It is now one month on from the recent sad events which took place in Southport, and even with this passage of time, it does not cease to be shocking. To live and work in a town which has now become synonymous with tragedy and unrest has been a gear shift for many / for all of us? and will change how we perceive ourselves. None of us have wanted to be in this position.

As we move into a new phase of our recovery, we remember first and foremost that there are injured and grieving families who will never simply ‘get over’ an incident such as this or ‘move on’.

In the first few weeks since the incidents we have been responsive and ready to serve.  Here is a snapshot of some of the things we have been doing:

• Linking with Tesco and Sainsbury’s to provide refreshment bags to the emergency services, residents, and those involved in the initial clean-up operation.
• Providing a quiet zone and free refreshments to allow respite from press and unwanted attention.
• Coordinated local church leader conversations, victim support and the Samaritans who provided onsite support to those attending our venue.
• Offering free trauma counselling; this will continue in the longer term as those impacted come to terms with the events.
• Consulted with our Local Voices group on what recovery could look like for the community and what is needed.
• Provided over 70 ‘wellbeing kits’ for any child, family, first responder etc nominated.  Kits included chocolate, candles, mindful colouring books, care packages etc.
• Linking with local venues i.e. indoor play areas, the Vue Cinema to provide free activities for families in Southport, especially those directly impacted.
• Offering free use of our community room to those directly impacted to provide/continue activities.

• Met with politicians at local and national level to press the case for Southport as a town.
• Provided a weekly craft / bracelet making session for families to attend. Homicide Victim Support attended each session offering direct support to the children and families.

Of course, our usual activities running Foodbanks, Food Pantries, Warm Spaces, Uniform Hub and advice service have continued throughout.

“We have only been able to do this,” says CEO Richard Owens “due to the flexibility and skill of our small dedicated staff team and the generosity of the public who provide the majority of our funding.  As a grassroots organisation we rely on the goodwill of our local partners and funders. We all live and work locally, and our base is in the neighbourhood most affected. It is these residents who will need some dedicated support”

Anyone who does want to know more or read about our work in the last year can see our Impact Report here.

“We are participating in various conversations with partners in the voluntary/faith sector and also with the local authority and Sefton CVS. What we are determined to do is not rush into any longer term response or propose new projects which don’t quite work here in Southport.  As a Southport resident myself, I know how important it is that we continue to pull together and have the honest conversations we need to, in order to face the future with confidence. Naturally our attention is turning to enhancing our family provision and also opportunities for tackling social isolation. However, we are still in listening mode and are open to any idea that builds up our community and helps people heal.”

If anyone would like to share what they think Southport needs and what Compassion Acts could do with its particular set of skills, then email feedback@compassionacts.uk