St Helens First magazine Winter 2015

St. Helens Council’s community magazine

Winter 2015 SCAM MAIL WARNING PAGE 7

DIGITAL REVOLUTION PAGE 8-9

RECYCLING REWARDS! PAGE 29

CHARGING AHEAD COUNCIL’S ECO MISSION

fo p Tur rm a n or ge 2 to e 9 de ta ils

Earn rewards for recycling Look out for your Welcome Pack!

Plus, get exclusive offers and discounts from local businesses when you activate your card

2 St Helens First | Winter 2015 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789

Contents

St. Helens Council’s community magazine

News

New power points unveiled p4 Scam crackdown p7 Roads investment p15 Grants for local firms p19

Features EDITOR: Nick Cook St. Helens Council, Press and Public Relations Office, Town Hall, St. Helens WA10 1HP. To contact your news team with suggestions for articles about you or your organisation.

T: 01744 676164/5/6 E: nickcook@sthelens.gov.uk St. Helens First is printed on environmentally-friendly paper.

TALKING PAGES St. Helens First is now available in talking book form for visually impaired people.

For details contact the Press and Public Relations office on T: 01744 676164/5/6

Hate Crime

Any form of hate crime should not be tolerated. If you or someone you know is being victimised or targeted because of age, disability, gender, sexuality, race or religion this can be reported confidentially to the following numbers: l St. Helens Council

Winter 2015 St Helens Council

Leader’s column

Park life p6 Digital high street p8 Ruskin Drive takes shape p16

CONTACT St Helens Council

Whether it’s finding out how to recycle your household waste, check what’s on, pay your Council Tax or to request a specific service, the way you contact the council is up to you!

Contact Centre

Wesley House Corporation Street St.Helens WA10 1HF Tel: 01744 676789 Minicom: 01744 671671 Fax: 01744 676895 Email: contactcentre@sthelens.gov.uk Online: www.sthelens.gov.uk Please contact us to request translation of council information into Braille, audio tape or a foreign language.

No one can fail to have been moved by some of the images we’ve seen over the summer of refugees trying to escape war-torn Syria.

This is a tragedy that will be felt far beyond the Middle East - and the reason why we here in St Helens should be doing all we can to help.

Along with other Merseyside council Leaders I’ve written to the Prime Minister urging the government to let us all help deal with the crisis by offering sanctuary to some of those trying to escape the war-torn region.

Libraries

l Crimestoppers

Council tax payments can be made using chip and pin cards at any library in St Helens.

Closer to home we’ve much to celebrate. In this issue of First you can see what the new look Ruskin Drive sports complex will have to offer, find out what’s happening on the local arts scene and see how local businesses are benefiting from various grants that are on offer.

l Merseyside Police

Adverts included in St Helens First do not imply endorsement by St Helens Council.

And, with winter now upon us, there is advice for vulnerable members of the community on how to keep warm and seek help with bills. If you have elderly relatives or neighbours, don’t forget to look in on them and check they’re ok during the cold weather.

01744 676789 0800 555 111

0151 709 6010

l Emergencies only:

999

01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 3

News

No Place for Hate!

Thinking green: Councillor Gomez-Aspron with Contracts Manager Steve Marsh at one of the new charging points.

Charging ahead St Helens Council is paving the way for the future by partnering with Merseytravel to provide a network of electric vehicle charge points across the borough.

Charging points have been installed near to shops, leisure centres and places of work under the Merseytravel led ‘Recharge’ project, in a bid to break down the barriers that stop more people from making the green switch to electric vehicles.

There are now four convenient public charging points around the borough where users can park up, plug in and pay – at at Queen’s Park Health and Fitness Centre near the town centre, Fairclough Street Car Park, Selwyn Jones Sports Centre, Newton-le-Willows and Lea Green railway station, Sutton.

Recharge is in part funded by the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), prompted by the ‘20-20-20’ targets set by the European Union, that ask EU countries to reduce emissions; increase renewable energy; and improve energy efficiency – each

by 20 per cent, by 2020.

Currently the council is negotiating with OLEV to outfit some council teams with a fleet of electric vehicles, joining the 54 per cent of UK employers using energy efficient vehicles, according to a Fleet Evolution study.

If successful, OLEV will provide 75 per cent funding towards two years of purchase lease costs for up to five electric vans.

Councillor Seve Gomez Aspron, the council’s Cabinet Member for Green, Smart and Sustainable Borough, said: “Transport presently accounts for 21 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. We’re aiming to implement a small fleet of electric vans like those trialled earlier this year, for certain roles which require staff to commute to meetings or other work sites during the work day, but we’re keen to find other uses for them.

“The proposal, if accepted, will reduce the local authority’s carbon footprint and running costs, and the hope is that other local organisations and businesses will follow suit.”

Council’s bright idea St Helens Council’s Cabinet has supported plans to invest nearly £3 million in improved street lighting around the borough.

The investment will see phase two of the ‘Invest to Save’ programme launched – replacing 9,705 inefficient street lighting

lights with energy efficient LED units and significantly improving the ‘quality’ of light.

It should trigger a reduction in the energy budget of £363,389 in 2017/18 – a boost as the council looks to make £23m of savings over next two years.

Twinning help?

St Helens Council wants to hear from residents who would like to help strengthen ties with our twin town of Chalon Sur Saone. The French town has links with St Helens stretching back 50 years, with exchange visits taking place between the two communities. Anyone interested in helping to coordinate future visits should contact Lorraine Simpson on 01744 675349.

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St Helens Council and local agencies are once again calling on residents to help spread the message that St Helens is No Place for Hate following Hate Crime Awareness Week.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the support available to victims of hate crime, and urge people to come forward and report it.

Although incidents of hate crime remain low in St Helens, the crime can have a devastating impact on local communities. That’s why everyone is invited to unite, pledge, and shout out the message that St Helens is No Place for Hate!

If everyone in St Helens signed the pledge, it would send out a powerful message that hate crime is not welcome here.To sign the pledge visit www.safersthelens.org.uk.

If you have been affected by Hate Crime, don’t suffer in silence. Report it to Stop Hate UK on: 0800 138 1625 or Merseyside Police on 101.

Thinking green: Cllr Gomez-Aspron with the Council’s Environmental Wardens.

Green light for wardens

St Helens Council’s Cabinet members have given the go ahead to retain the Environmental Wardens Service after a successful 12 month pilot project.

Four wardens were introduced last year to help create environmental improvements, focusing on littering, waste and dog fouling offences with Fixed Penalty Notices bringing in a total income of £38,855.

In response to demands from the Waste Collection and Street Cleaning teams, procedures are now in place to address waste and litter in alleyways, while dog fouling has been specifically targeted in parks and open spaces using the ‘dawn to dusk’ strategy.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Green, Smart, Sustainable Borough, Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron said: “Waste is costly to clean and has been shown to be detrimental to health, the environment and the local economy.

“Now that we are able to retain this service, it gives me every reason to believe that we will be able to deliver improved outcomes over the forthcoming years.”

News

Cabinet changes

New roles: Councillor Jeanie Bell and Councillor Andy Bowden

Students celebrate High flyers: De la Salle students celebrate their GCSE results

There were celebrations across St Helens as GCSE and A level students secured the qualifications that helped them secure jobs or higher education places.

Just over 54 per cent of students secured five GCSEs at A* to C grades, including English and mathematics, while between them, St Helens secondary schools and Carmel College saw 53.1 per cent of A level entries graded at A*-B - exceeding the national average of 52.7 per cent.

The GCSE results were secured against a backdrop of ongoing changes to educational qualifications and the curriculum. St Helens schools broadly maintained their performance - last year

55.2 per cent of students achieved the same grades.

There were impressive performances at several local schools, including De La Salle, where 65 per cent of students gained five GCSEs at A* to C grades, compared to 59 per cent last year. Rainford High Technology College and Rainhill High School both also posted impressive results.

At A level, Carmel College saw its proportion of A*-B grades rise to 58.2 per cent, while Cowley, Rainhill and Sutton secondaries celebrated double digit improvements in their A*-B figures.

Councillor Jeanette Banks, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “Once again our GCSE students have

achieved some excellent results – and I’d like to congratulate all of them on their success.

“I was thrilled with the outstanding A level results achieved by our young people. They show that St Helens schools and colleges are providing high quality education and, more importantly, that students are supported to achieve their very best.”

John Pout, Head teacher at Rainhill High, said: “We increased the number of the highest grades up by 16 per cent on 2014 - bucking the national trend. More of our students than ever before were able to get into the top universities.”

Here, Now and Looking Back It’s your last chance to take part and experience a unique artwork exhibited in St Helens Central Library until 28 November. Artist Benedict Phillips was commissioned as a Cultural Hubs Artist in Residence to produce a digital artwork on the theme of the Great War for the Centenary year.

Through recorded discussions with local residents and the documentation of their collections, Benedict developed an interactive artwork detailing local families’ involvement in the Great War – which allows viewers to see and interact with virtual images of original photographs, artefacts and letters.

Benedict says: “This project

reminds us that as little as one hundred years ago, photographs were still a rare and evocative thing.”

In a curious twist, local resident Sue McCauley – who had been undertaking genealogical research of her own – was spurred on by Benedict’s project, eventually re-connecting with long-lost relatives living in Australia. The family had been separated after Sue’s great-grandfather emigrated following the war.

Come see Here, Now and Looking Back at Central Library while you can.

Cultural Hubs is an Arts Council England funded programme of work which allows us to enliven St.Helens network of 13 libraries.

Newton Councillor Jeanie Bell has joined St Helens Council’s Cabinet, following the appointment of Councillor Sue Murphy as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside.

Councillor Bell takes over as Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing – replacing Councillor Andy Bowden, who moves over to become Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Young People.

Council Leader Barrie Grunewald said: “Jeanie is an extremely capable and talented councillor and will be an excellent addition to the Cabinet. I look forward to working with her and I know she will get all the support she needs as she settles into her new role.

“Andy Bowden is already an experienced Councillor and long serving Cabinet member and I know he will continue to work hard when he takes over one of the authority’s most demanding positions - at Children, Families and Young People.”

NEET result

Latest Department of Education figures show that the number of NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training) in St Helens dropped from 7.8 per cent in 2012 to 6.6 per cent in 2014. The reduction is largely due to effective tracking by the council and the help it gives to vulnerable groups.

Remembrance Day events The borough pays tribute to the memory of those who fought and died in conflict with Remembrance Day events in both St Helens and Newton on Sunday November 8.

The St Helens event takes place in Victoria Square, with a parade leaving Birchley Street Car Park at approximately 10.30am for a service at the cenotaph at 10.40am.

In Newton the focal point of the event will be the war memorial at Earlestown Town Hall, with the event due to get underway at 10.45am.

Everyone is welcome to attend both events.

Are you a good listener?

Barnardo’s have a new emotional well-being online service and are looking for volunteers to listen and respond to 11-18 year olds online.

Volunteers will be 18 or over, work from home and need access to a home computer.

For more information or to apply go to the volunteering section of www.barnardos.org.uk or contact sophie.cartwright@barnardos.org.uk

01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 5

News

Glimpse of the past at Victoria Park Willow weaving, Morris dancing, wood carving and falconry were just some of the activities of yesteryear showcased at the recent Victoria Park Craft Fair.

Along with a fairground organ performance and tarot card readings, modern day practitioners turned back time as

they attempted to ensure the arts and crafts of the past are not lost to future generations.

The event was organised by St Helens Council’s Ranger Service as part of an ongoing programme at the newly-refurbished park, which recently celebrated the award of a prestigious Keep Britain Tidy Green Flag.

A tidy sum of tidy parks Victoria Park joins the ranks with 12 other St Helens parks – each holders of the highly sought-after Green Flag status.

The Green Flag Awards are judged by an army of more than 700 greenspace experts, who give up their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Green, Smart and Sustainable Borough, Councillor Seve GomezAspron, said: “The awards are proof that a particular park boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

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“Quality green spaces are absolutely essential to happy, healthy communities.

They are fundamental to our quality of life, whether in cities, towns or villages.”

News

Chain of survival Scambusters…Chief Trading Standards Officer Darryl Wilson and Principal Trading Standards Officer Collette Rai with some of the seized mail.

Scam mail warning Trading Standards Officers from the council have been working with Merseyside Police to protect elderly residents being conned by scam mail.

The watchdogs, working through a list seized from an unscrupulous scammer, have been able to return some cash, cheques and postal orders to victims.

They’ve also visited around 25 St Helens residents who, over the last five years, have lost at least £82,000 between them. Most of the victims are over 70 and live alone - with some receiving around 100 scam letters a week.

Officers have helped the residents to stop receiving the mail - and encouraged them to stop responding. Scammers’ details are then shared with the Police and other enforcement agencies with a view to taking enforcement

action.

Often the scams began with residents ordering cheap goods from a mailshot - such as diabetic or gourmet foods, herbal remedies or ornaments.

But their details were then passed to scammers who bombarded victims with letters claiming they had won thousands of pounds in a prize draw or foreign lottery - and asking for money to claim the winnings.

Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Green Smart & Sustainable Borough, said: “These unscrupulous conmen are targeting the elderly, who cannot afford to lose this sort of money.”

If you think you, or someone you know has been scammed, report it to Trading Standards on 01744 676299 or tradingstandards@ sthelens.gov.uk.

St Helens Council this year teamed up with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and the Clinical Commissioning Group to increase the spread of defibrillators in the borough from 37 last year, to 117, further strengthening the ‘chain of survival’.

Defibrillators are now in place at 39 schools, 48 GP practices and 30 other settings, such as libraries,

leisure centres and fire stations.

The task force, led by the council’s Director of Public Health, Liz Gaulton, also provided training and resources through the HeartStart programme – in partnership with BHF – which teaches emergency life support skills to children and adults in various settings, with 29 local schools now registered as HeartStart Champions.

Above: Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens, Councillors Steve and Lynn Glover with their South Korean guests in the council chamber

South Korean visitors welcomed

St Helens town hall experienced a taste of East Asia after a recent visit from some very special guests.

Delegates from a South Korean church joined the Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens, Councillors Steve and Lynn Glover for a tour of the town hall and presented the mayor with a plaque in his parlour, inscribed with the prayer ‘The LORD is my shepherd. I shall

not want.’

Councillor Steve Glover said: “We thoroughly enjoyed hosting our special guests and seeing how much they encompassed their Christian beliefs.

“It was particularly pleasing to witness their traditional vocal prayers that they undertook with so much enthusiasm in the council chamber.”

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Feature

Making the right

connections Digital heartbeat…O2 will be helping St Helens to make the right connections.

An ambitious new programme - designed to help businesses and residents alike embrace technology and gain vital new skills - has been unveiled by St Helens Council in partnership with digital telecoms giant O2.

St Helens was chosen from a list of UK towns as a pilot to show how technology can make a huge difference to communities and companies. Just as importantly the St Helens Digital Communities programme aims to show users how technology can be harnessed to produce real results.

Long-established businesses like Bartons Pickles are already receiving ‘digital makeovers’ as part of the programme.

They involve O2 technology and business specialists providing companies with free consultations to understand their needs and giving advice on how technology can solve problems.

Once complete, O2 installs a suite of technologies tailored to each of the businesses’ requirements - ranging from 4G connectivity and smart devices to digital services like Office 365, McAfee and Box. The technology is installed completely free for three months.

Businesses are also given guidance on how to capitalise on social media and digital marketing tools to attract new customers and drive sales.

St Helens Council Leader Barrie Grunewald said: “Raising our digital profile will not only boost our commercial and employment prospects, but help to connect our

communities and deal with issues like social isolation.

“This is a tremendously exciting project that will hopefully whet the appetite for greater involvement with technology among our young people, older people, businesses, agencies and other institutions. There are plenty of opportunities and I would urge everyone to embrace them.”

As well as helping bigger companies, the programme aims to boost smaller enterprises too.

O2 and St Helens Council have been running workshops and ‘inspiration sessions’ – ranging from tech tutorials for start-ups and soletraders, through to digital career clinics for young people.

At the heart of the project is a new Digital Hub - in the Hardshaw Centre - where budding entrepreneurs, mobile workers or people who

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would usually work outside St Helens can work flexibly using free connectivity and purposebuilt workspaces on Mondays and Fridays. The hub will be open until Mid-December.

It’s also hosting a range of sessions, including O2’s ‘Think Big’ programme, which encourages young people to harness their talents and passions to lead projects and campaigns in their local communities. O2 specialists have also been giving young people new digital skills – ranging from app prototyping to website building – as well as helping parents talk to their children about staying safe online.

Ben Dowd, Business Director at O2 added: “We’re really excited about this ambitious pilot that we hope will help people and businesses in St Helens feel the full benefits of connectivity. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to grow your company, a young person wanting to start your career, or a

Did you know?

•

• • •

Over 60 percent of adults currently use a mobile phone or tablet to access the internet on the go.

More than £150bn of retail sales is influenced by digital.

Just 33 percent of small businesses currently transact online Only half of small businesses and charities have a website.

parent interested in online safety advice, there will be something for everyone over the next three months and we hope that the whole town gets involved. Together we can show the rest of Britain the real power of a connected community.”

To find out what’s happening as part of the St Helens Digital Communities programme – and to get involved - go to http://connect.o2.co.uk/ HelloStHelens.

No iT pickle for Bartons One of St Helens’ oldest businesses is benefiting from an O2 digital makeover.

Bartons Pickles, which has been trading for over 110 years, is one of the companies using O2 expertise to embrace technology and gain vital new skills.

Managing Director Eddie Barton (pictured left with Nick Mussell from O2) said: “We know our onions, O2 knows technology.

The opportunity for us to partner with them unlocks a new future for a traditional family business like ours.”

01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 9

Staying Warm

Beat the cold this winter Can you help?

Winter’s just around the corner - and for most people it’s just a matter of turning the heating up But for some, it can be far more dangerous. Elderly, infirm and vulnerable people are at risk when the temperatures start to drop. But help is at hand. The council and its partners are working to minimise that risk wherever possible – and is asking all our residents to help by keeping an eye on neighbours and relatives.

First time heating offer

Properties that have never had central heating could qualify for a free system under the Government’s Central Heating Fund programme. Applicants for the limited, ‘first come, first served’ offer need to qualify through means testing.

For further details contact St. Helens Council’s Affordable Warmth Unit on 01744 671638 or 676211.

Stay Snug It’s important to make sure you stay warm and well, particularly in the winter. Older people who may be frail, or who have existing health conditions are particularly at risk.

“We’re asking everyone to remember the needs of anyone they know who could be at risk. Many people are not aware that by not keeping warm enough, they may be putting themselves in danger”, said St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jeanie Bell. “Heating homes to at least 18C in winter reduces the risk to your health.”

Top tips for staying warm and well: • • •

• •

•

Heat your rooms to at least 18C. Get your free flu vaccination if you’re eligible.

Keep an eye on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be vulnerable to the cold.

Stay tuned to the weather forecast and plan ahead Check whether you meet the criteria and register for priority service with your energy and water suppliers.

Have regular hot meals and drinks throughout the day and keep active to help you stay warm.

•

•

•

Get financial support to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills.

Have your heating and cooking appliances checked regularly.

Wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer and when you go outside wear shoes with slip resistant, good grip soles.

For more help with keeping warm this winter, call the St Helens Cold Weather Advice Line on 08000 355 878

Age UK and other agencies, is recruiting volunteers and urging neighbours to keep an eye on older and vulnerable residents in the event of severe weather this winter.

Cold weather volunteers should have a reasonable fitness level as they could be called on to assist vulnerable residents by clearing snow from driveways and paths and use salt/grit working in the outdoors.

Project partners also want to hear from people who can act as ‘tele-befrienders’ – who can make regular phone calls to those at risk of becoming isolated in bad weather. If you don’t feel able to formally volunteer, then perhaps just look in on your older or vulnerable neighbours, particularly in severe weather, to ensure they stay safe warm and well this winter.

Anyone who can help out – either as a cold weather volunteer or tele-befriender – can register their details by calling the St Helens Cold Weather Advice line on Freephone 08000 355 878

Winter survival packs

St Helens Council and Age UK Mid are once again getting ready to distribute 5,000 winter warm packs to vulnerable people across the borough.

Throughout November, you can head down to your local library on the dates shown below and collect your FREE winter warmer pack that includes a 2016 calendar containing essential information and other winter items.

Distribution takes place in the following libraries on the dates shown from 10:30am – 12:30pm (*unless otherwise stated).

11 November – Haydock 12 November – Peter Street 13 November – Billinge 16 November – Newton 17 November – Chester Lane 18 November - Parr 19 November – Rainford 20 November – Eccleston 23 November – Thatto Heath 24 November – Moss Bank 25 November – Central

Library 26 November – Garswood *

2pm - 4pm 27 November - Rainhill

Give your energy bills a health check St Helens Council has just participated in the fifth Merseyside Collective Energy Switch - which helped residents join together and reduce their energy bills. However, any time is a good time to check we aren’t paying too much to be warm in our home.

Working with local charity Energy Projects Plus and the other five local authorities across Merseyside, Switch Together Save Together is a free and impartial service to help residents explore how much they could save by switching to a new energy tariff.

People who have

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switched through the scheme over the past two years have saved an average £206 per year, with some saving considerably more.

The first step is to check what you can save and, if you do want to switch, the scheme will do all the work for you.

If you decide not to switch, it’s not a problem – but you will have given your bills that much needed health check in the process.

To find out more call the local Save Energy Advice Line on 0800 043 0151 or visit www. lcrenergyswitch.co.uk.

News

Bonfire safety

Children receive their devices at the Saints vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats game, pictured with (left to right) Sonya Gavin from the Language and Social Communication Service and SAS trustees, Richard Harrison, Barry Ford and Lindsey Best.

Learning on the go Thanks to St Helens Autism Support, primary school children diagnosed with autism have received a tablet device to help them with their everyday lives.

Formed in 2012, St Helens Autism Support (SAS) is a local charity which aims to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders and support diagnosed people and carers.

With the help of schools, 70 devices have been distributed to children across the borough - much to the delight of recipients.

To celebrate the success of the initiative - that has

seen sponsored sporting events organised to fund the tablets - youngsters were invited to receive their device before the Saints vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats match and enjoyed complimentary tickets to watch the game with their families.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Schools and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Jeanette Banks, said: “I would like to congratulate those involved in delivering this terrific initiative that will have a positive outcome on the child’s educational needs.

The devices can also go wherever the child goes, meaning they have ways to calm, focus, and learn while on-the-go.”

Commissioner calls in Merseyside Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy called in at the St Helens Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to meet those involved in its frontline delivery.

MASH sees staff from St Helens Council’s Children’s Services team working alongside those from Merseyside Police, Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Catch 22 Service – providing an effective response to child safeguarding concerns.

The hub also acts as a secure environment for partners to share information that quickly identifies and assesses risks –

VIP visit: Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy with some of the MASH professionals at Atlas House.

ensuring necessary, proportionate intervention decisions are made.

“I was delighted to visit St Helens’ MASH and meet those who are at the frontline of protecting the borough’s children and young

people,” said Jane.

If you’ve been a victim of crime on Merseyside and need help or support go to www. victimcaremerseyside.org

Bonfire season is still with us, and while most will have already enjoyed successful and incident free festivities, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service would like to remind residents to stay safe and sensible, and aware of their surroundings and of others.

The service is working with partners including Merseyside Police and St Helens Council to tackle fires and anti-social behaviour, which tend to increase around this time.

Residents are also encouraged to report the build-up of combustible waste, dangerous bonfires and the suspected illegal sale of fireworks to St Helens Council on 01744 676789.

Voice your views Could you help to make a real difference to healthcare in your community? Healthwatch is the national watchdog that gives you a voice about the health and social care services you use.

Healthwatch St Helens is always looking for new people to join and share their views, and there are many ways you can show your support.

Become a member – you’ll receive monthly mailings, keeping you informed of what’s happening and how you can help. Having more people involved makes us stronger and more diverse, which in turn helps us to create a better quality of services.

You could join a task group to help steer the work we are doing - we are currently looking at Good Quality GP Services, Preventing Mental Ill Health and End of Life Care. Or you can simply volunteer to visit local hospitals and care homes.

It’s free and anyone can join – as part of Healthwatch St Helens you can help to improve services for you and your family, now and in the future. Join now to help shape services to your needs.

For more information phone 0300 111 0007 or visit the website http://www. healthwatchsthelens.co.uk

01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 11

Feature

BETH TWEDDLE drops in at a Sainsbuy’s School Games gymnastics event

Pupils enjoy

293 hours

of school sports competitions Primary and secondary schools in St Helens have so far enjoyed 293 hours of school sports competitions through the Sainsbury’s School Games programme.

Funded by the Department of Health and the Department of Culture, Media & Sport, the Sainsbury’s School Games is a national initiative which aims to support young people to access high level schools competition and quality coaching.

St Helens is unique in having one full time Schools Games Officer based within the Sports Development Team to forge closer links with local sports clubs. A second officer is based at Bleak Hill Primary School which is also the Health and Wellbeing lead school for St Helens.

Around 13,000 pupil hours of training and participation in sport and physical activity took place in advance

of events such as the Merseyside Sainsbury’s School Games Summer Festival 2015, where St Helens schools recorded a total of 105 medals and one of the St Helens qualifying events - the primary school gymnastics competition - was attended by Britain’s most successful gymnast, Beth Tweddle MBE. Eighteen schools have been awarded a ‘School Games Mark’ for their commitment to PE and school sport, while two have also been shortlisted for the Merseyside Sporting Champions Primary School of the Year.

In all, 93 per cent of schools in St Helens are signed up to the Sainsbury’s School Games website, way above the national average of 78 per cent.

For more information contact Damian Keegan (Sports Development Officer - School Games) on 01744 675406 / damiankeegan@sthelens.gov.uk

ST HELENS PUPILS congratulate one another after a successful Merseyside Sainsbury’s School Games Summer Festival 2015. - picture courtesy of Educate Magazine

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News

Sue’s new role St Helens Councillor and former Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Young People, Sue Murphy, is the new Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside.

The part-time role sees Councillor Murphy deputising for Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy and focussing specifically on victim support services, community safety issues, and restorative justice.

Councillor Murphy, who remains as ward councillor for Billinge and Seneley Green, has held numerous Cabinet positions in St Helens since being elected to the council in 2004.

Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: “I’m delighted that Sue has joined my team to work alongside me in serving the people

of Merseyside, listening to their views and working to keep all our communities safe.”

Councillor Murphy said: “I’ve been passionate about serving my community and acting as a spokesperson for local people for many years and I am honoured that I will now be able to fulfil this role for the whole of Merseyside.

“As all our budgets continue to shrink, it is even more vital that we pull together to find new ways of working in order to cut crime and keep all our communities safe.”

Council Leader Barrie Grunewald added: “The appointment demonstrates the quality of work done by Sue in St Helens over recent years and I am absolutely sure she will be a success in the PHOTO: Councillor Sue Murphy future.”

Help Rotary to help St Helens Helping charities, community groups and clubs in St Helens has been at the heart of the local Rotary Club for more than 90 years. Last year, St Helens Rotary raised over £20,000, for more than 30 local groups and charities.

However, the club is always in need of more hands, as Steve

Lawson, Club President, says: “The more people who can help, the more service projects we can run and funds we can raise, and the more money we can distribute in St Helens. If you can spare us a little of your time, you will be helping Rotary to help St Helens.”

To find out more and get involved, visit www.rotarysthelens.org or contact Celia Parr on 01744 737492.

Ramblers lend a hand CODE BREAKERS: The Mayor and Mayoress escape ‘The Lizards’

Escape to victory Young people got creative over the summer by helping to design an escape room in St Helens Central Library.

requiring players to work together to solve hidden puzzles, use their intuition, teamwork skills and intelligence to escape.

Pupils from Penkford School along with other children and library customers contributed to the project - titled ‘St Helens Vs The Lizards.’

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, Jeanie Bell, whose team escaped in an impressive 34 minutes, said: “St Helens Vs The Lizards was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and a fantastically innovative and creative project for the borough which engages people who might otherwise think that the arts is not for them.”

It was part of St Helens Council’s Arts Council England-funded Cultural Hubs – Arts in Libraries Programme project, coordinated by digital arts collective Re-Dock.

An escape room is a real-life game

Over the last year, local members of the Ramblers` Association have been helping St Helens Council in surveying 120 miles of Public Right of Way within the borough for ‘ease of use’.

Councillor Richard McCauley, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Housing and Community Safety said: “At a time of Government austerity, we’re ever grateful for the voluntary work undertaken by the Ramblers’ Association –

they’ve been a huge help to us in maintaining our network.

“A well maintained path network provides wider public benefits by encouraging other forms of sustainable transport, offering alternative access to areas of employment for those without their own transport and can increase the health and wellbeing of residents in the borough.”

The results of the survey will be used to create effective maintenance programmes.

01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 13

News Feature

Hazard warning

for over 60s

These days, people over 60 generally enjoy better living conditions than their parents, benefit from advances in medical science, live healthier and longer, are financially comfortable and lead more physically and socially active lives.

conflicts and greater concentration required.”

So it’s no surprise to learn that the number of drivers aged 70 and over has increased from 2.2 million in 1992 to 3.9 million in 2012.

According to research by the Institute of Advanced Motorists it will reach a staggering 5.8 million by 2032!

Yet ask any over 60 driver about their abilities behind the wheel and you’ll probably get an indignant response – along the lines of “I’ve been driving for over 40 years – I’ve never been involved in an accident, so I don’t need to be told about driving! I know I’m an excellent driver.”

However, there is already concern at the parallel increase in the number of senior road users being involved in road traffic accidents.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Housing and Community Safety, Councillor Richard McCauley said: “When many of these drivers bought their first car, there was far less traffic on the roads. As recently as 1970 there were only 12 million registered vehicles in the country, but today there are over 32 million - an increase of over 250 per cent. It means more congestion, more potential

Analysis of the causes of accidents involving people over 60 often follows a worryingly familiar pattern - worsening eyesight, longer reaction time, poorer decision making or the effects of prescribed medication.

St Helens Council has been given the lead role on Merseyside in attempting to address this problem with a number of direct interventions.

One of its first moves is the publication of a new leaflet aimed at creating a greater awareness of the problems – while gently dismissing some of the common misconceptions that older drivers might have.

It highlights the need for drivers to: •

check if their medication adversely affects their driving

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•

Have regular health check-ups - including eye and hearing tests

•

Consider whether it’s safe and costeffective to keep a car instead of using free public transport.

•

Be careful, when as a pedestrian, crossing a road.

A copy of the leaflet is available from the council’s Traffic & Road Safety Section by calling 01744 673237.

Councillor McCauley added: “We’re also arranging various public events – supported by the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership - for senior road users in St Helens. They will be replicated by neighbouring local authorities in Merseyside. Over 100 attended the most recent event at the Mansion House in Victoria Park.

“More activity is planned over the next few years to reduce the dangers for senior road users - we aim to change the ‘it will never happen to me’ attitude because, quite simply, the accident figures tell a very different story.”

Motorway boost St Helens Council Leader Barrie Grunewald has welcomed confirmation that Highways England is to invest in key infrastructure projects in the borough.

The agency announced spending plans for North West roads totalling £1.5 billion – with two vital St Helens motorway schemes among those confirmed.

A ten-mile section of the M6 - between junction 21a at the M62 interchange near Warrington and junction 26 at the M58 interchange near Skelmersdale - will become a smart motorway as part of a scheme worth up to £250 million.

This section runs alongside Newton-le-Willows and the planned Parkside rail freight terminal

– offering temptingly fast transport links for businesses looking at relocation options.

The Parkside project will also benefit from major upgrades to junction 22 on the M6 – costing up to £50 million.

“Confirmation of this investment will suddenly put St Helens into very sharp focus in the eyes of logistics, freight and warehousing companies looking for prime locations on the motorway network,” said Councillor Grunewald.

“The Highways England announcement is a major milestone in our push to develop the Parkside site – and create new opportunities for businesses across the borough.”

Jean’s inspirational message

A former Mayoress of St Helens aims to inspire others after releasing a book about living with multiple sclerosis.

Jean Almond, the wife of Geoff Almond who served as Mayor from 2012-13, was diagnosed with MS in 1997 but has lived with the condition for 33 years.

In her book ‘The Mayoress with MS’, she shares tales of civic duties including the time she was unable to shake hands with The Queen because she has no use of her arms, as well a tribute from The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead who calls Jean an ‘inspiration.’

Jean said: “The purpose of the book is to inspire others into thinking that just because they have a disability; it is not the end of the world.

“During my time as Mayoress I was fortunate enough to attend functions at some wonderful places and meet some extraordinary people. If I can do it, then anyone can.”

The Mayoress with MS is available to buy now from the St Helens Carers Centre, priced £4.95 with all profits donated to the St Helens MS branch.

Caption: Inspirational…Jean with husband Geoff at the Mayor making ceremony in 2012.

News

It’s party time at HoneyRose Calling all Frozen fans! Come on down to the HoneyRose Foundation’s children’s Frozen themed Christmas party on Saturday 12 December from 2pm- 4pm for you chance to meet and greet princesses.

Staged in the foundation’s beautiful new ‘Wishes’ function room above its Cotham Street store, there will be party games, music, entertainment, goodie bags for everyone, an appearance by Father Christmas and much more besides.

Tickets are £10, so grab yours while you can.

The licensed function room is available to hire for parties, business meetings, and gatherings of to 120 guests. Disabled access is available and catering can be provided.

To book your Christmas party tickets or for any more information on what other services they have to offer, please call: 01744 451919.

Open for business St Helens Independent Living Services has unveiled its newly refurbished Independent Living Store in St Mary’s Arcade in the town centre.

The store aims to provide a holistic service to people with disabilities, their families and carers. Information and advice is also available on a range of subjects - from benefits and local services to equipment for people with disabilities.

The store’s catalogue includes basic walking aids, scooters, wheelchairs, small aids and equipment for use at home and recliners. It’s also an accredited agent for Stannah stairlifts.

The dedicated team of staff and volunteers are available Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4pm. For more information call 01744 607379

Walk the walk with the Ramblers Association St Helens Group Enjoy walking or maybe thinking of taking it up? Then the St Helens Ramblers Group can help.

They hold several rambles each month, plus social activities, and were recently praised for helping survey 120 miles of Public Right of Way within the borough (see page 13).

Join them on:

Saturday 14 November – Three different coach walks to Hebden Bridge departing from Birchley Street at 9am.

Walk A – (11 miles) Hebden Bridge/Studley pike monument/ Lumbuts/Todmorden/Hebden Bridge Walk B - (9 miles) Hebden Bridge/Hebden Water/Hardcastle Crags/Pennine Way/Heptonstall/ Hebden Bridge.

Walk C - (6.50 miles) Hebden Bridge canal via Blackshaw Head/ Calderdale Way/Heptonstall/ Nutclough/Hebden Bridge.

Saturday 21 November – Train walk to Thurstaston, Wirral (7 miles) meeting at Lime Street Station, Liverpool at 10am Saturday 28 November - Train walk to Disley, Lyme Park (8 miles) departing from St Helens Junction at 9:31am.

Saturday 2 January - Start the New Year with a bang and come along to this easy 6 mile car walk to Lymm, Warington with optional pub lunch at the end. Leaving Birchley Street at 9:30am.

Walks will also take place throughout December.

For more information, contact David Callan on 01744 817492.

For membership enquires, contact Hugh Wareing on 01744 454495.

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Feature

New Ruskin complex ta Work is well underway on the council’s Ruskin Drive sports complex site in Dentons Green - which Council Leader Barrie Grunewald believes will be a ‘marvellous facility for the town.’

“We’re lucky to have such outstanding sports facilities in the borough...”

The project will include replacing existing facilities with upgraded 3G floodlit artificial pitches for rugby and football along with floodlit all weather tennis courts. There will be improvements to bowls, cricket and rounders facilities as well as additional changing rooms and a significant increase in the amount of on-site parking.

Speaking during a recent visit to the site, Councillor Grunewald said: “This marvellous facility for the town will be a huge

Regional showcase

HIGH PROFILE EVENT: The borough’s two MPs, Marie Rimmer and Conor McGinn joined councillors, competitors and organisers at the festival.

Ruskin Drive hosts one of the region’s biggest multi sports events – the annual St Helens Sports Festival.

This year’s event saw teams from across the North West competing in walking football, cricket, touch rugby league and union, rounders, squash, archery, hockey, rugby league

matches and the St Helens Town Juniors FC football tournament.

Visitors were also able to take part in a ‘selfie’ competition, youth zone, girls rugby league training session demonstration as well as much more.

PLANNING AHEAD… Council Leader Barrie Grunewald (left) and Head of Youth and Sports Development Dave Boocock check progress at the Ruskin Drive complex.

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Drive sports akes shape boost for sport and for the development of St Helens - and will help even more young people in the borough get active.

“We’re lucky to have such outstanding sports facilities in the borough available to everyone in the community.”

Working with Sport England, The Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association and Rugby Football League - council officers have been able to revise the designs for the project to reduce costs.

The total investment now stands at £2.5m - of which £1.9m, is from non-council sources.

“The challenging financial climate has forced the council to review its plans for Ruskin Drive but this major refurbishment will bring about significant improvements in the quality of outdoor sports provision in the borough,” said Councillor Grunewald.

“The council is committed to improving people’s lives, creating better places and delivering effectively together. Once complete Ruskin Drive will be a symbol of that commitment.”

Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnson explained why they decided to back the project.

“We know people have a better experience of sport when they have good facilities in which to play. That’s why we’re investing in St Helens Council – so they can improve their facilities and make them more appealing to young people.”

Most of the construction work is expected to be completed by summer 2016.

“The council is committed to improving people’s lives, creating better places and delivering effectively together” www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 17

News

No empty promise St Helens Council is stepping up its efforts to make more homes available to local people.

With demand for housing increasing, the council has a range of measures designed to bring empty properties back into use.

They’re aimed at property owners who, for one reason or another, have left houses empty for more than six months – often attracting vandals and fly tippers and quickly becoming an eyesore and a safety hazard.

The council’s approach aims to reduce the number of empty properties, provide good quality, affordable housing and cut the number of dwellings that fail to meet national, minimum

standards.

The council always tries to negotiate with owners – offering support where appropriate. This can range from information on VAT relief to putting owners in touch with potential renters or purchasers.

Occasionally though, owners refuse to meet their responsibilities – requiring formal intervention. This can range from serving Statutory Notices to deal with immediate issues such as rubbish and dangerous structures, to the use of Compulsory Purchase and Enforced Sale.

Lee Norman, Manager – Private Sector Housing Services said: “A property may be empty for several reasons – including local market turnover, refurbishment

Before and after – how empty properties can be turned around

or probate issues. However, we’re only interested in those properties where there is no real reason why they should not be occupied.”

The council charges a 50 per cent council tax premium on properties that have been empty for two years or more.

Council taxpayers should also notify the Council Tax Section when a property becomes occupied or unoccupied. A review of empty homes is currently underway to ensure the correct discounts or exemptions are being applied.

For more information go to www.sthelens.gov.uk/ emptyproperties. If you are the owner of a vacant property call Amie Glover on 01744 673473 or email contactcentre@sthelens. gov.uk

Soroptimists go pink for breast cancer Members of Soroptimist International dressed in pink to launch their breast cancer awareness project.

Throughout October members organised events to raise awareness of breast cancer and raise funds to support local women with breast cancer and breast cancer charities.

One project focussed on missed mammograms. Just 66 per cent of women locally take up the offer of the test – meaning over 20,000 St Helens women miss out on the chance of early detection and a better chance of cure.

Throughout October members will be

attempting to collect 20,000 pairs of shoes to represent the missing women and are seeking support from workplaces, organisations and individuals. The shoes were displayed at the end of October, then recycled to raise funds for the project.

Members were also hoping to raise over £3,500 at their annual Macmillan Coffee morning in October and were also busy crafting pink flowers for sale throughout the month.

Contact sisthelens@gmail.com for more details or follow the group on Twitter @ sisthelens

Dog team has its day! Light Up A Life St Helens Council’s Dog Welfare and Enforcement team celebrated after receiving a prestigious Bronze level Community Animal Welfare Award.

The award recognises those organisations which go beyond the ‘basic’ requirement of dealing with stray dogs. This year St Helens is one of only nine organisations to receive the award.

The team submitted evidence on the handling, care and processing of stray dogs in St Helens to assessors including the RSPCA, the Local Government Association

and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Green Smart and Sustainable Borough Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron said: “The officers employed by this authority are all fully trained in the 2006 Animal Welfare Act. Their knowledge, experience and training are key to delivering the type of service that our residents deserve. We have always known the Dog Welfare and Enforcement team offered a good service and we are delighted the work is now recognised by a national award.”

this Christmas Let Willowbrook Hospice help you remember your loved ones this Christmas by taking part in the ‘Light Up a Life’ appeal. The appeal has been held for the last 17 years, remembering over 50, 000 people and raising over £330,000.

Life services:

For every donation, Willowbrook will send you a special commemorative card in memory of your loved one. Their names will also be added to a book of remembrance which will be on display at each of our Light Up a

All money raised from the appeal helps Willowbrook continue to provide care and support for local people and their families.

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They take place on Monday 7 December (Prescot Parish Church, Prescot), Tuesday 8 December (Church of the Holy Spirit, Dovecot) and Wednesday 9 December (St Mary’s Lowe House, St Helens).

To donate online visit www. willowbrook.org.uk/get-involved or call 01744 453798.

Business News

Growth boost for shutter firm Local roller shutter expert Kirk Craig Ltd is one of the latest companies to benefit from St Helens Council’s £1million Business Grant Fund.

The company was awarded a grant of just over £4,300 towards the cost of a new van by the fund – which helps businesses realise their plans for growth and create jobs for local people.

So far 24 grants have been awarded to established businesses and 53 given to startups – worth a total of £185,800 and enabling the creation of 107 new jobs.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE: Council Leader Barrie Grunewald (left) with LEP Chair Robert Hough (centre) and Steve Watson, General Manager of Multimesh.

Growth Grants generate local jobs Council Leader Barrie Grunewald has congratulated local wirework company Multimesh UK - the first of six local enterprises to receive Business Growth Grant investment that could generate up to 37 jobs by the end of the year.

The grant programme is funded by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund – which was secured by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership in partnership with the six Local Authorities of the City Region, and has so far generated nearly 150 jobs across the borough.

In St Helens, grants totalling £1,030,552 and ranging in size from £251,000 to £85,000 have leveraged a further £5,716,400 in private sector investment, funding projects as diverse as expanded production facilities, software

upgrades and the purchase of new machinery.

The six local companies to receive investment after entering bids to the grants programme include those operating in the engineering, glasswork and sanitation sectors.

Councillor Grunewald, who visited Multimesh recently said: “The Business Growth Grant has had a clear and positive impact on the local economy – helping local businesses to take their operations to the next level.

“Equally important though, is the fact that we’ve now got nearly 150 jobs in the borough that would either not exist or be under threat if it weren’t for the extra funding.”

In total 93 jobs have been created with a further 69 existing jobs secured in St Helens as a direct result of the grants and subsequent private sector investment.

Tech firm’s truck solution St Helens Council’s Business Grant Fund has helped a local firm that protects critical infrastructure in Norway from attack by electronic warfare.

MJ Safety Solutions is taking the lead in developing secure storage for essential computer servers covering the country’s power generation plants and telecoms.

It’s part of a government strategy that aims to shield critical services from electromagnetic bombs - which send out energy pulses that affect electronic

circuitry without harming humans or damaging buildings.

MJ Safety Solutions are working in association with Norwegian-based Norshield AS to supply the secure units, which are designed and manufactured at the business’s new headquarters in Lea Green.

Managing Director Martin Gray said the grant money had been used to buy a new vehicle.

Family run Kirk Craig employs nine people and manufactures, installs, repairs and maintains roller shutter doors and other security devices, for commercial, retail, industrial and domestic customers.

Councillor Barrie Grunewald, Leader of St Helens Council, said: “Too often we see innovative, dynamic businesses hampered by cashflow problems and unable to take the next big step that helps them to realise their potential.

“The Business Grant Fund is designed to help companies like Kirk Craig and we’re delighted to see the business moving forward.”

Company Director Scott Craig said: “The business is growing and we needed to invest in new vehicles, tools and machinery in order to carry on delivering for our customers.

“Receiving the grant allowed us to capitalise on the opportunity to invest in the business and took the pressure off our cashflow.”

The Grant Fund is managed by St Helens Chamber and all applications for funding are approved by an Independent Investment Panel.

For more information visit www. sthelenschamber.com/business_grants or call 01744 742082 (for start-ups) or 01744 742058 (for established businesses).

“We need to transport the steel and components that we use,” he explained, “and previously we were using hauliers to do that. But with the grant support we have now purchased our own transport, which is very useful.”

The £1m Business Grant Fund provided by St Helens Council, offers grants between £500 and £10,000 to both start-ups and established businesses, to assist small to medium sized businesses expand and create jobs.

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Feature

Are you ready for PIP? St Helens Council is urging residents who claim disability benefits to respond quickly to letters about a new payment system from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

St Helens residents were among the first to be invited to claim Personal Independent Payments (PIP) – which replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Letters began arriving in St Helens homes in July.

PIP is already in place for new claimants in St Helens, but has now been extended - for the

first time - to people who currently have a long-term or indefinite award of DLA. These people will receive a letter inviting them to claim PIP instead.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Anthony Johnson said: “These are major changes that will affect a significant number of our residents claiming disability benefits. We would urge everyone to claim for PIP as soon as they receive their correspondence letter from the DWP.”

DLA will be phased out over the next two years. However claimants will NOT receive PIP automatically just because they qualify for DLA. All claimants MUST make a claim for PIP within 28 days of receiving their notification letter from the DWP - otherwise their payments will stop.

The aim is for all existing DLA claimants to have been invited to claim PIP by late 2017.

For more information go to: www.gov.uk/government/publications/timetable-forpip-replacing-dla

What you need to do Tell the DWP if you want to claim PIP – When you get your letter you’ll need to let the DWP know within four weeks if you want to claim PIP. In the meantime find out more about PIP at www.gov.uk/pip Make a PIP claim – If you make a PIP claim, you’ll need to provide information about how your health condition or disability affects you. An independent health professional will be asked to look at how your disability or health condition affects your daily life - to make sure you get the right level of support.

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News

Servicemen attended a remembrance ceremony at the war graves in Latour-en-Woevre.

We will Home is where the recycling is remember them Recycling Promotions Assistant Shelagh Edwards and the MWRA’s Tony Scott hand out leaflets to members of the public in the Hardshaw Centre.

St Helens Council and Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority teamed up to help people expand their recycling routine to all rooms in the home.

The council’s Recycling Promotions Assistant, Shelagh Edwards and Tony Scott, Waste Prevention Officer for MWRA explained that recycling is close to home as they handed out leaflets listing everyday recyclable items.

“We want to thank everyone for their recycling efforts” said Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Green, Smart and Sustainable Borough.

“What’s currently recycled makes a huge difference, so just imagine what else could be achieved by recycling those items that are

sometimes forgotten.”

Do you have unwanted items that are filling up wardrobe space? If so, we are making it easy for residents to recycle unwanted textiles by introducing a free made to measure service.

To arrange a textiles collection date, call 01744 676789 or email contactcentre@sthelens. gov.uk and request a bag sticker for your unwanted items.

On your collection date, place the items into sealed bags with the sticker showing in a visible point on your property before 8:30am.

Damaged clothing cannot be accepted.

For more information on accepted recycling items from the home, go to www.sthelens.gov.uk/recycling

Image conscious

LEFT AND ABOVE: Just two of the fabulous photos taken by club members – HMS Illustrious and a greater spotted woodpecker.

Fancy yourself a keen photographer?

Want to develop your behind-the-lens abilities? If so, St Helens Camera Club is eager to hear from you.

Founded in 1900, the club has come a long way from those early days of smoky flash powders, tripods and black felt covers – now using the latest in digital image capturing and editing technology.

The club has over 70 members of varying ability, all of an affable nature and ready to welcome beginners and steady-handed veterans alike, whatever your style or equipment.

Each season, the club creates an exciting

syllabus of inspiring talks from professional photographers, exhibitions, practical nights, organised days out and monthly members’ competitions – considered crucial to development, as members receive feedback from a Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union appointed judge.

The club’s current season began in September and will continue into April. Meetings take place each Monday 8pm-10pm at Bishop Road Police Club, St Helens, WA10 6TA. To get involved see www.sthelenscameraclub.org.uk or contact secretary@ sthelenscameraclub.org.uk

Rainhill Parish Council and Civic Society have joined forces to build links with a village in northern France, to remember Rainhill’s fallen servicemen and women of the First World War. The twinning project with Latour-en-Woëvre aims to strengthen links between communities to honour a local lad who was killed aged 19 when his plane was shot down in Latour.

2nd Lt Thomas Jones, the son of a Rainhill Station Master, was buried by villagers of Latour who have always celebrated his memory.

An annual ceremony will be held simultaneously in both villages as an act of remembrance and thanksgiving.

Twinning Group Chair, Cllr Derek Long said: “This link shows how the council is remembering our past to guide us for a better future.

“We hope to encourage organisations in each community to establish links and build relationships so future generations do not forget the sacrifices made in the Great War.” • If you or a member of your family are, or were, in the armed forces, then visit St.Helens Council’s Website and search ‘St Helens Armed Forces’ for further information and news on the local Armed Forces Community.

Food for thought Sherdley Primary School used a nonuniform day as food for thought to collect donations for the St Helens Food bank. The school councillors worked hard collecting, delivering and sorting out various food items and toiletries. Staff at the centre were overwhelmed with the amount of food donated, believed to be the largest donation made by one school.

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Feature

Exciting Times

These are exciting times at Rainhill – Over the last year the school has seen over 600 applications for places in Year 7, a full sixth form, a successful Ofsted Inspection and even better results at both GCSE and A level.

In addition, the school’s performing and visual arts were described as ‘World Class’ by HMI, as well as many trips, visits, clubs and activities organised for students.

Headteacher John Pout said: “Most importantly children love coming to Rainhill. They make life-long friends, work hard, behave well and get great examination results.”

Rainhill sixth form is one of the best in the country. It achieves excellent, value-added results when compared to sixth form colleges. It thrives because it’s small, with class sizes averaging eight students.

This year’s exam results saw a 14 per cent rise in A* to B grades and a 100 per cent pass rate.

More Rainhill students than ever before are going to Russell Group Universities.

The sixth form’s Arts Academy provides high quality, professional opportunities for performing and visual arts students. The aim is to prepare and help students secure places at the most prestigious arts universities in the UK. Every visual arts student has achieved a place in their first choice university.

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Great Ambassador Head Girl Rebecca Hodge is a true ambassador for the school.

She was the driving force behind the now annual Sophie Lancaster Day and has won the High Sheriff’s ‘Crime Beat’ award. She also made the trip to London to be presented with the Giving Nation Social Action award.

In school, Rebecca has been house captain in Year 7 and Vice-Captain in Year 10. She has also been an anti-bullying ambassador and is now the Chair of the school antibullying group. As leader of the School Council she led the review of catering, and has worked with teachers to improve the transition from primary to high school.

PHOTO: Jordan Ibe

Premier League pupils For the last seven years, Rainhill High School has enjoyed a formal partnership with Premier League giants Liverpool FC.

And, if this wasn’t enough, Rebecca is an excellent musician and actor, landing an important role in the summer production of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat.’

“Being Head Girl means that I can prove to other people that, if you put your mind to something, you can achieve great things and reach great heights if you believe in yourself,” she said.

John Pout added: “Rebecca is a tour de force.

The club’s Academy place approximately 50 of their best players aged between 11 and 16 at the school, while under 18s and under 21s are part of the sixth form set up.

So far five Rainhill students have gone on to play for the first team - Raheem Sterling, Jerome Sinclair, Jordan Ibe, Trent AlexanderArnold and Sheyi Ojo. She is a student with strong views on how the school, St Helens, Britain and the World can be made better. She keeps us on our toes - good on her, she’s brilliant.”

The partnership is the largest and most academically successful in the Premier League. Rainhill LFC students average eight GCSEs at A* to C including English and maths.

but there’s still more and better to come!

“It offers bespoke one-to-one support for university audition and portfolio preparation as well as work experience placements,” said John.

“Enrichment opportunities with MediaCity, Royal Ballet School, LIPA, The Citadel, Youth Dance England, Amber Creative and Royal Academy of Dance are all provided.”

Meanwhile, Rainhill’s Science Academy programme is providing a great springboard for students aiming to study science at sixth form and beyond. Its goal is to put students at the top of the ‘most wanted’ list for universities and industry.

It gives students direct access to science but more importantly - helps and supports students in their own scientific interests through personalised research and placements.

Through collaborations, access to research scientists, industry and public laboratories, students gain unique access to science in the real world.

No of students: 1550 Specialism: Arts Ofsted rating: Good Website: www.rainhillhighschool.org.uk 01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 23

Feature

St Helens, a centre for culture

Here in St Helens, we have a vast wealth of rich and vibrant culture on our doorstep thanks to a number of local organisations. Here are just a few of the teams helping to make St Helens an ever-expanding centre for the arts.

Cultural Hubs – Arts in Libraries is an Arts Council England funded programme of work which allows St Helens Council to animate the borough’s network of 13 libraries with high quality music, dance, drama, theatre and visual arts performances, exhibitions and participatory arts projects.

St Helens Council’s Arts and Library Service established Cultural Hubs in 2013 following a successful funding application to Arts Council England. Due to its initial success, further funding of just under £100,000 was awarded to continue to develop Cultural Hubs through to March 2017. Recently one of three libraries nationally to be shortlisted for the Libraries Change Lives award, the programme is going from strength to strength.

The autumn season of Cultural Hubs is currently in full swing, with hard-hitting drama, children’s’ workshops and film-showings, there’s something for everyone, including Creative Alternatives – an Arts On Prescription scheme for people suffering mild to moderate mental health issues, funded through Public Health.

The full events programme is available now in libraries. Visit www.culturalhubs.eventbrite. co.uk for tickets.

24 St StHelens HelensFirst First | | Winter Winter2015 2015 | | www.sthelens.gov.uk www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789

Get it Loud in Libraries, has been creating exciting opportunities for young people to lead, participate, volunteer and excel in artistic and cultural activity, as well as introducing a diverse range of established and emerging pop artists to young people in safe, high quality venues.

The council’s Music Service is creating unique opportunities for children and young people with its range of free after school bands, orchestras and choirs. Taught by experienced and qualified tutors, sessions are open to all who live or are educated in the borough, and there are plenty of chances to perform throughout the year. To find out more call the team on 01744 677946 or email musicservice@sthelens.gov.uk.

Heart of Glass is a new arts commissioning project supporting work made with, for and about the St Helens people and place. They support artists and communities to make ambitious new work in the borough in response to the Creative People and Places programme, made possible by investment from Arts Council England.

The team has recently launched TakeOverFest, a three month art festival in the town and the renaming of the Ravenhead Greenway Park in the Your Name Here public art competition. Family Arts Club regularly takes place in St Mary’s Market for youngsters, and local artists have been bringing their visions to life through the Prototype Projects scheme. See www.heartofglass.org.uk.

Yellow Door Artists Rhyannon Parry and Naoise Johnson-Martin recently partnered up with Heart of Glass and set up shop in the then vacant Burton store, before moving to the Beecham Building. The pair created an exciting temporary exhibition space for artists from across the country, entitled The Beauty of a Creative Space, backed by St Helens Councillor and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Young People, Andy Bowden.

The pair are regular contributors to the plucky and bohemian cluster of independent artists who have received widespread public support for their topical public artworks, united under the banner Free Art Friday.

Other artist collectives include Platform Studios above St Mary’s Market www.platformartsthelens.co.uk/ and Passsoul who create beautiful upcycled furniture from their studio and shop in Newton le Willows www.passsoul.co.uk/ Of course, the arts could not flourish without great venues, and we have many here in St Helens.

The World of Glass has for the last 15 years been the centre of St Helens history and culture, and is currently the town’s artistic hotspot, supporting both local and regional emerging talent.

Home to the St Helens Heritage collection and

the Pilkington Crystal collection it also boasts three large exhibitions spaces which are host to the town’s largest programme of temporary exhibitions. More recently The World of Glass has become the home of the St Helens Open Art and Junior Open Art exhibitions which champion the best local talent.

Helens. Recently renovated within and without, the historic venue has a large capacity and stages many performances, including comedy, music, drama and excellent Christmas pantomime. The theatre provides a wide variety of entertainment from top class comedians to musical shows.

For over 20 years, The Citadel has been bringing fantastic artists to audiences in St Helens. The team are delighted to be collaborating with Heart of Glass on an ambitious programme of work this autumn that will see performances from organisations such as Live Art Development Agency and DaDaFest and a range of artists will present shows including If These Spasms Could Speak, and Duckie Club Night.

Pick up a brochure from The Citadel Box Office or see www.citadel.org.uk.

There really is something for everyone in St Helens, so get out there and find it! Don’t forget to check out our ‘What’s On’ pages to see what great events are taking place this winter.

The Theatre Royal is the oldest theatre in St

OPPOSITE PAGE: poet JB Barrington (Sara Smith Photography) THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: St Helens Vs the Lizards / artist Joshua Sofaer and Vera Bowes nee Page / UC Crew / Heart of Glass’ neon sign above Town Hall steps.

01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 25

Health

Don’t delay, get your flu vaccine today!

For most of us, a dose of flu is an unpleasant experience and means a few days poorly in bed. But for many people, flu can be a killer.

The only way to protect against flu is by having the flu vaccine. St Helens had the highest uptake of flu vaccination across Merseyside last year for adults aged over 65 years and Merseyside had the highest uptake in England.

We are now in the midst of flu season and if you haven’t done so already, it’s really important that, if you’re eligible, you book in with your GP to get your flu vaccine as soon as possible.

Am I eligible for a flu vaccine?

The following groups are eligible for a flu vaccine: • Adults aged 65 and over.

• Anyone who has a longterm health condition such as heart, respiratory, liver, kidney, neurological disease or diabetes.

• • • •

Pregnant women Carers of vulnerable people Health and social care staff Children aged 2, 3 and 4 and children in school years 1 and 2 Studies have found that children are key spreaders of the flu virus, due to their close contact with each other, and this makes them more likely to catch flu and transmit it to other vulnerable groups.

To book in for your flu vaccine or for information on how to get your child vaccinated, contact your local GP surgery. Alternatively, some pharmacies will be offering immunisation to at risk groups. If you work in health or social care, see your employer for details of the flu vaccine.

Don’t wait for a letter –

contact your GP practice today.

As part of last year’s flu campaign for St Helens, the Public Health team wrote to all nurseries, playgroups and child-minders in the borough with information to encourage parents and carers of two to four year olds to take up the offer of the nasal spray vaccine. Public Health engaged with children by asking them to draw their very own Flu Monster creations and here are the winning drawings which will be used in this year’s campaign to encourage and inspire more parents to protect their children.

Smokefree cars will protect children

GET THE MESSAGE: Ellie May Buckley from Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School won a schools competition – organised by the Smokefree St Helens Service - to design a poster promoting smokefree cars.

Children are now protected from smoking in cars.

The law, which came into force on 1 October 2015, will see £50 fixed penalty notices being issued to people smoking in a car with anyone under the age of 18 present. Drivers will also be penalised if they do not stop someone smoking in their car if anyone under 18 is present.

The law has been brought in to protect children from the dangers of second-hand smoke - which causes 300,000 GP visits for children every year and puts them at risk of serious health conditions such as respiratory infections, meningitis and triggering asthma.

A survey by the British Lung Foundation found that 86 per cent of children who are exposed to smoking in cars would like the smoker to stop.

St Helens Council’s Director of Public Health

26 St Helens First | Winter 2015 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789

Liz Gaulton said, “The passing of this law is a big step forward in protecting children’s health from second-hand smoke. Over 80 per cent of cigarette smoke is invisible and contains more than 4,000 chemicals, and by smoking just a single cigarette in a car exposes children to high levels of air pollutants.

By introducing this law, we are reducing children’s chances of breathing in these harmful poisons and increasing the number of smokefree environments for them.”

If you’re thinking about quitting smoking you can contact the Smokefree St Helens Service for free help and support on 01744 586 247 or by texting QUIT to 61825. You can also visit their website at http://www. readytostopsmoking.co.uk/ For more information about the new smoking in cars legislation, please visit http://www.gov. uk/smokefreecars

Creative Alternatives Funded by St.Helens Council’s Public Health Department and run as part of the Cultural Hubs Arts In Libraries programme, a new and free approach for dealing with stress, anxiety and depression is now available to adults in St.Helens.

Time to talk ABOVE: St Helens Mayor and Mayoress, Councillors Steve and Lynn Glover opened the conversation at a Church Square event earlier this year.

Having a mental health problem is hard enough, but sometimes the isolation and stigma can make it even worse. But there’s one simple thing that you can do to help – talk about mental health.

That’s why St Helens Council’s Healthy Living Team recently gathered 100 non-experts at the Time to Talk in St Helens #10000minutes launch event.

These volunteers were tasked with having 10 minute conversations about mental health with 10 other people, creating 10,000 minutes of conversation,

helping to dispel mental health stigmas.

Many residents have helped the team to surpass the 10,000 minute target, getting in touch to tell where they’ve had mental health conversations of their own.

So whether it’s that call, that walk, that text or that cuppa… it’s the little things we do that make a big difference.

Find out more about mental health and how to be there for someone at www.Live-Life-Well.net, visit www.time-to-change.org.uk and follow the conversation, #10000minutes.

Creative Alternatives is a series of creative workshops which alleviate stress and improve wellbeing by giving you something meaningful to do with your time, helping you meet others, explore feelings and take time out to relax and unwind.

Workshops take place weekly, exploring a range of visual and performing art forms.

Contact Helen Holden, Project Coordinator on 07745590698 or email helen@reativealternatives for a referral form”

Smokefree success Congratulations to the many hundreds of local people who took on Public Health England’s Stoptober campaign – the nation’s biggest mass quit smoking attempt – this year. The Smokefree St Helens service heard some great success stories whilst out and about in the town centre during the event, offering cessation support and advice.

To spur you on in kicking the habit, the team is keen to share one anecdote from local quit hero Stephen Landers, a longtime smoker aged 62. Stephen said: “I wanted to look grown up and impress the girls so I started smoking when I was at school around the age of 15. My colleagues and close members

of my family don’t smoke so in some ways they were part of the reason why I gave up.

“One of the main things that kept me motivated to not smoke was my decision to get fit for a Cancer Research cycle ride that I successfully completed with my sister earlier this year.

“The Smokefree St Helens service was very good, they have really supported me. I’m financially better off now that I’ve stopped smoking and had a great time in Holland completing the cycle ride.

“My advice to anyone wanting to give up is to make the most of the free resources available and to get in touch with St Helen’s stop smoking service. It’s worth a try and won’t cost you anything.”

01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 27

St. Helens Council’s community magazine

Winter 2015

What’s on WHAT’S ON

For more information about what’s happening in St Helens, go to www.whatsoninsthelens.com For regular updates, go to facebook.com/whatsoninsthelens and ‘like’ our page, WINTER 2015 Alternatively, call 01744 676731. or follow us on twitter @whatsonsthelens.

November December THE FOUR SEASONS EXHIBITION

BY SUE GERRARD AND CAROL ANNE EAVES 11 November - 15 December Fir Tree Farm, Kings Moss ST HELENS LIGHTS SWITCH ON 14 November Victoria Square THE SMITHS LTD (TRIBUTE BAND) 14 November Citadel Arts Centre FOSTER & ALLEN 18 November Th BETFAIR CHASE FESTIVAL 20-21 November Haydock Park Racecourse WILLOWBROOK HOSPICE RETRO DISCO 21 November 7:30pm at Rainhill Village Hall WILLOWBROOK HOSPICE CHRISTMAS FAYRE 21 November St Helens College ST HELENS LIVE –SILHOUETTE DANCE CLUB 21 November Town Hall ST HELENS BEER FESTIVAL SUPPORTING THE STEVE PRESCOTT FOUNDATION 27-28 November Town Hall ST HELENS LADIES CHOIR CONCERT 28 November 7:30pm at St Thomas Church, Westfield Street ARRIVAL OF FATHER CHRISTMAS 28 November Tyrers Department Store

SCHOOLS CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2 December St Helens Parish Church DICK WHITTINGTON PANTOMINE 2-3 December Citadel Arts Centre CINDERELLA PANTOMINE 4 December – 10 January Theatre Royal STEVE PRESCOTT & WILLBROOK HOSPICE SANTA DASH 5 December Church Square ST MARY’S MARKET CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON 5 December St Mary’s Market RAINFORD CHRISTMAS FAYRE 5 December 11am to 3pm Rainford village centre STAR WARS DAY (CHARACTERS VISIT) 6 December Throughout the town centre FATHER CHRISTMAS & REINDEER DAY 12 December Throughout the town centre ST HELENS CHORAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS CONCERT 12 December St Thomas Church, Westfield Street.

HEART OF GLASS PRESENTS: KIDS RAVE 19 December Citadel Arts Centre

28 St Helens First | Winter 2015 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789

January

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 27 January St Helens Town Hall and Central Library A VISION OF ELVIS 30 January Theatre Royal

Local lights ready to switch on Christmas is coming – and the borough’s various districts will be getting festive with their own local lights switch-ons. Why not pop along?

25 NOVEMBER

Peasley Cross - Sherdley Road/ Sutton Road 4pm

26 NOVEMBER

Fingerpost – Higher Parr Street 4pm Earlestown – Market Street 6pm Haydock – Haydock Library 6pm

27 NOVEMBER

Rainhill – Houghton Street 4.30pm

28 NOVEMBER Bold – The Pastures 5pm

4 DECEMBER

Wargrave – Park Road South (outside nursing home) 5pm Windle - Dentons Green Lane 4.30pm Garswood - Garswood Rd/Station Rd 6pm Thatto Heath – Thatto Heath Rd 4pm

6 DECEMBER

Newton – Newton High Street (outside St Peters Church) 5pm Rainford – Church Rd 1pm

11 DECEMBER

Billinge – Pingot Rd/Main Street 6.30pm

Reduce, reuse, recycle, rewards!

Introducing Recycling Rewards – a new green incentive scheme from St Helens Council, funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government. Your welcome pack, containing all you need to start earning rewards and discounts, will be arriving through your door soon.

How does it work?

Rewards for you!

Each month, the top performing recycler and runner-up in their community will win £50 and £25 respectively to spend on a choice of vouchers including M&S and iTunes, products, family experiences or local charity donation. There will also be randomly selected prize draws each month.

Recycling is broken down into a ward-by-ward competition – the same areas you’d use for local voting – with reward points given to residents based on their individual and community’s improved performance.

To start earning points and discounts you’ll need to activate your account online using the activation code enclosed in your welcome pack.

To do this go to www.sthelens. gov.uk/recyclingrewards.

Alternatively activate using the free council app or call 0207 326 5055 to request a freepost activation form.

To download, search ‘St. Helens Council’ in your app store.

Once activated, your card can then be used to get exclusive offers and discounts from local businesses across St.Helens with new discounts and offers added regularly. The full directory can be found at www.sthelens.gov.uk/recyclingrewards

Rewards for your community!

12 months on from the start of the scheme, all activated members can vote for the charity they’d like to win. £10,000 will be donated to local charities , so the more you recycle, the more you can earn for good causes.

Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, Cabinet Member for Green Smart and Sustainable Borough, said: “We’re all aware of the need to recycle what rubbish we can, reducing our impact on the environment. In St Helens Borough, we recycle 42 per cent of our waste – an achievement to be proud of – but there’s still much more we can do to reach the 50 per cent by 2020 target.

“The more you reduce, reuse and recycle the better chance you have of winning rewards for yourself and for local charities like HoneyRose Foundation, Steve Prescott Foundation, Hope Centre and Willowbrook Hospice.”

So get involved and start earning those points and discounts today!

Every little helps for food bank Thanks to kind-hearted residents, Tesco Metro in Clock Face was able to donate 32 trays worth of food to the St Helens food back, as part of their Neighbourhood Food Collection event.

This will go towards making around 200 meals.

Well done to all those involved!

01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 29

First Feedback St. Helens Council’s community magazine

Winter 2015

What’s your problem?

Unless we know about your problems then we can’t help. We really do want to hear from you if something is wrong. It may be a fly tipping issue, dog fouling or a missed bin collection. We want you to get vocal. We can’t fix it unless we know about it.

A very big thank you to everyone who contacted us since the last edition of First.

Here is a sample of the subjects you raised and how we responded.

Problem

Solution

You reported a large amount of offensive graffiti cases including explicit language between Pennine Drive and Broad Oak Road.

Graffiti was removed.

Several dog fouling incidents were brought to our attention.

Mess was cleared and more signs have been put in place.

You reported fly tipping as a big problem.

It has all been cleared.

A number of cases involving litter were reported across the borough.

Litter has been removed and more bins have been installed.

You brought faulty street lighting to our attention.

Repairs were made.

Numerous potholes around the borough.

Repair work has been ordered.

Broken glass on Queens Park play area.

The glass was cleared.

30 St Helens First | Winter 2015 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789

First Feedback

So what is your problem?

If you’ve got an issue – we want to hear about it.

Just fill in the form and drop it off at your local library, the council’s Contact Centre in Wesley House, or post it to: St Helens First, St Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, St Helens WA10 1HP.

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01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2015 | St Helens First 31

32 St Helens First | Winter 2015 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789