Sefton Councilâs SMART coronavirus testing centre at Aintree Racecourse will be closed from Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th April. This is while the courseâs Grand National meeting takes place.
The Boroughâs two other SMART testing centres, at Bootle Leisure Centre and Splash World in Southport, will be open as normal from 8am to 8pm every day.
SMART tests are for key workers and those with caring commitments during the current lockdown. They can provide a result in around 30 minutes and can help prevent the accidental spread of coronavirus by people not showing symptoms. No appointments are necessary.
Anyone who gets a positive SMART test result or who develops the coronavirus symptoms  – a new persistent cough, high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell – should immediately book a PCR test at a local test site. Local test sites are located opposite Bootle Town Hall, at Crosby Library car park, Southport Town Hall and Netherton Activity Centre. Tests can be booked by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people in care?
Could you support a young person to have their say in decisions made about them, help them to understand their rights and challenge anything they are unhappy with.
If you could spare a couple of hours a month to volunteer as an Independent Advocate, we would love to hear from you.
The purpose of our independent advocacy is to:
Assist and support children and young people to speak out/speak up for themselves
Ensure that the young person’s voice is heard and listened to.
Help children and young people to understand decisions that have been made about their care
Assist children and young people to understand their rights and the services that are available to them.
As a volunteer, you will receive:
Initial training including Independent Advocacy, Safeguarding and Childrenâs Social Care
Ongoing supervision and support
Access to free specialist training relevant to your role
Reimbursement of expenses (including travel)
Skills and Experience to assist with future job opportunities
Our Independent Advocates will usually support young people at appointments / meetings during office hours, therefore we particularly welcome interest from volunteers who are available midweek (any days Mon-Fri).
For more information Contact Cheryl Yates, Independent Visiting and Advocacy Officer:
From Good Friday, people across Sefton are being reminded that having to isolate, due to COVID-19, doesnât mean they are âisolatedâ.
Sefton Council has developed a campaign on the theme of Isolating, not isolated. Posters and social media messages will encourage people to contact the Council on 0345 140 0845 or visit www.sefton.gov.uk/self-isolate to find out about the support available.
Help can include financial support, priority delivery slots for grocery shopping or access to local foodbanks. Support with mental health as people deal with loneliness and boredom, and support with caring responsibilities can also be available.
*Tanya Wilcock, Sefton Councilâs Head of Communities said: âSelf-isolation is when we are legally required not to leave our home because we have or might have coronavirus. It is important in helping to stop us spreading the virus to others.
âAnyone who is struggling with having to self-isolate should contact the Council to find out about the range of support we and our partners in the voluntary sector can provide.
âThey just need to call our support service on 0345 140 0845 and choose option 3 when they get through. This will make sure they can speak to a member of the team as quickly as possible.â
Subjects covered include planning your food and shopping deliveries, financial support, medical contacts and advice and first aid kit and pharmacy deliveries. There are also tips on caring for others, looking after your physical and mental wellbeing, stopping the spread of the virus at home, cleaning plans for if someone tests positive and arrangements for pet care.
*Tanya Wilcock was Head of Communities at time article was published, but has since left Sefton Council
Sefton Council looking forward to welcoming people back to refurbished fitness facilities
Representatives visiting site including MP Peter Dowd, Cllr Paul Cummins and Cllr Marion Atkinson
Sefton Council is looking forward to welcoming people back to refurbished fitness facilities at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre on Monday 12th April, as lockdown measures are eased.
Work carried out during lockdown means that users will be able to enjoy a brand-new fitness and spin studio, an updated fitness suite and refurbished changing rooms with new toilets. There is also a brand-new reception and social area, a new fitness class waiting area and new meeting rooms.
Cllr Ian Moncur Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing said
âIâd like to thank our staff who have been working hard behind the scenes while the gym has been closed due to the pandemic. It has really paid off as Iâm sure our members will enjoy an even better experience when they return.â
âThe gym and lake will re-open on Monday 12th April and new members can book an induction from Tuesday 6th April. Fitness classes will commence on Monday 17th May.â
At the site visit, Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Councilâs Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:
“These improvements are part of a ÂŁ3.1 million scheme to transform the whole of Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, which is at the entrance to the beautiful Crosby Coastal Park and adjacent to Anthony Gormleyâs Another Place (the âiron menâ).
“Construction has already begun on the project, which will see new and improved wedding, conference, hotel, dining and bar facilities.
“This transformation is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021 but in the meantime the leisure side of the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, including the gym and the water sports activities, will be open for business as usual throughout the work.”
MP for Bootle Peter Dowd said:
âIt has been great to come on site and see how this amazing project is coming along and to get a glimpse of the new and improved leisure facilities first hand.
âAs part of the original team who worked on the Lakeside when it opened in 2009, it is fantastic to see the Council still valuing the asset and making these improvements.
âCrosby Lakeside Adventure Centre is an incredible asset and I am delighted that this investment has been made in order to improve the service for the local community and visitors.â
Also visiting the site Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Cllr Paul Cummins said:
âI am so pleased that such a significant investment has been put into this fantastic facility which can be enjoyed by people from our borough and beyond.
âThe plans for this site are exciting and the development is already coming on leaps and bounds. I am fully confident that this leisure and hospitality offer will be a major benefit to Seftonâs visitor economy.â
Mike Macaulay, Director of Crossfield Construction, commented:
âWe are delighted to have started construction on this flagship project.
âIt gives us great pride to be entrusted with Sefton Councilâs vision to revive the Coastal Park and the wider area.
âMany of our team grew up in Crosby so this project is very close to our hearts and we are committed to ensuring that our work here positively impacts the wider Sefton community.”
Sefton Council’s reassurance about decision to remove trees on Crown Close, Formby
Responding to recent comments about the removal of trees on Crown Close in Formby, Sefton Council has reassured residents that the work was only carried out as a last resort and in the interests of public safety.
A Council spokesperson said:
“Sefton is a clean, green and beautiful place to live and the Council is dedicated to maintaining its green spaces which includes looking after 90,000 trees in the Boroughâs parks and lining its roads and highway.
âWe can assure residents that while the decision to remove a tree is never taken lightly, the safety of residents and users of the highway is paramount. Where a tree is posing a threat to the highway or properties, we need to take action.
âThe trees on Crown Close were recently inspected following a large tree failing in the November storms. Over the past few years we have had a number of emergency call outs to this area over concerns about the treesâ ability to withstand heavy winds. After careful consideration from our expert tree and woodland officers, the decision was made to remove the larger trees leaving the smaller trees space to mature and thrive.
The Council have received requests to replace the trees in the future and these comments will be taken into consideration.
If residents would like to know more about the continued work of Green Sefton, they can email greensefton@sefton.gov.uk.”
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Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people in care?
Responding to recent comments about the removal of trees on Crown Close in Formby, Sefton Council has reassured residents that the work was only carried out as a last resort and in the interests of public safety.