More Northern customers can now go paperless with new barcode season ticket

NORTHERN are the UK's 2nd largest train operator, with nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England, including running services out of Southport, so commuters will be pleased to hear that a new purchase option is being make available to Season Ticket holders. This new option is paperless, unlike a Smartcard or traditional paper ticket, which required a certain amount of administration. The new Barcode Season Ticket appears instantly within the Northern app after purchase.

Mark Powles, Customer and Commercial Director at Northern, said:- "We want to ensure that our services are as simple and as easy to use for our customers as possible, which is why we are rolling out the new barcode season ticket option. The ticket lives on your mobile phone, saving the need for a travel card and paper ticket; making it easier and quicker to buy and use on the go."

Barcode Season Tickets will now show as the default option in the Northern app or website. Anyone who buys their season ticket by the end of October will also benefit by being entered into Northern's 'Big Commuter Giveaway' promotion; which will see 500 people win back the cost of their season ticket up to the value of £100. The Big Commuter Giveaway is 1 of a number of promotions Northern is running to encourage more people to ditch the car and take the train to work. For more information about season tickets and to enter the draw, please visit:- NorthernRailway.Co.UK.

Let us know your thoughts on this news topic... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Facebook or Twitter.
 

Residents urged to take care with wheelie bins over Bonfire period

MERSEYSIDE Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) is urging residents to help prevent their household wheelie bins becoming targets for arsonists over the Bonfire period. Arson attacks on wheelie bins and refuse containers in the Merseyside area have increased in the last 8 years around Bonfire night, with 84 incidents taking place over the Bonfire period last year, compared to the same period in 2014 when 41 were recorded. Domestic refuse bins can become easy fire targets outside properties particularly if they are left out after collection days. Already this year, since the start of October, crews from MFRS have dealt with 44 fires linked to wheelie bins and refuse containers across Merseyside, 14 of them since the 19 October 2022. With the risk of arson attacks on wheelie bins likely to increase in the run up to Bonfire night itself, residents are being asked to be extra vigilant and keep their bins in safe areas.

Station Manager Joe Cunliffe said:- "The risk of wheelie bins being targeted during the run up to Bonfire night has increased in recent years and the figures in Merseyside in 2021 reflect that. Setting fire to wheelie bins is irresponsible and dangerous behaviour. These fires can have serious consequences and can quickly spread to nearby property, putting the lives of those within them at risk. We would urge local residents to take care in helping to minimise the risk of their bins being targeted. Only put your bin out on the day of collection and bring it back in immediately if you can. Store it in a safe area away from windows and doors if possible."

For fire safety advice, or if you do not have working smoke alarms in your property, call:- 08007315958. For more tips on staying safe this Halloween and Bonfire, check out Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service's website:- MerseyFire.Gov.UK.

Youth bereavement charity invites 13 to 25 year olds to become the voice of their organisation

1 in 20 children are bereaved of a parent by the age of 16. This easily accessible figure exists because there have been services there to support grieving children for the last 30 years who've been looking for this data. The amount of young people bereaved of a parent or somebody important between the ages of:- 13 to 25 is much harder to find, but this lack of representation is about to change.

Youth bereavement charity, Winston's Wish, is calling out to bereaved:- 13 to 25 year olds to help guide them in:- 'doing better' at supporting their age group. Whilst continuing to support children as they've successfully done for the last 30 years, the charity is now focused on reaching those young people who've not found bereavement support available or relevant to them.

Their new mission is to portray the grief of young people as it's seen by them; through their language, expression and experience. Winston's Wish recognise that whilst they've got plenty of experience under their belt in how to support young people who've experienced the death of somebody important, they're not the experts in what young people want to see or hear, or where they want to go to find the help, young grieving people are!

Winston's Wish issued a statement which said:- "Instead of deciding what's best for them, we're ready to create the future with them. We'll create support in the way they want support and appear in the places they look for it."

But for all that to happen, Winston's Wish needs the young people to guide them!

If you are or know of a young people (aged 13 to 25) with experience of grief the charity wants you to be involved! They want to hear your experiences, thoughts, and ideas, so together they can change the lives of young grieving people for the better.

The charity has various ways to get involved; from a simple questionnaire, contributing some content for our social channels via the role of an Ambassador or becoming part of the charity's important decision making by taking a seat on the Youth advisory board. Help other's who've experienced similar by helping Winston's Wish reach their ambition of ensuring no young person faces grief alone.

If you'd like to help spread the word head to:- WinstonsWish.Org, where you can find a link to the questionnaire and application form for young people to get involved in shaping the future of Winston's Wish.