Knowsley Online

Double award for community heroes

Community heroes across Knowsley who give up their time to help others have been recognised for their dedication.

Resident associations, community organisations, volunteers, and good neighbours were honoured at the Knowsley Housing Trust’s Community Achievement Awards, held at the Huyton Suites on September 20.

Among the winners were Ray and Sheila Bennett from Whiston.

The couple were both nominated for the Resident of the Year award, sponsored by Travis Perkins, for the Prescot and Whiston area for their work with Four Seasons Residents Association and young people in the area.

Join local actress in the Liverpool Marathon

Dear Readers of Knowsleyonline

I would like to encourage your readers to join me in taking part in the Liverpool Marathon on Sunday 9 October 2011 in support of Diabetes UK. I know firsthand the impact diabetes can have on people and will be running in memory of my mum, Carolynne, who had Type 1 diabetes.

By going that extra mile and supporting Diabetes UK your readers will be helping to make a real difference to the 300,000 people diagnosed with diabetes across the North West as well as helping to raise awareness of the condition amongst the estimated 99,000 people across the region who have Type 2 diabetes but do not know it.

Diabetes is a serious condition and, if left untreated or not managed properly, can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure and blindness.

To apply for a Diabetes UK Charity Place in the marathon, or to get some fundraising advice, call Maria Roberts on 01925 644 572 or email northwest.fundraising@diabetes.org.uk

For more on the RunLiverpool Marathon, call 01512 368 432 or visit www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk

 Yours faithfully,

Suzanne Collins

(Wirral actress and former Brookside star)

To sponsor, visit http://www.justgiving.com/suzanne-collins0

Retail Academy opens in Kirkby

Up to 1,500 people are expected to be helped into employment with the launch of a new Retail Academy in Knowsley.

The academy, which offers hands-on retail, warehousing and logistics training to jobseekers in the region, is opening its doors to trainees keen to find work in this growing sector.

The Kirkby based academy is a 10,500 square foot replica of a working supermarket and warehouse, down to details such as newspaper stands and cash in tills. Courses will equip candidates with all the skills they need, including health and safety training, stock control, storage of goods and customer services.

Communities warned about dangers of loan sharks

A housing association has been out in communities warning of the dangers of loan sharks.

As part of a month-long initiative, Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) took to the streets with partners in the England Illegal Money Lending Team to talk to residents about what to look out for and how to report illegal lending activity.

KHT has carried out estate walkabouts in Huyton and Kirkby handing out information and talking to residents, and has run a loan shark awareness training session to help residents recognise the signs of loan sharks operating in their neighbourhoods.

Darren Reynolds, KHT Social Responsibility Coordinator, said: “We have delivered information to hundreds of households and around 20 KHT staff members have been trained in how to spot loan shark activity and gather information to pass on to the IMLT, who can prosecute.

Radio Presenter helps kick flu in Merseyside

NHS Merseyside has teamed up with renowned Liverpool presenter, Roger Phillips, to encourage any local residents, who are at greater risk from flu, to get their seasonal flu jab early this autumn.

Over the next few weeks, thousands of Merseyside residents will see their flu vaccination reminder letters arrive on their door steps inviting them to receive their free jab. A free seasonal flu vaccine is offered every autumn to people who are more at risk of serious illness or death from flu – people of any age with underlying health conditions, all pregnant women and everyone aged 65 and over.

Dr Emer Coffey, Consultant in Public Health at Liverpool PCT, said: “Flu had a nasty impact last winter. It was the worst winter for flu for several years in Merseyside and our hospitals were under pressure because there were so many people admitted suffering from serious effects associated with the virus.

Minister’s support for adoption initiative

Children and Families Minister Tim Loughton has announced his backing for an annual poetry competition launched by Merseyside adoption agency, Adoption Matters Northwest.

The competition was launched last month to highlight the plight of thousands of children, many from the North West, who are in care and waiting for the opportunity to be part of a new adoptive family.

People of all ages across Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire & North East Wales and Manchester are being invited to submit their own original poetry with the theme of ‘The Magic of Family’ expressing what family means to them.

“I am delighted to support Adoption Matters Northwest’s poetry competition,” said Mr Loughton.  It is vital we take every opportunity to raise the profile of adoption and encourage people to think about whether they could make a lifelong commitment to parent a child in need.”

Free fun for young families this autumn

There are a host of events for young families at Children’s Centres in North Huyton this autumn.

A Bump to Baby day at Hilltop Children’s Centre in Bedford Close in Huyton aims to prepare new mums and dads for what’s ahead.

There will be a wide variety of organisations at the event, with information on everything from breastfeeding and health issues to baby yoga.

There will also be information from various housing agencies and a number of free raffles on the day with prizes including a DVD player and a 3D baby scan.

The Bump to Baby day will be held on September 24 from 10am to 2pm and is open to pregnant women and their partners from across Knowsley.

Knowsley U19 football trials

Are you aged between 17 – 19 years (born on or after 1 August 1992) and would like to represent the borough in the 2012 Dallas Cup?

We’re looking for people who permanently resident in the borough, players who play at a high standard, are committed and who will act as ambassadors for Knowsley.

If this is you, we’d love to hear from you.  Our new trials for the U19 Dallas Cup Squad start on

Monday, 3 October 8.00 pm – 10.00 pm at Halewood Centre for Learning, The Avenue, Wood Road, Halewood L26 1UU and Wednesday, 5 October 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm at Huyton Arts and Sports Centre for Learning, Seel Road, Huyton L36 6DG

You can drop in to either event, or alternatively, call Barry Lloyd on 0151 443 5712 or email barry.lloyd@knowsley.gov.uk  to book your trial.



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Splash out in the new Leisure and Culture Park

The new Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park is offering everything from swimming lessons to water polo.

The timetable of events in the two state-of-the-art pools has been unveiled and includes all the latest water activities.

The multi million pound centre on Longview Drive Huyton will run Aqua Zumba, family fun sessions and an “aquatic boot camp”.

There will be family and adult swimming sessions, aquacise and after school activities.

There will also be the usual sessions for schools and local swimming clubs.

“This marvellous new facility will give people the chance to try out all sorts of great activities,” said Cllr Eddie Connor, Knowsley’s cabinet member for leisure, community and culture.

“Most people will be used to having a swim in the local pool, but now they’ll have the chance to give other things a go.

“One of our pools has a floor that can be raised or lowered, so it can be adjusted for people with special needs and small children.”

There are a variety of offers on to encourage as many people as possible to try things out .

These include £1 swims, 25% discount off adult swimming lessons and lunchtime aqua fitness sessions for £1.

To find out what offers are available, call the Get Active Team on 0151 443 2200 or log on to www.activeknowsley.com

Finding a school place gets even easier

Parents and carers can now apply for a school place for September 2012 if their child resides in Knowsley.

You can apply online or by completing a paper copy, available in the admissions booklet, whichever is easier for you!

The Knowsley Council website has a section where people can apply for primary and secondary places.

It is normally available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week and there are guidance notes on screen to help parents/carers through the process.

The online form can be amended at any point up to the closing date by logging back into the application.  If any changes are made and the application is re-submitted, an email will be sent out when the application is received by the council.