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Kirkby stroke victim
supported into new business venture by Government programme
A computer expert from Kirkby has the
media told how
a Government programme helped him overcome a mini-stroke to set up his own
successful IT company.
Brian Tierney, 44, was referred to the Work Programme, delivered in Kirkby by
public services provider A4e, after 3 years of unemployment and ill health which
had left him feeling depressed and anxious about his future.
He said:- "I like being active and earning my own money. I had been
struggling to find a job when I suffered a mini stroke 18 months ago. I have
recovered from that but I need to be careful about managing my stress levels and
needed to find something that would be flexible around my health needs. I
just wasn't getting anywhere, I couldn't find anything."
He had not thought of self employment until his A4e Work Programme advisor
suggested it.
"When I was sent to A4e I thought they would make me apply for lots of
jobs whether they were right for me or not. Instead, they helped me with money
towards smart interview clothes and listened to what I needed. My advisor,
Arthur, suggested I try self-employment. I had many skills and much experience
in IT and had run my own computer repair shops before but I didn't have formal
qualifications and my health problems meant I couldn't take on a normal 9 to 5
job. I hadn't considered setting up my own business before but it made perfect
sense."
A4e helped him write up a business plan with minimal start up costs and will
continue to support him to the end of his 2 year Work Programme enrolment.
Brian said:- "It is going brilliantly, I am flying. If anything I have too
much work and it's all been through word of mouth.
I had superb advice from Arthur which I followed to the letter and it has really
worked. I couldn't have done this one my own, I wouldn't have known where to
start.
Together we drew up a plan to develop the business at the right pace for me. I
started working from home and have now moved into an office and I'm interviewing
for an apprentice.
Arthur is still on the end of a phone for me whenever I have a question which
makes me feel I'm not going out on my own, I have the support I need to make
this work. I feel a million times better than I did this time
last year. I have belief in myself and belief in my business. I feel I am
building a future for my family. I know it will be a while before I can start
drawing a decent wage from the business, my expectations are realistic. But I am
confident that going forward, I will be able to provide for my family. I didn't
want my children to grow up seeing their dad dependent on benefits."
His business,
TTOline.Co.UK, designs and hosts websites and offers
branding and social marketing services. He is now supporting other A4e customers
moving into self employment by offering IT services at reduced rates.
Brian also works for free for the charity
website which buys
gifts for children undergoing treatment at Liverpools' Alder Hey hospital in
memory of a little boy with Cystic Fibrosis who died of leukaemia aged just 9.
The Work Programme, now in its 4th year of operation, provides tailored
support for unemployed customers who need more help to undertake active and
effective job seeking.
A4e has been working hard to establish an excellent team of professional staff
with a range of specialist skills to support individuals across the UK. The
flexibility given to service providers by the Work Programme has meant that A4e
has been able to create a number of innovative programmes and specialist
training to support local customers.
A4e is delivering the Work Programme on behalf of the Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP) and Job Centre Plus.
The Work Programme is part funded by the
European Social Fund (ESF). The ESF in England is investing in jobs and skills;
focusing on people who need support the most and helping them fulfil their
potential. |
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Locals to take to the
streets in Southport for 'Save our NHS' day
LOCAL people in Southport will be taking to
the streets on Saturday, 28 February 2015, for a day of action to save the NHS.
The day of action, coordinated by campaign group 38 Degrees, will be meeting at:- MakeItWorkshop, Cambridge Walks, at 11am, and is open to all.
They will join more than 9,000 other members of 38 Degrees protesting on the
same day across the UK.
631 people in the area have already signed a petition to all of the candidates
standing to be an MP in Southport in May's general election. The petition asks
each candidate to commit to protect the NHS from privatisation, make sure it has
the funding it needs, and keep the NHS out of the TTIP trade deal with the US.
Paul Bradshaw, a 38 Degrees member from Southport, said:- "The NHS was
involved in bringing me into the world, it has taken care of me when I have been
sick, has cared for my family when they have needed it, I want to make sure I am
doing all I can to support the NHS at a time of great threat. The Westminster
politicians have lost touch with public opinion. We want the NHS to remain a
publicly owned organisation, focussed on healthcare, not profit. That's why I'll
be working to organise this Saturday to spread the word about our campaign and
collect signatures on our local petition. Southport's day of action will show
our MP candidates that if they want to sell off or run down our NHS, they'll
have a fight on their hands."
David Babbs, executive director of 38 Degrees said:- "This day of action
should send a clear message to politicians: you're being watched by millions of
us fighting to protect our NHS. The NHS is the best healthcare system in
the world, and it belongs to all of us. But too many politicians have ignored
the doctors and nurses on the frontline. They've turned their back on the
principle of an NHS owned by all of us and working to save lives, rather than to
make money. People in Southport will be standing with thousands of people
across the country to say that we love our NHS too much to let it be sold off to
the highest bidder."
The local petition to save the NHS is at:-
38Degrees.Org.UK/NHS.
Council to challenge Welsh
Streets decision
LIVERPOOL City Council is to appeal a
decision by Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles to turn down the proposed
regeneration of the Welsh Streets.
In January, the Secretary of State overturned a recommendation from an expert
independent Planning Inspector that the scheme be given the green light.
Under the plans; backed by 70% of the local community; 271 damp and run down
homes were to have been demolished and replaced by 154 new houses. Another 37
terraced properties, including the former home of Beatle Ringo Starr, would have
been refurbished.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for Housing, Councillor Ann O'Byrne, said:-
"We are not prepared to stand by and see Eric Pickles ignore local people
and his own independent planning inspector. The long suffering residents of the
Welsh Streets have now been waiting more than a decade for new homes and we are
standing up against this unacceptable political interference from Whitehall and
challenging the decision. This scheme was carefully developed and supported by
the vast majority of local people in a thorough and detailed consultation."
A public inquiry last summer looked in detail at plans by the Council to
compulsorily purchase the last eight of the 311 interests needed to deliver
phases one and 2 of the £15 million scheme.
Under the proposals, the new homes for the local community and new residents
would have been built to a high standard and will be available for affordable
rent and sale, providing a diverse mix of housing for the area designed to be
energy efficient and spacious, with many including gardens.
The Welsh Streets plans formed part of the wider regeneration of the Princes
Park neighbourhood, with more than 80% of the 2,500 properties in the renewal
area being retained.
The scheme was approved by the Council's planning committee in August 2013, but
called in for public inquiry by the Secretary of State.
19 year old Bootle male charged with
possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition
MERSEYSIDE Police, on 24 February 2015, charged a 19 year
old from Bootle, with possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
Anthony Nolan, then appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court, on Tuesday, 24
February 2015. This arrest on from the execution of several warrants, in
Netherton, on Wednesday, 21 January 2014, by Neighbourhood officers and the
force's Matrix Serious Organised Crime (MSOC) Unit. The raids are part of an on
going operation to reduce violent crime in the borough of Sefton.
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