The Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Collaborative, along with NW partners and NHS Wales, have commissioned Zero Suicide Alliance to develop training focused on Older People and Suicide Awareness.

To aid in the development of the training they would like to hear from older people (65yrs +) who have struggled with thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts and/or loved ones/carers/professionals experiences of supporting older people struggling with thoughts of suicide or behaviours.

Your voice matters. By sharing your experience, you can help shape a resource that brings greater understanding, compassion, and hope to others

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, Former Forces Support is offering free use of a 16-seat minibus to help local charities and community groups across St Helens and the surrounding area.

The scheme aims to make it easier for community organisations to run trips, activities, and events by removing transport barriers for vulnerable or disadvantaged people. Whether it’s a one-off seaside trip, a residential retreat, or regular transport to a community activity, Former Forces Support may be able to help.

St Helens Concert Band has funding to put on a christmas concert for a local community or charity in St Helens or Halton on an evening or Sunday afternoon.

If you can provide the hall and do the ticketing (your group keeps all the proceeds), and also provide 25 seats for the band  - they will do the rest. 

They are a 25 strong band and take up a fair bit of space, so a small hall may not be big enough, but they are very happy to discuss this. 

If you think they can help you with a christmas concert to raise funds please get in touch

St Helens Archive Service is planning for the future, and they want your views! They're looking at how they can improve the way their unique collections are cared for and made accessible to everyone.

St Helens Archive collects, preserves and provides access to unique historic materials that relate to different aspects of life across the borough. They are developing plans which include making significant improvements to the way that the borough’s unique archive collections are cared for and made accessible.

They would like to hear your thoughts on the types of facilities and services you feel are important.

VOLA have launched a new VCFSE sector Community Grants programme focused on support for 18-21 year olds who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), with the purpose of supporting them to gain further skills and employment. 

Funded by the UK government as part of its Get Britain Working plan, through the LCR Combined Authority Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, the grants programme will make £711,000 available across the Liverpool City Region, to locally based VCFSE sector organisations to deliver projects that support young LCR residents to overcome barriers and help them to progress towards and into employment, education or training. 

Grants of between £10,000 and £40,000 are available to eligible organisations.  

Deadline: 11.59 pm, Sunday 9^th November 2025.

MHCLG have launched a Common Ground Award for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds.

The grant is open to applications from VCSE organisations with a base and operating in England, with charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes. Up to £1.7 million capital funding is available in 2025 and 2026.

Capital grants can be used to support new builds, refurbishment, and expansion of facilities used to build bridging social capital. Funding can also cover essential equipment, such as laptops or furniture for the property.

The fund is now open and the deadline to submit an application is 21 November.

Join Age UK Mid Mersey for a relaxed, two-hour session aimed at helping people aged 50+ learn the basics of getting online.

Whether you're curious about WhatsApp, Google Maps, or the NHS App, the friendly Digital Champions are here to help.

When: Tuesday, 21 October,  10:30am to 12:30pm

Where: The Mansion House, St Helens

Wellbeing and Creative Community are a friendly, welcoming group based in St Helens, offering “coffee, cake and craft” sessions. Their aim is to provide a safe, inclusive space where people can connect, learn, and nurture both creativity and wellbeing.

When: Every Friday Morning (From Friday 10th October) 10am - 12pm

Where: St Helen's Parish Church, Church Street, WA19 1AF

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