Liverpool Sleepout returns to end homelessness

THE Whitechapel Centre Liverpool Sleepout is back and open for bookings! After a 2 year break the homelessness charity is again hosting the successful awareness and fundraising event because no 1 should have to spend a night out on the streets in Liverpool. Thousands of people have taken part in the Liverpool Sleepout since it began in 2014, sleeping outside and raising vital funds to end homelessness in the City. The Sleepout takes place, on Friday, 7 October 2022, in St James in the City Churchyard and will see hundreds of people swap their beds for sleeping bags and cardboard boxes, to help raise money to continue the charity's work to end homelessness across Liverpool. As well as offering the opportunity to raise vital funds for the charity's work, there is also an important message behind it too, giving those involved insight into the vulnerability some may face whilst sleeping on the streets.

The event is being sponsored by Merseyside based Avient, who have been long term supporters of the charity. Avient's support means that all the funds raised during the event will go directly to help end homelessness for people in our City. Spokesperson Cat Blackwell said:- "We are proud to sponsor and take part in the Liverpool Sleepout event this year, and support our community with the vital work that The Whitechapel Centre carries out every day."

Toni Marie, fundraiser at The Whitechapel Centre said:- "The Liverpool Sleepout should be on everyone's bucket list for things to do in Liverpool. It's a unique experience and an opportunity to really make a difference to ending homelessness for people in Liverpool. In the last few years we have been overwhelmed by the support from individuals, businesses and community groups because they also believe that homelessness should not be happening in today's world. This year is set to be just as successful with people already signing-up to brace an Autumn night outside. Homelessness is often 1 of many issues that our clients face, there are other complex problems that we help people with too. Relationship breakdown, poor mental health, bereavement, job loss, physical health problems, debt and loss of income are all catalysts for homelessness."

The Whitechapel Centre's outreach teams cover the City Region and are out on the streets from early morning to late at night, supporting people who are sleeping rough and responding to calls from the public to the Always Help Available 24 hour phone line - 03001232041.

Could you sleep outside all night with just a sleeping bag and cardboard shelter to protect yourself and raise money to help end homelessness? Take part and your support really can change lives. Visit:- WhiteChapleCentre.Co.UK/SleepOut to sign up to secure your place. Participants must be age 18 or over and sign up in advance. The registration fee is £10 per person and all participants are asked to raise sponsorship for The Whitechapel Centre. You can register as an individual or team and you will be supported with information and resources to help you reach your fundraising targets.

Did you know that The Whitechapel Centre is open every day of the year, and aims to be there for those people facing homelessness to help them resolve their situation as quickly as possible. This includes daily services for rough sleepers, expert housing and benefit advice and health and wellbeing support. The charity also provides learning and education activities so that people can gain valuable life skills to help maintain a home, and their independence, such as budgeting, managing their health, smarter food shopping and cooking.

Fundraising for The Whitechapel Centre helps the charity continue to provide their vital services that can prevent people from facing a life on the streets.
 

Damien Moore MP receives assurances that Southport Hospital stroke services will continue

SOUTHPORT MP Damien Moore recently met with the Managing Director of Southport Hospital to discuss planned upgrades to stroke services in the area. As part of the NHS Trust's public consultation, which closed earlier this year, the Hospital set out the current operating model of stroke services in Southport and their preferred options to future proof the service. Feedback was provided by residents, staff, and local community groups. There was some concern in the Town that Southport Hospital would lose its stroke services, and Mr. Moore was approached by local residents who sought clarity on what the plans would include. Mr. Moore arranged to meet with the Hospital's Managing Director, where he received assurances that a high-quality stroke service will continue to be provided in Southport. Under the new model, which has been implemented in many other areas nationally, an acute stroke service will be maintained at Southport Hospital, and a new £4 million Comprehensive Stroke Centre will be created in Aintree for hyper-acute stroke care. This new centre will be a partnership between:- Southport Hospital, Liverpool University Hospitals, and the Walton Centre. This service change will see suspected stroke patients in Southport and Ormskirk who ring an ambulance being taken directly to the new state of the art centre where they will receive the hyper-acute element of their treatment in the immediate 72-hours after a stroke happens. Following this, Southport and Ormskirk patients will move to the acute stroke ward at Southport Hospital, or go home to continue their recovery journey, ensuring that the patient's comfort is a primary concern throughout.

Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said:- "I am grateful to Southport Hospital for clarifying to me and to Southport residents that our hospital will retain an acute stroke service, working in tandem with a £4 million Comprehensive Stroke Service for hyper-acute care also being developed at Aintree Hospital. This new model has been tried and tested in Cheshire and Merseyside, and has led to improved outcomes for patients. I'm extremely proud of our Town's hospital, and all those who work there. I want to ensure that Southport residents get the best care possible, and am confident that these improvements to stroke services will enable them to do so, while still being looked after in Southport Hospital. I will always be a strong champion for high quality local healthcare for our Town's residents, and so alongside working with the Hospital to future-proof existing services, I am continuing to call for the return of our Town's Children's A&E, which was removed under a Labour Government in the early 2000s."