Phil Watson and his family have been fostering for Liverpool City Council since 2010. Phil is also a fostering recruitment officer for Liverpool City Council Fostering Service. Here, he writes about his experience of fostering and lockdowns… I wonder what you’ve missed most in lockdown? Whatever your situation, I’m sure your life has been limited … Read more
Angela Clarke has worked in the domestic abuse sector for over 20 years, as a front line professional. She offers services for victims and more recently has become the strategic lead for domestic abuse at Liverpool City Council. Here, she talks about how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on victims. Reducing domestic abuse is a key … Read more
It’s often said that New York is the most iconic film location in cinematic history. With countless romcoms, action thrillers and even Christmas films set and filmed there. From West Side Story and When Harry Met Sally, to Spider-Man, The Avengers and Elf. Perhaps without even visiting New York – we all have our own … Read more
Mike Allanson is a member of the City Council Communications Team and has over 35 years of Council service to his name. He’s been shielding whilst working from home and recently got the call to go for his Covid vaccine. “As someone who has always felt pretty resilient during ‘normal’ times, I like to think … Read more
Ashleigh Stamper is a Legal Assistant and Mental Health and Wellbeing Champion for Liverpool City Council. In this blog, she opens up to share the impact of her eating disorder and how acknowledging her mental illness enabled her to seek help and recovery. “My mental health is something I’ve struggled with since I was around … Read more
“We are witnessing an historic moment for women, as Kamala Harris is inaugurated as the very first female Vice-President of the United States of America. We congratulate Kamala and we are heartened that the US has chosen to elevate this remarkable BAME woman to this position. This is a crucial moment for America itself in … Read more
Today is apparently the most depressing day of the year. “Blue Monday”, as it’s called. Given the fact we’re under our third lockdown, I suspect your mental wellbeing may not be as strong as usual. Let me just say from the outset, it is completely normal to experience feelings of worry, sadness or confusion over … Read more
“When things are at their worst I feel like I’m drowning. It feels like I’m kicking my legs and trying to get to the surface but it’s just getting harder and harder.” – Stacey McKeown, a Customer Service Advisor in the Careline team, shares a brave account of her battle with anxiety. “You don’t look … Read more
Liverpool City Council’s Public Protection Unit is a small team that makes a big difference. Described as ‘the death detectives’ by a TV producer, they spend their time dedicated to giving a dignified departure to those who pass away, seemingly leaving no one behind. But what they witness in a day stays with them for … Read more
Bridgadier Joe Fossey OBE writes aboutt his experience supporting Liverpool’s Covid testing programme.
Liverpool-born actor and science communicator, Stephen McGann on why we should place trust in those telling us the Covid vaccine is safe
Director of Public Health, Matt Ashton, clears up some of the false claims about the COVID-19 mass testing pilot… Since COVID-19 affected all of our lives earlier this year, we have all seen a lot of rumours on social media, TV programmes and WhatsApp groups. These range from factual questions which everyone is right to … Read more
Richard Jones, Head of Intelligence and Analytics at Liverpool City Council, writes about the Impact of COVID-19 on health in the city and debunks some conspiracy theories. We are all fed up with COVID. It has dominated work, it’s all we talk about (let’s be honest, it’s the only thing to talk about), it’s disrupted … Read more
Beryl Bellew is a founding volunteer at the North Liverpool Foodbank. Since the introduction of lockdown, Beryl has had to take a step back from the project she helped to create to shield from coronavirus. Now, as lockdown eases, Beryl is gradually returning to her former duties and provides us with this month’s instalment of the … Read more
Earlier this year, Liverpool’s ‘100 Day Challenge’ gave teams of frontline staff the chance to work together, across organisations, with three local communities to make positive change happen, fast. It was seen as a ‘launchpad’ to a new way of working. Then lockdown hit. What happened next? InFebruary of this year, we wrote about how the … Read more
Public Mental Health Lead Sue Neely on the post-natal depression that left her feeling like a bad mum — and how to deal with the demands of bringing up baby during a pandemic… “Becoming a mother — particularly for the first time — is one of those life events which many women recall with fondness and nostalgia. … Read more
“Sir Phil Redmond – congratulations and about time! Many years ago Phil stood on the steps of the arena, relayed his now famous scouse wedding line about European Capital of Culture and dared the media to ignore the city and the incredible twelve-month programme which had been painstakingly planned. It worked. The sniping stopped and … Read more
Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan, shares her thoughts on the day of Act One of The Good Business Festival “So, it’s the day of Act One of The Good Business Festival and I’m listening to the radio and there is the constant cloud of full lockdown looming and the desperation of businesses not knowing where to turn … Read more
Beryl Bellew is a founding volunteer at the North Liverpool Foodbank. Since the introduction of lockdown, Beryl has had to take a step back from the project she helped to create to shield from coronavirus. Now, as lockdown eases, Beryl is gradually returning to her former duties and provides us with this month’s instalment of the … Read more
Kevin McManus, Head of UNESCO City of Music for Liverpool, shares his thoughts on the impact of COVID-19 on the economy of Liverpool’s music industry. “Covid-19 has impacted on every walk of life causing unimaginable grief and pain but one of the worst hit sectors has gone largely unreported – the music industry. In Liverpool I’d … Read more