St Helens Council distributes thousands of food and energy vouchers to families experiencing financial hardship
St Helens Borough Council has distributed thousands of supermarket and energy vouchers to help low-income families during the winter months – with more support available over Easter. As part of the government’s Winter Grant Scheme, which launched in December 2020 to help cover food and energy costs, supermarket vouchers to the value of £15 per […]
BLOG: Looking back on a year since lockdown
It has been a year since Liverpool entered lockdown for the first time – Director of Public Health Matthew Ashton reflects on 12 months of dealing with the worst pandemic in a century. If we have to start anywhere when writing about the last 12 months, it has to be thinking about the 1,300 people […]
This Is Not What It Was Meant to Be by Dorcas Seb
2020 cancelled20’s a shamblesFor the 20’sAnd the Gen Z’sWhere the 4 walls have become my new friendsWhere the 4 walls know me more than my real friendsWhere screens have become the fourth walls, like FacebookI, like Beech treeHave longed for the nature of nurture longing for my branches to reach out ,Embrace a neighbourThese branches […]
Again by Pauline McAdam
We will dance again.We will sing again.We will claim back our livesproud and fierce again.This pandemic of fearLocked away,we’ll draw nearto our day to day hopes,needs,gripes,dreams:Again In the room againno more Zoom again;drinking tea with me Nan on the couch again.No two metre divide;not arm’s length but arms wide.Cross the threshold to family lifeAgain Stay […]
Virtual events planned for World Book Day
Calling all young bookworms – St Helens Library Service has a host of special virtual events planned this week to celebrate World Book Day (Thursday 4 March). As part of the day’s celebrations, children are encouraged to dress up as their favourite book character and take part in a range of activities taking place through […]
New £10m Local Business Support Grants Launched for Liverpool City Region
A further £10m round of financial support has been announced for Liverpool City Region businesses. The new Local Business Support Grants, of between £3750 and £13500 per business, are aimed at businesses who have not yet accessed funding from the Liverpool City Region. The £10m fund is the latest round of the Liverpool City Region […]
Hair and beauty professionals trained to spot and support domestic abuse survivors
A hundred local hairdressers and beauticians are being trained to spot the signs of domestic abuse and support survivors as part St Helens Borough Council’s Voices Against Domestic Abuse campaign, launched in August last year. Hair and beauty professionals have a unique opportunity to support their clients with a range of issues including domestic abuse, […]
“Be the light in the darkness” – Mayor marks World Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day, today, Wednesday 27 January, is the day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the liberation by the Red Army of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi […]
Feeling blue? It’s always good to talk…
Acting Mayor Wendy Simon Today is apparently the most depressing day of the year. “Blue Monday”, as it’s called. Given the fact we’re under our third lockdown, I suspect your mental wellbeing may not be as strong as usual. Let me just say from the outset, it is completely normal to experience feelings of worry, […]
Top early years professionals to share best practice at virtual conference
A number of nationally and internationally recognised figures in the world of early years education will share their wisdom at a virtual summit this month (January) to help ensure children in St Helens Borough get off to the best possible start in life. Organised by St Helens Borough Council, the five-day long interactive conference has […]