City’s young stars honoured

VERY special youngsters – including a 5 year old community champion, young entrepreneurs and volunteers, are being rewarded by the city council.

Neighbourhood initiative, ‘Celebrating Success in the South’, is honouring young people in South Liverpool for their amazing achievements and for going the extra mile to help others.

A special awards ceremony at Parklands City Learning Centre, Speke, on Thursday, 11 March 2010, will celebrate the contributions of young people to everyday life in the city, revealing tales of kindness, care, achievement and selflessness.

The youngsters will receive congratulations and a glass plaque from Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Hazel Williams and Liverpool Young Mayor Kirsten Leigh.

Councillor Williams said:- "It’s a real shame that negative perceptions of young people often take precedence over their achievements – because in reality, the vast majority of them are mature, sensible and caring. They make a huge contribution to our city and it’s really important that we shout out about the wonderful things they do. I’m really looking forward to meeting and thanking some of our very special young people whose hard work and selflessness on a daily basis is making Liverpool a better place to live."

Among the winners are 5 year old Josh Parry from Garston, who is receiving the ‘Making a Difference’ award. Described as a ‘very conscientious young man’, Josh has been nominated by Garston Adventure Playground for getting involved in activities to improve the local environment and showing a remarkable amount of care for the community for someone his age.

Layla Job, 17, will receive the ‘Outstanding Volunteer’ Award. She was nominated by the St Gregory’s Youth and Community Initiative Group for being ‘an amazing young person who is always smiling and bubbly’ and for being ‘an outstanding and inspirational volunteer’ who ‘thrives on helping others’.

Young people aged five to 11 from Middlefield Community Primary School will receive the ‘Neighbourhood Champion’ award. The youngsters were nominated by staff at Speke Fire Station for creating an allotment garden in the grounds of the fire station. They threw themselves into the project with enthusiasm, learning about environmental issues and a greener, healthier way of living.

David Gaskill, 12 and Kyle Jensen, 13, from New Heys Community School will receive the ‘Young Entrepreneur’ award. The enterprising pair have set up their own business – a school stationary shop – and they have developed a good understanding of business concepts to make their venture a success.

And 10 year old Mollie Jones, will receive the ‘Outstanding Academic Achievement and Effort’ for her hard work, determination and consistently high standard of work throughout her time at Garston Primary School.

Sue Shinkfield, the council’s principal officer for raising achievement, said:- “Liverpool has many fantastic, talented and caring young people, and these awards are a great way of recognising their achievements and thanking them for their huge contributions to the city. Our inaugural Celebrating Success in the South event in 2009 was a massive success and we’re looking forward to building on that this year. We received some outstanding nominations - ranging from academic success to voluntary contributions – and our judges, supported by a young person from the area, had a really difficult time picking the winners. The success stories which will be revealed at the event are a reflection of how young people are making a real difference in our communities.”

The Celebrating Success in the South initiative has been co-ordinated by the Children and Young People’s Partnership Working Group for the South Liverpool Neighbourhood area. A total of 24 youngsters with stories of success will be honoured at the awards which aim to counter negative perceptions about young people and tell the whole city about the good work young people are doing.

NEXT OF KIN APPEAL FOR ALLIEU VANDY

LIVERPOOL Coroners Office have been unable to trace Mr Vandy's next of kin and is appealing for any relatives to come forward. Allieu Vandy, 40 died on Thursday, 25 February 2010 at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital after being hospitalised for a long illness. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. He is believed to have relatives living in South London. Any next of kin, or anyone who has information about Mr Vandy's next of kin, is asked to contact Liverpool Coroners Office:- on 0151 233 4703.

Your chance to get involved in your local Hospital

IF you've gained senior level expertise in the private, public or voluntary sectors, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust can offer an exceptional opportunity to put your talents to use by making a positive difference to the lives of people in your community. Matthew King, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust said that:- "We are looking for an outstanding individual to serve as a non-executive director on Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.

Essential expertise

Significant or senior level experience in one or more of the following areas:-

► Legal experience in the private sector.

► Commercial experience at senior level; bringing both governance and private sector expertise.

Desirable expertise

A portfolio of high level governance and organisation skills in, for example, strategic planning, financial management, risk management, performance management or service development.

Preference will be given to applicants who live in Southport & Formby, Ormskirk & Skelmersdale and surrounding areas within West Lancashire.

We value and promote diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity for all and appointments made on merit. We believe that the best board is one that that reflects the community we serve.

The time commitment is typically just two and a half days each month and remuneration is £6,096 per annum.

For an informal discussion with the Chair, Sir Ron Watson, please contact his PA, Donna Currie, on 01704 704781 prior to the closing date for applications. This will play no part in the selection process."

For more information about this opportunity and to apply online please visit Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust's website. Alternatively you can call them on:- 0870 240 3802 quoting the reference:- NW9260C for a hard copy of the information pack or request an alternative format such as Braille, large print and audio.

"This is a chance to influence and shape the NHS for the 21st century. The closing date for applications is noon on 6 April 2010 and interviews will be held during the week commencing 26 April 2010." said Matthew King.

Dance for Life!

THE British Red Cross would like to invite local schools, dance schools and youth groups across Merseyside to take part in Dance for Life, one of the biggest youth dance events in North-west England. It is dedicated to bringing young people from local communities together and introducing pupils to dance as a medium to overcome cultural, social and physical barriers. The event is open to everyone 18 and under regardless of their ability.

Since 2006, over 4,000 young people have joined us in this exciting event and raised £64,000 for the Red Cross. We would like you to join us as we expand into 15 counties throughout the UK.

The event will help raise money for vulnerable people locally and overseas and Konnie Huq, former Blue Peter presenter and ambassador for the charity, is excited about this opportunity to celebrate youth dance.

Konnie said:- “Dance for Life offers such a wonderful opportunity for all young people to perform in a fun and friendly environment. Not only will the young performers be exploring the diversity of dance, but it will also give them a greater understanding of the how the Red Cross works with vulnerable people in crisis.”

Dance for Life is taking place on Saturday, 17 July 2010, at The Chameleon Theatre in Speke, Liverpool. Senior Fundraiser from Liverpool, Alexis Fairclough said:- “Dance for Life is a really exciting event and I am looking forward to welcoming local dance groups and schools to take part. We offer free workshops to help to teach the kids about the work of the Red Cross, and help to start planning their dance and theme. It is great that we have the support of MDI, Merseyside Dance Initiative, and U-Dance who supporting the Red Cross Dance for Life event in Merseyside. Come on dancers, register now and you could be involved in one of the dance events of the year in Merseyside!”

For more information you can visit the website or call Alexis on:- 0151 702 5061 to register your dance group.