Significant psychological, economic and community support is continuing for people in Southport, boosted by a £5.6 million funding package to aid the town’s recovery.
Community Recovery Fund
Leaders in Sefton have welcomed the financial support for Southport, with the Government pledging monetary aid as part of its Community Recovery Fund to support the town.
The offer of support builds on the strong relationship between the council and central government, who have been steadfast in their support for the local community following the tragic events in July.
Focusing heavily on all efforts that prioritise children, families, and businesses around Southport, it will allow for the creation and extension of programs that address both immediate and long-term needs including mental health support, community rebuilding, and economic revitalization.
Funding
The funding is broken down as follows:
- £1,884,700 to support Southport schools and education provisions affected by the tragic events. This includes increased support for complex emotional needs and training for school staff to help pupils who may need or want additional support.
- £790,000 allocated for community cohesion initiatives. This will focus on programs to educate on equality, diversity, and inclusion, including work with minority ethnic communities and addressing extremist ideologies. Funding will also be used for enhanced youth services in Southport, with activities to promote social cohesion and combat racism and extremism. Grants from this funding pot will be available for community events to strengthen local bonds and improve community spirit.
- £665,000 continues to provide comprehensive psychological support to victims, families, and the wider community. This includes expanded mental health services to meet both short and long term psychological needs, enhanced occupational health support and a broader health and wellbeing offer.
- £1.9 million for the economy of Southport. This ranges from grants which have already been given to businesses in the Hart Street and St Lukes Road area, with the remainder going towards enhancing existing destination events and supporting the development of new destination events, and marketing campaigns that will attract visitors to Southport, ultimately boosting footfall and spending. It will also contribute to long-term regeneration and new development opportunities.
- £420,000 has been allocated to the Southport Recovery Team within Sefton Council to coordinate and oversee all recovery efforts efficiently. This involves a fixed-term team of specialists who manage the recovery efforts and ensure continued collaboration among partners.A report to its Sefton Council’s Cabinet meeting on Thursday 9th January 2025, outlined how Southport is responding to and recovering from the tragic events which took place in July 2024.
Ongoing recovery
The report looks closely at how Sefton Council, along with partners, are leading on a specialist ongoing recovery operation which focusses on helping children and families heal, creating safer and more united communities, assisting affected businesses and supporting with wider sustainable economic recovery longer term for the town.
School needs, hate crime initiatives, enhanced youth services, support for small businesses and long term place marketing and expansion of the destination events programmes and strategies will all benefit from more than £5,000,000 in combined aid from Central and Local Government.
It also outlines how all government aid finances will be allocated to ensure full transparency, as Sefton Council continues to help families and the wider community.