Buses are the backbone of our local transport network – half a million people across the Liverpool City Region, which includes Halton and St Helens, use the bus every day to travel to work, to school, to the doctors, to visit friends and family, or to have a day out.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which covers the six local authority areas of the city region, including Halton and St Helens, has new powers to improve bus services by taking greater public control of the network.

After looking at the options, the Combined Authority has reached the conclusion that franchising would be the best option to reform our bus services. This is because it would mean things like fares, routes and timetables would be under local public control.

Before any final decision is made, LCR want to know what people think of the proposals. Anyone can take part in this consultation. You do not have to live in the Liverpool City Region or be a regular bus user. Even if you do not use buses, you can still take part – they want to hear from everyone.

Healthwatch is investigating the issues that the Deaf community in Knowsley, St Helens and Sefton are experiencing with Hospital access. They particularly wish to know if hospital appointments have been disrupted or lost due to communication issues for deaf people.

The survey has a focus on Whiston, St Helens, Aintree, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals but also includes communication difficulty with other health appointments such as with GP’s and dentists.

John Dwyer, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire wants to hear from your young people!

 The Cheshire Youth Commission members are a diverse group of 14–25-year-olds who will be delivering interactive workshops across Cheshire!

All the workshops are youth led and last approximately 1 hour. They are very flexible and can work with both smaller and larger groups. All of the workshops are free to all organisations.

As part of the HAF 2023 Summer Program, St Helens YMCA Listening Service are once again providing a small number of group activities for 12–18-year-olds from St Helens with limited places on each (and so they must be booked in advance)

 All activities have food, fun and a safe environment to spend in the school holidays.

The Salvation Army Anti-Trafficking & Modern Slavery Team are on the road! During 2023, they are visiting 9 different cities across the country. They are doing this to champion their volunteers, raise awareness of Modern Slavery and to create a space for change. They will be in Liverpool Friday 8th September at Strawberry Field.

On the day they will be looking at what modern slavery is, how to spot the signs and how to get involved in the anti-slavery movement. They are also looking forward to connecting with their ATMS volunteers, looking at some of the ways survivors are supported and projects that are currently being worked on within their department.

Did you know that the leading supermarkets - Tesco, Morrisons, ASDA, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Iceland, and Ocado – will all donate money to your voluntary organisation. Charity, social enterprise or CIC when your community of supporters shop with them?

Whenever an online shopper buys groceries, the supermarket will send your organisation either a flat monetary amount (up to £5) or a percentage of what the online shopper spends. On average, just one person could raise £97.50 in a year for your organisation by doing their food shop; think what multiple people could do!  All types of third sector organisations can receive this funding - your organisation just needs to be registered with funding website easyfundraising.

Being a Trustee is a great way of making a real difference to a charity. Trustees are volunteers who by being able to understand every aspect of a charity’s activities, can see the ‘bigger picture’ to influence and grow the charity. Trustees oversee the function of an organisation and work collectively in delivering its charitable aims, in the charity’s best interests.  As a trustee you have the ultimate legal responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity and as such, play a key role in its growth and success.

At Willowbrook Hospice, 11 Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the charity meets its stated purpose and aims, ensuring that it is both solvent and well run.