Hello and welcome to the midweek edition of The Southport Lead.
Last year, Liam Howard was working his regular shift manning the NCP car park by Southport train station. Soon, he was thrust into an unimaginable situation as he witnessed someone in the process of trying to take their own life inside the car.
We won’t go into the details but, suffice to say, it was a harrowing and difficult scene. During the summer, he was handed one of the country’s highest bravery awards and he has also shared conversations with people about their own experiences - among those are a reader of The Southport Lead who wanted to pass on their thanks and admiration.
Don’t suffer in silence. If you’re struggling with your mental health, you are not alone and there is a range of free-to-access services ready and waiting to help you.
You can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year online, by email jo@samaritans.org or phone 116 123
You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you’re affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts or use its webchat service
If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, text SHOUT to 85258 for a confidential 24/7 text service providing crisis support
If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (24 hours, 7 days a week), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697
More information and support is available from the MIND mental health charity and from the NHS.
Southport briefing
🌺 The conservatory at Hesketh Park, the former Ainsdale Library building and a disused public toilet block at Formby’s Duke Street Park will be handed over to community groups. Sefton Council’s cabinet has approved a Community Assets Policy which will allow the underused facilities to be taken on by non-profit groups for the benefit of those living nearby. Expressions of Interest are now being sought, with the council hoping a community-led approach can unlock new opportunities for the historic conservatory which is being restored thanks to a six-figure legacy donation. In Ainsdale, community organisations will be invited to consider how the library and the adjacent toilet block could serve local people through a sustainable, community-focused model that supports learning, inclusion and access to services and in Formby it is hoped to find a proposal that supports and adds value to the wide range of recreational activities already taking place across the park. Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said: “This policy means community organisations, charities and social enterprises can take on the management of Council-owned buildings and facilities for operation in ways that will deliver long-term benefits for local people. It supports the enhancement of places and assets with untapped potential, and it supports community partners with the provision of facilities that enable them to deliver positive outputs and outcomes for communities.”
🟢 One of Sefton’s three Green councillors has resigned from the party after it voted to adopt a policy that equates Zionism with racism and calls for Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state. A motion expressing that belief was passed at the party’s conference this weekend but is likely to face a legal challenge under equality laws. In May’s local elections, Cllr Kieran Dam was elected as a Green candidate as the party took all three seats in Waterloo ward but he said he will sit as an independent, having voted against the motion and seen Jewish members in tears afterwards. He said: “I came back to Waterloo knowing I couldn’t look residents in the face and defend something I believe is wrong. I will always stand up for Palestinian freedom and speak out against the actions of the Israeli Government. But I can do that while standing with our Jewish community against antisemitism. We must be able to do both. I fear the Green Party is heading to a very dark place. I cannot follow it there. If that means my political career ends at 23, so be it. Morals come first. I’ll still be here, taking up your casework, fighting your corner and doing everything I can for the community I love.”
🚏 Sefton Council’s leader claimed that interest in the former Esplanade Park and Ride site showed the authority’s regeneration plans were working even though a two year exclusivity period did not lead to any development. GSL Developments was given the opportunity to bring forward its ambitious plans for a £75m Cove Resort but was unable to do so in the allotted timeframe. Stephen Watson, executive director of regeneration, economy and assets, explained that the Cove Resort could still progress but that other options would now be considered as well before the matter returns to a cabinet. He also explained that Southport was seeing plenty of interest from potential investors. In response, council leader Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “That was always the ambition, we said this was going to happen and now it’s happening. Sefton is a place where we know people want to come and work with us. They want to come and invest with us, they want to do business with us.” She added: “I hate to say I told you so but I told you so when we started this really ambitious programme across the whole borough. I’m really pleased, very comfortable with the recommendations in the site and exciting times ahead for every postcode in the borough.”
Lifesaving car park attendant continuing to make a difference one year on
By Jamie Lopez
A car park attendant who helped save a suicidal man after spotting him trying to end his life has been recognised with one of the country’s top life saving honours.
Liam Howard was on duty at the NCP car park next to Southport Train Station last October when he spotted a man who was in distress and trying to take his own life. Liam reacted quickly to provide first aid while waiting for paramedics to arrive and helped ensure his privacy while the emergency response continued.
He was later thanked by the man’s daughter for saving his life and ensuring he could remain in the lives of her, her own daughter and other family and friends.
Liam was also recognised with a Sefton Courage Award at the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards earlier this year and he has continued to speak about the experience in a bid to encourage those who may be struggling to seek help.
He has now received further recognition through the awarding of a Royal Humane Society Certificate of Commendation and later this year will attend the Heroes Awards at the London Hilton.
Andrew Chapman, Secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: “When Liam opened the car door he was confronted by an horrific scenario. However, he stayed calm and used his initiative to do the best he could for the man. Thankfully it worked and the man went on to survive. He did a wonderful job and richly deserves the award he is to receive.”
While Liam has been grateful to receive such recognition, he has been most deeply affected by and grateful to those who have offered kind words and explained how they have been helped in moments of difficulty.
Speaking to The Southport Lead about those who have spoken to him, he explained: “I see it as an honour and a responsibility to respect their wishes and help others who may be struggling too.”
Among those to have reached out to Liam is a reader of this newsletter who said she was inspired by his story.
In a message she asked to be shared with Liam and publicly, she said: “Reading and hearing his stories changed something in me. After struggling with my mental health and surviving a suicide attempt, I felt like an outsider. His courage, kindness and the way he carries himself gave me hope that things could get better. And did!
“Since then, I’ve sorted my wellbeing, worked through personal challenges, and have been going to the gym for the last few months. I genuinely don’t think I’d be where I am today without the inspiration his stories gave me.”