Lancashire Care shortlisted for National Equality and Inclusion Awards

LANCASHIRE Care NHS Foundation Trust has been successfully shortlisted for a prestigious national award that celebrates organisations that are committed to challenging discrimination and achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Trust's Equality and Diversity Team has been shortlisted in the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (enei) Awards:- 'Team of the Year' category for their outstanding contribution to delivering change in equality and inclusion, something that has had a positive impact on the Trust. The team consists of 2 people, Emma Allen and Joanna Harrison, who are responsible for workplace diversity and inclusion, and supporting over 6,500 employees to provide accessible healthcare services in Lancashire and parts of the surrounding counties.  The team is passionate and enthusiastic about their work, which also includes engaging with local community groups to understand their lived experience or delivering training and raising awareness in the Trust. At present, the team is working on projects relating to workplace race equality, menopause and reasonable adjustments, and supporting staff who work with asylum seekers and refugees. The team is extremely proud to have enabled the Trust to rise up the Top 50 Inclusive Employers list for the past 3 years. Having their work recognised by the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion is another accolade that the team is proud of.

Emma Allen, Equality and Diversity Lead, at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, said:- "We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the enei Equality and Inclusion Team of the Year award, especially in such excellent company! Jo and I are passionate about increasing diversity in our workforce, driving inclusive behaviours and providing education to support the creation of accessible environments. We know that we have a lot of work still ahead of us but this recognition of the work we do underlines its importance and motivates us to keep going so that all our staff, patients and service users can be themselves and feel safe."

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, on 2 July 2019, at The Law Society, London. For more information about Equality and Diversity at Lancashire Care please visit:- LancashireCare.NJHS.UK/ED and for more information about this year's enei Awards please visit:- ENEI.Org.UK.

Justice for former Lockwoods Liverpool Limited workers

USDAW has won justice for members who worked for Lockwoods Liverpool Limited, a meat processing factory in Liverpool. The Liverpool Employment Tribunal granted a Protective Award after they agreed that there was no information or consultation with Usdaw and no special circumstances allowing the company not to comply with its legal obligations. Usdaw was aware that Lockwoods Liverpool Limited was having some financial difficulties in 2018. However, the Union were not made aware that the business was about to close. On 14 November 2018 staff were asked to clean the site and equipment due to alleged high readings of listeria and a visit from Environmental Health. The site was cleaned as instructed and all staff were called to the canteen. At this point, all staff were told that the company was in administration and they would be made redundant without further notice. 27 employees were affected and had to claim their payments from the Redundancy Payments Office.  Paddy Lillis - Usdaw General Secretary says:- "Yet again the taxpayer will have to pick up the bill for what is owed to sacked staff because the company deliberately flouted the law. It's absolutely disgraceful that workers can be treated in this way in the 21st Century.  Usdaw was not informed or consulted about the redundancies. The company was clearly aware of its financial difficulties, but chose not to involve us, which is in breach of the legislation. Rather than sit down with the Union to discuss the situation, they instructed their staff to clean the factory, before closing the company gates. This area of law requires review because it is riddled with injustices for both workers and taxpayers as liability to pay the protective awards when companies are in administration falls to the Government's insolvency fund. The Government needs to end the perverse financial incentive for employers not to comply with legal obligations on collective redundancy consultation."

Over ˝ of workers in Liverpool plan to make 'side hustle' into career

FOLLOWING a recently released report from CV Library, the UK's leading independent job board, that 72.2% of Liverpool's professionals struggle to make ends meet at the end of each month, brand new research reveals that side hustles are providing a much needed extra cash flow. In fact, 57.1% of Liverpudlians who work on the side claim that they plan to make their 'side hustle' into a career. The study surveyed 1,200 professionals and found that a greater financial income is the main driving force behind Liverpudlians wanting to pursue their side hustle, with 87.5% saying it helps them to earn more money. The other key reasons why Liverpool's professionals started their side hustle are for enjoyment (23.5%) and to improve a hobby (14.3%). Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV Library, comments on the findings:- "Our findings show that of the 13.7% of Liverpudlians who have a side hustle, many seem to have been driven to this solution by necessity. Rather than taking up a side hustle because of personal interests or for fun, people are being forced to find ways increase their monthly income. What's worrying about so many Liverpudlians struggling for cash is that while Britain is almost at full employment, the quality of jobs on offer is dropping. So, if you're looking to make your side hustle into a career, then be wary of making the same mistakes as before."

What's more, despite 27.5% of employers having a policy on working on the side, plenty of Liverpool's professionals are putting in extra hours every week for their side hustle. In fact, 42.9% Liverpudlians work an extra 10 hours per week on their side hustle. Biggins concludes:- "It's concerning that so many Liverpudlians are working long, strenuous hours in their side hustle, as they could be putting themselves in serious danger of burnout. It's tough enough at times to get through a full working week, let alone while working 2 jobs. Although the work ethic of these industrious professionals is commendable, focussing your attention on one job is preferable. Either put the time into your current job and hopefully your employer will reward you with a pay rise or focus on your side hustle. If it's something which brings you joy, then there's no harm in keeping it up and making your dream job a reality!"

Dad tees off fundraising thank you for Matt's spinal injury care

A fundraising festival of golf is a father's thank you for the NHS treatment his son received following a life changing road accident. Matt Sullivan was 18, in 2005, when his spinal cord was badly injured in the crash, leaving him with a high Degree of paralysis and limited hand dexterity. He spent 9 months in rehabilitation at the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre at Southport and Formby District General Hospital, north of Liverpool. Now 32, Matt is a successful wheelchair rugby player with Leicester Tigers WR; winners of the sport's Super Series Division One in 2018 and 2019. He was also among players selected for the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby squad in the 2012 Paralympics in London. He still visits Southport twice a year for continuing care and lives independently in his own specially-adapted apartment at Spinningfields in Manchester City Centre.

As a thank you for the care Matt receives, dad John is using his year as captain at Bramall Park Golf Club, near Stockport, Cheshire, to fundraise for the spinal injuries centre. John, speaking from the family home at nearby Hazel Grove, said:- "Matt lives a very active life despite his physical disability; and that's thanks to the care of the staff at Southport. Their support and his determination during his rehabilitation helped him find the strength of character to become the man he has. As this year's club men's captain, me and my family have the opportunity to say thank you to Southport and for the emotional and wellbeing aspect of care they gave us."

Events are taking place throughout the year, but the blue ribbon event will be the Captain's Golf Day and Dinner, a four-ball amateur team competition, on 18 October 2019, at Bramall Park. The club is also celebrating its 125th Anniversary this year. Entry is ₤300 per team which includes the competition, refreshments and the evening fundraising gala dinner. Entry is limited to members of recognised golf clubs with a handicap maximum of 28 for men and 36 for women. There are prizes for the top 3 placed teams plus individual hole prizes, a post golf dinner, raffle and charity auction.  The 3 course dinner package is available to purchase individually or in tables at ₤50 per person. For more information, email:- john@gastrogolf.co.uk or follow John @Cpt1894 on Twitter.  Donations can also be made through a dedicated Just Giving page.

Emily Hoban, manager of the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, said:- "Suffering a spinal cord injury is a life-changing event but Matt's story and achievements show it's no bar to having a full, active and fulfilling life. We're thrilled John has chosen us as his charity in Bramall Park's 125th anniversary year. It's fantastic recognition of the work our team of skilled professionals do. The funds raised will help us do even more for people like Matt who use the centre."