from Daria of Amore twins.

7:30pm: Screening of the film ‘Limbo’ with Q&A.

9:15pm: Special Guest performance.

10pm finish.

Sefton Council’s libraries have joined a handful of library services in the UK to be awarded ‘Library of Sanctuary’ status.

Libraries of Sanctuary

Presented by the City of Sanctuary UK, the award recognises and celebrates libraries across the country that go above and beyond in welcoming refugees, people seeking asylum, or anyone in need of a safe place.

City of Sanctuary UK is a nationally co-ordinated network of organisations and services, including councils, universities, theatres and libraries, which welcomes and supports refugees and asylum seekers. They aim to raise awareness of the issues facing people within the asylum system and create a culture of welcome in the community.

Human Libraries

Sefton’s libraries have been recognised by the network for their work in supporting those seeking sanctuary and for their Human Libraries programme.

The programme, at Bootle and Crosby libraries, hosts regular, free workshops, events and community meets. Since its creation, it has led a number of collaborative projects with the community to establish a welcoming space.

In March, Human Libraries won a 2021 Impact Award from Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards for their work during the Covid restrictions.

During lockdown, the programme still continued with online and blended activities, providing residents with social events that they could attend safely.

The announcement has been made in line with Refugee Week, which runs from Monday 20^th to Sunday 26^th June and celebrates the contributions and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “We are committed to supporting the entire community so I’m extremely pleased that we have achieved Library of Sanctuary status. The award highlights the vital work that our libraries have put in to ensure that refugees and people seeking asylum feel welcome in Sefton.

“Our Human Libraries project in particular showcases the diverse range of skills and inclusivity the members of the Borough have to offer.”

Siân Summer Rees, the Chief Officer of the City of Sanctuary Network said: “We are delighted that Sefton libraries are now a Library of Sanctuary. This team has gone above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary and platform their voices, bring the community together and raise awareness of the reasons people are forced to move.

“This award formally recognises this phenomenal work – work which has never before been so important.”

People can find out more about Sefton Council’s Library Service and the Human Libraries initiative at www.sefton.gov.uk/libraries.

Sefton Council is urging eligible local businesses to apply for assistance from the COVID Additional Relief Fund. The application window for the COVID Additional Relief Fund closes in under two weeks, on Thursday 30^th June.

Businesses that were not eligible for relief from their Business Rates bills in 2021/22 may be able to claim assistance from this new fund.

To be eligible, businesses must have a business rates charge for the whole of the 2021/22 financial year and need to have been in continuous occupation of the premises from the 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. In addition, they have to be able to provide evidence they have lost at least 30% of turnover as a result of the pandemic.

Full information about the scheme and how to apply is available at www.sefton.gov.uk/carf.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said: 

“This is a great opportunity for local enterprises to receive assistance if they have not been previously eligible over the past year.

“I would encourage any businesses planning on making applications to get them in as quickly as possible and to make sure they supply all the information that’s required for them to receive payment.”

Sefton Council has already paid out over £100 million of pandemic grant funding to the Borough’s businesses.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:

“The Council has already been able to make payments to thousands of Sefton businesses to help counter the effects of the pandemic and I am glad we are able to do so again through the COVID Additional Relief Fund.”