Archbishop of Liverpool declares open new wing of modern slavery safe house

THE Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon, has declared open the new wing of a Medaille Trust safe house which will provide refuge for 8 more victims of modern slavery.

The safe house in Merseyside is 1 of 10 Medaille Trust safe houses in the country. With the launch of 8 new rooms, the house can now provide supported accommodation for 18 male survivors of modern slavery.

Unveiling a plaque to declare the new wing of the house open, the Archbishop prayed for the project to go from success to success and stressed the need for assistance to be provided to those who need help and support.

The new wing was funded by the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. Their representative was delighted to see the plans come to fruition and was impressed by the modern and functional facility, which will be conducive to the residents' recovery as they begin to plan the next stage of their journey to increased freedom and independence.

Medaille's Mersey Service Manager Naomi Mumba-Dobson said:- "The 8 new beds will help us continue in our mission to provide accommodation and support to victims and survivors of modern slavery by giving people a lovely and warm place that they can use for their recovery and reflection period."

In a message to guests, CEO of Medaille Trust Garry Smith said:- "The number of victims of modern slavery is sadly growing significantly every year. Last year 129 men were referred to our survivor services in the North-West. We must continue to respond to this increase with much-needed support for those who escape and seek refuge and protection. The funding from the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, which we are very grateful for, has helped us with this response."

One of the survivors of modern slavery related his experience coming to live at the Mersey safe house. He said:- "I was really nervous when I arrived, but I was given a warm welcome, and from that day to this, my life has changed for the better. I have been shown kindness by every member of staff, and they helped me regain my confidence. I have been given access to various local services so I can build a promising future in front of me. I would like to thank all members of staff for the help and support they have given me."

Medaille Trust is now trying to raise just over 4 hundred thousand pounds to further improve the Mersey safe house with a counselling room, a sports and recreation room, a multi-faith prayer room, and a training room, among other facilities.

�11m awarded to NHS in the North West for cutting edge research equipment

MORE than �11 million has today been awarded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to NHS organisations in the North West to pay for cutting-edge research equipment and technology.

The investment is part of over �96 million awarded to 93 NHS organisations across England. The funding will drive research and innovation to enable scientific discoveries and new technologies to improve the prevention, management and treatment of disease. It will pay for a range of innovative equipment, including imaging devices, mobile research vehicles, ultrasound equipment, and specialist fridges and freezers that are essential for storing samples used in research.

The investment is focused in areas outside the Greater South East; with a particular emphasis on smaller Regional NHS Trusts. More than a fifth of the funding - over �20m - is being invested in these smaller Trusts to support the expansion of research into primary care and mobile research units, allowing the NHS to boost its delivery of research in the community and in rural areas.

This funding call will be the 1st of a series of NIHR calls for capital investment, with an emphasis on extending the reach of research into communities to improve access to cutting edge clinical trials.

The 93 organisations awarded funding are all part of the NIHR's wider infrastructure, which includes Biomedical Research Centres and Clinical Research Facilities, as well as the NIHR's Clinical Research Network.

As well as supporting the NIHR's cutting-edge research, the awarded:- �96,271,285 will enhance the ability of the successful organisations to leverage additional funding from research funders, including commercial companies. In turn, this will reaffirm the UK's position as 1 of the most attractive places in the world for innovative companies to invest in research.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:- "From Devon to Liverpool, we're giving NHS organisations over �96 million to bolster vital health and care research. Scientists and medical experts will be able to purchase cutting-edge equipment, like mobile CT scanners, imaging devices and ultrasound equipment to help their ground breaking work in the prevention, treatment and management of disease. The NHS and its staff have now served us for nearly 75 years and as we celebrate that achievement we want to make sure the health service is leading the way. This investment will also help the NHS continue to cut waiting lists � 1 of the Government's top 5 priorities."

Boosting research in the North West... Five NHS Trusts in the North West will be using the funding to invest in a variety of equipment to boost research. They will also distribute funds to other NHS organisations in the area, including selected NIHR Local Clinical Research Networks. Funded equipment includes MRI scanners, ECG machines, lab equipment including specialist freezers and cell analysis machines, and blood analysis technology.

NHS Trusts in the North West awarded funding:-