Bistrot Vérité celebrates earning 2 Rosettes in 2022 AA Restaurant Guide
Photo and report by Andrew Brown

THE owners of Bistrot Vérité,  in Birkdale, say they are delighted after being awarded 2 prestigious Rosettes in the AA Restaurant Guide 2022. The venue, in the heart of the village, is the only venue in Southport to be named in this year's Guide. Bistrot Vérité has held the 2 Rosette accolade for a number of consecutive years, due to its fresh local ingredients, top quality cooking and a menu which evolves throughout the seasons. Owners, the Vérité family, thanked customers for continuing to support them throughout the challenging last few months of the Covid Pandemic.

The AA Restaurant Guide 2022 said:- "French roots are very evident in this bustling, frill free restaurant with a strong local following, thanks in part to its consistency, simplicity and informality. But obviously the food also counts hugely and fish soup and crab thermidor are staples, and crisp fried frogs legs and snails (from Dorset) too, while mustard and herb crusted lamb, and grilled swordfish also feature."

Bistrot Vérité is a family-run restaurant in the truest sense of the word. It was founded by chef Marc Vérité, who realised a lifelong ambition and opened his eponymous venue after working in France and in Belgium.  Today his son Jacques is head chef at the restaurant while son Charlie is front of house manager. Marc's wife Michaela is also at the restaurant each day while Marc's dad, the famous baker Claude Vérité; the former owner of Claude's, in Churchtown, used to help out with patisserie before he sadly passed away. The business, which employs 10 to 12 members of staff, grew this year with the opening of Le Petite Vérité, in the unit next door to the bistrot.

Jacques Vérité said:- "We are made up to be included in the AA Restaurant Guide 2022 with 2 Rosettes. We are the only restaurant in Southport to be included. We have been awarded 2 AA Rosettes for the past 7 or 8 years now. It is nice to see us being praised and awarded for all the hard work that we all put into making Bistrot Vérité a success. We just do what we do, creating dishes using fresh produce and the best local ingredients we can get hold of. We constantly alter our menus as the seasons change. We use vegetables grown in Hesketh Bank, mushrooms grown in Scarisbrick, seafood caught along our coastline. Sustainability is really important to us. If we serve something like sea bass, we need to know it's fresh. It is very prestigious to receive such an award from the AA Restaurant Guide, which is well respected throughout the hospitality industry."

Bistrot Vérité is now looking forward to a busy few weeks in the run up to Christmas. Their new addition this year has been the opening of their Petite Vérité bar next door to the Bistrot. Jacques said:- "We have taken a couple of tables out of the restaurant, creating more space, and putting them into the back of the bar. People now come in for a drink, either before their meal or after their meal, or just come in for a drink. They don't have to book to come into the bar. It makes it for a nicer experience."

The Vérité family and their team are now looking forward to what will hopefully be a busy November and December. They are inviting people to support Bistrot Vérité and other local Southport restaurants and bars this Christmas. Jacques said:- "We have been really busy these past few weeks. December is looking very good, with lots of bookings. We would like to thank all our customers who have continued to support us, and to all of our members of staff, too, we could not have done this without them."
 

NHS 111 boosts team of Mental Health Ambassadors

ON 17 November 2021, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) have been shining a light on its fantastic 111 Mental Health 1st Aiders and, in particular, it's 'Manbassadors' on International Men's Day.

On World Mental Health Day in October 2021, the NHS 111 team made a pledge to increase its team of Mental Health 1st Aiders. What started as 9 Mental Health 1st Aiders within the service is now a team of 66.

The Mental Health 1st Aiders are employees who have volunteered to offer support to their colleagues. They have received additional training to spot signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions, provide support to someone experiencing an issue or crisis, and listen and hold supportive conversations, as well as help them access further support.

Recognising that mental health issues and suicide rates can be more prevalent among men, the team was keen to increase the number of male Mental Health 1st Aiders and now has 12, known as:- 'Manbassadors.'

Darren Parkinson (pictured second from the right), 111 Quality and Assurance Officer, is 1 of the Manbassadors. He explained why he wanted to become a Mental Health 1st Aider:- "I feel that support for everyone doing a demanding role is pivotal in our organisation. It is important to have someone who is approachable, for people to discuss things about work related issues, but also our everyday lives. To have someone to listen to you, offer a level of understanding and to share your concerns with, are all important to me especially being a male, as males in their:- 40's, 50's or 60's are at high risk of suicide."

Sally Rose, NHS 111 Senior Service Delivery Manager at North West Ambulance Service, said:- "The NHS as a whole is experiencing a particularly busy and challenging period and in NHS 111, every member of the team is working incredibly hard to provide care and support to members of the public who need us. That's why it's so important we look after ourselves and each other. The Mental Health 1st Aiders are just 1 way we support staff welfare, but I think it's very effective. I'm proud of the way our colleagues have come together to be there for 1 another, which reflects the professional and caring nature of our people. Many of us spend most of our day at work, so we all have a real opportunity to spot if a colleague is struggling with their mental health. The mental health 1st aid training gives us the confidence to notice the signs and step in, but I'd encourage anyone to chat to a colleague if they think they might need support."