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7th September 2022

Welcome to the latest edition of the Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action E-Bulletin...

Pinpoint Consultation - Thursday 8th September

Currently, if your doctor thinks you might have cancer they will refer you for urgent investigation at hospital via something called the ‘2 week wait’. Over 90% of people referred this way don’t have cancer, but can spend weeks worrying that they do. The PinPoint Test is a brand new blood test which makes it possible to let people know their likelihood of having cancer in just 48 hours. Healthwatch St Helens would like to invite you to a focus group to hear more about the Pinpoint Test and discuss how it can be used to best suit patients. The focus group is open to anyone, however, if you have ever been investigated for or diagnosed with cancer it would be particularly great to have you there. You don’t need to have any special medical or technical knowledge, just a willingness to share your honest opinions and take part in discussions. The focus group is on 8th September, 2022, from 9.30am to 11.30 am...

Bereavement Cafe - Halton

Recharge and Restore received funding from Community Foundation for Merseyside to run a Bereavement Cafe addressing loss, isolation, separation and anything else that arises. This pilot project began on Tuesday 6 September at Community Shop, near Shopping City, and the second session is on Tuesday 20 September at Community Cabin, Halton Haven. They will run 2 sessions a month at these 2 venues. They're not offering counselling but will create a safe and welcoming space for you to meet others, share your experiences and hopefully go away feeling better than when you came. There is no need to book - you can just come along. They'll have tea and biscuits and space for you. Come, share if you wish, be heard or just be...

Autumn Physical Activity Programmes - St Helens Council

St Helens Sports Development have 2 new programmes starting this month, plus their community-based Gentle Exercise sessions for older people. New 10-week St Helens Autumn Couch to 5k programme starts on Monday 19th September. This is a great beginner fitness programme, that doesn't require running - you can walk the whole programme. Working in partnership with Capitol Squash Club, they have a new 6-week ladies' beginner squash programme, also starting on Monday 19th September. They also have some spaces available at their Fit Forever Gentle Exercise sessions at Eccleston Library and Thatto Heath Library. These sessions aim to build up strength, mobility and balance and can be done fully seated too. All these sessions are open to your staff, service users, friends and family...

Trauma Informed Therapist - Cheshire / Merseyside

Survivors Manchester is currently looking for individuals that have the passion and abilities to be part of an utterly amazing team delivering their trauma-informed therapy service in prison settings. For the past 13 years, Survivors Manchester has provided survivor-focused therapeutic and advocacy support to male victims/survivors of sexual abuse, rape, and sexual exploitation. They have developed a three-tiered approach to services and underpin everything we do with a ‘trauma and recovery’ framework pioneered by Dr Judith Herman. They are currently commissioned to deliver their trauma therapy services across 15 North West prisons and due to expansion,  are looking for motivated and skilled practitioners to work in a fascinating, vital, and sometimes challenging environment...

Halton Funding Bulletin – September 2022

The External Funding Team at Halton Borough Council have sent over their latest funding bulletin covering recent grants alerts for the period 2 August to 31 August 2022. If you would like support to bid to any of the funding streams listed in the Bulletin, they can support with this...

Cost of Living Stakeholder Support

Shop at Iceland using a Fair For You Food Club Card.  Available exclusively to new customers, the Food Club Card helps you stock up your freezer at Iceland, both in store and online, using a preloaded card. Spread the cost of the holidays this year with credit provided by Fair for You – an award-winning, not-for-profit lender rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot...

Applications Reopen For Community Action Fund

Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer’s Community Action Fund has reopened, with money available for projects across Cheshire that will prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. The application window is now open from 1 September – 30 November 2022. The fund makes £100,000 available for projects which benefit their local community by working towards improving the safety of individuals in the area. Individual bids of up to £5,000 can be submitted by applicants who are working with their local policing team to address their area’s priorities. Applications are welcome from community, voluntary or third sector groups, including Parish Councils...

System P Complex Lives Workshop - 6th October 2022

System P intelligence has demonstrated that the Complex Lives cohort exists across all 9 places in Cheshire & Merseyside, and their needs and experiences are very similar. However, good data must also be complemented by effective person-centred insight. They are pleased to invite you to their System P Complex Lives Workshop to share insights into the needs of people with Complex Lives. This session is schedule to be delivered virtually on Thursday, 6th October...

Vision Support - Brighter Futures Wellbeing Hub

Vision Support is a local charity providing essential services for people living with a vision impairment throughout North-East Wales and parts of Cheshire. Established in 1876 Vision Support provides support such has rehabilitation officers, digital skills training, counselling, peer support opportunities and many more to reduce the negative effects that a vision impairment can have upon an individual’s life. Vision Support is excited to launch their Brighter Futures Wellbeing Hub, a project funded by the National Lottery aimed at providing information and advice for people living with a vision impairment in order to improve their wellbeing...

North West Learning Together Programme - Applications now open for 2022/23

Applications are now open for the FREE North West Thriving Communities Learning Together Programme – Autumn Winter 2022/23. This regional programme is open to voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations across the North West region interested or involved in social prescribing. This free programme from the National Academy of Social Prescribing’s North West Thriving Communities Team will teach you about social prescribing and the VCSE eco-system that enables social prescribing to be successful. Places are limited to two people per organisation...

HSAB Training Programme - September 2022 to March 2023

Halton Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) subsidises a small programme of training to enhance opportunity and access to learning across Halton. For this second half of the year, as promised, they have managed to book some of these sessions as face-to-face training. Obviously, as we head into winter months, there may be changes to national or local measures to contain infection rises related to Covid, and/or other flu outbreaks. They will ensure these are communicated as soon as they have details. This training is offered free of charge to those living and working in Halton and who have a direct involvement in the care and support of adults with additional needs. This includes volunteers,carers, those employed through a personal budget and those who use services. Courses covers local process, policy and protocol and are not relevant to those out of area...

£2 Bus Fares Across Liverpool City Region

Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced that bus passengers will soon be able to travel across the Liverpool City Region for no more than £2 per journey in a bid to help residents save money during the cost of living crisis. By 18th September adult single fares on all services will cost a maximum of £2, making it cheaper for passengers to travel across the region. The cost of a MyTicket, which allows young people under the age of 19 to benefit from all day unlimited travel on the region’s bus network, will also remain frozen at £2.20 until 2025. The new single adult fare – which is part of the Mayor’s wider plans to revolutionise the public transport system – will mean that some passengers will see a saving of up to 13% versus the current cost of their journey. Plans are also underway to simplify the region’s often-confusing ticketing system under a ‘tap and go system’ that would allow for greater freedom and flexibility with passengers guaranteed to always pay the cheapest fare...

Merseyside Police Commissioner Launches £50,000 Youth Diversion Fund For Projects Over Autumn Half Term

Community groups which will offer safe and engaging activities for young people are being invited to bid for grants for projects running during the autumn half-term, thanks to Merseyside’s Police Commissioner. Emily Spurrell has announced that she is releasing the funding from her Youth Diversion Fund, using money raised through the Police Property Act which sees money from the sale of unclaimed stolen goods or property recovered by the police which cannot be returned to be diverted into worthwhile causes. The Commissioner is encouraging community organisations, charities and groups to apply for a vital cash boost of up to £3,000 grants for grassroots initiatives which are working to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime during a time when this traditionally spikes. A total of £50,000 is available from the fund for one-off grants for organisations which are committed to improving community safety, reducing crime or supporting victims...

Ruskin Lodge- Open Day

Are you looking for residential respite care for yourself or someone you care for? Ruskin Lodge is a purpose built care home, set in beautiful grounds overlooking Ruskin Leisure Recreational grounds, close to local amenities. All bedrooms rooms have ensuite facilities. They have single and twin rooms available. Why not visit Ruskin Lodge Open Day on the 5th October 2022 and see for yourself what facilities it can offer? Chat with staff and guests in a relaxed setting and enjoy some light refreshments. Ruskin Lodge now is available to both Pilkington beneficiaries and none Pilkington people aged over 55yrs...

HIV Awareness Quilt

Northwest HIV Support CIC are running a project which is asking local schools, colleges and other community groups to make a panel for their quilt. During the AIDS pandemic people who were loosing their battle against AIDS related illnesses their lovers and family would all make a panel and it would be stitched to the AIDS memorial quilt. Although HIV is no longer a death sentence and the medication that is out today hells people to live a happy healthy life, HIV is still around and on the rise in the straight community. The new quilt will be to raise awareness, help to tackle stigma and bring inclusivity to the community of Halton. They are holding their first World Aids Day candlelit vigil on the 1st December at St Andrews church Runcorn where they would like to show as many panels as they possibly can. The panel will be 2ft x 2ft double fabric and they are asking if the company or school etc can add their name then it can be decorated in anyway with positivity and encouragement...

DofE Award in the Community

The DofE is the world’s leading youth achievement award, currently being delivered in over 130 countries, with the purpose of developing young people for adult life. The programme has transformed the lives of millions of young people for over 60 years. Their vision is to reach more young people from marginalised backgrounds and to provide opportunities for personal development and recognition of personal achievements. Through this new Access Without Limits funding, their ambition is to build new links with voluntary and community organisations that work with young people outside of formal education settings, to extend opportunities for marginalised young people to access the DofE. Should you wish to be involved in this project, they can support a limited number of eligible organisations to help establish the DofE and link their programme to the existing activities you provide your young people. This support package would include funding for equipment and training, a greatly reduced licence fee, and direct assistance from a DofE Operations Officer...

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum is open for FREE on the 10th, 11th, 17th, & 18th September

The free admission allows you to access to Ground floor Interactive Gallery with a whole host of hands-on exhibits to explore. Birth of an Industry Gallery telling the story of the industry in the local area. Baker Gallery celebrating the life and work of local hero Harry Baker. Gossage Room with their library collection, family history research service, oral history laboratory and a selection of artefacts offering a peek into the Catalyst archives. Observatory Gallery where you can use the Panoramic Halton interactive tablets to discover more about the rich heritage of the local area that you can see from the windows. Space Sapling Exhibition telling the story of the seeds that went to space with Tim Peake...

World Suicide Prevention Day and World Mental Health Day

Each year, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) takes place on 10th September, and World Mental Health Day (WMHD) takes place on 10th October. The World Health Organisation sets the theme for WSPD, which this year is ‘Creating Hope through Action’, and the World Federation for Mental Health set the theme for WMHD, and this year it is ‘Make Mental Health and Wellbeing for all a Global Priority’. To support WSPD and WMHD, St Helens Wellbeing Service has put together a month of social media messages and a timetable of events locally which will be on their webpage.Let’s act together to support mental health and wellbeing...

Refreshing the Police and Crime Plan Cheshire

John Dwyer, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, has launched a public consultation on his proposed refresh of the Police and Crime Plan. When the Plan was first published the last year he promised to refresh it based on people’s feedback in other surveys he has carried out, as well as key themes from conversations and correspondence he's had with people, businesses and community groups across the county. The consultation survey will close at midday on Wednesday 28 September...

Save The Date: Victim Care Merseyside Hub Launch

Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, would like to invite you to the launch of the new Victim Care Merseyside "Hub" being held on Thursday 17th November 2022 9am - 12 noon. Please RSVP by Friday 30th September...

HAF Winter 2022 Applications - Now Open For Halton Groups

Halton Borough Council are happy to announce that applications for the Halton Christmas School Holiday activity and food provision activities, are now live. They would like to work together with a diverse range of children and young people’s providers, to offer positive activities and free lunches to our children and young people in Halton, who are in need. The HAF (Holiday Activity with Food Programme) provided through funding from the Department For Education. They expect that all participating children and young people are 4-16 years of age, should benefit from a week of support which covers a maximum of 4 days over the 2 week Christmas holiday period and consist of 4 hours of face to face provision a day...

Baobab Collective Fund Is Open

The Baobab Collective Fund is open for registration. The new £3 million fund is to grow, sustain and strengthen Black and Global majority communities that are resisting racial injustice in the UK. Baobab is pro-Black, with 70% of their resources going direct to Black African/Caribbean heritage individuals, groups and organisations. They are a people-driven movement which believes that the communities harmed by racism are best placed to create change, and so it aims to resource those with direct, lived experience of the issues they are addressing. The fund is not issue-led, giving space for communities working towards racial justice in different ways to share their creativity, passion and gifts. The fund will work consciously with individuals, groups and organisations whose purpose and practices are focused on collectively addressing racial justice and intersectionality and challenging oppressive systems...

Cafe Laziz Relaunch

Café Laziz are relaunching on Thursday 15th September 2022 at Central Link Children’s Centre. They are open every Thursday from 12-2pm for lunch and takeaway orders, and every Thursday thereafter. They are looking forward to welcoming all customers back to their café and hope you will come along to support them, please bring along your friends and family. Café Laziz is a community café in the heart of St Helens. They offer volunteering opportunities to recently settled asylum seekers and refugees to give them work experience, skills training and to help them integrate into their new community. They have a weekly menu of traditional and delicious Arabic food and drink that is freshly prepared, wholesome and great value...

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Halton and St Helens Voluntary and Community Action