This includes any event on public or privately owned land, as well as the public highway.

The Group is a multi-agency group made up of representatives from Knowsley Council (Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Licensing, Highways, Public Health, Health and Safety and Emergency Planning teams), Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service.

It works with you to ensure that those visiting, as well as anyone involved in setting up the event, is safe. The group will review your plans and offer free advice and suggestions where appropriate.

To help you to plan your event, take a look at the Knowsley Event Safety Plan which will help you with things to consider when planning your event.

Remember to allow plenty of time to plan for your event, factoring in the Knowsley Events and Venues Safety Advisory Group being your first port-of-call before you confirm any arrangements or announce that your event is happening.

You can register your event by completing a notification form and emailing it to environmentalhealth@knowsley.gov.uk and ess.enquiries@knowsley.gov.uk

It’s the first event of its kind to be held in Knowsley and aimed to encourage black and minority ethnic participation in business and increase their representation in the borough’s economy.

The event brought together existing and prospective black entrepreneurs, business support agencies and various community groups to shine the spotlight on opportunities for black entrepreneurs in Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region.

Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, welcomed everyone to the event. He commented:

“Knowsley is a very supportive borough where a strong community spirit shines through. Our population is becoming more diverse, and we want to make sure that our diversity strengthens this community spirit. It’s important we support black and minority ethnic entrepreneurship in Knowsley and promote the borough as an attractive place to live and work. But we must also identify the specific needs of black entrepreneurs and any additional barriers that may exist. I hope that delegates found this event useful and that we continue to work together to provide opportunities for black entrepreneurship in Knowsley.”

To start the day, guest speakers Primrose Matsega, Founder of Best Care Liverpool, Michelle Peterkin-Walker, freelance artist at Reklaw3, Akoma Arts and Professor Nduka Nnamdi Ekere from Liverpool John Moores University delivered passionate and thought-provoking presentations to delegates about their experiences.

The event continued with an engaging Q&A session with an expert panel and concluded with a thriving marketplace where local business showcased their products and services and delegates had the opportunity to network and make connections.

 

Delegates were full of praise for the day and said they found it inspiring and ground-breaking, lively, engaging, energetic and most were keen for this type of event to happen again.

“I wanted to say a big well done for the event. I was really impressed with the number and range of businesses at the event and the energy around the room.”

Emeka Onuora – LCR Race Equality Programme Manager

“The words inspiring, moving, ground-breaking, fascinating, and thought provoking don’t do sufficient justice. The room was filled with the most incredible people bursting with talent, skill, warmth humour, positivity, and ambition. There was a terrific atmosphere, packed venue and everyone agreed it was a first for the city region and must happen again.”

Event sponsor Geraldine Fuller, BIPC Liverpool

“What a fantastic, motivational, and engaging morning I had.  Thank you to all of those who made it happen and especially to the panel for their engagement and insightful presentations.”

Kevin Rogers – CEO, Merseyside Community Training

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about business support in Knowsley, you can get in touch with the Business Growth Team on 0151 477 4000 or email Business@knowsley.gov.uk

The event aims to encourage black and minority ethnic participation in business and increase their representation in the borough’s economy.

The event will bring together existing and prospective black entrepreneurs, business support agencies and various community groups and shine the spotlight on opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region.

The event will be opened by the Council’s Leader, Cllr Graham Morgan, with a number of presentations and keynote  speeches from local black entrepreneurs. The event will feature a panel discussion and question and answer session facilitated by BBC journalist Ngunan Adamu.

Cllr Graham Morgan commented: “I’m delighted to be hosting the “Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurship” event in Knowsley, which will provide a great opportunity to share best practice, celebrate and recognise the contribution black businesses make here in Knowsley as well as share the range of support that is available to them.”

The event is open to anyone interested in entrepreneurship, including those considering starting a business, as well as more established and start up enterprises.  The event is particularly aimed at entrepreneurs and business people from our black and minority ethnic communities, but anyone interested in the subject matter is welcome to attend.

If you would like to attend the “Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurship” event, please book on via Eventbrite here.

Every year, thousands of children in the UK are exploited. Some have been groomed and involved in drug trafficking, others face sexual abuse. No matter what form of child exploitation, we all have a role to play in helping to identify victims and ensure they receive the support to get out of the cycle of abuse.

Signs to look out for

• Is a young person travelling alone, particularly during school hours, late at night or frequently?
• Are they looking lost or in unfamiliar surroundings?
• Are they anxious, frightened, angry or displaying other behaviours that make you worry about them?
• Are they in possession of more than one phone?
• Are they carrying lots of cash?
• Are they under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
• Are they being instructed or controlled by another person?
• As a parent or carer:-
  • Has your child’s behaviour changed – have they become moody, aggressive or emotional?
  • Are they being secretive?
  • Are they missing from school?
  • Are they coming home with expensive gifts or have money that you’re not aware of?
  • Do they display any physical signs of abuse such as bruising?

In Knowsley, there’s a dedicated team – Shield – who can provide help and support. The team works with education and health providers, employment service, the police and Catch22 to provide a dedicated and specialist service to Knowsley young people and their families.

Shield can help to identify activities based on a young person’s interests, they will listen to you, support you, meet with you regularly, help you to stay in education or find a job and support you to access services that will improve your physical wellbeing and mental health.

Cllr Margaret Harvey, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said “Safeguarding our children and young people is everyone’s responsibility. It’s important that you know what the signs of child exploitation are and, importantly, what to do if you have any concerns.

“Our Shield team provide dedicated support to children, young people and their families who are being exploited or at risk of being exploited and work with them so that they can get out of the cycle of abuse, rebuild their confidence and go on to achieve and succeed.”

Over the coming weeks, Shield will be raising awareness of child exploitation and the help and support that is available to children and families. Shield will be visiting sexual health clinics, Accident and Emergency Department staff at Whiston Hospital, and meeting with pupils across the borough. They will also be linking in with the fostering team, local policing team and discussing child exploitation with staff at SHAP (housing support and wellbeing services for young people).

If you would like any further information, need support or have any concerns about a child or young person, please speak to a member of the Shield team on 0151 443 5028 or email Shield@knowsley.gov.uk