ST HELENS Council joined local authorities across the country in celebrating the positive impact its workforce has on the lives of residents.

#OurDay is the Local Government Association’s (LGA) annual 24-hour social media marathon and gives people working in local public services the chance to share their stories of how they improve the quality of life of residents.

St Helens Council is the largest employer in the borough, with staff and volunteers working across more than 800 different services.

On Tuesday, the council took to social media to showcase the excellent work its dedicated teams do on a daily basis to improve the borough’s residents.

One video featured park Ranger Dave Owen, who discussed his work leading group walks across the borough’s green spaces.

Dave said: “We do four a month. This is one from Sankey Valley up to Car Mill.

“It’s obviously health-based but it’s a great social occasion where people come to meet friends

“We’re all about getting people out and enjoying the parks and open spaces.”

Terry Raven, a Bilinge resident, began taking part in the walks following the death of his wife last year.

“In 2018 my wife passed away and I found I needed something in my life, so I started going on the Healthy Living team walks.

“I started at Bankes Park in Billinge and it has been an absolute godsend to me. It’s given me a purpose in life.

“And while I’m out walking I can talk to people as much as I like or not talk to them.

“It’s ideal.”

Another video featured Kelly Cox, practice lead for Pause, which works with women who have experienced, or are at risk of, repeat removals of children from their care.

Speaking in the video, Kelly said: “Locally we’ve been achieving some really good successes and outcomes.

“It can be quite a difficult job but very rewarding, in terms of we’re given the time to spend with the women to really help them and empower them to make some positive changes to their life, which in the long run is going to impact well on them and also their children and their families.”

St Helens Council leader David Baines said the #OurDay campaign provides the “perfect opportunity” to thank staff for their dedication.Cllr Baines said: “Councils provide hundreds of services on a daily basis. Local government is about far more than bins, streetlights and potholes.

“Even in a tough financial climate, St Helens Council has continued to deliver quality services for residents, whether it’s in our libraries, our parks, through our outstanding integrated health and social care system St Helens Cares, delivering community sport activities in our leisure centres, or more.

“Since I became leader I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of our staff in various departments and #OurDay is a perfect chance to pay tribute and thanks to each of them for their dedication and hard work for St Helens Borough all year round.”

A St Helens Council spokesman said: “Taking part in #OurDay is a once a year opportunity to inform residents about these services – some of which people may not know even exist – but more importantly to celebrate the fantastic achievements of staff that go above and beyond to help make St Helens borough a better place to live, work and study.

“The council provides over 800 services every day to support local residents and help improve lives.”