Online School launches package of support to help young people recover lost learning

TO celebrate World Book Day, Sefton Libraries are collaborating with renowned storyteller John Kirk for an interactive story hunt, and families across the Borough are urged to get involved. The virtual adventure will take families into the 'Enchanted Forest' for 30 minutes of imaginative family fun. People can join the story hunt on the Sefton Libraries Facebook page, at 2pm, on Thursday, 4 March 2021, for World Book Day. The 'Enchanted Forest' is suitable for families with children aged 3+.

Story hunts have become extremely popular across the country, and around the globe, as parents and carers have had to think outside of the box when home Schooling and keeping their families entertained.

Storyteller John Kirk, who works with libraries and museums to deliver engaging virtual story telling experiences like no other, has worked in collaboration with Sefton Libraries on many initiatives in the past to encourage children to foster a love of reading.

Sefton Libraries will also be hosting a special digital story time on its Facebook page to mark World Book Day, at 10am, on the day. Story time volunteer Karen Bonell will be reading:- 'The World Book Day Monster' by Adam and Charlotte Guillan.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:- "Our libraries service has been doing a fantastic job throughout the lockdown ensuring that our communities still have access to books, magazines and newspapers, as well as supporting families to encourage children to pick up a book through their story time videos. There has been huge demand for our online services as people have been spending more time at home and I am delighted that we are able to help mark World Book Day this year in such a creative yet safe way, from the comfort of living rooms, bedrooms, kitchen tables and makeshift home classrooms! Please do get involved."

Andrew Farthing, Sefton Libraries Manager, said:- "It's vital for children in Sefton to have access to books, and to have opportunities where they can transport their minds to faraway fictional worlds. The power of reading and storytelling can spark inspiration in young minds, build their confidence to read independently and often prompt a lifelong love of reading - something that really boosts mental health and wellbeing."

During the Pandemic, Sefton Libraries have switched the majority of their activities online. Through their Digital Library Services, people across the Borough have been able to access ebooks and audiobooks using services such as the BorrowBox and RBdigital apps. Staff have also been able to provide additional support to communities such as help with downloading apps, setting up email or staying in touch using Zoom or Skype through their IT helpdesk sessions every Monday.

Additionally, the libraries team has become involved in the 'Reading Friends' initiative, aiming to tackle loneliness by bringing people together remotely to read, chat and share stories.

Details of Sefton's Library Services and how they are working during Covid19 can be found at:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Libraries.

World Book Day aims to changes lives through a love of books and shared reading. Designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, World Book Day is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram to speak at Made Smarter's digital manufacturing conference

THE Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, is to speak at Made Smarter's digital manufacturing conference on 10 March 2021. He is among 44 experts and panellists lined up for the free to access virtual summit. Billed as an event for manufacturers by manufacturers the conference will showcase how businesses can leverage and fast track digital technology and tools for a year of recovery, growth and resilience. Leading the agenda will be Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who will share their insights about the importance of the manufacturing sector, the role for digital technology in driving the growth, and the benefits technology is bringing to the North West economy. There will also be panel discussions and roundtable debates, interactive workshops, a virtual expo of the latest digital manufacturing technologies, and business advice sessions, giving attendees access to support available to grow their organisation. Almost 300 delegates have so far registered to attend the packed 1 day programme, which runs from 9am until 5pm, and will be hosted virtually using PixelMax, an interactive online platform. With registration closing, at Midday, on Friday, 5 March 2021, manufacturers are urged to book their places at the conference via:- MadesMarter.UK.

Donna Edwards, Programme Director, Made Smarter Adoption Programme, NW, said:- "The response to the conference has been incredible confirming that there is significant appetite among manufacturers of all sizes across all sectors to learn about how technology can support growth, productivity and efficiency gains, and create the smart and highly skills job of the future. We have designed a full programme to tackle the 'why?', 'what?' and 'how?' of digital manufacturing, incorporating a blend of industry leaders, experts, and real life examples of those who have started their digital journey. There really is something for everyone at the Made Smarter - The journey to digital manufacturing conference and I would urge manufacturers not to miss out on what is certain to be a packed day of analysis, inspiration, and practical tips."

Live panel sessions include:-

How Made Smarter is powering the fourth industrial revolution - facilitated by journalist and broadcaster Nick Peters and featuring manufacturing leaders including Juergen Maier, Co-Chair of the Made Smarter Commission and Chair of the Digital Catapult, Glyn Jones, Service Delivery Director, at BAE Systems and Chair of the Made Smarter Pilot Steering Group, Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK and member of the Made Smarter Commission, Andrea Hough, MD of Atec Solutions and member of the Made Smarter Pilot Steering Group and Made Smarter Commission, Donna Edwards, Managing Director of the Growth Company and Made Smarter North West Adoption Programme Director, and Matt Ellis, Assistant Director of Made Smarter for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The journey to digital: The manufacturers perspective - facilitated by Jayne Moorby from Oxley Group and featuring real-life examples from manufacturers about the value technology has brought to their businesses including:- Keith Scobie Youngs (Cumbria Clock Company), Peter Saunders, (MacKinnon and Saunders), Rod Wah (Beverston Engineering), and Luke Walsh (Brainboxes).

Using technology to boost business resilience in an uncertain world - facilitated by Simon Reid from Growth Platform and featuring:- Julian Lopez (Storth), Patrick Mroczak (Nutree Life), Louise Ray (Plastic Card Services), Chris Lever (Bindatex), and Fadi Jarad (Sandstone Wirral).

The teams of tomorrow: engaging and upskilling your workforce - facilitated by Ruth Hailwood from:- Made Smarter and featuring Sarah Dhanda (Enginuity), Joe Crolla (Greater Manchester Combined Authority), Sarah Poynter (Arden Dies), Rebecca Lee-Panton and Luke Hickson (Fabricon Design).

Sustainable manufacturing: how technology is leading the way - facilitated by Poppy Brewer from:- Accenture, and featuring Ben Horne (Crystal Doors); Phil Milar (Creative Apparel); Jamie Baxter, (DA Techs), and David Reardon (Bloom-in-Box).

Also, on the agenda is a roundtable focussed on the importance of customer trust and the role of technology, facilitated by Kevin Smith from:- Made Smarter, and featuring Steve Wood (Parity Medical), Sean Parnaby (Contactless Check Solutions), Karen Callard (Starlight Bedrooms), and Noel Doyle (Organica UK).

Throughout the day delegates will be able to access practical, actionable advice through workshops including:-

Fast forward your digital journey: A taste of a digital transformation - led by Made Smarter's technology advisers Amy Edwards and Kevin Smith with insights from Andrea Kuehne (DRM Industrial Fabrics) and Ben Soper (Stead McAlpin and Company), two of the 100+ businesses to have benefitted from Made Smarter's Digital Transformation Workshops.

Leading your manufacturing business through digital change - led by Lancaster University academic Dr Randall Zindler and featuring Dan Smith (Twin Fix) who benefited from the Made Smarter Leadership Programme.

Digitisation does not eliminate the need for manufacturing excellence - an interactive session led by Nick Brandwood and Rachel Baldry from the Business Growth Hub's Manufacturing Team about the behaviours and routines required for digital transformation.

Technology Demonstrators Alley will showcase the latest solutions available to manufacturers which enable them to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, create simulations of their plants and processes, as well as how 3D printing, automation, and robotics can solve business challenges.

There will also be the opportunity to speak one on one with a variety of business advisers to explore the advice, support and funding available to manufacturers.

For more details about Made Smarter or to register for the conference visit:- MadesMarter.UK/Conference.

CARE England, the largest representative body of independent adult social care providers, has written to the Chancellor urging him to make good on the Government's commitment to adult social care in his Budget this week. Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "The sector is tired of empty promises, White Papers and consultations, 13 of these in the last 17 years, that always end up in the long grass. It is now or never; we need a 1948 moment with a commitment in the Budget that the Prime Minister will tackle the social care crisis."

In January, Care England's Budget submission highlighted the following issues:-

►  The changing cost and operational reality that has been imposed as a result of the Covid19 Pandemic.

►  The intervention which the Treasury can make in the sphere of insurance to assist the adult social care sector.

►  The existing and potential role which the adult social care sector can continue play as a valuable employer in the UK's job market.

►  The need for a ₤7 billion injection into the adult social care sector, in line with the Commons Health and Social Care Committees call.

Martin Green continues:- "A 10 year plan akin to that of the NHS would be a great help to the sector, which in turn is part of the national infrastructure. Adult social care needs to be placed at the forefront of future policy planning and cannot remain an addendum to the NHS. Care England wants to work with the Government to ensure that this does not remain a pipedream."

Merseyrail increases services to 20 minute frequency

MERSEYRAIL will be increasing its services across most lines, from Sunday, 14 March 2021. This is in response to more staff being available as the number of new Covid19 cases continue to fall nationally. Trains will run every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday until 19:30 across the network with the exception of the Ellesmere Port line which will continue to operate a 30 minute service all day. After 19:30, a 30 minute service will run across the network. There will also be a 30 minute service in operation, on Sundays.