COMMUNITY engagement events aimed at encouraging residents to find out how health and social care is changing across St Helens, will be taking place across the borough this week.

NHS St Helens CCG and St Helens Council are running the ‘Talkfest’ events in various places and give residents the chance to meet the people who deliver health and social care in St Helens.

Visitors can find out about the innovative work being carried out under the banner of ‘St Helens Cares’ to make bringing together health and social care a reality.

These events are taking place in national ‘Self Care Week’ and will also focus on how people can look after their health and that of their family to help manage the increasing demand on health services.

Professor Sarah O’Brien, strategic director people's services and clinical accountable officer, said: “We are on a really exciting journey here in St Helens to bring together health and social care in a way that hasn’t been done before. What this should mean is better care, the need to only tell your story once and a more seamless experience when using both health and social care services.

“We would really like people to come and hear what we have to say, ask questions and find out how they can get involved with what is happening. We have to get this right and the community’s involvement is vital to this.”

St Helens Council’s cabinet member for better health, Cllr Gill Neal, added: “These are proactive times in St Helens, with organisations across the public sector coming together to best meet the needs of local people. What we want to do is engage with members of the community that have had first-hand experiences with health and social care. This will help our award-winning St Helens Cares initiative take the next big step towards becoming the best possible system to meet the rising demand for this service.”

These free drop-in events are taking place on the dates and venues below with refreshments available on arrival:

  • Park Farm ACYP Centre, Kentmere Avenue, Carr Mill, Monday, November 12. Starts at 9am.
  • The Hope Centre, Atherton Street on Tuesday, November 13. Starts at 1pm.
  • Derbyshire Hill Family Community Centre, Derbyshire Hill Road, Parr on Thursday, November 15 at 5pm.
  • Newton Community Centre, Park Road South on Friday, November 16 at 9am.

To book a place at an event please email: engagement@sthelensccg.nhs.uk or call 01744 627596 stating your name, organisation (if applicable) and where you would like to attend. Or just turn up on the day!