Mayor visits Southport care home to support Dementia Awareness Week

THE Mayor of Sefton, Jen Corcoran, visited Birkdale Tower as part of:- 'Dementia Awareness Week.' During the visit, the mayor met residents and staff, enjoyed tea and cake, and was given a tour of the home and its facilities.

Dementia Awareness Week is a UK-wide initiative aimed at improving understanding of dementia and other progressive neurological conditions, while helping to challenge stigma and encourage greater support for people living with the condition.

Located in Southport, Birkdale Tower is part of Sandstone Care Group and provides residential, dementia and respite care. The modern, purpose built home has:- 53 en-suite bedrooms, including rooms for couples, alongside facilities including:- a hair and beauty salon, cinema room, putting green, and a varied activities and wellbeing programme.

Liam Kenwright, home manager at Birkdale Tower, said:- "It was a pleasure to welcome the Mayor to Birkdale Tower during Dementia Awareness Week. The visit was a great opportunity to showcase the home, meet our residents and staff, and highlight the importance of raising awareness and understanding of dementia within the wider community. At Birkdale Tower, we are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where residents can continue to live fulfilling lives and remain active and engaged."

The Mayor of Sefton, Jen Corcoran said:- "It was a pleasure to visit:- Birkdale Tower Lodge. Liam, Candice and the team were so welcoming and it is clear that they are committed to ensuring their residents have comfort, dignity and a variety of activities and opportunities to maintain interests as well as learn new things and get to know one another. You can live well with dementia, and it is important to talk about that as well as every aspect of it. Thank you for your hospitality."

Daredevil Southport boy completes 100 roller coasters for Elsie's Story as he's set to walk 235 ft up The Big One

A daredevil boy from Southport with a huge heart has ridden an extraordinary 100 roller coasters to support the:- 'Elsie's Story charity!' On Friday, 5 June 2026, Emile Hazlehurst, aged 10, completed his challenge by courageously walking 235ft to the top of:- 'The Big 1' roller coaster at:- Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Emile, a pupil in:- Year 5. at:- Farnborough Road Junior School, Birkdale, Southport, really does have a head for heights and a passion for fairgrounds.

Emile's proud Mum, Carla Hazlewood, said:- "Elsie's Story is a charity close to our hearts. We have witnessed and benefitted from the incredible work Elsie's Story has already done for our community. Emile is 10 and is excited to fundraise for Elsie's Story. It's taken some time but the challenge is nearly done! The minimum age to walk the:- 'Big Walk on The Big One' is usually 12, but after months of messaging, Blackpool Pleasure Beach finally gave him special permission to do it because it's for such a wonderful charity."

She continued:- "His challenge had 2 parts. The 1st part was to reach 100 different roller coasters ridden; he's been going on them since he was little - which he completed over May half term. I've added various updates to the fundraising page so people could follow along. Over the last year he's been wearing his Elsie's Story t-shirts to different theme parks, which led to the fundraising idea. He loves to ride the roller coasters, but he's definitely more apprehensive to walk up this Friday, as am I!!! This challenge for Emile is about achieving your goals, facing your fears and doing what you love, but most importantly to spread awareness of Elsie's Story and support the incredible work they do. I'd be extremely grateful for any help from people in the community, so any support or shares would be brilliant."

To support Emile, you can donate here.

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Mayor visits Southport care home to support Dementia Awareness Week

Daredevil Southport boy completes 100 roller coasters for Elsie's Story as he's set to walk 235 ft up The Big One