CHAMPS HELPS KIDS IN CROSBY AND BOOTLE TO SNACK RIGHT

PARENTS in Crosby and Bootle are being asked to help their kids to Snack Right, by swapping an unhealthy snack for a healthy one.

The Snack Right campaign, led by ChaMPs Public Health Network, is aimed at families of pre-school children living in less well off communities and launched today at Aldi, one of the supporters of the campaign.

Snack Right will support families to make healthier choices when choosing snacks by holding special events at venues including children’s centres and nurseries, providing leaflets on healthy snacks for pre-school children to targeted households and giving tips and advice.

The events will encourage pre-schoolers to try fresh fruit and vegetables, which can be eaten as an alternative to an unhealthy snack, using games and play in a fun environment.

Snack Right will also be promoting Healthy Start, the national food voucher scheme for low-income families. Vouchers are worth between £2.80 and £5.60 a week, depending on your status, and are redeemable at participating retailers against fresh fruit and vegetables and milk. The scheme also provides access to free vitamins.

Dr Diana Forrest, Director of Public Health for the Merseyside Borough of Knowsley, who chairs the ChaMPs Snack Right Group on behalf of her Merseyside and Cheshire colleagues, said:- “Snack Right aims to provide young children with the best start in life. If we can encourage parents to give children fresh fruit and vegetables as snacks, instead of foods high in fat, salt and sugar such as crisps, biscuits and sweets, there will be improvement in their development and growth as well as their long term health.”

Snack Right which will run until the early summer, is supported by a team of ‘ambassadors’, including health trainers, health visitors, children’s centres and Merseyside and Cheshire’s eight primary care trusts.

“Our ambassadors are an invaluable part of Snack Right’s success. We look forward to seeing many more children snacking on fresh fruit and vegetables and an increase in people benefiting from Healthy Start vouchers.” said Dr Forrest.

For further information on Snack Right events in your area go to www.champs-for-health.net.

Night of Soul @ Southport and Birkdale Sports Club

NORTHERN soul lovers are invited to get on down to Southport and Birkdale Sports Club (Cricket Club), Trafalgar Road, Birkdale on Sunday, 27 May 2007 for a floor-filling evening of music and dancing.

Top local DJs will be entertaining the crowd with a mix of memorable 1960s and 1970s cult sounds as well as more up-to-date floor-fillers. Andy Simpson, resident DJ and organiser of the event, says:- "There used to be a lot of really popular and ground-breaking venues in the north west, such as the Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino - but northern soul music is still big, attracting 'soulies' of all ages to venues all over the UK and abroad. There are lots of soul nights still going on, and they are all well attended - the music is definitely undergoing something of a resurgence, so we are hoping that a lot of fans will come along to enjoy the music, whether old sounds from the days of the Casino, or some of the quality, newer tracks that fill floors around today's Northern Soul Scene."

The music kicks off at 8 until late - 12 o'clock bar - 2 dance floors - top DJ line-up...

Advance Tickets £4 or £5 on the door (£4 with Soulpower Loyalty cards)

Tickets and information from:- Andy on 07763 698167

Night of Soul @ Southport and Birkdale Sports Club

TO celebrate this year’s Deaf Awareness Week that was held over 7 May to 13 May 2007, RNID, the national charity representing the UK’s 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people, has been searching the country for local champions who are changing the world for deaf and hard of hearing people. The first ever RNID Community Awards aim to acknowledge the efforts of individuals who have in some way made a positive difference to the lives of deaf and hard of hearing people, no matter how big or small.

Barbara Shields from Southport has nominated local champion Maureen Doyle from Practice Makes Perfect. Barbara says:- “In the last 5 years since I have known Maureen, she has lived and breathed the importance of learning Sign Language. And despite not being in the best of health herself, she has so consistently given up her time and energies, it is hard not to impressed by her remarkable dedication to ‘reach and teach’ the local and wider community about the importance of Sign Language in today’s society”

Maureen Doyle says:- "I'm really pleased to have been nominated - it's a real boost to know that what I do is making a difference! Thank you to Barbara for the nomination and well done to everyone who is also working to change the world for deaf and hard of hearing people. Hopefully the RNID Community Awards will encourage more people to become local champions. My website is practicemakesperfect.org.uk. "

Dr John Low, Chief Executive of RNID, says:- “Maureen Doyle has done much to improve the lives of deaf and hard of hearing people in Southport.

RNID has been working to overcome the barriers and stigma faced by deaf and hard of hearing people for more than 95 years. However, we cannot do this without the continued support of local people, who raise awareness of hearing loss in their communities, encourage best practice or dedicate their lives to helping deaf and hard of hearing people in some way just like Maureen Doyle. If her story inspires you, you too can help change the world for the deaf and hard of hearing people you meet.”

RNID is encouraging local people to get involved in this year’s Deaf Awareness Week. Why don’t you follow these seven simple steps and think about your hearing when doing it:-

Step 1: Don’t SHOUT, just speak clearly

Take the time to communicate properly with someone with a hearing loss

Step 2: Check your hearing

Phone 0845 600 5555 (local rate) for a five-minute check-up

Step 3: Learn to fingerspell

It’s as easy as A-Z!

Step 4: Watch your favourite soap with the sound off

Without TV subtitles, what would you miss out on?

Step 5: Turn your music down a notch

Protect your hearing - don’t lose the music!

Step 6: Look for the loop sign

How accessible are public places if you wear a hearing aid?

Step 7: Get involved

Campaign… join in… volunteer… donate… We need you!