News reports located on this page = 3.

Boots opens pop up to help Liverpudlians get some sleep

FOLLOWING the launch of its Gift Like You Get Them campaign, Boots will open the doors to its Christmas Bootique, on the 3 December 2019, in Liverpool. 'The What To Buy The Person Who Lies Awake Dreaming Of Sleep' Bootique is a 1 of a kind pop up, full of exciting products and experiences; open for just 1 week from 3 December to 9 December 2019. With ⅓ of the population reportedly suffering from insomnia, the chances are you know someone who can't fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up. So, Boots is inviting you to walk into a world of sleep, a duo of domes with an infinite night sky, filled with gift ideas for the troubled sleeper in your life. Relax into a cloud, put on some headphones and discover how to make restless nights a thing of the past with recordings from sleep experts as well as podcasts from Fearne Cotton and Madeline Shaw.

Located outside the Liverpool 1, the Dreaming of Sleep Bootique will appear in the City after a research survey revealed only 54% of Liverpool residents get enough sleep.

The 1st 50 people through the door will receive a free goody bag with products from brands including:- Luminova, Tisserand and Fearne Cotton. Visitors can also attend a Q&A with wellness expert and coach Madeline Shaw on the 3 December between 12pm to 2pm.

Boots is launching hundreds of 'Bootique' gift edits, curated around different personalities and interests, so that you can find the right gift for the very different people in your life. They will appear in Boots stores, as well as online and on social media channels. For those who miss the pop up, the product curation will be available to customers nationwide in over 350 Boots stores and online in the run up to Christmas.

'The What To Buy The Person Who Lies Awake Dreaming Of Sleep' Bootique, located at Liverpool 1, Thomas Street Way, Liverpool, L1 8JQ, that is opposite to Hilton Liverpool 1 City Centre.

Hugh Baird College helps break mental health stigma in local high Schools

DURING Mental Health Awareness week, Hugh Baird College's Student Services team took part in an initiative to help break the stigma around mental health by working with local High School students in year 11 and year 13 across the City.

1 in 4 students in years 11 to 13 experience mental health issues each year, with half of the issues starting by the age of 15, meaning these age groups are the most vulnerable when it comes to mental health. Our aim, as a College, is to help reduce this by breaking the stigma and promoting positive mental health and coping techniques.

The Student Services team at Hugh Baird College worked with Deyes High School, Harmonize Academy and St Chads Catholic and Church of England High School, delivering 1 hour sessions discussing topics such as anxiety and depression, myth busting and opening up the conversation between peers about what mental health is and what can affect their mental wellbeing. The team also looked into techniques on how to cope with stress and how to develop a tool box of coping techniques and strategies to help them and those around them through trying times.

Louise Noon, Hugh Baird College Student Services Manager, said:- "At Hugh Baird College we have a duty of care to support not only current students but prospective students too. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are so common within young people. By promoting self-awareness and self-care, we believe this can really help students facing these mental health issues. During the sessions, we shared external services and smartphone apps available that support young people before they reach crisis point. We also identified key people within the student's family and friends, who they could talk to such as a parent or carer, their Tutor or their GP. We had a great response from the young people we engaged with and we are confident the tools we shared with them will help them to manage their emotional wellbeing and grow their resilience."

In addition to the College's in-house support, based in the new St Winefride's Campus is Mersey Care's innovative Life Rooms. Life Rooms; Bootle offers a range of community, social and learning programmes and services to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Additionally, it provides safe spaces and welcoming environments, with access to community resources. The Life Rooms offers real practical support for those wanting to take the next steps in their life journey, whatever those steps may be. The Life Rooms will play a key role in supporting Hugh Baird College in strengthening the resilience and wellbeing of its student community as well as offering its full range of mental health support to the residents of South Sefton.

For more information on the support available at Hugh Baird College, please visit:- HughBaird.AC.UK or alternatively call:- 0151 353 4444.

Political uncertainty continues for North West manufacturers as survey shows mixed bag

NORTH West manufacturers are continuing to see mixed trading conditions as they enter the New Year as a survey shows the impact of political uncertainty dragging on. According to the Q4 Manufacturing Outlook survey published by Make UK, The Manufacturers' Organisation and business advisory firm BDO LLP both output and total orders in the region remained reasonably healthy at +16% and +12% respectively, both of which are significantly ahead of the national picture overall.

The improvement in total orders comes on the back of a modest improvement in UK orders in particular which can't be just explained by stockpiling ahead of the October Brexit deadline. By contrast export orders have remained weak in line with the national picture and reflects a time of difficult world markets and trade wars. However, the mixed picture is reflected in investment by North West companies remaining disconcertingly low which reflects the continued political uncertainty whilst intentions to recruit have also declined although the balance of companies intending to do so is still positive.

Despite the mixed picture, however, business confidence amongst North West manufacturers for their prospects looking forward has increased and is above the average for all UK regions. As a result of this mixed picture, Make UK is now forecasting manufacturing growth of just 0.1% in 2019 and downgraded to 0.3% in 2020 (down from 0.6%). GDP is forecast at 1.3% in 2019 and 1.4% in 2020.

Commenting, June Smith, Region Director at Make UK in the North of England, said:- "Uncertainties about the outcome of Brexit and the impending General Election the UK manufacturing sector but the build up to Christmas has brought a much needed boost. Christmas, and the end of the year, are a time when people reflect on the past and try to begin afresh. Manufacturers will hope that the results from this quarters' survey are a sign that the economy is beginning to grow afresh once more."

Graham Ellis, head of manufacturing at BDO in the North West, said:- "Investment is critical to UK manufacturing. It is worrying that North West investment levels are in negative territory, but this isn't wholly surprising given the sector has suffered a series of declines UK wide since the start of the year. While the prospect of a no-deal Brexit should be less of a short term worry now, manufacturers are still facing an uphill battle. The sector is facing increased global competition and major change in respect of industry 4.0 and sustainability. An increase in capital allowances, something that a quarter of companies see as a priority for the new Government; would be a good incentive to boost capital investment in 2020 and beyond. This should be considered as part of a long term sustainable industrial strategy."