PCC visits diversionary projects this International Youth Day

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is today marking International Youth Day by visiting a host of grassroots projects she has funded to offer diversionary activities for young people over the summer holidays. More than £100,000 was awarded by Emily Spurrell to 22 community based organisations to provide activities, particularly in deprived areas of Merseyside, to help ease holiday pressure and prevent young people falling into trouble during the 6 week break. The PCC will be joined by 1 of her Youth Ambassadors, George, as she tours 4 of the successful community projects to see them in action. The Commissioner will start her day at the Wirral Health Project CIC in Birkenhead where she will be joined by local Cllrs, to see how they are using nearly £4,000 of funding to provide boxing and mixed martial arts coaching as well as fitness programmes for 25 young people. She's then heading, accompanied by George, to the Tiber Community Centre in Toxteth, which is using their funding boost to offer football and fitness activities for 200 young people across the area. Next up on her itinerary is the Greenhouse Project which was awarded £5,000 to multi-skills programme to 50 young people before finishing in the Brunswick Youth and Community Centre, known as:- 'The Brunny' in Sefton, where she launched the fund back in May.

Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "We know the vast majority of young people are keen to do something positive with their time, but sadly those opportunities aren't always open to all, and this can sometimes result in a spike in anti-social behaviour. This is especially true during the School holidays when, particularly for young people in deprived areas, there is nowhere for them to go, and their parents may be struggling to make ends meet and certainly can't afford expensive kids clubs or holidays. My Youth Diversion Fund is designed to alleviate some of that pressure by offering a whole host of fun, interesting and enjoyable activities to keep them entertained and safe, while also ensuring they get a healthy meal. It's also designed to give our young people a brighter future by giving them the chance to channel their energy and enthusiasm into positive activities, broadening their horizons and giving them a better start in life. This isn't just about young people though. By funding these initiatives, we are reducing anti-social and criminal behaviour making our communities safer and improving everyone's quality of life."

Through her Youth Diversion Fund, the PCC has awarded cash grants to 6 grassroots community groups in Liverpool, 5 in Knowsley, and Wirral, and 3 successful organisations from Sefton and St Helens. From boxing and football sessions to cooking, dance and martial arts classes, the money will be used to offer young people the chance to host a wide range of activities over the 6 week's breaks, ensure they get fed and have support on hand.
 

With interest rates at their highest since 1995, Dogs Trust warns of a looming housing crisis for dogs

43% of dog owners in the North West think it is now more difficult to give their dog all they needed, compared to before the cost of living crisis began. Following last week's half point rise in interest rates, the UK's leading dog welfare charity has warned that the sky high cost of essentials, such as eating and heating, is leaving many dog owners unable to provide for their dogs.

With adoption numbers dropping because people can't afford to take on a new dog, this has the potential to lead to a housing crisis for the nation's dogs, says Dogs Trust which has re-homing Centres in Manchester and Merseyside.

Record numbers... Over recent months, the charity has received a record number of calls from people asking Dogs Trust to take in their dogs, in the face of the new cost of everyday living. Inquiries to give up a dog have increased to the highest level since its records began, with 4,370 inquiries received in July 2022.

There's been a notable increase in the number of people calling in for financial reasons, citing problems such as huge increases in their regular monthly bills, such as energy and mortgage payments, as the reason why they can no longer afford doggy basics such as food, which has also itself increased in price.

In addition, Dogs Trust's monthly poll of the UK's dog owners, run by YouGov, shows that 43% of respondents in the North West thought they would find it more difficult to give their dog all they needed, compared to before the cost of living crisis began.

Vet bills continued to cause the most worry; 53% of North West dog owners said vet bills were currently their biggest financial canine concern for the coming year. 21% were most worried about the cost of dog food, while 14% named insurance as their lead worry.

Housing crisis for dogs... The number of owners contacting Dogs Trust to inquire about giving up their dog is sky rocketing; the charity has seen the number of inquiries from owners needing to give up their dogs rising to its highest level since its Contact Centre opened in 2014, with 4,370 handover enquiries received in July alone; a trend which is increasing month on month, and has doubled compared to the start of 2021.

Meanwhile, when non dog owners were asked, as part of the August poll, whether the rising cost of living would prevent them from adopting or buying a dog, 6 out of 10 people (62%) in the North West said it would.

Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust CEO, says:- "The UK is fast heading towards a situation in which, due to the cost of living crisis, we'll have a surplus of dogs whose owners need to give them up, but a deficit of people who can afford to take on a new dog. Dogs Trust is issuing an urgent call for emergency foster carers, especially people with experience of caring for big dogs, who can provide a port in a storm to a dog who, for the moment, has nowhere else to go. If you can help, we urge you to get in touch with us and help look after the nation's dogs through this crisis. Likewise, if you're struggling to afford looking after your own dog, Dogs Trust will do all it can to help. I'm afraid we can't promise miracles, but we're always here to listen without judgement, talk through the options and give dog owners the benefit of our expert knowledge."

How you can help... Dogs Trust is urgently seeking fosterers, experienced dog owners who can offer temporary homes to dogs in need.

The charity is calling out, in particular, to people with space in their homes and hearts for dogs which are more difficult to find forever homes for, such as:- big dogs, un-housetrained dogs, and dogs with challenging behaviour. If you think you can offer a dog in need a temporary home while the UK is in financial crisis, please contact us at:- DogsTrust.Org.UK.