International Nurses Day 2020
ON 12 May 2020, it is
International Nurses Day, is marked each year on the anniversary
of Florence Nightingale's birth, and this year is even more
relevant than ever. All around the world, nurses are working
tirelessly to provide the care and attention people need,
whenever and wherever they need it. We should all remember the
work they do in our lives, from birth to death.
Small
employers welcome part time furlough, while self employed seek
assurances
RESPONDING to the
announcement that the Job
Retention Scheme will be extended to the end of October, with
employers given the freedom to furlough staff on a part time
basis from August, Michael Sandys, Federation of Small
Businesses (FSB) Area Leader for Liverpool City Region, said:-
"Extending the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) and allowing small
firms to furlough staff on a part time basis will protect
thousands of livelihoods over the months ahead. Our members have
been telling us loud and clear that the ability to furlough
staff on a part time basis will be central to aiding gradual
recovery at a time when economic activity is still in the
doldrums. We await further detail on the contributions that will
be required of small employers after July. We need to ensure
that those obligations are affordable for the many businesses
that have had no revenue coming in for months now, but still
have fixed overheads to worry about. Our 5 million strong, self
employed community is also seeking reassurances about the
measures that will be taken to avoid a cliff edge moment where
income support is concerned. Many have benefited from the hugely
ambitious income support scheme that was established for them;
some have not; but they will all need additional help from this
government over the coming months. Policymakers may have to look
very closely at additional hardship funds for those that are
currently falling through the gaps."
Children's access and
response to news and information about Covid-19
OFCOM has published
research on how children aged 12 to 15 are receiving and acting
on news and information during the current Coronavirus pandemic.
The research, which is based on the responses of over 500
children and covers weeks three and four of the 'lockdown,'
shows that:-
► Nearly all 12 to 15 year olds (96%)
said they had accessed news about Covid-19 in the last week.
► 96% of 12 to 15s who speak to family
members for news about the virus are confident their relatives
tell them the truth about it. The BBC's reporting on the
pandemic is also highly trusted by those children that use it
(87%).
► Children are more likely to turn to
BBC TV than other broadcasters for news about the outbreak
(49%), compared with a 3rd who use ITV (30%) and a 5th who get
information from Sky (21%).
► Just under ½
of 12 to 15''s use social media as a source of information about
the virus (48%), with YouTube (20%), Facebook or Facebook
Messenger (20%) and Instagram (18%), proving most popular.
► 52% of children agree that they are
finding it hard to know what is true or false about Covid-19.
► A clear majority of children agree
that the crisis is showing good things about our country, such
as more support for the NHS (83%).
Separately, we have also published our latest weekly research
which shows UK adults' consumption of news and information about
the Coronavirus. During week 6 of lockdown:-
► The majority of respondents (94%)
continued to access news about the Coronavirus at least once a
day. But only 8% of people now access news about the pandemic at
least 20 times a day, compared with a quarter (24%) in week 1.
► Women are more likely than men to be
actively avoiding news about the virus (37% vs. 29%).
► Fewer people have come across false
or misleading information about Coronavirus in the last week
(47% vs. 50% in week 5).
► Only 4% of people forwarded or
shared the misinformation, compared with 7% in week 1.
Garden Centre in
Southport to open on Wednesday
FOLLOWING updated
guidance from the UK Government that Garden Centres may open,
the UK's leading Garden Centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres,
will reopen its 54 English stores, on Wednesday, 13 May 2020.
This includes the Southport store in Merseyside.
The safety of team members and customers remains Dobbies' number
one priority and social distancing measures have been
implemented to allow the stores to operate safely.
There will be a limited number of customers permitted in the
stores at 1 time. A queuing system will be in operation outside
the stores, with two metre markers in place to help maintain
social distancing. Hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations
will be available at all store entrances.
Protective screens have been installed at tills and customers
will be asked to pay with card or contactless, where possible.
Appropriate PPE has been provided for team members, who will
also receive training and regular briefings on how to keep
themselves and customers safe. Rigorous daily hygiene routines
will continue throughout the stores.
Whilst the restaurants and soft plays will remain temporarily
closed, Dobbies will offer a takeaway menu including:- hot and
cold drinks, soups, toasties, panini and selected bakery items
from Friday, 15 May 2020. Club Plus members will be able to
redeem their hot drink credits and birthday treat vouchers.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said:- "We
have taken care to ensure we are following guidance provided by
the Government, British Retail Consortium and Horticultural
Trade Association to reopen responsibly. Our team is well
prepared, social distancing measures are in place and we look
forward to welcoming customers back into our store in Southport
and across England. I would like to thank our team members and
customers for their understanding during these uncertain times."
CLA comments on crucial
stage of Agriculture Bill
THE Agriculture Bill is
scheduled to have its:- 'Report Stage' in the House of Commons, on
Wednesday, 13 May 2020, the last opportunity for MPs to discuss
and amend this Bill before it passes over to the House of Lords
for consideration. CLA Director North Dorothy Fairburn said:-
"The Agriculture Bill enables the biggest change in agriculture
policy in a generation. In many ways it is a welcome step
forward, laying the foundations for the Environmental Land
Management Scheme which has the potential to be a world leading
environmental stewardship policy. But the hard work of
Government and farmers alike will be for nothing if we fail to
support our world class standards. That's why it is vital that
MPs take steps to guarantee farmers a level playing field in
international trade, so that we are not flooded by cheap imports
produced to lower environmental and animal welfare standards.
Given the impact of COVID-19 on Government time and the
uncertainties currently facing farmers, it is also imperative
that Government delays the beginning of the transition away from
direct payments for 12 months. This world class policy deserves
to succeed, but it won't if the transition starts before the
full details are published and understood."
Covid-19: PCC provides
emergency funding to support victims of crime most in need
MERSEYSIDE'S Police
Commissioner has made an emergency grant available to Victim
Support, 1 of the charities she commissions through the Victim
Care Merseyside service, to help vulnerable victims of crime
that they identify are most in need to buy essential food and
hygiene items during the Coronavirus epidemic.
The ₤2,000 express grant will enable Victim Support to provide
supermarket vouchers to victims of crime who are assessed as
being in greatest need during the Covid-19 outbreak due to the
direct impact of a crime
In the past year, Victim Support has provided 18 victims and 11
families they were supporting with short term emergency
financial help, but in light of the Covid-19 outbreak demand on
this service has increased. Victim Support also offers food bank
vouchers to victims they assess as most in need due to the
impact of a crime
Jane Kennedy said:- "The global Coronavirus pandemic is
having a profound effect on so many people in our society and,
sadly, it has exacerbated the challenging circumstances
experienced by some victims of crime. This hardship grant is
designed to assist Victim Support in helping those individuals
who are in really desperate circumstances to ensure they can
access essential food and hygiene supplies. Victim Support do a
tremendous job ensuring that vulnerable victims get the best
possible care and support. Sadly, in some circumstances the
people they are caring for really do have very little at the
moment. I want to enable Victim Support to ensure that no victim
of crime is left without food or essential items."
Victim Support's Operations Manager Barbara Oakley said:-
"This will have a great impact on the services we are able to
offer to those who really need it. After experiencing crime and
trauma, financial problems just add to the distress. This extra
funding will allow us to support those in genuine need when it
is direct impact of criminal behaviour."
If you've been affected by crime, please visit:-
VictimCareMerseyside.Org; a
1 stop shop of advice and guidance. It also contains a full
directory of organisations that can offer you support to cope
and recover.
Fundraisers needed for
rebrickulous Lego Walk
CAUDWELL Children, the
national charity that provides practical and emotional support
to disabled children and their families, is appealing for
fundraisers to sign up for its charity Lego Walk, on Sunday, 31
May, 2020. Lego walking has become increasingly popular in
recent years with the current Guinness World Record being held
by Sonny Molina, from Illinois, USA, who walked 12,696ft 2in
over the interlocking plastic bricks. The team at Caudwell
Children say the challenge can be enjoyed by adults and children
alike, and that it will give families something interesting and
rewarding to do together during the current health crisis
lockdown.
"Nearly everybody has had that experience of standing on a
little plastic block of Lego and it can really hurt. So we've
enlisted the support of UK Firewalks, experts in creating mind
over matter experiences where people can use their willpower to
overcome physical obstacles, to create a rebrickulous, fun event
for all the family." explained Kate McMahon, from
Caudwell Children.
Whilst most sponsored walks involve covering many miles the Lego
Walk will see participants testing themselves over just a few
yards. Kate continued:- "We don't expect anyone to match
Sonny's world record. But after a training video by UK Firewalks,
you'll be able to confidently take off your shoes, slip off your
socks, and head for your home based brick pit where you'll be
able to walk barefoot over a lane of potentially painful Lego
bricks safely and pain free!"
Through a number of pre-recorded videos UK Firewalks, will show
participants a variety of walking techniques that will ensure
that their fearless feet can handle the challenge.
Kate added that:- "They will give participants all
the guidelines and advice that they need to complete the walk
with their toes and soles of the feet intact. We're also hoping
to show the event live on our website, as well as posting videos
on a private Facebook group, so that participants can share
their experience with others. So if you dare to brave the Lego
Walk challenge sign up now. You will have loads of fun and
you'll also be helping Caudwell Children to support disabled
children across the UK.".
Scott Bell, founder of UK Firewalk, says that this type of
walking challenge can have a profound effect on participants. As
he explained:- "Many walkers overcome their fears or find
self fulfilment, but they always have a wonderful experience."
Kate, says that the challenge will take participants out of
their comfort zone. Kate commented that:- "It will
challenge their perceived notions of pain. They will realise
that they have the potential to overcome their fears and that
their determination will take them where they want to go, which
can be quite liberating."
Businesses are also being encouraged to use the challenge as a
team building exercise at a time when many employees are still
unable to return to their place of work.
"As long as you have a decent amount of Lego you'll be able to
give it a le-go. It's just ₤5 to register and we're asking
people to set themselves a minimum sponsorship target of ₤25."
concluded Kate.
Caudwell Children will supply all those who register with
sponsorship forms.
To register call Kate McMahon on:- 01782 433754 or email:-
Kate.McMahon@CaudwellChildren.Com.
Cheshire based Neubria
set to donate £1m worth of Food Booster Boxes annually for
struggling families
CHESHIRE based health
company, Neubria, creators of a brain health supplement range,
is donating Family Food Booster Boxes, to those unable to afford
basic food for families based in the North West of England. The
company has a mission to donate the Family Food Boxes to at
least one thousand households per week. The free Family Food
Booster Box, which consists of 11 essential food products such
as:- fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice and milk (see full list
below), is set to provide households with essential foods to
provide basic needs for their loved ones.
Jonny Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Neubria
says;- "Keeping ourselves healthy and taking care of our
loved ones is now, more than ever, our number one priority.
Given the challenges during these uncertain times, our dedicated
team would like to offer a helping hand to those families
struggling to put food on the table."
Brian Kennedy, chairman of Neubria, and former owner of Sale
Sharks commented:- "As we are a local business based in
Cheshire, we are looking for families who live in the North West
of England to apply online for a Family Food Booster Box. We
have the capacity to issue up to a 1000 Family Food Booster
Boxes per week. We do also have a view of expanding further
afield in the future so we can reach more families who are in
desperately in need of food across the UK."
The Family Food Booster Box consists of:-
►Tinned Vegetables
► Tinned Fruit
► Milk
► Peeled Plum Tomatoes
► Pasta
► Rice
► Tuna
► Baked Beans
► Cereal
► Kidney Beans
► Fruit Juice
To apply for a Family Food Booster Box, please visit:-
Neubria.Com and fill out an
application form to find out if you are eligible. If eligible,
the Family Booster Boxes will be delivered discretely within 2
to 3 days to each household.
Total UK cases
COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region and
surroundings
THE latest COVID-19
pandemic fatalities of UK Hospital patients has
gone up by:- 627, taking to total to:- 32,692. Current the
number of Laboratory confirmed
COVID-19 infections has also risen by:- 3,403 to 226,463. Within
England, Department of Health said that the total of UK
confirmed cases is:- 137,940. North West now has had a total of:-
22,666
confirmed cases, both current and historical. Current Hospital Laboratory confirmed cases
within the following Local Authorities, in and around the
Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 1,512 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 866 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 1,140 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 702 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 349 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 3,191 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 937 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 1,041 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 1,349 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 971 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 691 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 1,005 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 904 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 670 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 649 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 550 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 957 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 370 confirmed cases.
These stats are according to Public Health England as of
12/05/2020. Last updated 4.00pm GMT. UK total includes cases
detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by
commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of
the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests
carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs)..
UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing
(tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does
not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only
include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved
Administration Labs).
UK Government Coronavirus Press
Conference on 12 May 2020 Video