YOUNG people, mental health and community facilities are among the top five issues raised across Runcorn and Widnes in recent meetings with public bodies, workers and residents.

Organised by the ROC (Redeeming Our Communities) charity, in partnership with Cheshire Constabulary, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Halton Borough Council, faith groups and community organisations, the community conversation meetings were organised to give anyone living or working in the towns a platform to raise concerns and offer ideas on how they can be made safer places to live.

About 400 people attended the free events, which were held at Runcorn Shopping City on Monday, February 11 and at the Halton Stadium in Widnes on Monday, February 18.

At each event more than 50 people signed up as members of community action groups tasked with taking the community conversations forward, building on the views and ideas of the community and making decisions on how funding, resources, facilities and existing community assets can help address the needs of people in Runcorn and Widnes.

The Widnes community action group’s inaugural meeting will be held at the Halton Stadium from 7pm tomorrow, March 20 and the Runcorn equivalent will take place at the Hope Corner Community Church on Church Street in the town from 7pm on Monday, March 25.

Chief Inspector Simon Parsonage, of Widnes Local Policing Unit (LPU), said: “I would like to thank everyone who made the time to attend the community conversation events in Widnes and Runcorn, especially those who subsequently signed up to be members of the new community action groups.

“The events gave everyone in Halton an opportunity to get together under one roof and find out about the good work already being done to improve their town, as well as to offer new ideas and support in making their communities even better and safer.

“Residents were able to highlight problems that they felt needed addressing and, even more importantly, make suggestions for improvements.”

The top five issues raised in the Widnes community conversation concerned young people, community facilities, communication/co-ordination, mental health and parents/families.

The top five issues raised in the Runcorn community conversation concerned young people, mental health, communication/co-ordination, community and elderly people .

Runcorn LPU chief inspector Sarah Heath added: “The community conversation events held recently were both well attended and represented a great first step in achieving further positive changes in Runcorn and Widnes.

“Those who have volunteered to be part of the community action groups that have been formed on the back of those events are now preparing to take the next important step.

“They will use their time, knowledge, skills and resources to work together to address the issues raised at the events and explore funding opportunities and other support to enhance Runcorn and Widnes residents’ lives.”