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Your Fortnightly New & Information Bulletin from Halton & St Helens VCA
Welcome to the latest VCA E-Bulletin

Every fortnight we bring you the latest, news, events and information from the VCFSE sector and partners across Halton, St Helens and the wider area.  If you would like to feature in our next e-bulletin please click our link below and submit your story.. 

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"Too Much Blue - Get a Review" Campaign

A new campaign is set to launch across Cheshire and Merseyside this autumn to help children and young people better manage their asthma.

‘Too Much Blue - Get a Review’, is a new campaign focused on child asthma - developed by Beyond, the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside children and young people's transformation programme. It will run throughout autumn 2025 and aims to encourage better self-management of asthma through a mix of education, practical tools, and community engagement.

For children and young people (aged 0-19) across Cheshire and Merseyside, there has been almost a 16% increase over the last two years in asthma attendances to A&E and there has been a nearly 2% increase in the number of A&E reattendances due to asthma.

Asthma is also one of the leading causes of emergency hospital admissions in children, with preventable flare-ups accounting for hundreds of A&E visits locally each year.

Children living in the most deprived communities are more than twice as likely to be admitted to hospital for asthma compared to those in the least deprived areas, highlighting a significant health inequality the campaign aims to address.

The campaign will officially launch on 8 September to coincide with ‘Ask About Asthma Week’ and aligns with a key NHS asthma priority to reduce over-reliance on ‘blue inhalers’ (short-acting beta agonists – SABA) and improve asthma care for children and young people.

Find out more
Emergency Alerts System To Be Tested

The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.

Your mobile phone or tablet will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent. The alert message will confirm this is a test and that you do not need to take any further action.

Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency.

 

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North West Coast Clinical Network Launches Groundbreaking Multilingual Heart Health Videos to Address Health Inequalities

 

The North West Coast Clinical Network are excited to launch a pioneering series of FREE cardiac health information videos that transforms how heart patients obtain vital guidance, with a particular focus on addressing longstanding health inequalities in accessing cardiovascular care.

 

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Over the Rainbow

Over the Rainbow is a social support group in St Helens for young people aged 13-19 years (up to 25 if you have additional needs) who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans , questioning or unsure of their sexuality or gender identity.

Safe space OTR provides young people with the opportunity to:

  • Make friends
  • Explore your identity
  • Support each other
  • Safe space
  • Get involved in activites
  • Have fun

 

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Halton Borough Council – September 2025 Funding Bulletin

Halton Borough Council’s Programmes Office has released the September 2025 edition of its Funding Bulletin, offering valuable updates and opportunities for individuals and organisations seeking external funding.

In addition to the monthly bulletin, the Programmes Office provides support services including:

  • Grant searches
  • Assistance with grant applications
  • Free workshops covering
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VCA Activities and Events
Halton VCSE Response Meeting - 16th September 2025

The next Halton VCSE Response meeting will be on Tuesday 16th September 2025 at 9.30am.

The meeting will be held at Halton & St Helens VCA, St Maries, Lugsdale Road, Widnes, WA8 6DB.

We will hear from some new friends, have plenty of time to engage and update one another on projects and activities, as well as touching base with the local Council and NHS organisations. 

 

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Winterval Interval - 10th December 2025

 

You are invited to join Independent Celebrant Kirstie Atherton as she takes us through an evening of joyous reflection as we remember those who are important to us that have died.

When: Wednesday 10th December 2025

Doors open at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start.

Where: St Marie's, Lugsdale Road, Widnes, WA8 6DB

 

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External Activities and Events
Income Maximisation Anti-Poverty Partnership (iMAPP) Launch

A new collaborative initiative aimed at tackling poverty and boosting financial resilience across the Liverpool City Region is set to launch this September. 

The iMAPP initiative spans all six boroughs of the Liverpool City Region and is designed to enhance existing anti-poverty frameworks by offering free, sector-specific guidance on income maximisation.

When: Wed 17 Sep 2025 10:00 - 2:00 

Where: Firwood Bootle Cricket Club in Sefton

 

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Chair-Based Dance Zumba - Free Taster Class

Active Halton Development, in partnership with Active Me, is inviting residents to a free taster session this Friday, 5th September at 1pm. The event will take place at Tea Tree Café Murdishaw, located at Mooring Close, Runcorn WA7 6DA.

Participants will enjoy a Chair-Based Dance-Zumba Class led by DivaFit-UK, featuring Tara, a national presenter. This inclusive and engaging session is designed to promote physical activity in the community.

Walk-ins are welcome, but places will depend on availability.

 

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Active Halton Place Based Expansion Event

The 18th of September is National Fitness Day which celebrates the impact being active can have on our life. Halton Borough Council will be hosting its Place Based expansion launch event for physical activity on national fitness day this year.

They want to hear from stakeholders across the system on how they can support our population to move more. This includes where there are opportunities for system working and collaboration across partners.

They have secured some funding from Sports England to back this approach up and want to ensure everyone is fully represented in this way of working from the different areas.

When: Thursday, September 18 · 9am - 12pm GMT+1

Where: DCBL Stadium, Lower House Lane Widnes WA8 7D

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St Helens Annual Suicide Memorial Event 

Organised by St Helens Borough Council in partnership with Saints Community Foundation, St Helens Wellbeing Service, Papyrus, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide, Child Bereavement UK, Complete Music Solutions and Amparo, the event offers a compassionate and supportive space for anyone affected by suicide to come together, remember loved ones, and to find connection and comfort.

Now in its seventh year, the suicide memorial event is part of the council's Suicide Prevention Strategy, highlighting the council's ongoing commitment to raising awareness, providing support, and fostering hope in a bid to become a zero-suicide borough.

When: Tuesday 30th September 2025 18:30 - 20:00 BST

Where: St Helens Town Hall, Corpoation Street St Helens WA10 1HP

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North West VCFSE Youth Sector Leaders Network: 2nd October 2025

Youth Focus North West is inviting leaders and decision-makers from across the Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) youth sector in the North West to a newly established networking event aimed at fostering collaboration and shared learning.

The event, designed for those at the forefront of youth provision, will offer a space for connection, conversation, and collective problem-solving. Attendees will have the opportunity to share best practices, discuss current challenges, and explore emerging needs within the sector. The initiative also seeks to strengthen partnerships and build a supportive environment for peer-to-peer learning.

When: 2nd October, 1 - 3pm

Where: The Foxton Centre, Preston. PR1 3XP

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ESOL English Classes & Conversation Club

A warm and welcoming space is now open in the town centre for anyone looking to improve their English and feel more confident in everyday life.

Twice a week, on Monday and Friday mornings, English conversation classes are held at Holy Cross Parish Hall on Corporation Street, right next to Holy Cross Parish Church. The sessions run from 9.30am to 11.30am, and everyone is welcome to drop in.

The classes are aimed at people who speak other languages and want extra practice in English.

The activity is free of charge, with tea and coffee provided, and mums with young children are especially welcome.

When: Monday & Friday 9.30 - 11.30

Where: Holy Cross Parish Hall, Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1EF

 

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VCA Activities Directory

Do you know about our Activities Directory? There is always something going on in Halton and St Helens and this is the best place to find out what’s what.


If you have any community events that you would like to add to the directory, the link below, will take you to our community events webform:

https://www.haltonsthelensvca.org.uk/add-edit-activity


Find Out More
Have you heard about The Community Lottery – for local good causes?

Charities, community organisations, social business and community groups of all shapes and sizes can sign up, free of charge and get a slice of the ticket proceeds.

A generous 60% of the ticket proceeds from the the Community Lottery will go to charities, voluntary organisations and other not-for-profit groups with the remainder being put towards prizes, operating costs and VAT.

If you are involved with a local good cause that would like to find out more about fundraising with the Community Lottery, simply scan the QR code on the picture or access the "find out more" button below.


Find Out More

Registered Office: St Maries, Lugsdale Road, Widnes, WA8 6DB

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