Pine Court Housing Association joins the race at Lord Mayor's Dragon Boat Festival

PINE Court Housing Association proudly participated in the 50th Anniversary Lord Mayor's Dragon Boat Race, held at Queens Dock's Liverpool Watersports Centre. The Dragon Boat Festival commemorate the life and death of poet Qu Yuan, who drowned after being banished from the country. Villagers raced boats to retrieve his body and threw rice dumplings to ward off fish. These traditions evolved into the festival's customs.

The event, which celebrates Chinese culture, kicked off with a vibrant lion dance ceremony. Spectators and participants enjoyed thrilling dragon boat races, delicious Zongzi dumplings, and the rhythmic beat of drums.

The Liverpool Chinese Students and Scholars Association hosted a variety of cultural activities throughout the day. Participants tried their hand at cord crafting, creating their own Zongzi, exploring clay modelling, and engaging in traditional marble games.

"Colleagues at Pine Court Housing Association thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Lord Mayor's Dragon Boat Race. We are committed to fostering inclusive and vibrant communities that celebrate diversity. Embracing traditions which celebrate the Chinese culture shared by many of our colleagues, residents, and partner organisations, is an experience we all truly value. We look forward to participating in this event again next year." said Shaun Williams, Senior Housing Officer.

All proceeds raised will support the Lord Mayor's chosen charity, Local Solutions and its AIMS project, which provides vital support to vulnerable young people.

Don't lose out; extend Child Benefit for your 16 to 19 year old

MORE than a million parents will receive reminders from this week to extend Child Benefit for their teenagers if they are continuing their education or training after their GCSEs. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sending more than 1.4 million Child Benefit reconfirmation letters to parents between:- 24 May and 17 July 2024. The letters include a QR code which, when scanned, directs them straight to Gov.UK to update their claim quickly and easily online.

Child Benefit is worth up to £1,331 a year for the 1st or only child, and up to £881 a year for each additional child. Payments will automatically stop on 31 August on or after the child has turned 16 unless parents renew their claim where their child is continuing in education. If their:- 16 to 19 year old intends to continue in approved education or training, parents can use the online service on:- Gov.UK or the HMRC app so they do not miss out.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said:- "Child Benefit is an important financial support for many families, so make sure you don't miss out on any payments if your teenager intends to continue approved education or training. You can quickly and easily extend your claim online or via the HMRC app, just search 'Child Benefit when your child turns 16' on:- Gov.UK."

Parents have until:- 31 August 2024, to take action or their payments will automatically stop. Letting HMRC know digitally that a child is continuing in education is the quickest way to get it sorted, with no need to contact us by phone or post. If a customer has not received their letter by:- 17 July 2024, there is no need to worry; if eligible, they can still extend their Child Benefit claim via:- Gov.UK or the HMRC app.

Child Benefit can continue to be paid for children who are studying full time in approved non-advanced education, which includes:-

• A levels or Scottish Highers.
  

• International Baccalaureate.
  

• home education; if it started before their child turned 16, or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs and it was assessed by the local authority.
  

• T levels.
  

• NVQs, up to level 3.

Child Benefit will also continue for children studying on 1 of these unpaid approved training courses:-

• In Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme.
  

• In Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work.
  

• In Scotland: Employability Fund programme and No 1 Left Behind.

If a child changes their mind about further education or training, parents can simply inform HMRC online or in the HMRC app and payments will be adjusted accordingly. Parents will need a Government Gateway user ID and password to use HMRC's online services. If they do not have 1 already, they can register on:- Gov.UK and will just need their National Insurance number or postcode, and 2 forms of ID.