Sefton Council is pleased to announce that it will be offering supermarket vouchers during the two weeks of the Easter Holidays to support children and families who receive free school meals.
The Council will be using part of its Winter Funding to provide schools with these much-needed vouchers. Schools will then allocate these vouchers to families who are eligible.
As with the Christmas Holiday vouchers, these will be valid to buy food in store and online at local supermarkets.
The Council will also be providing a food programme and activities during the summer and Christmas holiday this year. This will be optional for children who receive free school meals. Further updates on these provisions will be available soon.
Speaking about the Councilâs support during the Easter Holidays, Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:
âWe understand that many families across the Borough are experiencing difficulties, especially with the added challenges people are facing due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
âI am therefore, delighted that we can hopefully lessen the burden for our communities by giving this support over the Easter Holidays.â
Families across Sefton who do not currently receive free school meals but think they might be eligible can visit www.sefton.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals to find out whether they qualify and how to apply.
Sefton Councilâs Clean Air Crew project to benefit from Liverpool City Region Community Environment Fund
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has named the successful projects that will be funded through the ÂŁ500k Community Environment Fund, launched last year.
The 58 successful projects are set to contribute to the city regionâs target of being net carbon zero by 2040, improve peopleâs surroundings across the Liverpool City Region, while also bringing health benefits, encouraging long-term behavioural change and promoting community engagementâŻand participationâŻin environmental education programmes.
The projects include Sefton Councilâs Clean Air Crew which has been developed by teachers to engage with children and families on air quality and encouraging behaviour change; ReStore St Helens, a project upcycling furniture in a deprived area reducing items ending up in landfill while supporting residents; and carbon literacy training to local community groups, supporting them to turn their commitments into local climate action.
Other projects include creating community gardens, wild flowering meadows, composting projects, understanding our carbon footprint, reducing food waste, boosting bee populations and encouraging cycling.
Stephanie Jukes, Sefton Council, who leads on the Clean Air Crew project, said: âWeâve been working on the Clean Air Crew within Sefton for some time now, as an educational tool that children and their families can use to learn about air quality and changes they can make as individuals and families. Funding from the Community Environment Fund means we can now expand the Clean Air Crew to the whole of the Liverpool City Region and we canât wait to get started.â
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: âSince I was elected Mayor, tackling the climate crisis has been one of my top priorities and I was proud that we were the first Combined Authority in the country to declare a Climate Emergency in recognition of the scale of the challenge we face.
âBut itâs not something that we can tackle alone and thatâs why I launched the Community Environment Fund: to empower local communities to take action to improve their local environment. Together, lots of small actions can help us make a big contribution to making our region cleaner, greener and more sustainable.
âThere were some fantastic projects put forward and Iâm excited to see the impact they have over the coming months and years.â
The successful Community Environment Fund projects support the following themes:
Climate change and resilience
Air quality and transport
Water
Accessible green spaces, habitats and biodiversity
Waste and resources
Health and wellbeing
Carbon and environment literacy
Energy reduction
Food and agriculture
Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Climate Partnership, established to act as an advisory body to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and of Nature Connected, said: âOur local action here can make a real difference to a global problem. We have seen over lockdown how much people care about their local environment, and how important it is to their lives.
âApplications to the Community Environment Fund have been breath-taking in their range and scope. As a city region we will be able to build on that enthusiasm and take action through these projects.â
Cllr Gill Wood, Deputy Portfolio Holder for Low Carbon and Renewable Energy, said: âIt is very exciting to be at the point where we can put the money from the Community Environment Fund to work. These community projects can make a real and immediate difference to peopleâs lives. This activity on the ground all goes towards dealing with the challenge of climate emergency. I look forward to it having an impact on the wellbeing of the people who live here in our city region.â
Festive joy needed more than ever for Mayorâs Christmas Toy Appeal
Sefton’s Mayor, Cllr June Burns, is urging as many people as possible to help spread a little festive joy with this yearâs Christmas Toy Appeal.
Each year thousands of toys, gifts and stocking fillers are lovingly donated by kind-hearted residents, Sefton Council staff, partners and community groups to put a smile on the faces of Seftonâs children.
After a year quite like no other, there will be many families across the Borough who will receive gifts that will make all the difference and bring them some Christmas cheer.
Due to the current national COVID restrictions in place, the safety of Seftonâs communities is a priority. However, donations can still be made in the following ways:
Purchased online and sent to the following delivery address:
Sefton Mayorâs Christmas Toy Appeal, Town Hall, Oriel Road, Bootle L20 7AE
Dropped off at the in-store donation point at Asda Central 12 in Southport
All gift donations, which must be brand new and unwrapped, are gratefully appreciated. Presents could include toys, pyjamas, slippers and hat & scarf sets for children of all ages.
Donations of gift cards and toiletries are especially welcome for older children and teenagers.
People need to send their donations by Tuesday 22nd December 2020 in time to be sent out for Christmas Day.
This year monetary donations can also be made on Seftonâs Crowdfunding platform, donations can be for as little as ÂŁ2, and all contributions will be used to buy gifts for the Toy appeal. Donations can be made online up until Tuesday 1st December here:Â www.spacehive.com/mayors-christmas-toy-appeal
Volunteers from Sefton Council, following COVID guidelines, will then distribute all presents to children and young people, throughout the Borough on behalf of the Mayor.
Cllr Burns said: âI was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Sefton during last yearâs appeal and every year we see thousands of donations given to the annual Mayorâs Christmas Toy Appeal.
âWe can all empathise with one another that 2020 has thrown a lot our way, and Christmas will feel very different for us all. So, this year itâs more important than ever for us to give what we can for others. People might not realise that a small gesture could go a long way to making this year special for Seftonâs children and families.
âWeâre looking for donations for all ages, be that babies right through to teenagers, and we ask that gifts are new and unwrapped so that the right gift can be shared with the right child. We also welcome gift vouchers and smaller stocking fillers as well.
âWeâve seen incredible gestures of kindness and self-sacrifice right throughout the health crisis, and I know that we can count on our communities across Sefton to pull together once again this Christmas. I urge as many people as possible to get involved and donate a present!â
For further information on the Mayorâs Christmas Toy Appeal call or text the Mayorâs Office 07837 863075 or visit www.sefton.gov.uk/toyappeal
Sefton residents urged to âlive self-care for lifeâ
Health and care professionals across Sefton are joining together to encourage residents to âlive self-care for life’ as part of Self-Care Week 2020 which takes place between 16 and 22 November.
âLive self-care for lifeâ is about making improvements in your life to protect your physical health and mental wellbeing. Throughout the week short films will be shared giving tips on different aspects of self care from NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, Access Sefton and Living Well Sefton.
There are lots of things you can do yourself to look after your health and wellbeing. There is a range of easy online tools you can access from home, including the NHS website which gives information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help.
The NHS App allows you to access a range of NHS services on a phone or tablet, and you can visit the Every Mind Matter NHS website for practical tips and expert advice on looking after your mental health.
Another way to get quick and easy advice on self care is by visiting your high street pharmacy, as Susanne Lynch, head of medicines management for both CCGs in Sefton, explains: âYou can easily access over-the-counter medicines and expert advice from your local pharmacy.
“Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals who can give advice and recommend treatments for self treatable conditions such as indigestion, sore eyes, sprains and strains.
âThey can help you choose the right treatment for your ailment, explain the normal duration of symptoms and advise on which medicines to keep in your medicine cabinet at home.â
Self-Care Week 2020 takes place between November 16-22.
Over the counter medicines can be easily accessed at your pharmacy without the need to see a doctor or have a prescription. For those who find it difficult to access over the counter medicines, the Care at the Chemist scheme is available in 22 pharmacies across Sefton.
Ryan Forrest, service manager at Access Sefton, the CCGsâ commissioned talking therapies service, says: âAccess Sefton offers free, easy access to a range of effective NHS talking therapies, including guided self-help, cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling. Our services are available to Sefton residents aged 16-plus.
“Due to the pandemic, we are currently offering one-to-one treatments online via the secure Attend Anywhere service and by telephone, as well as interactive guided self-help via the SilverCloud digital mental health platform.
“Referrals to Access Sefton can be made quickly and easily using our secure online form at www.insighthealthcare.org/accesssefton, or by calling us on 0300 303 2708.”
Gemma Boardman, programme manager at Living Well Sefton, said: âLiving Well Sefton supports people to make small changes to their lives that can have a big impact on their wellbeing. We have mentors to help reach these goals and all Sefton residents are eligible. They can self refer via our website or give us a call on 0300 323 0181.â
Margaret Jones, director of public health for Sefton, said: âThere are lots of easy things we can all do to make ourselves healthier and happier and this self care week I would urge people across Sefton to think about what changes they and their families can make.
âThese could include keeping active, eating well, stopping smoking and limiting alcohol to recommended levels and people can use the âself-care for lifeâ resources to achieve some simple goals.
âA flu vaccination is also important, particularly for people aged over 65, anyone who is a carer or children aged two or three so I would encourage everyone who is eligible, or whose children are, to make an appointment. Itâs a quick and effective way of protecting you and those around you.â
A guide to help young people with special educational needs (SEND) get ready for adulthood has been published following feedback from young people, parents and carers across Sefton.
The âPreparing for Adulthood Guideâ was produced by staff from Sefton Council, Buddy Up and Sefton Carers Centre in partnership with young people and the Sefton Parent Carer Forum.
Aimed at young people with SEND who are approaching their latter school years, it gives information on the preparing-for-adulthood process, what to expect, what they should be considering at each stage and who to contact for support and information.
Parents and carers can also use the guide to find more information about the future options for young people in their care.
Topics covered in the guide include further education, training and employment, independent living, healthy lifestyle choices and how to participate in our communities.
The new guide has been developed following feedback from young people, parents and carers across Sefton.
Tanya Wilcock, Head of Communities for Sefton Council, said: âThis guide has been co-produced and co-designed with young people and their families and will be a valuable resource for them.
âIâd like to thank our partners across the social care, voluntary, education and health sectors for their contributions. Thanks also to the team for coordinating and supporting all the work that went into its production.â
Andrew Jennings, from Sefton Councilâs Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Team, said: âThis guide has been produced to help children and young people with SEND enjoy meaningful, independent and fulfilling lives and give them useful information and resources to help them achieve as much as they possibly can.
âWeâre really proud of it and we hope that children and young people across Sefton find it helpful as they transition in to adulthood.â
The guide can be accessed and downloaded at Seftonâs Local Offer website . It will also be made available to schools and colleges.
Stephen Evans, Preparing for Adulthood Manager for Sefton Councilâs Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Inclusion Service, said: âThe Sefton âPreparing for Adulthood (PfA) Guideâ provides key information on the four key PfA themes â Community, Health, Independent Living and Employment.
âDeveloped in conjunction with Sefton Parent Carer Forum, the guide will help young people and their families prepare for the transition to adulthood.
âIt gives information on the preparing-for-adulthood process, what to expect, what young people should be considering at each stage and who to contact for support and information.â
Emma Lambert, Sefton CVS Buddy Up Coordinator, said: âSeftonâs âPreparing for Adulthood Guideâ is a useful tool to help young people and their families think about what they want their future to look like and find out what support is available to get them there.
âHaving the right Information and being made aware of their options is the key to these young people reaching their full potential.â
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