A Millennium Centre Service

Gateway Digest

Are there any specific services for bereavement of road death?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

RoadPeace is the national charity for road crash victims. Their helpline (0845 4500 355) can offer emotional and practical support in addition to advice around advocacy.

Aftermath Support, based in Merseyside, is an independent organisation that supports victims of road collisions. They provide Voluntary Support Workers to victims in cooperation with the FLO (Police Family Liaison Officer) who can help with practical arrangements and protocols such as funerals, benefits, informing authorities and signposting to other services. Aftermath SUPPORT can be contacted on 0151 777 2562.

I have recently lost someone close to me – who can I talk to about it?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

St John’s Church (Earlestown, WA12 9BS) run a support group called ‘Lynk-Up’ for those who have lost someone close to them and may be feeling lonely or unable to cope. The group takes place on the third Thursday of every month in a relaxed and informal environment.

Cruse Bereavement Care is the UK’s largest bereavement charity and aims to promote the wellbeing of bereaved people and enables anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Their telephone support-line (0808 808 1677) is available every weekday for someone to talk to.

NHS website has information on bereavement, grief and loss. (more…)

Where can I find a syringe/needle exchange?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

A Needle & Syringe Programme (NSP) or Syringe-Exchange Programme (SEP) can be found at:

  • CGL, 80 Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1UQ
  • Millennium Centre Pharmacy, The Millennium Centre, Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1HJ
  • Co-op Pharmacy, 51 Ormskirk Street, WA10 2SY
  • Lloyds Pharmacy, 11 Junction Lane, Sutton, WA9 3JN
  • Lloyds Pharmacy, 13 Ormskirk Street, WA10 1BQ
  • Rowlands Pharmacy, 65 Market Street, Earlestown, WA12 9BS

If you find a discarded needle anywhere please contact St Helens Council’s Cleansing Department on 01744 676 789 who will remove it for you – do not attempt to remove it yourself.

Where can I find help to stop/reduce my drinking/alcohol addiction?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

St Helens Intergrated Recovery Services, Change, Grow, Live (CGL)is a social care and health charity that works with individuals who want to change their lives for the better and achieve positive and life-affirming goals. They can provide confidential information, advice, treatment options and support for adults in St Helens.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. They have several support groups that are held throughout the borough.

There are also national organisations and charities that you can go to for further information, such as, drinkaware, al anon and Frank.

Self-help books and CDs are available to help with alcohol reduction through the ‘Books on Prescription’ service available at your local library.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is about supporting men, particularly those aged 15-35. It’s about giving you a break, a way of getting things off your chest and sorting your head out. If you’re going through a tough time and live on Merseyside then they could help you get back to enjoying your life. They provide a helpline (0800 58 58 58) and a website full of information, blogs and stories on issues relating to depression and suicide.

Is there any short-term support available following illness, injury or a stay in hospital?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

The Reablement Team (St Helens Council) that aims to support disabled people (18+) and older people keep as independent as possible when they are medically fit enough to be discharged from hospital.

A staff team including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Pharmacists, Community Psychiatric Nurses, Assistant Practitioners and Support Workers undertake assessments and then find out what support can be provided to help you build up your confidence, improve mobility, carry out personal care tasks, improve diet and healthy living. The programme usually lasts for between six to eight weeks and you must be referred by a GP or health professional to access the service.

Phone 01744 621 724 to find out more information about the Reablement service.

What advocacy services are available for disabled people in St Helens?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

St Helens Coalition of Disabled People offer a free and confidential advocacy service to provide support, guidance representation and information for people with learning disabilities or physical disabilities.

The Deafness Resource Centre in St Helens also have an advocacy service for deaf people, and people with sensory or physical disabilities. On a national level, the British Deaf Association and the Royal Association for Deaf People also offer advocacy services.

Radar (Royal Association for Disability Rights) is the UK’s largest disability rights campaigning network, and Disability Awareness in Action can provide useful information on rights including previous cases affecting disabled people.

Finally, some specific disabilities have charities that provide a specialist advocacy service in that area – for example the Macular Disease Society, Ataxia UK and the Spinal Injuries Association. If you have a specific medical disability like this then it may be worth checking with the leading charity in that area to see if they can offer any further assistance.

Are there any leisure activities or opportunities for breaks for disabled people?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

St Helens Coalition of Disabled People help people (over 18) to access and enjoy a range of social and leisure activities through their enabling scheme. This may include group activities, day/weekend trips out and work in the garden through their allotment project.

Day Opportunities (LDDOpps) are available for people who have a learning, physical or sensory disability and have been assessed as eligible for support by St Helens Council. This may include stimulating and motivating recreation, leisure and developmental activities which pursue life-long learning and the acquisition of new skills. Service provision is planned and organised at Stephenson’s Resource (Rainhill, L35 8LB), however the majority of activities take place in the community (e.g. community centres, social clubs, leisure centres, cafes etc). For more information please contact 01744 677 828 or visit the St Helens Council website.

St Helens People’s Choice run a weekly activity group every Friday, run for and by people with learning disabilities. Activities include crafts, karaoke and day trips out.

Gateway Club is a weekly activity group for adults over the age of 25 who have severe learning disabilities and need a lot of support. The group meets at Chain Lane Community Centre and activities include trips out to the cinema and for meals. Please contact Sally Griffiths on 01744 606676 for more information.

St Helens Go Active leisure centres provide sessions for adults (18+) with additional needs at Selwyn Jones Sports Centre and Queens Park Health & Fitness – these sessions include swimming, basketball, dance, badminton, football, table tennis, arts/crafts and a fitness suite. Please contact Michelle Binns on 01744 671 717 for further information.

Merseyside Sports Partnership provide disabled people with the opportunity to enter a comprehensive programme of events. The events are open to disabled people with a physical, learning or sensory disability who attend a school, club or resource centre.

The CEA Card is a national concessionary card to allow people with disabilities to obtain one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema – please click here for further information.

Acorn Farm (Knowsley) offers day time activities (e.g. working with animals or in the horticulture/maintenance departments) and riding lessons for people with disabilities – there is a charge for activities.

Wheelie Walkers is a ramblers group that takes users of power wheelchair and mobility scooters into the countryside to enjoy fresh air, open spaces and beautiful scenery.

MeCycle is a regional initiative that offers work placements to volunteers who have autism.

Vitalise is a national charity providing short breaks and respite care for people with disabilities, visually impaired people and carers.

Where can I find assistance accessing employment and education for disabled people?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

The Shaw Trust have offices in St Helens on Church Street – they help to empower disabled people looking to get back into employment by providing a range of training and personal development programmes and one-to-one confidential support.

St Helens Council have a Supported Employment Team that provide tailor-made support for people with disabilities to take steps into work and training. They work with local organisations to arrange on the job training plus one-to-one support, signposting and general job search advice.

MOWLL (Moving on with Life and Learning) is a charity based in Liverpool that helps adults with learning disabilities, meantal health conditions or brain injuries. They offer a variety of short programmes and courses, person centred planning and peer-mentor support for people who have been met with exclusion in education, training, employment and community life.

The Association of Disabled Professionals is a forum for disabled people to share their problems/successes of employment, also providing employment advice and moral support.

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