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SHOCKING FIGURES REVEAL COST OF YOUNG RUNAWAYS
NORTH-WEST
based charity, The Relationships Centre, has revealed that
potentially more than 2,200 young people runaway from home in
Merseyside each year. Running away is often the first step towards a
life of crime and young people who run are more likely to get
involved in crime, substance and sexual abuse. Dealing with
these frequent and repeat instances costs taxpayers in Merseyside in
excess of £7 million pounds each year.
Just 3 years ago, The Relationships Centre launched a scheme
entitled Talk…Don’t Walk as part of the Government’s Invest to Save
agenda. The scheme is the only one of its kind in the country
and it has successfully reduced the number of young runaways in the
Warrington area by 76% from 1,235 in 2003 to 297 in 2006.
In
2003, there were 744 recordable crimes that could be directly
related to runaways. This figure has also been successfully reduced
by 72% to 207 instances in 2006.
Unique in its preventative approach, the service focuses on early
intervention to stop the problem at its root cause and has the
potential to save an incredible amount in time and resources for
local authorities, police, social services, health and education
authorities.
“As a pilot scheme, Talk… Don’t Walk is completely financially
justified and has successfully beaten all of its measurable
targets.
Not only has it reduced the number of young
people absent from home in the Warrington area, it has reduced crime
and save money for all key stakeholders, authorities and care groups
involved. Through the reduction in crime alone, Cheshire
Constabulary has saved nearly £850,000 over the last 3 years.” explained chief constable at Cheshire Constabulary
Peter Fahy.
The good news is that it is possible to replicate the success of
Talk… Don’t Walk in any given area of the UK providing all the right
elements of the service are taken on board. Talk… Don’t Walk
has successfully changed attitudes and learned behaviours to improve
the long term quality of life for the whole community in Warrington.
It is now time that other local authorities take this service on
board to make significant social improvements in their regions.
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ENTER LIVERPOOL WOMENS RUN TO HELP FUND CURE
AS part of its
2007 ‘Big Push’ appeal, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, a
charity which funds research into cures for muscle disease, is
asking as many women as possible to enter the Hydro Active Women’s
Challenge run in Liverpool later this year and help to push up the
amount spent on this vital research by raising sponsorship for
taking part. In return, everyone who raises funds can claim
some great sportswear rewards, will also be sent a Big Push t-shirt
to show support for the charity, and will help to make a difference
to people with muscle disease.
Says Charles Horton, Regional Fundraising Manager for the charity:-
“We need as many ladies as possible to enter the Liverpool
Hydro Active Women’s Challenge run. It’s a great event open to women
of all ages and all fitness levels. You can walk, run or jog – its
up to you. Many people with muscle diseases will not be able to take
part due to physical disability. You can help them by raising funds
to help find cures for muscle diseases”.
The Liverpool Hydro Active Womens Challenge takes place on Sunday 16
September, 2007 in Sefton Park. For an entry form and to raise
funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, call their Regional
Office on 01244 403012 or
email.
Pioneering sight loss service set for Liverpool
ACTION for
Blind People’s pioneering mobile Sight Loss Information Service
packed with the latest aids, equipment and specialist advice for
blind and partially sighted people will be visiting Liverpool and St
Helens in July thanks to invitations from Liverpool Libraries, St
Helens Libraries and Liverpool Voluntary Society for the Blind.
The mobile Sight Loss Information Service, run by national charity
Action for Blind People, will open its doors to people interested in
or affected by visual impairment. Staffed by a friendly and
knowledgeable team, the mobile carries the latest technology and
gadgets to improve daily life. From vibrating bank note detectors to
talking microwaves and tin lids, staff on the unit offer impartial,
practical advice and support.
Robert Harris from Action for Blind People’s Sight Loss Information
Service said:- "Everybody is welcome to come along to visit us
on the mobile. Whether you are visually impaired or know somebody
who may be having problems with their sight, please pay us a visit
and pick up information or ask us questions. Visitors can try out a
wide range of daily living aids or the latest computer and
magnification technology.”
The Mobile Itinerary:-
Tuesday 17 July 2007, 10am to 4pm
Williamson Square (Outside Liverpool Playhouse Theatre)
Liverpool
L1 1EL
Wednesday 18 July 2007, 10am to 4pm
Car park adjacent to Chester Lane Centre & Library
Four Acre Lane
Sutton
St Helens
WA9 4DE
Thursday 19 July 2007, 10am to 4pm
The Bradbury Centre
Youens Way
Liverpool
L14 2EP
If you are unable to visit the Sight Loss Information Service but
have a query please ring Action for Blind People’s National
Freephone Helpline on 0800 915 4666 and they will be pleased to
help. |
