The Tin House on Christmas Eve 2021

UNLIKE in previous years, we have broken with tradition and we popped out on Christmas Eve, to take a look at a local venue as locals toated in Christmas Day. This location was the very popular Tin Shed in Formby Village. If you do not know this venue, it is a fantastic micro pub located on Brows Lane. These are a few photos from the visit. If you have a venue on Merseyside that you would like us to visit on New Years Eve, let us know and we will pick the 4 best locations, as we are putting a limit on, due to Covid19. To get you name down as interested you must email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com, before 11pm, on 30 December 2021, with your full contact information, venue name and address.

NHS Blood and Transplant calls on families in Merseyside to talk about organ donation over the festive season

AS Christmas approaches NHS Blood and Transplant is calling on families in Merseyside to talk about organ donation and register their decision to help save lives. With some families hoping to get together for Christmas for the 1st time since the Pandemic began, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people to take a moment during the celebrations to talk about their organ donation decision and to leave their family members certain of what they want to happen.

There are currently 96 patients within the North West awaiting the life saving gift of an organ transplant in Merseyside and many of their lives could be saved or significantly improved if a donor is found. Yet every day across the UK someone dies in need of an organ transplant.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at NHSBT, says:- "Wherever and however people in Merseyside plan to spend this Christmas, we hope that everyone will be able to enjoy the festivities and spend some much needed time with family and friends. For many thousands of people across the country, including 52 people in Merseyside, who have had transplants this year, the only reason that they are able to enjoy a happy and healthy Christmas is thanks to the generosity of a donor and their family who so selflessly chose to give the gift of life. However, there are still thousands of people who are still desperately hoping and waiting for the transplant that will transform their life. Please take a moment this Christmas to let your family know your organ donation decision. Those conversations could help save the lives of people currently spending their Christmas waiting for a transplant."

Even though the law around organ donation has now moved to an opt out system across England, Wales, and Scotland, many are still not aware that families will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead.

While families are more likely, and find it easier, to support donation when they already know it is what their loved one wanted, only 42% of the UK population have registered their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and just 37% say that they have shared their organ donation decision with their family.

Anthony Clarkson adds:- "We know that for many thousands of people across the UK, including 96 people in Merseyside, the greatest gift they could receive this year will be a phone call telling them that a donor has been found for them. Please let your family know your organ donation decision and leave them certain of your decision."

For more information, or to register your organ donation decision, please visit:- OrganDonation.NHS.UK or call:- 03001232323. NHS app users can also use the service to record, check or update their organ donation decision.
 

Southport Building Society branch help to make Christmas brighter for ˝ million older people

YORKSHIRE Building Society colleagues in Southport have been supporting Age UK to help them to make this Christmas a little brighter for lonely older people. ˝ million older people in the UK don't look forward to Christmas and the festive session, especially this year, because are alone or don't have anyone to spend it with. The:- 'Helping a brighter Christmas happen' campaign is part of Yorkshire Building Society's 2 year charity partnership with Age UK.

People in Southport have been able to help in the run up by obtaining Christmas decorations, Christmas cards and Christmas pin badges in aid of Age UK at the Southport branch on London Street, to support the campaign.

Graham Stukley, Branch Manager at Yorkshire Building Society's branch in Southport, said:- "It's heart breaking that ˝ million older people do not look forward to Christmas, due to loneliness. Through our:- 'Helping a brighter Christmas happen' campaign and our partnership with Age UK we are supporting them to improve the financial and emotional wellbeing of older people and helping them to have a brighter Christmas. Plus, if you are interested in fundraising for Age UK you can still get involved, raising much needed money and support for older people. Speak to a Society colleague the next time you're in your local branch to find out more on how you can get involved."

Colleagues at the Southport branch are also providing 4 simple and practical tips that people can do to help older people feel included and supported over the festive season, such as:-

Sharing time together:- Check in regularly with older relatives, friends and neighbours to see how they're feeling, and find out if there's anything they need. Invite them round for a coffee or lunch or if you're unable to visit in person there's still plenty you can do to show you care; a phone or video call, letters or even small gifts.

Lending a hand:- if you're able to, be a good neighbour by offering simple, immediate assistance to older people nearby, such as offering to pick up shopping or run errands; ensuring you're following all the relevant Covid Guidance and Advice that might be in place.

Share these useful numbers: for practical information and advice, Age UK Advice:- 08001696565. For a cheerful chat, day or night, The Silver Line Helpline:- 08004708090.

The Yorkshire Building Society and Age UK partnership aims to help support older people and raise ₤1 million by 2022 to fund the Building Better Lives programme to provide 1 to 1 support to help prevent more than 4,700 older people most in need from reaching financial crisis point. There are currently 2.1 million older people in the UK living in poverty. For more information on the partnership between Yorkshire Building Society and Age UK please visit:- YBS.Co.UK.