Hospice kick starts work placement scheme for young people

5 young people have embarked on a new adventure, at St Josephs Hospice in, Thornton, this week. The young people, aged between 16 and 24, have been recruited by the hospice to special 6 month work placements as part of the Government funded Kickstart scheme. Its aim is to improve the future employment prospects of young people by providing them with a 6 month paid and supported work placement. At the hospice, 2 brand new roles have been created for the young people, 2 will be joining as care support assistants supporting nurses and carers and three will join as retail assistants working in the Hospice's charity shops. St. Joseph's Hospice was accepted by the Department of Work and Pensions as an employer in its new Kickstart Scheme earlier this year.

Mike Parr, chief executive of St. Joseph's Hospice, said:- "We have developed these new Kickstart work placements specifically to give young people a taste of work life as well as the opportunity to improve their workplace readiness skills. The long term benefits for the young people who take part in the scheme will be considerable, but in return, the benefits for the hospice and our local communities will also be significant and we hope to recruit more young people to Kickstart placements over the coming months."

Bill Esterson MP praises "brilliant" 8 Alleyways Project and encourages public to show support

ON Wednesday, 19 May 2021, the MP for Sefton Central, Bill Esterson, has encouraged his constituents and members of the public to support a plan to regenerate the streets of Formby. The plan, called:- '8 Alleyways Project,' is being led by community interest company:- 'Imagine Formby' and aims to transform 8 alleys leading off Chapel Lane, in Formby, from dangerous and antisocial areas to bright, green and artistic spaces with living walls, street art and creative lighting. Each alleyway will be designed by the Imagine Formby Arts, Culture and Heritage group, in collaboration with local Schools and the Formby Civic Society. They will be transformed through plants, street art, conservation measures, improved lighting and entrance features, and will all be given new names to create a cohesive theme and identity.

Bill Esterson, MP for Sefton Central, said:- "The 8 Alleyways Project is a brilliant idea to regenerate our area on a local scale, and in doing so encourages residents to have pride in their community. Formby is a fantastic place to live and work, not least because of people like Carol Richards, Lynne Harwood, Pat Wordley and Blair Hilton who dedicate so much of their time and energy to making where they live better for everyone. I encourage all of my constituents and members of the public to show their support, and to donate to the crowd funder where possible."

Carol Richards, who leads as Imagine Formby fundraiser, said:- "The team of volunteers at Imagine Formby are dedicated and committed members of our community. Please support this project by donating to our crowd funder."

Kevin Haygarth, who Chairs Imagine Formby, said:- "The culture of Imagine Formby CIC is 1 of constant public and business involvement. We need residents' support for everything we do. All successful Town Centre regeneration projects have this element in their plans. An excellent team already works with us, but we would very much welcome new members with the skills and background to take a number of projects forward."

The group have got less than 7 weeks left to reach our target of ₤11,440 they require to complete the envisioned transformation of the area. If you can help them, please go to:- SpaceHive.com.  You can also follow them on Facebook for updates:- Facebook.com/ImagineFormby.

If they are successful at raising the cash each alleyway will be designed by the Imagine Formby Arts, Culture and Heritage group, in collaboration with local schools and the Formby Civic Society, to transform it, through:-

►  Planting - living walls, pots, troughs, and hanging displays.

► Street art  - depicting local history and other local references.

► Conservation - highlighting iconic features.

►  Lighting - eco-friendly lighting installations that improve safety and the aesthetics of the alleyways.

►  Installing entrance features - archways/trellis.

►  Naming - creating a cohesive theme and identity.

What are your thoughts on this project? Please do let us know:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com..