Calling all artists and photographers

IF you fancy you're an artist or photographer, here's a great opportunity; Trinity Arts Annual Art Exhibition is now accepting applications from exhibitors. The 2 day exhibition, on 12 May to 13 May 2018, normally receives up to 300 exhibits and is a must for both professional and amateur artists. The hanging fee is ₤3 but the artist retains all sale money.  If you'd like to exhibit request an application at:- RobertMcCrimmon@Hotmail.Com.  Trinity Arts operates out of Holy Trinity Church, Hoghton Street, Southport.

74% of people in the North West say they would support changing the law for organ donation

74% of people in the North West are in favour of an 'opt-out' organ donation system; where people are registered as a donor, unless they state otherwise; rather than the current 'opt-in' law, according to new figures from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

In a poll of over 2,000 people the heart research charity found that, out of those in the North West area who would not support a change in the law, 47% were put off by concerns that they would not be able to opt out, or that it would be difficult to do so. The charity says this highlights a lack of public awareness and confusion about the proposed new system which would allow any person opposed to donating their organs to opt out.

This Friday, MPs have the opportunity to make history by voting in favour of a new Bill that will introduce an 'opt-out' system in England, potentially saving thousands of lives. People in the North West are being urged to write to their local MP, to encourage them to attend the debate.

The BHF say the figures also indicate a lack of awareness around the urgency of organ donation, with 60% of people in the North West underestimating the number of people on the organ transplant list in the UK (which last year peaked at 6,388) and 40% underestimating the number of people who died last year whilst on the waiting list for an organ (a total of 457 people).

The figures also revealed that 40% of people are not aware of their families wishes when it comes to organ donation, with 48% saying they simply hadn't thought about having this conversation and 20% saying it was too awkward or sad to bring up.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation, said:- "There is a desperate shortage of organs in the UK and introducing an opt out system in England will better reflect the views of the general public and give hope to those currently waiting for a transplant they so desperately need. We are urging everyone in the North West to encourage their local MP to attend parliament this Friday to debate a Bill that could save lives."

Kieran Sandwell, who had a heart transplant at just 38, said:- "I have been given a second chance at life, but I have met many others who are living in agonising uncertainty about whether they will live or die. For them, a new organ is their only chance of survival. Surely with so many people in need, an opt out system is a no brainer. I'm alive today because my donor made it clear she wanted to donate her organs, and I will be forever thankful that she made her wishes clear."

The BHF urges you to show your support for an opt-out organ donation system by encouraging your MP to attend the debate go to the BHF's website.

LOCAL children's literacy charity Beanstalk has launched its latest Impact Report demonstrating the impact of providing 1 to 1 literacy support to children struggling with their reading.

The charity supports children who have fallen behind with their reading by recruiting, training and placing volunteers to work 1 to 1 with pupils in primary Schools across England. Last year it helped around 1,800 children in the North West of England through the support of approximately 530 volunteers.

Schools provide Beanstalk with information on the children's reading attainment before and after they have been supported by their reading helpers, while reading helpers also monitor the children's progress through Beanstalk's Reading Records.

Beanstalk's Impact Report showed the following results:-

► 82% of Key Stage 1 children who were classed as reading 'Below' age related expectations when they began working with a Beanstalk reading helper moved up to 'Working Towards' (47%) or 'At' or Above' (35%)

► 57% of KS1 children who were classed as 'Working Towards' age related expectations when they began working with a Beanstalk reading helper moved up to 'At' or 'Above.'

► The number of KS1 children able to predict what might happen next in a story without additional support more than doubled from 27% at the beginning of the Beanstalk intervention to 61% at the end.

► The number of KS1 children able to use their sounds to work out new words on their own increased from 28% to 67% during their time with their reading helper.

► The number of KS1 children who could talk on their own about a range of books they have listened to and read including stories, poems and factual books increased from 8% to 34%; a 425% increase!

► The percentage of children who were confident when choosing books and games during the session more than doubled, from 26% to 56%.

► Children's confidence and enjoyment also improved; the number of children requiring support in order to maintain a positive attitude throughout the reading session almost halved.

► The impact on KS2 children was less pronounced, but significant progress was made, especially in their breadth of reading and engagement in a wider range of genres.

Christine Braithwaite, Area Manager for Beanstalk North West, said:- "Our 2016/17 Impact Report demonstrates just how much of an impact our reading helpers have on the children they support. This year we captured more data than ever before, with over 2,800 Reading Records being returned by our reading helpers. We're asking more people in the North West to come forward as volunteers to have an impact on local children's futures."

Kings Road Primary School, a Beanstalk partner School in the North West, provided the following feedback:- "Andrew has made great progress with his reading. He now has a very good fluency and reads with expression. He is able to go back to the text and give evidence to support conclusions drawn from the text. He is now an enthusiastic reader and loves to share what he has read with the class and his confidence has risen massively."

To find out more about volunteering with Beanstalk please: Visit:- BeanstalkCharity.Org.UK or Call Beanstalk on:- 0845 450 0307.

Staying safe on our roads

A free event aimed at senior road users aged over 60 is being held on Tuesday, 6 March 2018, in Liverpool. Liverpool City Council has organised the event in the Alex Young Suite, at Everton Football Club, from 10am to 2pm, targeted at not just drivers, but also bus users and pedestrians.

Places are still available and can be booked by calling:- 0151 233 3073 or send an email with your request to join the event.

Councillor Steve Munby, Liverpool's Cabinet member for highways, said:- "We have a growing older population driving cars, using public transport and using our pavements. At the same time, the roads are getting busier because we are a growing, successful City and that means we need to do all we can to help older people stay safe on our roads and pavements. This is a free session which will provide handy hints, tips and advice to help older people stay safer for longer."

Lunch and refreshments will be provided as well as information, advice and free handouts with useful hints and tips.

Older drivers will also be able to sign up to a free 'Drive Safer For Longer,' a 2 hour confidential session with a driving instructor funded by Merseyside Road Safety Partnership.

Over the last 40 years, the number of vehicles on the roads has almost trebled from 12 million to 35 million.

In the past decade, there has been a 53% rise in the number of people aged over 60 killed and seriously injured on the roads; while those affected aged over 80 has increased 3.5 times. And the number of drivers aged over 70 increased from 2.2 million to 3.9 million from 1992 to 2012 and is projected to rise to 5.8 million by 2032. In Liverpool, the number of over 65's is predicted to grow by 50% over the next 20 years.