Laura Johnston

Following on from the success of last year, small grants to support short breaks for disabled people and their families are available again.

OFSTED and the CQC will be conducting a joint Local Area Inspection of our Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities (SEND) services. 

During National Safeguarding Adults Awareness Week (18 to 22 November) a number of pop-up information hubs will be created across Knowsley to promote awareness of safeguarding and encourage people to report their concerns.

During the coronavirus pandemic Knowsley residents will be following the Government’s advice to stay at home as much as possible. However some people may be living with a loved one who has issues with drugs or alcohol.

The coronavirus pandemic and resulting social distancing guidelines has meant that Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team ‘Walkabout Wednesday’ haven’t been operating as usual.

As residents are encouraged to continue spending as much time at home as possible, Knowsley Council has received an increase in noise complaints and are asking residents to be considerate of neighbours, particularly those who are elderly and vulnerable, and for those working from home or working night shifts.

Find out how to keep safe online if you’re experiencing domestic abuse.

Despite the extremely challenging circumstances arising from COVID-19, work on the new retail development in Kirkby town centre is continuing.

Kirkby Gallery is calling out to residents to nominate them for the prestigious Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award.

As a result of community intelligence gathered by Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team, two warrants have been executed today in Huyton.

If you have a food allergy or intolerance, be sure to know how to keep safe.

Knowsley Council is reminding the borough’s food business operators in the retail and catering sector that they are required to provide allergen information and follow labelling rules when preparing and selling food.

It’s Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) and we’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the many volunteers and community groups whose actions have made a huge difference to those facing hardship during the Coronavirus crisis.

Knowsley’s full grounds maintenance programme, including the cutting of grass verges, will resume from Monday 1 June.

Victim/survivors of domestic abuse can now access safe spaces at Boots pharmacy consultation rooms across Knowsley, where they can find out more about what specialist domestic abuse services are available to them.

Knowsley Council continues to remind residents it’s more important than ever to pick up after their dogs and that it can be disposed of in any of the dog bins provided across the borough as well as any public bin or in your household maroon wheelie bin.

Knowsley’s historic Bowring Park Golf Course will re-open on 30 May following its temporary closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic and resulting social distancing guidelines has meant that Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team ‘Walkabout Wednesday’ won’t continue as usual. Here’s what they’re doing instead.

The country continues to manage the coronavirus pandemic and people are asked to remain at home as much as possible.

A book of remembrance has been launched for all those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employers, the self-employed and people in control of premises, such as landlords, have a duty to identify and control risks associated with legionella.

What have the Crime and Communities team been up to this week?

Knowsley residents have the exciting opportunity to access the expertise of Kirkby Gallery’s resident artist, Gillian Cowley to create paintings inspired by the project and theme Home is Where The Art is.

Over the last two months, Knowsley’s local policing team, with the help of a Knowsley Council funded quad bike, have seized 32 motorbikes, scrambler and quad bikes from borough’s streets.

Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team may not be knocking at your door – but they are still working for you during this pandemic.

Knowsley Council along with partner organisations across the Liverpool City Region have teamed up to launch a new domestic abuse campaign – telling anyone experiencing abuse during the Coronavirus pandemic: #YouAreNotAlone.

The coronavirus pandemic and resulting social distancing guidelines has meant that Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team ‘Walkabout Wednesday’ won’t continue as usual.

British-Chinese people across Knowsley are being encouraged to put themselves forward for a new award designed to recognise their achievements and contributions to our national life. 

Farmer, Olly Harrison has planted 35,000 sunflower seeds, across an acre of land to ultimately create 200ft high letters spelling ‘NHS’.

Unfortunately Knowsley Flower Show won’t take place this year but fortunately, you can find a collection of beautiful images of the outdoors in the comfort of your own home with Knowsley Flower Show’s online exhibition. Get involved!

Advice on how to manage your waste while recycling centres are closed.

If researching your family tree is something you’ve always wanted to do now could be the perfect time to get started as Ancestry, the family history website, is now free to access from home.

At this time, with many families at home together and parents trying to juggle work, childcare and home schooling, a “hints and top tips” document has been produced for parents / carers to help them through this challenging time.

You can spend hours on these these creative and cultural websites.

Knowsley Library Service has been busy sourcing a whole range of FREE online resources to help you keep your children entertained and learning while staying at home.

Information to help children understand what coronavirus is has been produced.

During this unprecedented time the Council, and the whole community, is following the Government and Public Health England’s guidance to help contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Merseyside Police has advice for domestic abuse victims on using ‘999 silent solution’ telephone system in an emergency. Here is a message from them.

Over the last few days, we’ve seen an increase in calls about people burning waste in their gardens. We know it’s hard with recycling centres closed but we would advise you to avoid this where possible.

Following months of financial difficulties, the high street rent-to-own retailer Brighthouse has announced its collapse. Here’s what you need to know.

Following on from a hugely successful event in October last year, Fiver Fest is back in Prescot and this time it’s double the fun as it runs for two weeks instead of one.

Want to try your hand at art? There are brilliant art sessions happening at Kirkby Gallery and they’re free. Don’t miss out on securing your place.

‘The Kirkby Child’ is a model made up of core values and skills that are important to pupils in Kirkby and are what all pupils can work towards in and out of school.

In this exhibition, Liverpool-based artist and sculptor, Phillip Garrett, explores the many faces of Knowsley through drawing and sculpture.

Following the success of Mediterranean restaurant Eton Place in Huyton Village Centre, the owner has expanded to open a new restaurant in the heart of the village centre.

27th January marks Holocaust Memorial Day, a national event to remember the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of others killed under Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Find out what’s on the agenda at Cabinet on 22 January 2020.

A new campaign is reminding people about the range of support available from pharmacies and that they should be the first place to go for advice and over-the-counter medicines for minor health concerns such as coughs, colds, tummy troubles and aches and pains.

Hope Primary School in Huyton is the second primary school in Knowsley this month that has retained its ‘Good’ Ofsted inspection rating.

The Coffee House is one of 13 premises to benefit from the Council’s shop front improvement scheme in Huyton Village Centre.

Northwood Community Primary School in Kirkby has maintained its ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement, following an inspection last month.

Children in Knowsley have been celebrating completing ‘Arts Award Explore’, a national qualification involving a series of fun storytelling and bookmaking workshops.

Pupils and staff at Halewood Church of England Primary School are celebrating after topping the Department for Education’s table for Key Stage 2 SAT results.

Thirteen families have been welcomed into brand new homes, just in time for Christmas, as part of an ambitious Plus Dane £5.5m scheme of affordable housing for rent in the borough.

An exhibition of the winning photographs entered into Knowsley’s Year of the Environment Secondary Schools Photographic Competition is being staged at venues across the borough.             

Make sure you don’t fall victim to the winter vomiting bug or Norovirus. Read our advice on how to protect yourself.

​Crafted is a biennial exhibition, presenting the work of contemporary makers from across the North West of England, in areas of contemporary craft, design and fine art.

Many people in Knowsley may have heard various things about legal aid and the supposed difficulties there are in accessing it. However this article addresses some of these myths and offers insight into what it is and who is eligible.

Sylvester Primary Academy in Huyton has maintained its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating following an inspection last month.

Residents in Knowsley can benefit from free heating and electrical upgrades, thanks to funding from Knowsley Council’s Strategic Housing team, who are helping vulnerable residents stay warm safe and healthy over the winter months.

Huyton-based Lyndale Cancer Support Centre is raising funds for their brilliant charity by holding a ‘Show Time’ fundraising night.

A new quad bike, introduced to help Merseyside Police tackle the anti-social and criminal use of motorbikes and scramblers in Knowsley, is already having a positive impact.

The families of Kirkby footballing legends Eddie McArdle and John O’Leary have come together to mark the official unveiling of the new Pavilion at the Eddie McArdle community playing fields in Kirkby.

Park users in Halewood are celebrating the completion of a programme of improvements at their local green space.

Families from Kirkby have been taking part in a new healthy lifestyle initiative with some fantastic results.

Underneath the Hazels’ is the exciting new archive exhibition celebrating the history of a distinguished Knowsley teaching college – C.F. Mott College.

Two life-saving public defibrillators have been installed in Knowsley during the last month.

An upcoming exhibition at Kirkby Gallery will celebrate local life through art, and we need you to suggest which Knowsley faces and places should be stars of the show.

Over 350 children from 15 schools in Knowsley are performing in Shakespeare Schools Festival 2019.

Talent was shining brightly in Knowsley during the second ‘Shine’ event, a talent showcase for anyone with a connection to Knowsley.

Twelve students from All Saints High School have joined Knowsley’s first Fire Cadet Unit. The scheme, which began last month, has already made a positive impact on the young people’s lives.

It’s National Adoption Week, Monday 14 to 20 October, and Knowsley Council – as part of the regional adoption agency for Merseyside – is highlighting the need to find parents for 50 children across Merseyside.

Save the date! Next year’s Knowsley Flower Show has been announced to take place on Sunday 9 August 2020 with Feelgood Festival taking place on Saturday 8 August 2020.

Al’s Arc is a brand new activity and respite centre which is benefiting local residents, their families, and their carers.

Knowsley’s new Crime and Communities Team have wasted no time getting out and about in the local community tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough.

Heart of Light is a magical retelling of the The Story of Rama and Sita, a popular Hindu tale.

Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Week, which takes place from 2-8 September, is an annual campaign to raise awareness of male specific cancers.

A Huyton businessman and local artist have joined forces to create an inspirational piece of street art.

Community volunteers, local councillors and staff from a Knowsley-based social impact business and housing provider got their hands dirty to support a community action day in Swanside.

If you’re planning a ceremony (wedding, civil partnership, renewal of vows, citizenship or naming ceremony) have you considered Knowsley Register Office based in Prescot?

Local councillors joined members of Knowsley’s newly-formed Crime and Communities Team, local PSCO’s and representatives from Knowsley’s Street Scene and Environmental Health teams as they visited homes on a walk-around at Bakers Green in Huyton.

A celebration event to mark the completion of improvement works at Mill Dam Park, Kirkby was a fun-filled success.

As children across Knowsley prepare to start primary school, Public Health experts are advising parents to make sure their children are fully immunised against MMR.

Can you spare a few moments to share your thoughts about crime in your local area to help us understand what matters to residents?

If you have any unwanted clothes you want to swap or give a new lease of life to, then come along to the latest Pop Up Boutique at Northwood Community Centre in Kirkby.

A unique insight into how Knowsley teenagers view their local green spaces has been revealed by a borough-wide photography competition.

The weekend of Knowsley Flower Show and Feelgood Festival was popular once again this year, with thousands of visitors taking to Court Hey Park to enjoy all of the brilliant outdoor activities and entertainment.

A programme offering tailored support to households where all residents are out of work is seeing results in Knowsley and across the region.

A community men’s group will launch next week – on Wednesday, 7 August.

Another month, another chance to discover some brilliant newly-released books at your local library…

Made on Merseyside celebrates and showcases industry in Knowsley, the goods produced here and the people who made them. This exhibition will share the stories of businesses large and small, past and present!

As Liverpool Pride returns to Merseyside this week, Knowsley Council are encouraging more LGBT+ people to consider opening their hearts and their homes to children through fostering.

Parents knows it can be a challenge to encourage the children away from the TV, games console or other device. But now help is at hand with the return of the 10 Minute Shake Up campaign from Change4Life!

With temperatures continuing to rise in the coming days, make sure you keep yourself, and those around you, safe and well in the sun.

If you’re looking for ideas to help you keep the children entertained over the school summer holidays check out all the fantastic free activities in Knowsley’s libraries.

This Love Parks Week we want you to celebrate our green spaces, including Knowsley’s 18 award-winning Green Flag parks, by visiting them. Find out about some of the great parks we have in Knowsley.

Knowsley Council’s Cabinet will consider a report on Friday, 19 July 2019 regarding Kirkby town centre.

Parks Matter to us all – so for this year’s Love Parks Week we’re encouraging everyone to get out and enjoy their favourite park.

If you’re working and receiving tax credits or Universal Credit, a new Government savings scheme, called Help to Save, could help you build your savings.

A full meeting of Knowsley’s Council will take place on Wednesday 10 July at 6pm.