Latest News

• • Sefton MYP’s at UKYP Annual Conference 2018

    August 29, 2018On July 27 – 29, two of Sefton’s Members of Youth Parliament, took part in the UKYP Annual Conference held at the University of Nottingham. Gabby Lawless and Meagn Dywer joined other members of the Youth Parliament from across the UK to debate, take part in workshops and help create and change the national manifesto policy. Here’s a write up from Gabby, with her experience of the weekend; This year’s UKYP Annual Conference 2018 was a very successful year for Sefton as both Megan and I had our motions passed and placed on the manifesto. Not only did we both talk on topics we find very important, such as support for youth services and tackling homelessness, but we had the opportunity to talk about mental health support in school. This is something I have had lots of knowledge in, having experienced mental health problems myself. Speaking about this in front of the 200 young people was daunting, however I am very proud of myself as this gives other people the confidence and opportunity to talk about it themselves. That is what the motion was about, breaking stigma and getting young people the support they need from school. After such a good weekend I am beyond excited for the House of Commons Event on November 9th. I am preparing to speak up for the young people of Sefton. This will not only be in front of other MYPs but on broadcast on television TV. Therefore, hopefully young people across the country can see that they have people fighting for them in Westminster. Article by; Gabby Lawless MYP... Read more...
  • Young people in Sefton help to shape their local NHS

    August 1, 2018School children from across Sefton have been learning about local health services as well as giving their views on the NHS. Your Youth Health Day on Thursday 19 July saw pupils from Maricourt Catholic High School in Maghull and Southport’s Stanley High School work with Sefton Young Advisors, to learn which local NHS service is best for them if they are unwell or want some advice on their health and wellbeing. The event was organised by NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCGs’ joint Engagement and Patient Experience Group (EPEG) which brings together representatives from organisations including Sefton Council, Healthwatch Sefton and Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) to look at how the CCGs can better involve residents and partners in their work. Health commissioners were joined at the Formby event by staff from Sefton council to hear young people’s views about health care. The event saw pupils taken through everyday scenarios, how to lead a healthier lifestyle, and which NHS service to consider for a range of medical issues, ranging from when to get advice from local pharmacists and the NHS111 phone service for minor conditions, to when to call 999. Ryan McCarthy from Sefton Young Advisors, said: “This event is about getting young people introduced to the health services they might have accessed or access in the future, looking at their knowledge and hopefully improve it by looking health scenarios which may affect them in the future. “It’s also about looking at their feedback around health services because it’s really important because changes can be made from that and health services can be improved.” One pupil said: “I didn’t realise how unhealthy I have been – I do go to bed late, spend time on my phone and also don’t have breakfast.  Those are things I’m going to change now.” This has been the second dedicated young person’s event organised by EPEG, led by Sefton Young Advisers and part of the CCGs’ commitment to ensuring the ‘voice of the child’ is recognised in health services. Graham Bayliss, lay representative for patient and public engagement at NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “The NHS is all about listening to all its patients, but the voices of young people can sometimes get drowned out by adults. “It’s important we’re listening to young people and issues they have, as well as the areas of NHS services they’re not sure about.” On what needs to change about health services, another pupil said: “I think one thing the NHS lacks is mental health support, especially for teens, so if that could be improved that would be really good.” Gill Brown, governing body lead for patient and public participation for NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “They’ve really changed my views about how we communicate with young people, especially around social media. “One thing that came across is that we need to do more about mental health service provision for young people, particularly in relation to abuse over social media and the impact that can have on young people.” To watch a video from the event please click here: https://youtu.be/2sCZSRE7ZOI To find out more about getting involved in the work of your local NHS, please email communications@sefton.nhs.uk or call 0151 317 8456.... Read more...
  • New Beginnings loud and proud at Pride 2018

    July 31, 2018Liverpool Pride is over for another year! Angie and Myself are still recovering and the young people are more than likely still buzzing! We had a brilliant turn out from our New Beginnings youth group and we also had our young people’s families in attendance with us. Liverpool Pride was as bright, colourful, loud and vibrant as always. We pretty much had all the seasons in one day, wind, rain, sun and even hail and very aptly a Rainbow! During the day the young people took part in a photography project with The Open Eye Gallery. Andy and Samera worked with the group helping them to capture the day through images. We are really looking forward to seeing the end product and we’ll keep you updated on this. It was also great to partner up with our friends, Sefton Sea Cadets. This was the first time they have been encouraged by Sea Cadet Headquarters to be present as an organisation, so it was amazing to have them with us. We were lucky enough to be joined by our Communications colleague John McCabe who joined us for the march, big thanks to John for his presence and taking some awesome pictures for us.  Once again being part of the Pride March was  amazing and was such an incredible experience for some of our young people joining for their first time! Although the majority of the march was positive, unfortunately we did experience some opposition including Anti-trans protesters. Still now, I don’t think people are aware of the amount hate that is within the LGBTQ+ community itself and this for me as a veteran, was so sad to see. Our young people rose above it though and continued with their own celebrations and enjoyment of the march singing 1,2,3,4 open up the closet door, 5,6,7,8 don’t assume your kids are straight! Sue Logie Youth Worker Targeted Youth Prevention... Read more...
  • Make your voice heard and ‘Make Your Mark’!

    July 25, 2018Hi everyone! I’m Megan and I’m one of the Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) for Sefton. This means that I represent the young people of Sefton at a national level, making sure their views are heard by decision makers such as local councillors and MPs. MYP’s in Sefton are encouraging young people to get involved in   Make Your Mark, the largest youth consultation in Europe. Young people from across the UK vote on five issues which they feel most passionate about and what they think effects them most. MYPs will then discuss these issues in an annual debate in the House of Commons in November. This is a fantastic opportunity to talk about the most important issues for young people on such a prestigious platform. We want as many young people in Sefton to get involved as possible and if you’re aged 11-18 in Sefton, well congratulations – you’re eligible to vote! For schools that have signed up, the number of ballot papers they have requested will be sent directly to themselves. Here at Sefton Youth Voice we have ordered an extra 10,000 ballot papers for those schools that haven’t signed up. In September, I will be sending out packs of 500 ballot papers to every secondary schools that haven’t pre-registered. A big thank you to Birkdale High School, Chesterfield High School, Hillside High School, Norwood Primary School, Savio Salesian College, St Michaels Church of England High School, Summerhill Primary School and Sefton Youth for pre-registering! Together these total over 4,400 ballot papers! This year’s target for Sefton is 7000 completed ballot papers. We hope that every school and youth organisation in Sefton gets involved! You will also be able to vote from this website from August 22. Make Your Voice Heard Make Your Mark!... Read more...
  • Young people have their say on sex education in schools

    July 24, 2018Young people from SYMBOL (Sefton Youth Making Better Opportunities with Leaders) have been making their voices heard over plans to improve Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) and Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) in schools. The Department of Education is considering updating the existing Sex and Relationship guidance which was last revised in 2000. At a recent SYMBOL meeting held at Bootle Town Hall, young people from across the borough discussed the topic. Being a member of SYMBOL means a young person can play an active role in their community, with a direct line of communication with key decision makers, such as councillors and senior managers at Sefton Council including representatives from Public Health. They meet three times a year at different locations across the borough. At the meeting young people talked about their experiences of sex education in school and gave advice on how it can be changed to be more effective. They believed that they would benefit more by having discussions about thoughts, feelings and the various issues surrounding relationships. Cllr John Joseph Kelly, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Safeguarding, was at the meeting. He said: “Some great points were raised by the young people attending the meeting. “As a new curriculum in SRE and PSHE is shaped, it is important that we listen to young people’s views and experiences in order to make lessons relevant to them and their needs. “Young people believed that some teachers may be embarrassed when talking about the subject and understand it may be difficult for them to make the transition from teaching their usual curriculum subject, to having open discussions about sex and relationships. Advice like this is really relevant and will be shared with Public Health.” During the meeting there was a performance from Access27, a theatre company which portrays the issues which effect young people. The hard hitting ‘Like Glue’ exposed relationship abuse in 5 scenarios including domestic abuse and controlling behaviour. This creative and emotive piece brought the issues to life, leaving a lasting impression on the room. Also on the agenda and keeping to the important topic of sex and relationships, young people and key figures took part in a session which raised awareness of the increase of on-line sexual abuse and e-safety. The workshop gave a greater understanding of how to spot the warning signs that a young person is being targeted and how to report any incidents. For more information visit: www.consult.education.gov.uk/life-skills/pshe-rse-call-for-evidence/ and www.listentomystory.co.uk To get involved in SYMBOL contact Rob Hancock on 07792 315 890... Read more...
  • Sefton Rocks!

    July 23, 2018A new creative craze will be taking over parks and green spaces in #MySefton this summer and you can get involved! #seftonrocks is a new project developed by young people from Sefton Council’s Youth Voice, New Beginnings and Youth Bus projects. Dozens of rocks will be decorated with various colourful designs that are meaningful to young people in the borough and placed around parks across Sefton. We’re encouraging children, young people and families to explore your local parks and green spaces.  If you are lucky enough to find a painted rock with a #seftonrocks or a seftonyouth.co.uk link, post a picture of it to Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #seftonrocks to share the message! You’ll find them on main paths so no need to look in bushes and undergrowth!! From Wednesday August 1, painted rocks will start appearing across North Park, Bootle, Coronation Park, Crosby and Kings Gardens, Southport. If this pilot is successful we will include more local parks and you’ll see more decorated rocks created by young people, popping up across the borough. Help spread the word and lets get more people talking about #seftonrocks!      ... Read more...
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award Opportunity through Sefton Council

    July 23, 2018Integrated Youth Support DofE Offer 2018 IYS DofE session referral form An exciting opportunity has arisen for young people in Sefton who will be in year 9 + from September! Sefton Council’s Integrated Youth Service are offering the chance for young people to complete their Bronze level Duke of Edinburgh Award – thanks to some limited funded places from DofE North.  Duke of Edinburgh is an internationally recognised achievement valued highly by colleges, universities and employers. This is a unique opportunity delivered by qualified and experienced youth workers for young people who cannot achieve the award through schools or college.  Achieving a DofE Award not only gives you a chance to meet new lifelong friends, but it can also be a passport to a brighter future.  As part of a group you can be involved in volunteering, physical activities, life skills and expeditions.  Sessions begin in October and will be held at Buckley Hill Community Fire Station on Thursday Evenings.  More information about the Duke of Edinburgh Award can be found at: www.dofe.org/  For more information and to book a place, please contact: Rob Hancock on 0151 934 4926 or Jenny Tweedy on 0151 934 4899.... Read more...
  • Sefton Youth Stand Together with the North-West

    July 23, 2018On Saturday 24th June young people from Sefton Youth Cabinet and across the North West came together at the British Youth Council Convention 1 held at Oldham Civic Centre. The events in Manchester, Grenfell Tower, London Bridge and Finsbury Park have affected thousands of people across the UK. However through the tragic circumstances a sense of community has been form with people from all walks of life coming together to support each other. At the meeting the young people discussed the need for everyone to have a better understanding of cultures and religions. On the day young people wrote messages of peace they are sharing via the #westandtogether soical media campaign. Laura Curren, Sefton Youth Cabinet shared; “Love is almost like a diamond. Diamonds are near enough impossible to break and destory. However, Love is stronger. Love will not break. Instead love will shine during times of darkness and will bring us peace.” Young people also looked at their own identity and how this is formed. From where they live, religion, sexuality, heritage and other factors. The meeting showed that with the right support and environment people can come together to make a difference with groups sharing their ideal curriculum for life. Sefton supports #westandtogether and #youthstandtogther If you have been affected by any of the recent events – speak to someone to get support.... Read more...