Mayor Steve Rotheram marks Dementia Action Week by reiterating commitment to:- "dementia friendly" status

MAYOR Steve Rotheram has reaffirmed Liverpool City Region's ongoing commitment to be:- 'the most dementia friendly place possible' at a special symposium to mark Dementia Action Week held at:- Liverpool Town Hall, on:- Wednesday, 21 May 2025.

More than a hundred people attended the event where representatives from the City Region's 6 Local Authorities gathered to share best practice, raise awareness and listen to the stories of those dealing with real life situations.

Delegates discussed the next steps forward in the drive to make sure people experiencing dementia their friends, family and carers are supported, respected and included in their neighbourhoods and communities as local organisations continue to work collaboratively to improve dementia services.

This commitment on behalf of people living with dementia has been demonstrated through 10 pledges which the Mayor and all 6 council leaders signed up to in 2018, and since then, have worked together through the LCR Dementia Advisory Group to enhance services in the Region.

Following this, Liverpool City Region became the first Combined Authority in the country to be awarded Dementia Friendly Community status by the Alzheimer's Society in 2022.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said:- "The measure of any decent society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens, especially those living with dementia. It's a condition that doesn't discriminate and one that requires an inclusive and compassionate response. Since I was elected, we've taken bold steps to support residents whose lives have been affected by dementia; but we recognise this journey is far from over. Working together, we can design services, shape policy, and build environments where people with dementia can live with dignity, community and hope."

There are nearly 19,000 people living with dementia in the Liverpool City Region and many other residents caring for a family member. Only a ⅓ of people in the UK have received a formal diagnosis.

Event Organiser Jack Coutts, Chair of Dementia Liverpool said:- "Dementia Action Week has offered us the perfect opportunity to get together with representatives from all 6 of our Local Authority areas. By working collaboratively as a whole City Region with the support of the Mayor and using our Dementia Friendly Community status, we can address challenges and improve services for people with dementia. 1 in 3 people still don't have a diagnosis, something which is vital for them to access the care, treatment and support they need. Our status can help others."

Dementia affects memory, problem solving, language, and behaviour; sometimes all at once. With over 100 types of dementia, symptoms often start small but worsen over time.

Cecilia Toole is the Founder of Sight and Mind CIC in Knowsley, an organisation which supports people living with dementia and provides assistance and training for families and carers. Speaking at today's event. She said:- "Events such as today are vitally important with one of the most crucial aspects being the action we take; especially when it comes to looking to the future. I would like to see us continue to move forward from today's event to support people living with dementia and their carers across the City Region."

Michelle King, Chief Executive and Founder of the Active Minds Day Centre and Social Club was a delegate at the event. She said:- "It was a very positive morning and a great opportunity to hear not only what partners in the City Region have achieved, but also how we, as 1 of the organisations based in the city region supporting people with dementia and their families, can work collaboratively with them going forward. Seeing the impact dementia has on a daily basis, I welcome the approach of not treating people with dementia as:- 'sufferers' or 'victims' rather offering a sense of purpose, engagement and belonging."

The Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Action Week runs from:- Monday, 19 May, to Friday, 23 May 2025. This year's campaign drives home the importance of early diagnosis, showcases activities for people living with dementia, and inspires everyone to build more dementia-friendly communities.

Anyone worried about themself, or someone close to them, is advised to check their symptoms today. Visit:- Alzheimers.Org.UK, or call Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Support Line on:- 03331503456.

Government Taskforce meets on Merseyside to bolster nation's flood resilience

BOLSTERING the nation's resilience to flooding, including:- in Merseyside, was top of the agenda as the Government's national Floods Resilience Taskforce convened in Aintree, on:- Wednesday, 21 May 2025.

The meeting was chaired by Floods Minister Emma Hardy and hosted by Mersey Fire and Rescue Service at their National Resilience Centre of Excellence, one of the UK's most advanced emergency service training facilities, used to co-ordinate national responses to large scale incidents and provide firefighters with the necessary training and skills to respond to events such as severe flooding.

Met Office Services Director Simon Brown said:- "Our observations show that the UK is getting wetter, we are seeing more days with over 50mm rainfall in autumn months. A warmer, moister atmosphere increases the capacity for deluges of rain, which can result in serious flooding. A recent study looking at the storms through autumn and winter in 2023/24 found climate change increased the amount of rainfall from these storms, making them about 20% more intense. A number of recent Met Office attribution studies have shown that some recent heavy rainfall events in the UK associated with flooding can be linked to human caused climate change. Since 1998 the UK has seen six of the 10 wettest years on record. Events such as the wettest February on record in 2020, are expected to become more frequent by 2100 due to climate change."

The Government inherited the nation's flood defences in their worst condition on record. To ensure the country is protected from the devastating impacts of flooding, more than 1,000 flood defences will be built or repaired through the Plan for Change as part of a record �2.65 billion two-year investment.

Today's Taskforce meeting brought together partners including:- Defra, Cabinet Office, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Environment Agency, the Met Office, Local Resilience Forums, Mayoral Offices, emergency responders, the National Farmers Union, and environmental interest groups.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:- "The role of any Government is to protect its citizens. Having inherited flood defences in disrepair, we are bringing together valued partners through our Floods Resilience Taskforce here in Aintree as we look to speed up and co-ordinate flood preparation and resilience. Through our Plan for Change, we're investing a record �2.65 billion to repair and build more than 1,000 flood defences across the country, protecting tens of thousands of homes and businesses including:- on Merseyside."

The group discussed plans to modernise the UK's system for flood warnings further, stressing the need for users to understand better how it works for effective decision making, planning and response. The development of a common warnings framework across the UK will enhance the service and support actions to reduce risks to people, property and livelihoods.

The Taskforce also confirmed plans to improve the way the Government identifies individuals vulnerable to flooding. This includes using the risk vulnerability tool, unveiled last month by the Cabinet Office, which will enable thousands of officials to see how vulnerable particular areas are to risks by mapping real time crisis data such as live weather warnings, alongside demographic statistics.

The meeting touched upon the flood recovery framework, which through local authorities in England provides Government support in the aftermath of flooding in exceptional circumstances. There was also discussion of the Bellwin scheme, which is used to reimburse local authorities in England for the costs of the actions they take in the immediate aftermath of an emergency or disaster that endangers life or property. It was agreed that further work is required to improve public understanding of flood resilience.

Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said:- "Protecting communities in England from the devastating impact of flooding is one of our top priorities as climate change brings more extreme weather. By participating in the Floods Resilience Taskforce, we're ensuring we share information and co-ordinate our approach to bolster protection for thousands of homes and businesses from the dangers of flooding, preventing billions of pounds worth of damages."

The Government's record investment in flood defences includes:- around �2.5 million in funding for Merseyside across 2024/25 and 2025/26, including:- �1 million for a flood alleviation scheme to protect communities near the Pool watercourse at Churchtown in Southport.

Minister Oppong-Asare, Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, said:- "The Flood Resilience Taskforce sits at the heart of our work to protect communities from extreme weather and flooding. Today's meeting highlighted how digital tools can strengthen our flood response to identify and support those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of flooding. Through the taskforce, we're continuing to work closely with key partners to keep people, homes, and businesses safe."

News reports located on this page = 2.

Mayor Steve Rotheram marks Dementia Action Week by reiterating commitment to:- "dementia friendly" status

Government Taskforce meets on Merseyside to bolster nation's flood resilience