Sefton Care Home Staff reminded of support available to them following Channel 4's Covid drama:- 'Help'

SEFTON'S Adult Social Care and Health bosses have written to the Borough's Care Home owners and managers reminding Care Home staff where they can find support and counselling if they are distressed by issues raised in Channel 4 drama:- 'Help.'

In a letter, Deborah Butcher, Sefton Council's Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health and Fiona Taylor, Chief Officer, NHS South Sefton and NHS Southport and Formby CCGs have sent a reminder of the free services available.

Help was screen on Thursday, featuring Jodie Comer, as:- 'Sarah,' a young Care Home worker and Stephen Graham as her patient:- 'Graham.' Set within a Liverpool Care Home, the 2 hour drama covers the period around March 2020, and the arrival of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Deborah Butcher said:- "This is an important story that needs to be told, but it could bring back distressing memories and emotions for people who were working so hard to care for residents at the time in what could be traumatic conditions with little information. We want to highlight to any Care Home works affected by watching this drama, that help and support is available to them, and have written to all Care Home owners and managers to remind them what resources their staff can access."

In Sefton, these include:- wellbeing and counselling services Qwell, Listening Ear and the Cheshire and Merseyside Resilience HUB, although for some staff, talking it through with colleagues or a manager may be enough.

As the size and scale of the Covid19 Pandemic emerged in early 2019, Sefton Council set up frequent communications with Care Homes to establish their requirements and to provide them with PPE and other equipment.

Fiona Taylor added:- "During the early stages of the Pandemic, it was vital that we set up these communications networks to support our homes. It is just as important now for us to continue to be in touch to let those workers who are at the frontline know that we are still here and still ready to provide the support they need."

Mayor's Oktoberfest Celebration

BEERS will flow and Brätwurst will burst at the 2021 Mayor of Sefton's charity Oktoberfest night next month Hosted by Sefton Mayor Clare Carragher, the 1st of what is hoped to be an annual charity night celebrating all things Bavarian will take place at:- St William of York social club, Litherland, on:- 15 October 2021. Doors will open from:- 7.30pm and guests will experience a host of great German beers, traditional Oktoberfest specials and live entertainment from:- 'The Kellermeister Oompah' band. Tickets are:- ₤20, and are sold on a 1st come 1st served basis; so don't delay! For more information or to book your tickets call:- 01519342062 or email:- MayorsOffice@Sefton.Gov.UK.

Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Clare Carragher, said:- "The evenings promises to be a really exciting occasion and I can't wait to host! All money raised from the event will help many fantastic charitable and voluntary organisations across the borough."