Police awarded ₤11.3m for programmes to prevent domestic abuse crimes

THE Home Office has awarded ₤11.3 million to 25 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales, to go towards domestic abuse intervention programmes. The programmes focus on interventions encouraging behaviour change to help stop perpetrators from committing domestic abuse, with the ultimate aim of preventing further crimes from being committed. Funding will also focus on key areas such as stalking prevention and supporting adolescent perpetrators.

The Home Secretary Priti Patel said:- "To prevent the abhorrent crimes of domestic abuse from happening in the first place, we must deepen our understanding of who commits them, why they do so, and how it may escalate.   This fund builds on the considerable work already taking place to tackle domestic abuse and aims to better understand key behaviours so we can put a stop to them for good."

To secure funding, PCCs were able to bid for up to 3 projects in partnership with a local service provider of their choice. The programmes use different methods to encourage behaviour change, including 1 to 1 and group therapy and community based activity. Key objectives of the programmes include reduction in the frequency and gravity of abuse, reduction in the risk posed by the perpetrator and improved safety and protection for victims.

Specific interventions and projects across the country which the funding will go towards include:-

► Providing targeted support to address substance misuse, mental health and unemployment.

► Therapy and Compulsive and Obsessive Behaviour programmes to address behaviours linked to stalking.

► Behavioural change courses for children and adolescents who are abusive, violent or using self destructive behaviour, often as a result of having been exposed to domestic abuse within their home environment.

► Perpetrator support work in Schools including:- healthy relationships education, delivered by professionals as part of the relationship and sex education requirement of Schools.

The funding announced today builds on work already taking place to tackle domestic abuse. Earlier this year the Home Office passed the landmark Domestic Abuse Act, which will bolster the response to domestic abuse on every level, strengthening protections for victims whilst also ensuring perpetrators feel the full force of the law. Last month the Government also published its Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, to help ensure that women and girls are safe everywhere; at home, online and on the streets.  The Home Office also took swift action right at the beginning of the Pandemic with the:- '#YouAreNotAlone' campaign and worked with pharmacies across the country to launch the Ask for Ani codeword scheme. This is in addition to appointing a Domestic Abuse Commissioner and providing more than ₤28 million to domestic abuse organisations. Research into perpetrator interventions is key to understanding the issue of domestic abuse, which is why the Home Office also intends to conduct an evaluation of activity later in the financial year. The evaluations will be used to inform funding plans for future years and to ensure a more targeted approach to any future funding. The bidding window for this fund closed on 2 July and of the applications received, 31 bids were successful totalling:- ₤11,335,884.89. Approximately ₤5.6m of this will go towards general perpetrator interventions, ₤3m for child and adolescent perpetrator interventions and ₤2.7m for stalking interventions.

Tate Liverpool reopens family space to inspire creative young visitors

THIS summer, Tate Liverpool reopens its family space with a programme packed full of free, creative, hands on activities for children of all ages to look, make and play the school holidays away. At the free drop in Creation Stations, kids are invited to take a look at the art on display in the gallery and take inspiration, whether this means creating their own collage, trying new techniques, or enjoying calming views of nature. Explore the gallery and look closely at the artworks to solve a series of mysteries using I-spy sheets, quizzes and photo mission in The Bureau of Marvellous Missions. Visitors can get making with prompts from works from Tate�s collections displays in Connection Caf�, while young people of all ages can play with different ways of drawing and discover explore mark making through movement with The Draw Explore. At The Learning Lookouts there�s a chance to take a break and enjoy the amazing views of the river Mersey from the gallery�s second floor and sketch what you see. The Creation Stations activities have been inspired by Tate�s Tackling the Blues programme, an award-winning sport, physical activity and arts education-based programme, delivered in partnership with Edge Hill University and Everton in the Community. These activity sessions are designed to promote wellbeing by inspiring play and creativity, and are delivered by specially trained Mentors.

► The Giving Garden - Grow a giving gift! Make beautiful items to take home and share with loved ones or create keepsakes that will remind you of your visit to Tate Liverpool.

► The Draw Explore - Drawing, but not as you know it in the Tate Liverpool Studio. Try lots of different ways to draw. Use your body, expressive movement and different objects. 

► Connection Caf� - Tate Liverpool is serving up a menu of crafty goodies that will help you keep connected. Make your own card using collage techniques, stickers and stamps, inspired by delicious artworks on display. 

► The Learning Lookout - Take a break to enjoy the view from Tate Liverpool, sketch what you see or get lost in a book. 

► The Bureau of Marvellous Missions - Your mission from Tate Liverpool, if you choose to accept, will ask you to take a closer look as you explore the gallery. Before you leave pick up a marvellous mission.

Creation Stations  , runs over 27 July 2021 to 31 August 2021, Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 16:00. The event is FREE and you can find out more on:- https://www.Tate.Org.UK/whats-on/tate-liverpool/workshop/creation-stations,

Foodbank Operations Coordinator Wanted

AN opportunity has arisen at West Cheshire Foodbank for the right person to fulfil the role of Operations Coordinator. The priority for West Cheshire Foodbank is to provide for a smooth operation of West Cheshire Foodbank Administration Office and Warehouse by building strong relationships and enabling good practice. The Operations Coordinator will work with and on behalf of the Trustees to maintain an efficient and cohesive administrative hub. Training will be provided, but preference will be given to those who have a knowledge and understanding of the foodbank operation, a working knowledge of computer software and proven ability to build a strong volunteer team. The role involves:- supervising volunteers, training and updating agency staff on WCFB guidelines and electronic foodbank referrals, safe and efficient handling, storage and distribution of food, data input and reporting, answering telephone enquiries and general administration. Please do take a look on:- WestCheshire.Foodbank.Org.UK, for more details of about the groups. The role is 30 hours per week, at the West Cheshire Foodbank Administration Office and Warehouse (CH24SA) at pay rate of:- ₤26,572.00 p.a. pro rata. For more information and an application pack email in the 1st instance to:- Trustees@WestCheshire.Foodbank.Org.UK. The closing date for application is:- Friday, 20 August 2021.

Students urged not to assume it's Covid19 as it might be meningitis

CHARITY Meningitis Now are urging young people off to university or the world of work this Autumn not to assume it�s Covid19 if they feel ill; it might be meningitis. As A-level results are announced and thousands of young people contemplate their future, the charity is concerned that the combination of new found social freedoms, the desire of young people to mix in large groups and a move to campus-based accommodation for students, present the ideal opportunity for infectious diseases to spread, putting young people at a higher risk of meningitis. It's calling on young people to carefully consider their actions if they or any of their friends fall ill. In particular, Government advice to self isolate if Covid19 is suspected could have the worst possible consequences if the illness is not Covid19, but meningitis or septicaemia. 1 person who knows, only too well, the consequences of making the wrong assumption, is 26 year old Londoner Nick Gilbert, who is spearheading Meningitis Now�s awareness campaign. In 2018, Nick felt under the weather, but assumed he didn't have anything serious. After resting overnight, he went about his business the next day and even went on a date. But just 24 hours after 1st feeling ill, Nick collapsed, vomiting in a busy central London street. His symptoms were mistakenly assumed to be drunkenness by the many people who saw him. Fortunately for Nick, a young woman passer by helped him to Hospital, where his meningitis was diagnosed. Nick went on to make a good recovery. Nick said:- "I dread to think how the outcome could have been different if I�d just gone home and shut myself away from everybody. It's vital that anybody who feels ill does not automatically assume it's Covid19. Learn the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Let someone know if you are feeling unwell. If you are concerned about yourself or a friend, trust your instincts and get urgent medical advice. Call NHS:- 111 or in an emergency dial:- 999."

Ryan Bresnahan wasn�t so lucky, His mum, Michelle, who set up the Bristol based charity, a Life for a Cure, following Ryan�s death from meningitis in 2010, has been campaigning tirelessly to raise awareness of the symptoms of the disease and funds for research. Ryan was a fit and healthy 16 year old when he was tragically struck down by Meningitis B within an hour of 1st feeling ill. Michelle said:- "I know only too well how devastating this disease can be and have seen the worst it can do, destroying young lives and tearing apart those who remain. No 1 should be left counting the cost of making the wrong assumption; meningitis can affect anyone at any time, but we need to highlight that teenagers and young people are the second most at risk group of contracting the disease, after babies and toddlers.�

Meningitis Now chief executive, Dr Tom Nutt, said:- �Research has shown that up to a quarter of 15 to 24 year olds carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in the back of their throats compared to one in 10 of the general population. Whilst many young people will have been vaccinated against MenACWY, which protects against four strains of meningococcal meningitis, at School, we estimate that up to half a million under 25's may have missed this important vaccination. If that�s you; contact your GP and see if you can get up to date with your vaccinations. And very few young people will have been vaccinated against MenB, which is the strain that causes the most cases of bacterial meningitis in the UK. Common complaints such as a hangover and Freshers� Flu are often given as reasons for a person not feeling too well, but we are asking young people not to simply assume this is the case. A headache and fever are also common signs of meningitis, which is why it is so important that if young people feel unwell, they should not jump to what seems the obvious conclusion; Covid19 or just a hangover!�

The early signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can be similar to:- "flu, tummy bug or a hangover" and include:- fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, stomach cramps and fever with cold hands and feet. More specific signs and symptoms include:- fever with cold hands and feet, drowsiness, confusion, pale blotchy skin, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and a rash which doesn�t fade under pressure."

Meningitis Now has a free information pack for parents and students, including:- leaflets, signs and symptoms cards and fridge magnets; all of which contain lifesaving information. Find out more and request a pack at:- www.MeningitisNow.Org.