Video advice ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day

Liverpool family's charity walk to help prevent young suicide

A Liverpool family is, for the second year running in memory of their son, organising Nathan's 10k/5k. The walk/run event on Sunday 9 September, in support of national charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, aims to raise awareness that there is help for young people who are struggling with life. In the UK suicide is the main cause of death in young people under 35. Every year over 1,600 take their own lives. PAPYRUS believes that many are preventable. The charity provides practical advice and support, how to cope, what to say and do; to young people and others concerned that a young person may be at risk of killing themselves.  Len and Gail Wilson were devastated when Nathan took his own life in February 2013, aged just 17. But they were determined his death would not be in vain. Since then they have campaigned to raise awareness, to help ensure other families do not ensure similar heartbreak. Nathan's 10k/5k optional walk/run event is open to all, joining friends, family and supporters, leaving the Crosby Leisure Centre (the swimming baths) at 10 am. Parking at the Centre is free. All are welcome. "We had around 100 supporters last year and we hope to increase numbers this year," said Len.

There will be goody bags for accompanying children and raffle prizes that include a signed Liverpool Football Club squad shirt, a signed Everton Football Club football, a signed shirt from Jamie Carragher and a signed framed photo of John Barnes.  Len Wilson commented that:- "We have to smash the stigma around suicide. Stigma is 1 of the main reasons that prevent young people putting up their hands to seek help. And not knowing how to bring up the subject of suicide too often prevents concerned friends and family asking about suicidal thoughts. PAPYRUS is a great charity that does both and much more."

For more information about the event call Len Wilson:- 07786 150 146.  For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK,via calling:- 0800 068 41 41, you can also send a text to:- 07786 209 697, alternatively you can also send an email.

Action to improve alleyways and refuse storage

A ₤6 million plan to tackle underlying issues with waste, litter and vermin in Liverpool's alleyways is set for approval. The City Council's Cabinet is being asked to give the green light to a 3 year programme which will see back passageways repaired and new refuse storage and collection methods introduced.

Liverpool has 22,000 properties on black bin bag collections due to the fact they have 4 foot alleyways which can't accommodate refuse wagons and wheelie bins. The passageways were built in Victorian times and many are in a poor state of repair, with sunken areas and other problems caused by some residents leaving their rubbish in the alleyway all week rather than just the day of collection, leading to them being ripped open by rats, other vermin and household pets.

A further 38,000 properties with wider 9 foot alleyways have their wheeled bins collected from a designated collection point, but with the alleyways also needing to be cleansed afterwards to remove waste left in the alleyway.

The cost of collections in terraced areas is around a ⅓ higher than non-terraced areas, and recycling rates are up to ⅔ lower; only around 15% in some wards, compared with up to 50% elsewhere in the City.

A total of ₤1.5 million will be spent by April 2019, within priority areas, where surveys have already been carried out, including:- County and parts of Kensington, Tuebrook and Anfield.

The changes proposed will see a communal waste container for both general waste and recycling placed in areas on black bin bag collections to give residents a place to put their rubbish, rather than leaving it in the alleyway or having to store it in their yard. And residents living in terraced areas with wheelie bins will no longer have to take it to a communal collection point, but will have a collection from their back gate.

Cabinet member for Street Scene and Highways, Councillor James Noakes, said:- "We are trying to tackle a multitude of different historical issues which cause significant issues for people living in terraced streets. We have a legacy of poor quality housing and investment in infrastructure, exacerbated by the cuts in regeneration spending from Government over the last decade, such as the axing of the housing market renewal scheme. We are now committing to spending a significant amount of money repairing the worst alleyways, prioritising those areas which are most in need to improve the conditions and prevent vermin from being able to live in gaps below the ground. We know we need to do more to improve the storage facilities, so we are proposing communal waste points with much larger bins in some areas to reduce black bags being left in the open for days at a time, and making it easier for people with wheelie bins in terraced properties to have them collected. But clearly we need residents to work with us to reduce the amount of waste left in alleyways between collections, recycling more of their waste and treat their neighbourhood with respect. We will be talking with residents about the changes that need to be made, to listen to their ideas for improvements and also agree the actions they will take to help make their areas thriving neighbourhoods. The simple fact of the matter that this is not something we can tackle alone, and even if only a few people from each street continue to dump rubbish in their alleyways then we will not be able to solve the underlying issues, such as vermin. So we will be looking at new sanctions and measures against people who systematically refuse to dispose of their waste properly and create a mess which impacts on others."

The ultimate aim is to improve the local environment for all residents, reduce vermin, increase recycling and also provide a safe working environment for staff.

The report will be considered by the Cabinet, on Friday, 14 September 2018.