PCC welcomes an extra ₤270,000 for vulnerable victims on Merseyside

CHARITIES across Merseyside will share an extra ₤272,000 of emergency funding during the ongoing Covid19 Pandemic to support vulnerable victims of abuse and violence. It is the 2nd round of extraordinary funding secured by Merseyside's Police Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). It will help services supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence to cope with a surge in demand and the challenges of operating during the second Coronavirus lockdown.

The additional grant of ₤272,500 has now been allocated to Merseyside and follows a previous award of ₤500,000 which was shared between 24 charities and social enterprises in June 2020. Of this new emergency funding, more than ₤210,000 will be allocated to the Region's 5 Local Authorities, as well as nine Merseyside based charities, to further strengthen provision for domestic abuse victims. This includes an award of ₤43,000 to Liverpool City Council, and ₤21,000 each to Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral Councils to expand the support provided by their local services.

A further ₤59,000 will be shared between 6 organisations delivering support and care for victims of sexual violence, including the PCC's Victim Care Merseyside partners Catch 22 and Savera UK, as well as social enterprise PSS, Changing Lives, Birkenhead based charity WEB (Women's Enterprising Breakthrough) and the Granby Somali Women's Group. The money, which must be used by 31 March 2021, will allow the organisations to cope with an increase in demand for their services, recruit more staff and help them to better adapt to remote ways of working.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:- "This much needed second round of emergency funding will help 22 fantastic local organisations who will share more than ₤272,000 and be able to expand the support they can offer to victims of abuse and violence, including those who are seeking help for the very 1st time. Sadly the circumstances created by the Coronavirus outbreak mean some people are more vulnerable than usual and there are victims and survivors who are at further risk of harm. Many of these services have experienced a surge in demand for their services. This extra funding will help to strengthen these charities and social enterprises to ensure they can continue to deliver their essential services despite the extraordinary challenges they face, to cope with any surge in demand and ensure vulnerable victims are not left to suffer alone. While this funding will assist during these unprecedented times and over the winter months, I'm very conscious that help will be needed long after this funding ends and I will do whatever I can to secure further support to meet the needs of victims beyond March 2021."

The funding is part of ₤11m announced this week by the MoJ to support victims during the winter. The PCC also secured ₤200,000 to expand a scheme that works with perpetrators of domestic abuse to change their behaviour and protect families which are at risk.

Supporting the most vulnerable to stay home and stay safe

AS the National Government restrictions continue to be in place until 2 December 2020 to tackle the rising Coronavirus cases and Hospital admissions, everyone should stay home as much as possible, whilst non essential businesses close. Health organisations in Sefton are reminding residents that support is available to help the most vulnerable in our community and the NHS is still here for you should you need it. As clinically extremely vulnerable people are at very high risk of severe illness from Covid19, they have been strongly urged to follow new guidance which includes:-

►  Stay at home as much as possible, except to exercise or to attend essential health appointments.

►  Do not go to shops or Pharmacies; encourage others to collect and deliver food and medication. Travel only where essential.

►  Work from home, and if you can't do your job from home, you are advised not to work during this period. You may be eligible for Statutory.

►  Sick Pay, Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit.

Dr Rob Caudwell, Chair of NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said:- "Whilst the national restrictions are in place it's really important that we support vulnerable people or people self isolating in our community by calling them to check they are okay, helping with shopping or picking up prescriptions. Clinically extremely vulnerable people can use a new national online service to register for support. This includes accessing priority supermarket delivery slots, collecting and delivering medication, and wellbeing and mental health support. If you are clinically extremely vulnerable and you need to register for support by telephone, or you have an urgent need, you can call Sefton Council on:- 03451400845, from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. If you are vulnerable or self isolating and you don't have any friends, family or other support networks during this time, it's really important that you do access the support available."

Dr Craig Gillespie, Chair of NHS South Sefton CCG said:- "It's vital that people know during the Pandemic that the NHS is still here for you. If you have any worrying signs, symptoms or concerns whether it is about your physical or mental health, your GP should still be your 1st port of call. Do not put off talking to your GP if you have health concerns, as early diagnosis can save lives. If you need medical help from your GP practice, contact them online, by an app or by phone to be assessed. If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS:- 111 online service. If you cannot get help online, call:- 111. If it's a serious or life threatening emergency, call:- 999. If you are told to go to Hospital it is important that you go. You should continue to attend your appointments unless you have been told not to."

Margaret Jones, Director of public health for Sefton Council, said:- "The current national restrictions will be hard on everyone, as it reduces our day-to-day contact with others. But it is necessary to slow the spread of Coronavirus, so we need the people of Sefton to play their part. Please stay home to keep our most vulnerable residents safe and reduce the pressure on local Hospitals and intensive care. We must also continue to remember 'hands, face, space' to protect ourselves and others."

If you have any Coronavirus symptoms such as a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste; you must self isolate at home and get tested as soon as possible. Get a test online at:- Gov.UK/get-Coronavirus-test or by calling:- 119.

Children across the North West stage Shakespeare, in lockdown

THOUSANDS of children from over 2 hundred Schools nationwide will be performing the works of Shakespeare this coming week in a unique initiative, One Night of Shakespeare, to be broadcast online, at 7pm, on Friday, 20 November 2020. Over 20 Schools from across the North West are taking part, including those in Manchester, Blackburn and Wirral.  In a year of unprecedented disruption due to the Covid19 Pandemic and lockdowns, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (CSSF) has adapted its annual festival. Children and Teachers have worked remotely and under Covid-secure conditions to rehearse performances that demonstrate their creativity and show that theatre lives, despite the closure of arts venues.

The annual Festival is the flagship project of award winning charity CSSF. In a usual year, after months of preparation, children perform on professional stages in arts venues up and down the country. Throughout the Pandemic, the charity has worked to innovate and adapt its programme so that children can continue to gain the crucial life skills that the arts and performance give. This has included creative online CPD sessions with Teachers, sending specialist theatre practitioners into Schools to run workshops, and providing a wealth of resources to enable Teachers to guide their students through the Festival journey and become Directors in their own right.

Schools have responded with creativity and ingenuity, filming their performances, rehearsing in bubbles and online and finding innovative ways to persevere, providing their School and wider local community with moments of joy and celebration in what continues to be an otherwise dark time.  Primary, secondary and special Schools from right across the UK are participating and patrons of the charity including Harriet Walter, Hugh Dennis, Paterson Joseph, Alfred Enoch and John Heffernan are helping to celebrate the achievements of young people and their Teachers.

Dan Hughes, a Teacher at Melland High School in Manchester, says:- "The project has been a huge positive in School and has given the pupils the opportunity to escape all the bad news and focus on their creative abilities. It will fill them with more determination."

Ruth Brock, CSSF Managing Director, says:- "This is a unique Festival in a unique year. Thousands of children from communities from every corner of the UK will lead the way and show us that out of the hardest times, children can show incredible resilience and creativity. Using our greatest writer, CSSF is giving children the skills and creativity they need for life and Teachers the tools to accelerate learning. The arts prepare children for their future and help build a better society; this year, next year and far into the future."

One Night of Shakespeare is supported by a grant CSSF received as part of the Government's ₤1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the Coronavirus Pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future. Watch the live broadcast, at 7pm, on 20 November 2020, at:- ShakespeareSchools.Org/LiveStream.

Letter to the Editor:- "Age UK"

"WITH another national lockdown in place, Age UK has sadly had to close the doors of its 250 charity shops across the country for a 2nd time. But some good news is there's still a way for locals in the North West to bag themselves a bargain and support older people most in need whilst their nearest Age UK shop is closed.  Age UK's eBay shop sells a wide range of new and good quality items, including Christmas cards and decorations, home ware, toys and gifts, perfect for helping to make the festive season extra special this year. Older people need us now more than ever and the money raised through eBay will help to fund the Charity's vital work, including its Information and Advice and Friendship services, which have been a lifeline for older people during the lockdowns and throughout the Coronavirus crisis. We are so grateful for all the support our shops in the North West have received from our customers and local residents throughout this challenging time, and we look forward to welcoming you back to our stores as soon as we are able to. You can visit Age UK's official eBay page at:- eBay.Co.UK/STR/AgeUKWarrington. Our shops are also in need of volunteers for when we reopen again. To find out how you can help please visit:- AgeUK.Org.uk/Shops." Nick Smith, Head of Retail, Age UK.