A Spray of Hope

OVER the summer of 2020, a PhD student and her tutor, in Liverpool, have been working with the NHS and key workers, along with people shielding, all across the UK to write poetry, fiction and experimental prose, as a way of processing what they had experienced on the frontline of Covid19 during the 1st Lockdown. Led by Bernadette McBride, this was part of a series of free creative writing workshops called:- 'Writing for Wellbeing,' and the end product is the just published:- 'A Spray of Hope' by the University of Liverpool Literature and Science Hub, a beautiful anthology of inspiring and heart wrenching poetry and fiction. 'Writing for Wellbeing' was a creative writing programme led by Bernadette McBride Creative Practitioner and Co-Editor of the anthology, during the 1st UK Lockdown, alongside Dr Sam Solnick and other contributing academics from the University of Liverpool’s English Department. Participants signed up to the course both locally and across the nation, and produced such great writing that it was decided an anthology should be published celebrating their work. We are told that there have been some really powerful writing submitted, with some writers creating more than 1 piece of work that includes the poem "Angels" by staff, at Alder Hey Children's Hospital and writing by other NHS and key workers from Hospitals across the UK, as well work contributed by self isolating members of the public. Bernadette McBride, who is a PhD Candidate in Creative Writing, at the University of Liverpool and the Author of:- 'Roots - The Eco-journal (pub. The Green Guild, 2018).' In 2019 she was awarded the Liverpool Guild Award for:- 'The Biggest Impact on the City of Liverpool' for her work as a Creative Practitioner within the City’s community, Schools, and NHS. She told is that:- "It was fantastic to read what contributed to the book by the NHS staff from:- Alder Hey, Great Ormond Street, Manchester, Sheffield and Edinburgh NHS Hospitals, as well as other key workers and those shielding. All participants who took part also reported a boost to their overall sense of wellbeing and said they felt less isolated as a result of being involved in the programme. In addition to that, they also said they had learning new creative writing skills which are now flourishing in print."

You can order this book from most good book shops or buy it online from Amazon. All proceeds from the sale of this anthology go to NHS charities in the Merseyside area.

FRESHFIELDS is a local charity that helps animals in their hour of need for over 40 years and have just launched their:- 'Christmas Appeal 2020.' Together, they can make sure there is:- 'No Animal Left Behind this Christmas.'

Helen Stanbury, Director of Freshfields, said:- "This Christmas, animals in desperate need are still being abused, abandoned and neglected. Their needs have sadly gone off the radar for many people, and we are wholly dependent on a renewed community effort to ensure no vulnerable animals are left behind.  Together, we can be there to provide for the poor souls who arrive at our doorstep this Christmas. It's the best gift we can give to animals like Bailey, whop was left behind by family circumstances 4 years ago. Thanks to our amazing compassionate and caring local community, Bailey is excited to be spending her 1st Christmas snuggled by the fireside with her new owners. It means a lot to us that so many people choose to give to Freshfields at Christmas. This year, we've joined forces with 'The Big Give Christmas Challenge' which provides an excellent opportunity to make valuable donations go even further. So how does it work? From Tuesday, 1 December 2020 until Tuesday, 8 December 2020, our supporters can double their donations if they give to Freshfields via the specific Big Give Christmas Challenge link. Please donate if you can. The link for the donation on:- Donate.TheBigGive.Org.UK.  Every single pound makes a difference. Thank you on behalf of the animals whose lives you'll transform this Christmas."

CARE England, the largest representative body of independent adult social care providers, has called for people with a learning disability to be prioritised in the public health response to Covid19. Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "The Covid19 Pandemic has accentuated the need for urgent action to address the long standing health inequalities experienced by individuals with a learning disability. The dark picture painted by emerging research, namely the Public Health England (PHE) report published on 12 November, only increases the pertinence of placing people with a learning disability, as well as the people who support them, at the front of queue to receive the forthcoming Covid19 vaccination."

The report from PHE detailed how deaths from Covid19 amongst those with learning disabilities was up to 6 times higher than the rate experienced by the general population in the 1st wave of the Pandemic. This report underscored previous research, such as the annual Learning Disability Mortality Review, which has consistently reported health inequalities and discrimination that individuals with a learning disability experience which consequently leads to negative health outcomes and premature mortality. This message was again highlighted at Monday's Health and Social Care Committee and Science and Technology Committee meeting on Coronavirus Lessons Learnt. Much of this picture is preventable. This is why Care England has co-signed a letter with Learning Disability England, and other national bodies, to the Joint Vaccination Immunisation Committee calling on them to urgent address these health inequalities, as well as the prioritisation of this group for the Covid19 vaccine. Martin Green continues:- "We must learn lessons from the 1st wave of the Pandemic. Prioritising these individuals for the Covid19 vaccine and other public health measures will help safeguard some of society's most vulnerable."

HAVE you visited the Aintree or Royal Liverpool Hospital sites of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust during the Pandemic? Maybe you went to the A&E Department, had Covid19 and needed treatment, or had an outpatient appointment? If so, Health Watch Sefton wants to hear about it because it is local people's feedback which helps the NHS understand what it has been like as a patient and to learn where it is doing well and where it may need to improve. The Coronavirus Pandemic has meant Health Watch Sefton, the independent health and care consumer champion, hasn't been able to hold its usual Hospital stands to hear people's experiences of using health and care services. As a way of gathering this important feedback Health Watch Sefton, together with Health Watch Liverpool, is inviting local residents to a special online engagement event via Zoom, on Thursday, 10 December 2020, between 11am and 12.30pm. The joint virtual engagement event will see residents of both Liverpool and Sefton come together in two separate groups to share their experiences.

Wendy Andersen, Engagement Manager, at Health Watch Sefton, explained that the feedback will be treated in confidence and commented:- "It is important for people to know any information they share will remain anonymous, but it will be vital in helping both Aintree and the Royal Liverpool Hospitals improve health and care services where necessary."

Places are limited so booking is essential. If you live in Sefton and want to take part please contact Wendy via email:- Wendy.Andersen@Health WatchSefton.Co.UK or call Freephone:- 08002061304.