'The Dutch Barn' beating the winter blues

A Liverpool City Council backed project is opening the door to emotional health and wellbeing support for the whole community. 'The Dutch Barn' in Garston helps anyone who is struggling with issues such as anxiety and depression through a range of activities. It helps people address their issues at an early stage, preventing the need for medical referrals and taking pressure off the NHS. Nicky McGovern is the service manager for PSS's Wellbeing Centres and looks after the 'Dutch Barn.' She says:- "Spending time in nature can improve your mood, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and help you feel more relaxed. The barn is a place for people to meet and develop friendships, feel less lonely and have a bit of fun."

Activities on offer include:- arts and crafts, mindfulness, gardening, bird watching, beekeeping and music. Or you could just come along and enjoy the silence with some like minded people. The project was funded through a grant from Liverpool City Council's and is now being run with the help of a group of volunteers who use the service, called The Cabin Crew. Cabin Crew member Michelle Donovan said:- "This space serves to bring people together, as well as encouraging their creativity and to know that they are part of a community."

The Cabin Crew have ambitious plans to expand the range of activities in the barn for the year ahead.  Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for Adult Social Care, Cllr Paul Brant, said:- "Poor mental health is a growing area of concern for Liverpool and for the country. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year.  The 'Dutch Barn' is built around the age old idea of bringing people together, it offers a place for people to talk, share their experiences and try out some new activities. It's a great form of early intervention that is helping people to manage their mental health issues with help from their friends."

Anyone can use the 'Dutch Barn' through a simple process of self referral. All you have to do is call the PSS Wellbeing Centres, on:- 0151 708 0415 and answer a few questions.   You can also watch our video all about Liverpool's 'Dutch Barn,' on Liverpool City Council's YouTube channel.

Liverpool City Region Marks Beginning of Year of the Environment

2019 is set to be officially marked as:- 'The Year of the Environment' for the Liverpool City Region and this was officially announced at an event hosted by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, on Friday, 11 January 2019.  The event marks the start of a of activities with themes such as connecting and engaging communities with nature, reducing waste and health and wellbeing, which will give people the chance to get involved in projects that improve the natural world. The events will be led by the Liverpool City Region's Local Nature Partnership, Nature Connected along with the Combined Authority, its constituent Local Authorities:- Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton St Helens and Wirral, plus the Environment Agency and Natural England, who are working with a broad range of partners from different sectors across the City Region. The initiative is the City Region's contribution to the national:- 'Year of Green Action,' which aims to raise awareness of environmental issues and areas that demand action and attention, including air quality, waste levels, and the need to shift towards more sustainable use of energy.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- "The Year of the Environment creates the opportunity to start a conversation on how we protect and preserve our City Region's fabulous natural resources and protects and preserves them for future generations, so that we are a place with good air quality, sustainable waste levels and clean and renewable energy. As a Combined Authority we are working towards this through our plans to create a clean, inclusive, sustainable and low carbon City Region."

Gideon Ben-Tovim, the Chair of Nature Connected and Mayoral Advisor on the Natural Environment said:- "2019 will be a year of green action across Liverpool City Region where people from all backgrounds will have the opportunity to be involved in projects that improve the natural world. Our aim is to leave a better environment for the next generation to inherit and make our area 1 of the best places in the country to live, work and flourish."

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:- "The Year of the Environment is a fantastic opportunity to inspire people and influence change. Right from the beginning of the year the Liverpool City Region is leading the way and setting the pace for other cities and Regions to follow. The Environment Agency is part of the City Region and we fully support Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Nature Connected to make 2019 a success."

Further information about Liverpool City Region's Year of the Environment, including a full list of activities and events planned for the year ahead, is available online now.

Rental prices remain resilient in North West amid economic uncertainty

THE average UK rental values continued to grow towards the end of 2018, according to the latest data from HomeLet, with December 2018 showing a continuation of the steady rise seen throughout 2018. The HomeLet Rental Index; the UK's most comprehensive and up to date data on rental values in the UK; is showing a steady rate of inflation in prices in the rental sector.

The headlines from this month's HomeLet Rental Index are:-

► The average rent in the North West is now ₤698, up by 1.7% on the same time in 2018.

► The average rent in the UK is now ₤921, up by 1.5% on the same month in 2018.

► When London is excluded, the average rent in the UK is now ₤763, up 0.7% on 2018.

► Average rents in London are now ₤1,596, up 4.7%, on 2018. Whilst this is the 3rd consecutive month where the average rental price has decreased, it is the 3rd consecutive month where the rate of annual growth has been above 4%.

► The Region with the largest year on year increase is Greater London, showing 4.7% increase since December 2017.

► The Region with the largest year on year decrease is the North East, showing 4.6% decrease since December 2017.

► The December Nationwide House Price Index reports that house price growth slowed to 0.5% in 2018, down from 2.6% in 2017.

► Annualised growth rates of the average UK rent remain below UK inflation rates, last reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) at 2.3%

Commenting on the data, industry expert and chief executive of HomeLet Martin Totty, said:- "Positively for both tenants and landlords, this year we've seen stability in UK rental price growth, with increases remaining broadly in line with the rate of consumer inflation. For landlords there remains a sustained demand for property, with the private rental sector continuing to provide the market with both flexible and long term housing options.  The slowdown in the rate of house price growth, as reported by the Nationwide House Price Index is being driven by the depressed London market, which saw house prices decline by 0.8% during the last 4 months of 2018. In contrast, we have seen average rental values in the capital rise by over 4% in the latter stages of the year. Ultimately, we would expect this theme to continue in London, if the demand for property outweighs supply."

Commenting on the outlook for 2019, he further states:- "Private residential landlords will continue to play a key role in the wider UK housing market. Whilst the outlook for property investors remains positive, 1 of the key concerns for the market in 2019 would be a potential lack of supply in certain Regions. The Government's squeeze on private landlords via taxation changes and more regulation could discourage their continued participation in this important sector. Unlike the trends we saw in 2018, any reduction in supply could lead to rental increases that are above the rate of consumer inflation. The data used in the HomeLet Rental Index provides us with a forward looking view of the rental market, so it will be interesting to see how this theme develops in early 2019."