Southport MP spends a day in the life of a carer - National Charity Revitalise

DAMIEN joined Revitalise's team of carers at their Southport location, becoming a volunteer for the day, and gained valuable insight into the vital work they carry out as the only provider of respite holidays with 24-hour care for people with complex disabilities.

Damien also had the opportunity to meet with some of the family carers and their disabled loved ones who holiday at Sandpipers, chatting to them about how important respite breaks and holidays are and how challenging things can be without them.

This initiative forms part of Revitalise's efforts to highlight how many disabled people and carers miss out on holidays due to the barriers of affordability, accessibility, travel, and the requirement for care support.

Damien said of his visit:- "It is always a pleasure to visit Sandpipers, and to speak to some of the regular guests and carers at Revitalise's premier Southport site. It's no surprise that some guests have been returning to Southport for over 25 years, the dedication and continued hard work of the staff and volunteers is abundantly clear. There is a serious need for disabled people and their carers to be able to access regular respite breaks - whether this is to alleviate the daily pressures faced by unpaid carers and the strain this can place on relationships, or to ensure that disabled people have the opportunity to enjoy holidays with friends in a setting specifically suited to their care needs. The Government has invested an unprecedented amount of money into health and social care and we must make sure that this funding is going to the right places, to support the millions of adults and young people who provide unpaid care to family members and friends each year. There is work to be done to ensure that this funding for respite breaks can be made more easily available to disabled people and their carers, with no administrative delays. That is why I will continue my ongoing work with Revitalise to promote the accessibility of these breaks, and have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to highlight the aims of the 'Give me a break' campaign, in addition to the lived experiences of guests at Sandpipers."

Rebecca Young, Director of Strategy, Impact and External Affairs at Revitalise, added:- "Damien Moore MP has long been a supporter of our work at Sandpipers, and I thank him and his team for spending a full day with our guests, carers, and volunteers. At Revitalise our vision is to ensure that every disabled person and carer can enjoy the holiday they want with the support they need. But the cost of living crisis and funding cuts have, for many, put the prospect of respite care beyond the reach of those who urgently need a break. Disabled people, their carers and their families are at breaking point. It is our hope that in sharing our many success stories with Damien he recognises the important lifeline Revitalise offers in the disability and care sector and the acute need for more access to respite care in England."

SOME of Liverpool's most iconic venues set the stage for a huge Black Arts festival in the City, showcasing award winning artists such as:- YolanDa Brown OBE DL. BlackFest 2023 will feature:- live music, theatre, film, spoken word, visual arts, fashion and more; with an exciting programme of Black Arts celebrating, centring and representing cultural diversity in Liverpool.

BlackFest has recently been inducted as a portfolio organisation for Liverpool City Region. The multi-award-winning festival, now in its 6th year, is showcasing some incredible talent at venues such as:- Unity Theatre, The Palm House, Museum Of Liverpool and The Philharmonic Hall in August, September and October 2023.

The festival kicks off on:- Sunday, 27 August, from:- 12pm, when the Museum Of Liverpool will come alive with colour, live music and celebration! The day will consist of an array of live music from the likes of Djembe Drumming, performance from the likes of Afrodance Academy and independent black businesses presenting a range of artisan products. A free family friendly event with something for everyone, it's 1 of the events of the year in the City!

BlackFest Visual Arts will be hosted by Smithdown Social Arts Hub with a series free visual arts workshops and a 2 week exhibition. The programme will feature artists such as Hellen Songa presenting Mwalula: photography on sustainability and environment, DJ Soulfultiz as a visual life drawing artist, Petronelle showcasing precious Congolese artifacts and Okechukwu Ugonna landscape art of the Wirral. From foraging, landscape and life drawing fine art, there's an interactive workshop for everyone. Dates available are the launch on:- Tuesday, 17 October, along with workshops on:- Thursday, 19 October, Saturday, 21 October and Wednesday, 25 October 2023.

A fascinating night of conversation and book launch with award winning author, playwright and rapper, Ash Nugent is taking place at Liverpool Lighthouse on Mon 25th Sept. A literary powerhouse, Ash is the author of Locks; a profound book based on his life; and is also the Founder of Rise Up CIC, where he helps reform prisoners. A night of literature and conversation to spark the imagination!

This year BlackFest and Panoptical are teaming up to deliver #Realise; compiling the experiences of black men in Liverpool into theatre pieces inspired by the original campaign. The new works created will air as devised LIVE theatre and film pieces as a creative response to the themes of BBJG film, plus screening of original dice poem film Black Boy Joy Gone, followed by a panel discussion at Unity Theatre on Tues 26th Sept. A profound night that captures the lives, realities and hopeful perspectives of black men in Liverpool, this powerful production features interviews, poetry, dance and storytelling. A gripping mental health related production that will have a lasting impact on the audience.

A very special free concert sees Satin Beige perform at the grand Tung Auditorium, at:- 1pm, on:- Wednesday 27 September 2023. A supremely talented artist, she has received an award at the UK Music awards (2017), opened the main stage at Africa Oye (2019) and played sessions for the BBC. A free event featuring 1 of Liverpool's finest vocalists.

Meanwhile, at 7pm at The Tung Auditorium Double MOBO Award winning artist YolanDa Brown OBE DL comes to Liverpool for 1 night only! Having toured with:- The Temptations, Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and Billy Ocean and having collaborated with artists such as:- Dave Stewart from Eurythmics, Kelly Jones from Stereophonics and Rick Astley, YolanDa Brown OBE DL is a force of nature!

A magical night of poetry at The Palm House on:- Thursday, 28 September 2023, will feature an exceptional line up of Liverpool's and Manchester's emerging and established poets Naami J Soya, Sian the Visionary, Sidney Conteh and Alexis Maxwell. Join BlackFest for a night of collective conscious and wonderful wordsmiths, with an open mic for any budding poets in the audience.

On Saturday 30 September, Riddims: Celebrating 50 Years Of Hip Hop is taking place at The Philharmonic Hall. This exciting showcase features headline artists Testament, a world record breaking beatboxer who will be hosting a hip hop history and beatbox workshop and DJ Andy H. The night will also feature artists Remee, Yilly and Conduits and Bboy battles between award winning MD Creatives' Miguel Doforo and AfroDance Academy. A night of hip hop, beatboxing and intense energy, Riddims Night brings all the energy!

Thanks to Community Foundation Lancashire and Merseyside, BlackFest are hosting a huge fashion festival at the plush Zenn venue; featuring:- award winning fashion designers such as Tayamika Fashion, Tare Isaac, Enadia and Cultureville, Lohi Founder of Afrofashion UK. A must for fashion afficionados, this event brings 2 cities closer together; featuring 5 designers from Liverpool and 5 from Manchester.

Join BlackFest once again as they close the festival with a bang, featuring an exciting line up of incredible artists and performers including:- Rokaya, Andre Jahnoi, Keith Coker, Tyrone Lewis, Wxndchxme, Cherelle, Gabriel Oyediwura, Sian The Visonary, Be Manzini, Elizabetta, Nzanzu , Kingfast, Interstella global CIC Benji Effect and more. A party like no other featuring live music, entertainment and community performances!