News reports located on this page = 3.

Appeal after homophobic abuse directed at 2 men in Liverpool

MERSEYSIDE Police have issued an image of a man who may be able to assist detectives investigating an incident in which 2 men were victims of homophobic verbal abuse. The incident happened within the Ichi Noodle Restaurant, Richmond Street, on Friday, 30 August 2019, at about 9pm. The victims, were approached by an unknown man who made homophobic insults towards them and then followed them through the City Centre, along Whitechapel.

Detective Constable Dominique Walker said:- "I would ask anyone who was on Richmond Street or the surrounding areas on Friday 30 August 2019 and may have witnessed any part of this incident to please come forward with any information. Likewise, if you know who is responsible for this incident, please do the right thing and let us know. There is absolutely no place for hate crime in society and we know from speaking to the victims what a massive impact it has on them. I want to reassure the LGBTQ+ community that we will do our utmost to support and protect you and bring those responsible to justice. We are passionate about maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect and by working closely with our partners will continue to work to eradicate hate crime of all forms. Victims can report directly to the Police where experienced hate crime Officers will treat them with sensitivity and compassion, or via 3rd party reporting centres within:- Fire Stations, Citizen Advice Bureaus and Hospitals where the information will be passed on."

Anyone who recognises the man pictured or has any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police is asked to call:- 101, quoting incident reference:- '19100489609' or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111 or pass information via the charity's online reporting form.

Blackpool and St Helens Hospital workers announce 6 day strike as Compass bosses dodge talks, says UNISON

AROUND 300 staff employed by private contractor Compass within NHS trusts in St Helens and Blackpool have announced a further 6 days of strike action beginning on 14 October 2019. It is the latest round of action taken by the Hospital workers over the company's failure to match health service pay rates and working conditions.

Most of the Hospital:- cleaners, caterers, porters, receptionists and security workers affected are paid only the minimum wage rate of ₤8.21 an hour, yet work alongside colleagues who are employed directly by the NHS, where the lowest rate is ₤9.03 an hour. This difference of 82p an hour is worth around ₤1,500 a year for full time staff, says the workers' union UNISON.

On top of the lower hourly rate of pay, Compass staff are further disadvantaged by receiving no shift bonuses for working weekends and bank holidays. In addition, they receive only statutory sick pay, whereas their NHS colleagues are able to access a comprehensive sick pay scheme. 

UNISON has condemned Compass for making no genuine attempts to resolve the dispute, which has rumbled on since July 2019. Hospital cleaners in Blackpool have not received a single offer from the company, which made more than ₤1.5bn in profit in 2018, despite already having taken 6 days of strike action during this dispute.

UNISON Regional organiser Pat Woolham said:- "Hospital staff have asked their employer for one thing; fairness. Compass workers can't reasonably be expected to give their all while working alongside colleagues who are being paid more than them. Compass has silenced its staff by targeting dedicated Hospital workers who spoke out about the grave injustice that has driven them to take strike action. Then the multi national company sent coach loads of staff from around the country to cover the shifts of striking workers, paying through the nose to put them up in Hotels. Now the latest Compass strategy is to ignore the concerns of its staff by refusing to negotiate over this issue. UNISON has approached Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) in an honest attempt to get back around the table and find a way forward. It is immensely disappointing to learn that Compass is giving Acas the run around and refusing to engage in talks. The company can easily afford to fund this 82p pay rise immediately. Unfortunately, they have chosen to go to war over this issue. It is clear that poverty pay is a matter of principle for a company that is worth ₤32bn. The next 6 days of strike action will take place on alternate days, which will cause the catering behemoth a headache. Political and community support for the strike is growing. The Hospital staff are standing firm in their pursuit of justice. It's time for Compass to pay the NHS rate for NHS jobs or leave our health service for good."

This is the 4th round of action on the issue by these Hospital workers, following a 1 day strike on 31 July 2019, a 2 day strike which began on 27 August 2019 and a 3 day strike which began on 19 September 2019. A further planned strike at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was called off on the Eve of the action after the trust; rather than the company; agreed to fund the pay parity with NHS colleagues.

Kinship carers celebrated in Liverpool

KINSHIP carers are being celebrated in Liverpool next week, and grandparents, relative or family friends bringing up someone else's child are being urged to get involved.

Kinship Carers Liverpool is the longest running and largest kinship care support group in the country, and established National Kinship Carers Week in Oct 2015 to raise awareness of the hidden number of carers keeping children out of local authority care.

Pauline Thornley, Project Co-ordinator for Kinship Carers Liverpool, said:- "Our project supports the hidden number of carers out there who are supporting family members and keeping them out of local authority care. But kinship carers are often ill prepared emotionally and financially; having extra mouths to house and feed, not to mention finding the energy required to rear young ones. And there is surprisingly little in the way of training, information and financial support available for these family members trying to raise other people's children and give them the best start in life. We run courses and hold events and activities for both carers and young people, providing the support they need to help them through life's challenges. We offer unique and tailor made services that specifically address these families' needs."

A series of events has been organised by the charity, which is based at Ellergreen Community Centre, Norris Green, and supports kinship carers within Liverpool, to promote awareness and celebrate the amazing work they do. Research shows that the outcomes for young people staying within the family are much better.

Kinship Carers Liverpool provides practical and emotional support for families, taking them out on day trips, pamper days and organising coffee mornings and fun activities, as well as helping them to navigate their way through the maze of regulations and obstacles they come up against, be it legal, money or parenting issues.

Councillor Barry Kushner, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, added:- "We spend millions of pounds supporting children in kinship placements who are living with their family members subject to Special Guardianship Orders and Child Arrangement Orders. We know from experience that it is really beneficial for the children to have the continuity and comfort of being looked after by relatives, rather than being placed in care. Kinship Carers Liverpool do amazing work and we are extremely grateful to them for the support that they provide to young people and carers. As we bid to become a UNICEF Child Friendly City it is important we support organisations such as this."

A Parliamentary Task Force has been established to enable youngsters to have vital discussions with MPs around kinship care, and earlier this year a group of kin kids from Liverpool went down to Westminster to have their voices heard by MP's and Lords and pave the way for policy change. The charity hopes National Kinship Carers Awareness Week will help them to further raise awareness.

A number of events will take place during the week including:-

► Saturday, 5 October 2019, celebrating kinship carers with grandparents, at Gulliver's World.

► Monday, 7 October 2019, 10am to 2pm, coffee morning featuring chat, bingo and St Laurence's School, Kirkby choir.

► Wednesday, 9 October 2019, 6pm to 8pm, kin kids celebration party from with food, cake, gaming bus, beauty bar and an entertainer.

► Thursday, 10 October 2019, 12pm, legal workshop on kinship care orders.

► Friday, 11 October 2019, 12pm to 3pm, high tea for kin carers; a celebration and a thank you to kinship carers for the dedication they show to their kin kids.

All kinship carers are welcome to attend the activities at Ellergreen Community Centre on:- Ellergreen Road, Norris Green, L11 2RY.

For more information call:- 0151 280 2108, or send them an email, alternatively you can also go online.