A summary of all the speakers from the last COP meeting of the year, with external links included

Last week, we headed over to Wirral Multicultural Centre in Birkenhead to kick off 2025 with the first COP of the year. Thank you again to Wirral Multicultural Organisation for hosting!
Healthy Homes Wirral Local Authority

Katy from the Healthy Homes team came to talk about the work they do with selective licencing areas. Selective licensing is a scheme to improve private rented homes within specific designated neighbourhoods by requiring landlords to obtain a licence and comply with certain agreed conditions. Wirral’s Healthy Homes team supports tenants and homeowners to help them stay independent, healthy and safe in their homes. They offer free advice and services relating to a range of health and housing issues.
Open Door Centre
Lucy came to talk about the Open Door’s Bazaar program. Bazaar is a free eight-week peer support program shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by blending elements of CBT and mindfulness and pairing participants with a peer mentor. Open Door are looking to get this program out to as many people as possible and are really looking for opportunities to share this program with as many people as they can.
Wirral Foodbanks
Beth is working on a program called Money Matters. Their aim is to open a shop front premises to provide money and debt advice to local people. They have recorded that 84% of people who work with the CAB in their Foodbank+ sessions do not return to the foodbanks. Money Matters is designed to provide upstream support to avoid people getting into crisis. They are looking for organisations to partner with to get the program off the ground. They are looking for funding and an organisation to supervise the program.

Beth also mentioned that she is seeking training opportunities for volunteers to learn digital and leadership skills, and to contact her if anyone is aware of or facilitates training courses or workshops.
Wirral Public Health
Steph came to talk about tooth and oral health for children. She first thanked the COP, as after her last update they saw an increase in the take up of the Healthy Start scheme which correlated with when she last came to COP in October. She was grateful that people had heard and acted on what she brought. Because of that positive response she came back to discuss oral health for children. The Northwest has the worst oral health for children in the UK and, in an attempt to alleviate this, they are giving away toothbrush and toothpaste packs to help encourage families to assist in brushing. The also have SEND specific toothbrushes which are designed to make brushing teeth quicker and less taxing on the child. If you would like to take her up on any of the free oral health packs, get in touch via the details below.
0300 330 7010
RASA Merseyside
Jo from RASA Merseyside (a Rape And Sexual Assault support charity) came to discuss that, although they are commissioned by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Ministry of Justice, they are facing a £100,000 deficit in the next financial year. They work with around 3,000 clients a year, a number which a has increased year on year since they began. They mentioned that this can take quite a toll on staff and if there were any mental health or wellbeing organisations they could get support from they would appreciate it.

In Jo’s other role working alongside Tam O’Shanter, she also highlighted they have a number of available spaces that people can use for events or activities.
One Wirral
Karen spoke briefly about the cancer alliance and their approach to sharing information and encouraged other organisations that sharing information and data can be incredibly useful, especially as things get tougher for the VCF. She also discussed One Wirral’s new Social Action Lead position which is a 3 day per week roll over a 12 month period working with local organisations raising awareness and supporting social action projects across Wirral. With awareness to potential difficulties organisations in the sector may experience in 2025, this is initially being offered as a secondment opportunity for 12 months to any existing staff within the VCFSE sector who may be at risk and to support each other through financially difficult times.
Next she spoke about the HEX event on the 27th February. A one-day online interactive course designed to tech the fundamentals of health economics. This has been organised in conjunction with Wirral CVS and is being fully funded. It is important to note that each organisation can book a maximum of 2 places and that there will be a £100 deposit required (Which will be returned on completion of the course).
Lastly she spoke about One Wirral’s CVD health check ups that they are delivering. One Wirral CIC are offering free NHS Health Checks to those living in Wirral aged between 40-74, and Free Health MOTs for those under the age of 40. The NHS Health Check is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening tool, screening for conditions such a heart disease, atrial fibrillation (AF), diabetes, and stroke. Making it a great opportunity to discuss the risk factors of CVD, as well as having a health coaching conversation regarding diet and lifestyle.
If interested contact: cmicb-wi.communityhealthchecks@nhs.net
Wirral Forest Wellbeing Walks
Mike came to talk about the wellbeing walks they have on offer. The walks they provide are a great opportunity to get out into nature and get some exercise. They are free to the public and have been shown to support people with anxiety and social isolation. They offer 3 walks a week:
Prenton Community Centre – Wednesdays 1:30pm
Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre – Thursdays 1:30pm
Indigo Cade – Fridays at 2:00pm
Make It Happen
Amy from Make It Happen updated the COP on their recent success with the National Lottery grant supporting their Vibrant Village project. The project is just starting out and they will be coming to update the COP as it progresses but it is a program designed to make personal investments to support people to be included, enjoy and grow in their local community.
Wirral Carers Alliance
Lottie from the Wirral Carers Alliance came to talk about the forums that they facilitate for carers. They have both online and in-person cares forums creating space for Carers to come and talk about their experiences. They work collaboratively with Wirral Council, the NHS, Healthwatch Wirral and multiple Carer Support Organisations to ensure Carers opinions, needs and wants are included in the improvement of support available to Wirral Carers.

She also came to talk about their event on the 11th June at the Floral pavilion "The Commitment to Carers Conference". It will include a ‘Marketplace’ showcasing Support Services, engagement workshops and professional Q&A panels.
If you want any more information or would like to contact any of the attendees, you can e-mail alex.fisher@wcvs.org.uk
If you want to speak at the next COP meeting, please let Mark know via mark@wcvs.org.uk
The next COP meeting is on 6th March at Wirral Change. Go to the link below to RSVP:
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