Traumatised Liverpool terror attack witnesses offered support by charity

Support has been offered to the public and staff who witnessed or have been affected by the terrorist attack at Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Sunday.

A charity set up by the parents of 12-year-old Tim Parry, who died following IRA bomb explosions in Warrington town centre in March 1993, is offering help those affected.

The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation works nationally and internationally for peace and non-violent conflict resolution.

The Foundation is one of four organisations funded by the Home Office to help victims when a terrorist incident happens in the UK.

Chief Executive, Nick Taylor, said the charity offers long-term support they were “geared up and ready to help the people of Liverpool”.

He told LiverpoolWorld: "There’s a 24/7 helpline people can initially call or they can email and will be able to connect with a trained case worker who will direct them to what they need."

Mr Taylor said the charity is also supported by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, which provide comprehensive mental health services across the UK and would offer Liverpool-based support if needed.

He said: "We are here to support the taxi driver, who is helping police at the moment and anyone else in the vicinity who may have been caught up in this, whether that is staff, members of the public, the people of Kensington or other taxi drivers."

Victim’s pathway

The Home Office funds four organisations as part of a victim and survivor pathway to help victims and survivors cope with, and recover from, the impact and consequences of a terrorist attack:-

• Victim Support – conducts terror incident needs assessments for each survivor – they refer individuals on to the following services if appropriate.

• Cruse Bereavement Care – provides bereavement support and advice.

• South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM) – provides clinical mental health assessments and onward referral for those affected by terrorism.

• Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation – facilitates a long-term, peer support network to help victims and survivors of terrorism support each other.

• Call 0808 168 9111 24/7 Victim Support for free or confidential advice or email Peace Foundation [email protected].uk

The Home Office has put together a page of resources for people in Liverpool and beyond who have been affected by Sunday’s incident or any terrorist attack.

Additional support for staff at Liverpool Women’s Hospital

Unison North West, a union with members who work at the hospital, said the union is in discussions with the Trust about the support being given to staff.

Vicky Knight, Unison North West Regional Organiser, said: “We are in discussions with the Trust to ensure that all appropriate support is being given to staff at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

“We are working in partnership to ensure that any health, safety and well-being concerns are being addressed and also that risk management is being monitored thoroughly.

“Liverpool Women’s Hospital workers are doing all they can to support service provision and to support patients at this difficult time. As their union, we are on hand to advise and support in any way we can.”

Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said the fact the explosion had been confirmed as a terrorist incident “will be worrying and unsettling for local people”.

She added: “We are a city that comes together in difficult times and I know this will be no different. It’s why so many of us are proud to call Merseyside our home.”