Did you go to Southport's Lifeboat Station Open Day?

ON Saturday, 23 March 2019, the Southport Offshore Rescue Trust (Southport Lifeboat) held an Open Day, at its historic Lifeboat Station, for what could be the last time, as it gets ready to move to a new purpose built station, across the road. The charity, is an independent offshore rescue service run by local Southport and Formby residents, who are not part of the RNLI and receive no Government funding, but rely on the kind support of local people to keep the service operational all year round,. This 'Open Day' was an opportunity for local people to see what they do and the gear they use to help save lives in and around the Merseyside Coastline. They also gave more information about the progress of the new ₤1.4 million Lifeboat Station, that once completed will be the largest lifeboat house in North West England, and is due to be ready later this year. Currently they are fully manned, but they are always on the look out for help to raise more funds for this independent charity. If you want to find out more about the service and how you can help raise funds to keep them afloat, please visit their website.

Foster carers lead recruitment drive

2 Liverpool foster carers star in a new campaign launching next week, to encourage more people to look after the City's young people. There are more than 1,300 children in care in the City, and for many a foster family is the best alternative, rather than being placed outside of the local area or in a residential placement. The Council only has around 350 foster carers of its own and this means the Local Authority has to use private fostering agencies for 250 young people, which can cost far more. As part of a new recruitment drive starting on Monday, 25 March 2019, the foster carers will explain the difference it has made to their lives and those of the young people they care for, in specially created videos and images being used across social media.

Foster carer Linda McLean said:- "Some people are worried about fostering teenagers and thing they come with a specific set of problems but I love listening and talking to them and hearing their perspective on the world. You just need to be interested in them and what they like. They really don't mind what activities we do together, it's more about having an adult that turns up."

Alison Byrne decided to become a foster carer following an accident which led to her giving up her teaching career. She now fosters a 9 year old who has made fantastic progress since she was placed with her, growing in confidence and communication skills. Linda McLean transferred to the fostering service after initially starting with an independent agency. She currently fosters 3 teenagers from Angola, who she has helped teach English and supported with their education.

Foster carer Alison Byrne said:- "Every time I meet someone new they assume that because I am a wheelchair user that the foster child is helping me, when it is actually the other way around. The fostering service offers back up from social workers and behaviour specialists, so there's lots of support out there, you don't have to do it on your own. Having experience with children and laid back with a good sense of humour is a must. Being able to work with others and the ability to adapt and find different ways of doing things is really useful too."

On Thursday, 28 March 2019, a special round table conference with partners and stakeholders such as children's organisations including the NSPCC, is being held at the Liverpool Town Hall, from 11:30am to 1pm. It will hear from foster carers and young people in care about the importance of fostering. The event is open to any members of the public, who are interested in fostering and will be streamed live on the Fostering Service Facebook Page. People wishing to attend have to send the organisers an email. People interested in fostering can also visit:- Fostering.Liverpool.Gov.UK, call the recruitment line on 0151 515 0000.

Councillor Barry Kushner, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said:- "Taking in someone else's child is life changing, both for the foster carer and the young person. We are seeing increasing numbers of young people coming into care and need the help of the local community so that we can look after our own. Driving up the number of Council foster carers means we can make our money go further, and place fewer with private agencies whose fees are generally higher as they need to make a profit. Please join with us to provide the best care we can for our City's most vulnerable children and young people so we can look after our own."

Foster carers do not pay Council Tax and families also get free membership of the City's Lifestyles Fitness Centres. You need to be aged over 21, but there is no upper age limit and can be single, married or co-habiting, straight or gay.

Did you know? Liverpool has recently announced a ₤7.7 million investment in children's social care to recruit 160 additional staff which will reduce caseloads by up to half and increase support for young people and their families.