News reports located on this page = 3.

Book your place on Knowsley Safari Parks last Academy weekend for 2020

KNOWSLEY Safari are running new series of weekend Academy courses for teenagers keen to pursue careers as vets, zoologists, animal keepers or conservationists. The 1st took place in September and the last for this year will be held in October, the Knowsley Academy weekends are designed for 15 to 18 year olds and include a host of theory and practical sessions all about animal care, behaviour, anatomy and diet. The courses will be hosted on Knowsley's Foot Safari in small groups and in accordance with Government guidance for social distancing.

Nikki Mallott, Head of Learning and Discovery at Knowsley Safari, comments:- "We've created the Knowsley Academy for young people who are serious about careers in animal care and conservation, as it can be tough for teenagers to get a 1st hand understanding of what such careers involve. We've developed sessions that provide a real view of key tasks such as animal training, behavioural studies and enrichment activities, and are supporting these with an augmented reality guidebook. The aim is to deliver a really interactive and engaging experience that helps shape future career choices."

The last of the 2 Knowsley Academy weekends for 2020 takes place on 10 October and 11 October 2020, with course running from 9am to 4pm, each day. Places cost ₤70 each for the weekend. To book a place or find out more about Knowsley Academy, visit:- KnowsleySafariExperience.Co.UK.

Sefton staff verbally abused while combating fly tipping issue

INCONSIDERATE residents in the Smollet Street area of Bootle have dumped piles of rubbish in back alleyways, just hours before Officers from Sefton Council were verbally abused for raising the issue of rubbish responsibilities. Both the Local Authority's Cleansing and Environmental Enforcement Officers, as well as colleagues from Neighbourhoods, attended a rear gated alleyway in Smollet Street, Bootle on Monday, 14 September 2020, following complaints over alleged fly tipping. The Officers attended and removed tonnes of waste from the area, as well as collecting vital evidence to identify those responsible for the dumping of rubbish. However just a matter of hours later, Officers discovered a mattress and television had been dumped in the secure alleyway. Furthermore when residents in the area were offered advice on their rubbish responsibilities and the laws around fly tipping, Officers were met in a number of instances with verbal abuse.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regulation and Compliance, said:- "Our Officers should not have to suffer any form of abuse while carrying out their work, especially when they are working hard to support those residents with a particular issue. Smollet Street and the surrounding area is a fly tipping hotspot and this is solely down to a small number of inconsiderate and irresponsible residents who we are fully committed to fining once evidence has been processed. Thousands of pounds has been so far spent in the Linacre Ward in clearing excess waste and our Communities teams have repeatedly spoken to residents in the area about their rubbish responsibilities so there can be no excuse. This area is secured via key entry gates and the only people who have access to that area are the residents themselves. Fly tipping carries a ₤400 fixed penalty notice and failure to pay will land you in court. Sefton Council will not hesitate to issue a fine if we catch people doing it."

If any residents have any concerns regarding fly tipping or wish to report an offence, they should contact us on:- 03451400845 or report it via our website.
 

NHS workers in the North West of England call on Government to show its appreciation for them, says UNISON

HEALTH staff across the North West of England; including:- Nurses, Paramedics, Cleaners, Domestics and Porters, begin 2 days of campaigning on Thursday, 17 September 2020, urging the Government to give an early, significant pay rise of at least ₤2,000 to every worker in the NHS. Staff in UNISON branches based in NHS Hospitals, Ambulance Stations and Clinics used social media and taking part in socially distanced events to press home the message that health workers deserve much more than applause for their efforts during the pandemic. Events took place across the North West Region including protests at Hospitals within:- Blackburn, Prestwich, Burnley, Clitheroe and Pendle. Health workers know the public backs an early NHS pay rise, but now want to see the Government show its appreciation for staff by bringing forward the pay rise due in April 2020.

Karen Kearney, a Bereavement Officer, at Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust, giving advice to Doctors and families, when a patient dies. During the pandemic, her trust was taking overspill COVID-19 cases from other Hospitals, as well as treating cardiac patients, meaning she was usually working 7 days a week with days off only when cover was available. Karen said:- "Visitors weren't allowed so patients had to come into Hospital alone. Often the last time people saw their loved ones was when they came in poorly. It was very difficult and emotional work. The Government briefings were all about 'we love the NHS.' And not so long ago, people were cheering for us. But now there's this sense we've been forgotten about now we've done our 'duty.' A pay rise is long overdue and is needed now."

Michelle Tymon is a domestic, at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. She is employed by a private contractor rather than directly by the NHS. Michelle said:- "During the 1st few months of the pandemic, I was frequently working in the isolation ward for Covid19 positive patients. We had to wear the full PPE with masks and gowns. Our job is hard enough as it is, but our shifts became even more physically draining. We were tired, hot, and sweaty. I really felt for the Nurses and Doctors who had to work longer shifts than us in the full PPE. We would all finish our shifts feeling exhausted. I often saw front line Nurses in tears outside the Hospital. All NHS staff deserve a proper pay rise as soon as possible and health service workers employed by private contractors like me deserve to be included. We keep the NHS running."