Dunelm Sefton to help locals use their skills and spare time to generate extra income to combat cost of living crisis

AS the cost of living crisis continues to impact many across the North West, Dunelm, the UK's leading homewares retailer, is hosting a free workshop at its Sefton store to show local customers how they can put their handy skills and spare time to good use to boost their income through local services marketplace, Airtasker. The event will take place on:- Wednesday, 22 February 2023, at 6:15pm, in the store's Pausa café; with complimentary tea, coffee and cake on offer as well. Whether attendees are a dab hand at assembling flat pack furniture and putting up shelves or have the time to take on errands like local pick-up and delivery, the workshop will demonstrate how they could turn their talents into cash and potentially earning over £4,000 a month.  Cheshire based Chris Elliott, 49, will be sharing his story of how Airtasker has helped him to create a side income, as well as taking part in a live Q&A. Chris joined Airtasker, in July 2022, after semi retiring from a successful career. His resourceful approach and practical skills have seen him turning his hand to a wide variety of jobs via the Airtasker app, from assembling flat pack furniture, to jump starting cars to editing medical manuscripts!

Chris Elliot says:- "I had little idea of what to expect when I signed up to Airtasker, but am delighted with both the income it has generated for me and the flexible way in which I am able to decide which tasks are the ones I want to take on. I know it's great for my customers as well, to be able to choose a local person at the right price to help them with the tasks they are unable to take on themselves. I am really looking forward to sharing more about my experience as a 'Tasker' to the customers attending the Dunelm Sefton workshop."

Peter Hynes, Store Manager of the Sefton store said:- "We know some customers are keen to generate extra income in these challenging times, so this free workshop is a great opportunity to get them started, using skills they already have to help others and make some money in the process. We also hope other customers will benefit from having locally available people to help them with practical tasks like assembling flat pack furniture or hanging a mirror."

Anyone interested in the scheme is able to view what they could earn through Airtasker with its Side Hustle Calculator.

Earning potentials include:-

► Assembling furniture (£416)

► Pick up and delivery (£312)

► Painting (£901)

► Cleaning (£409)

* Over 1 month doing just 2 tasks a week.

Dunelm's association with Airtasker is just 1 initiative that the retailer is introducing in the North West to help its network of stores support members of their local community, during what is a challenging time for so many. The initiatives range from community charity projects to the new Home to Home homeware donation scheme, part of Dunelm's wider commitment to a circular economy.  For anyone in the Sefton area interested in attending, signing up for free is easy via the EventBrite link Sign up online. The event will take place at:- Dunelm Sefton, Pausa Café, Dunnings Bridge Road, Liverpool L306TQ, on Wednesday, 22 February 2023, from:- 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm.

We would also be interested to know your thoughts on this topic, so please email them to our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

People across North West urged to take part in Big Swim Day

PEOPLE across the North West are being urged to show their support for community swimming pools by joining in Big Swim Day. The event, being held on:- Friday, 24 February 2023, aims to demonstrate the level of local public support for swimming pools and other public leisure and cultural facilities, at a time of unprecedented pressure. And they are being urged to do so by going for a dip and showing their support on social media. Operators of pools across the Region are among those supporting the drive. The recent UK Government decision to massively scale back financial support for pools to cover their energy costs have placed many under increasing financial pressure, as costs have spiralled out of control. Swimming pools are particularly dependent on energy use, both in maintaining the ambient temperature in the facility and in heating the pool water to the right temperature for leisure use. The rise in energy costs has come on top of financial challenges arising out of closure during the period of the coronavirus Pandemic, as well as continuing public expenditure constraints over many years. Big Swim Day is being organised by Community Leisure UK (CLUK), the industry body representing the operators of 880 pools across England, Scotland and Wales. It is calling on Ministers to rethink the decision not to continue providing support for the sector to pay its energy bills.

Phil Rumbelow, Chair of CLUK, said:- "Big Swim Day is the ideal opportunity for local people to show support for local community pools, facing unprecedented financial challenges, and while doing so to have a great time and build mental health and physical wellbeing. There's no need to make special arrangements; just come along on the day! We hope that regular swimmers will make an additional visit next Friday, and many of the community who have not been for a while, but know the important part public leisure plays in the life of the community, will make a special visit. Have a swim, bring your friends and family, and share your support for the day on social media using #bigswimday and #saveourpools."