Creative Worcestershire pupils win national NHS competition

2 10 year old friends are celebrating after being named national winners in a prestigious annual contest which promotes the NHS. Alice Watkins and Charlotte Conway, pupils at Clifton-upon-Teme Primary School near Worcester, have scooped 1st prize in the:- 'Step into the NHS' Primary School Competition for 2023.

The girls beat more than 700 entries to win the contest, which highlights the wealth of career opportunities available within the health service. Their project was a clever and entertaining animation featuring Lego figures. The stop-motion video tells the story of Eliza the paramedic and how she interacts with other NHS staff including porters, chefs and more. It also clearly carries the message that anyone can work for the NHS, regardless of their gender or background.

You can watch their winning entry here:-

To celebrate, the duo and their Schoolfriends were joined by Josh Cotterill of West Midlands Ambulance Service, pictured with the girls, who was able to show them round the vehicle and explain the busy role of a paramedic for real. They also won Amazon gift vouchers.

Charlotte said:- "Our inspiration came from the lessons that we did in School all about the NHS. We loved learning all about the different jobs and when we researched the paramedic role, we were fascinated to find out what their typical day was like. We also spoke to people in School and 1 member of staff had a friend who was a paramedic so we were able to ask some extra questions that helped us with our competition entry."

Alice added:- "We loved the NHS project as it opened our eyes to how important the NHS is to all of our lives and just how many people they help every day. It made us realise that any skill can be useful for a career in the NHS. We felt using animation would help people to understand the work of a paramedic much better and would maybe inspire people to become paramedics or work for the NHS in the future. We're very proud to be national winners and hope that people enjoy watching our video."

Step into the NHS is an exciting resource and School careers competition that raises awareness of the more than 350 career opportunities in the NHS, while supporting the career aspirations of young people in education. 

  As the largest employer in Europe, the NHS offers a job to suit everyone, no matter what their interests or skills are.

Dr Navina Evans, Chief Workforce, Training and Education Officer at NHS England, said:- "I think Alice and Charlotte's video is just brilliant, and the voiceovers are fantastic! It's fun as well as engaging, and really demonstrates that there's a role in the NHS for all. Huge congratulations to the girls, and a big thank you to everyone who took part."

Class teacher Claire Hughes said:- "Here at Clifton, we want all of our children to have experiences that inspire and shape futures and this the third time we've been involved in the Step into the NHS competition. We feel it's important for our children to explore a range of careers, challenge stereotypes and understand that whatever their skills and talents, there is a career for you. The children thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the project and we are all so proud of our national winners!"

For more details on how to enter the Step into the NHS contest next year, please see here:- StepIntoTheHHS.NHS.UK.

Damien Moore MP welcomes new Conservative Government funding boost for childcare providers in Sefton

MEMBER of Parliament for Southport, Damien Moore, has welcomed the news that childcare providers in Sefton will receive a 6.8% increase to their hourly childcare payments for children aged 3 to 4, and a 29.7% increase to the hourly rate for 2 yea -olds.

Through a new standalone top up grant called the Early Years Supplementary Grant (EYSG), Local Authorities will receive this funding, representing a total of additional �204 million in funding for childcare providers.

It will take the average rate paid for places for:- 3 and 4 yea -olds from its current:- �5.29 per hour to �5.65 per hour, and take the average rate paid for places for 2 yea -olds from its current �6.00 per hour to �7.95 per hour.

This funding boost is vital to support the sector as the Conservative Government rolls out record reforms across childcare services, including 30 hours free childcare to all under four children by 2025. As more families can rely on affordable childcare, parents will be able to take up more work and help grow the economy.

This news comes after the Conservative Government continues to invest record amounts into education for our young people, with �1,895,316 extra funding being delivered to primary and secondary schools across the nation.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:- "Supporting and expanding our childcare sector means more parents can return to work. It is only right that we remove barriers that prevent workers from doing their jobs, and that we support all those with young children in any way we can. I am very pleased that thanks to this Government, Sefton childcare providers will see their hourly payments increase for the children they look after. The Conservatives are rightly making sure more parents can rely on affordable childcare, allowing them to take up more work and help grow the economy."

Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan MP, said:- "Today is a great step forward as we deliver on the largest ever expansion of childcare which will be transformational for working families and will help grow our economy. I want childcare to be truly affordable and available when and where parents need it. This initial investment of over �200 million will go a long way in supporting the fantastic early years sector to prepare for the expansion of free childcare hours available to parents in 2024."

A hat trick for Liverpool at the park Oscars

THIS year Liverpool's Parks have scooped 3 Green flag Awards following a mystery shop-style visit to assess numerous aspects of the parks, including:- cleanliness, overall condition, flower beds, and litter management. Each year, the City's parks play host to thousands of visitors, including summer events such as:- Africa Oy� and The Arabic Arts Festival, and other seasonal activities, and are also the lungs of our community.

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said:- "I would like to congratulate everyone involved on achieving a Green Flag Award. All of our winners provide vital green space for communities, bring people together and create opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure these precious parks and green spaces maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement."

The 3 Liverpool parks that have picked up a national award are as follows:-

Sefton Park - Following an amazing year in 2022, when the Park celebrated its 150th Anniversary, in 2023, it is again celebrating after picking up the award for the 16th year in a row. This Park is widely regarded as 1 of the country's most outstanding public parks, with a distinctive landscape of watercourses. It is the City's only Grade I listed park, home to the Palm House, a lake and a playground.
Stanley Park - gets the flag for the 16th year in a row. the park sits between:- Liverpool and Everton's football grounds, was designed by leading Victorian landscape architect Edward Kemp. The 110 acre site was opened in 1870 and is renowned for its distinctive design and architecture, which includes a formal terrace with lawns and bedding displays enhanced by 5 sturdy gothic style shelters in red sandstone. The Grade II listed park also features the refurbished Victorian Isla Gladstone Conservatory.

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene, said:- "I'm delighted to see Sefton, Stanley and Chavasse Parks retaining their prestigious Green Flag status. All of our parks play a key role in the health and wellbeing of our City, giving our residents a green space where they can walk, run, cycle, play and relax. I would like to pay tribute to our parks team and the community volunteer groups who work with us to keep our parks and green spaces looking clean and beautiful."
Chavasse Park - Claiming the flag for the 11th successive year, the 5 acres of open space is a beautifully landscaped gardens, at the very heart of Liverpool ONE. The landscaped area provides an oasis of calm in the City Centre and regular 1 off and seasonal events. It was named after local war hero Noel Godfrey Chavasse - 1 of only 3 British subjects to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice. Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "We're absolutely thrilled to have Chavasse Park awarded Green Flag status for the 11th consecutive year and we're proud to be in such incredible company across the City and in the UK. Chavasse Park plays a vital role in making Liverpool ONE a welcoming place to come and experience and, as ever, this recognition is a real testament to the hard work and dedication of the Liverpool ONE team in providing a beautiful and well-maintained green space for our visitors to enjoy."