Thousands of staff are needed Matthias Zomer from Pexels
An urgent appeal has been launched for thousands of new care staff as part of a mass recruitment drive across the North West.
The ‘Be A #CareHero’ campaign – which has been aiming to combat the care home staffing crisis throughout the pandemic – is encouraging local people to come forward and apply for a wide variety of roles looking after the region’s most vulnerable people.
The North West is currently in need of an estimated 5,000 staff members following increased and consistent pressure on health services and hospitals.
Adult social care organisations across the region are now recruiting en masse to ensure essential care is given to those that need it most.
No previous experience is necessarily required for caring roles – but ideal candidates should be “kind, caring and compassionate people who possess good communication skills.”
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Roles are currently available in Bolton, Bury, Salford, Stockport and Wigan boroughs in Greater Manchester.
More positions are also open in Cheshire, Lancashire, Halton and Liverpool.
Delyth Curtis, Deputy Chief Executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council said the region was “on a collective mission to recruit people” during the pandemic.
She added: “Care Heroes will form part of a national effort to bolster the workforce and showcase the importance of joining social care right now.
“We have a staffing shortage of almost 5,000 people in the North West so we’re very keen to hear from people who could help us reverse the impact.
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“Working as a care worker is an incredibly rewarding job and will really suit people who are kind, caring and compassionate, and who have good communication skills. If you think this is you, then please do get in touch.”
Rules in facilities are also being gradually relaxed, and from March 8 care homes residents will be allowed meet with one regular visitor on the premises.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
23rd February 2021 
