Investment plan to support families

LIVERPOOL City Council is to get early access to almost ₤7 million of funding to support struggling families to turn their lives around. The Liverpool Families Programme, funded by the Government's Troubled Families initiative, works with parents and children who are affected by:- unemployment, domestic abuse, health problems, School absence, children in need and crime. To date, funding has been given on the basis of payment by results; with the City Council only receiving cash for those cases where it can clearly demonstrate it has successfully helped families facing multiple difficulties. Liverpool has the highest number of payment by results claims in Merseyside and the 3rd highest amongst the big 'Core' Cities, based on a claim rate per 1,000 of the population. Liverpool is also the most successful authority in the country for proving it  and it has helped people into work, and can boast that:-

► The Council's success to date means it is 1 of 11 local authorities which has applied for what is known as "earned autonomy" status.

► The City Council will get the remaining ₤6.8 million of funding upfront, enabling it to accelerate investment in services to support those who need it.

► It is proposed that some of the money is used to support children affected by:- autism, domestic abuse and criminal exploitation / gangs.

There will also be investment in Early Help services including:- 'kinship' family support (where a child is looked after by a relative) and working with Public Health to deliver a model of support from 0 to 19 years with a special focus on a child's 1st 1,000 days of life, including through Children's Centres. And the Council also plans to put more investment into training for staff around identifying neglect, and recruiting and retaining staff in Children's Services. The aim is to increase the number of families getting:- 'Early Help' to tackle issues and problems which are affecting parenting, improving School readiness and attendance and reducing caseloads for social workers. 

Gail Porter, Director of the Families Programme, said:- "Assisting families before they get into crisis is working, and has led to a reduction in the number of referrals to children's social care and a drop in young people on child protection plans. But demand for our services is still far too high and we need to redouble our efforts to help problems spiralling out of control. We have made good strides, albeit from a very low base, in improving School readiness, and are also working very closely with Schools and parents to get the message out that every lesson counts when it comes to attendance. We want to use this funding to extend this work. We also want to use some of the money to provide more services with our colleagues in health to give mums and dads the support they need so that babies and toddlers get the best start in life."

It is estimated staff will work with 6,760 families by 2020, in addition to 2,105 previously supported in an earlier phase of the scheme.

Follow in the footsteps of many successful Liverpool artists

HOPE Street's internationally renowned programme of artists development will start in June 2018 and will run for 10 weeks. This is a FREE full time intensive vocational training that provides participants with the opportunity to create work alongside professional artists of international calibre, learn the business skills needed to work in the creative industries as well as network and meet key personnel in other major creative organisations in Liverpool. A weekly small allowance to cover expenses will be offered to the successful participants.   This will be a great platform to kick start your professional career in the arts!   What previous Hope Street emerging artist said about the programme:- "An enriching experience non-comparable to any other... Hope Street EAP is a fantastic journey and a great platform for professional development."

ADAPT will culminate in a large scale, split site, multidisciplinary performance directed by EggPeople - "Climate Change is Rubbish," which will contribute to a national programme of events celebrating the environment and inspiring actions on climate change.

This project will celebrate Hope Street Ltd's 30th Anniversary creating great work in Liverpool!

We are recruiting for:- Performers, 1 Musical Director / Composer OR Sound Designer, Designers / Makers, Stage Managers, 1 Movement Director, Film Makers and / or Digital Animators.

To apply you must be over 18 years old, but there is no upper age limit.

Deadline for applications is at 12 Noon, on Tuesday, 24 April 2018.

Interviews and auditions will be held in the week commencing 30 April 2018.

Application forms and more information:- Hope-Street.Org.

Letter to the Editor:- "Garfield Weston Foundation looking to fund small community organisations and charities in the Southport area"

"DEAR Editor, as 1 of the UK’s largest charitable funders we want to highlight the amazing work that is being carried out by many small community organisations and charities in the Southport area. However many of the vital services that these charities provide, such as meals on wheels, disability support and mental health services, are at risk if they don’t receive the funding they need. Every year hundreds of charities apply to us for support as funding gets even tighter and Council cuts continue to bite. At a time when communities are struggling to support those in need, we felt it was important to launch a fund that would help bring local communities together. By funding capital projects, such as a minibus for a local youth group or a new kitchen for the Community Hall, we want to ensure that charities have the facilities they need to do more of their great work. So in our 60th Year, we have launched the Weston Anniversary Fund, which will award up to ₤150,000 for each charity that successfully applies for help to improve their existing facilities, or provide new ones. We have ₤5 million for this 1 off scheme, so we can support as many charities as possible. You only have to look at what’s happening to youth services across the country to see how vital good community support is. Without these services many vulnerable people will be at risk. We want to help small, local charities give people a safe place to go to get the help that they need, at the time that they need it. Anyone interested in applying for this unique fund can find out more via visiting:- Anniversary.GarfieldWeston.Org. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2018." Philippa Charles, Director, Garfield Weston Foundation.