Finding missing loved ones, litter picking and and Autism Connect

Today’s news in brief includes a new police scheme to find missing loved ones, underpants found in litter-pick and Autism Connect group meets at Harris Museum.

A new scheme designed to speed up the search for missing loved ones is being launched by Lancashire Police. Know Me To Help Me (KMTHM) is a new tool for compiling important information about vulnerable adults and young people with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other learning disabilities, so they can be found more quickly if they ever go missing from home. Similar to the Herbert Protocol, which exists to support people living with Alzheimer’s, it has been developed by Missing from Home Prevention It involves completion of a form by the parent or care giver, consisting of a photograph and information which may be help police and other relevant agencies in the event that a vulnerable young person or adult goes missing. Having all the information readily to hand should help Police move more quickly to locate the missing person, reducing their vulnerability and ensuring they are safely reunited with their families or care givers.

A Lancashire-based charity calls on residents to help shape future support for people with sight loss Galloways is inviting blind and visually impaired people, along with their families and carers, to take part in a series of consultation sessions across Lancashire and Sefton to help shape the future of its services. The local sight loss charity is asking people to share their experiences, highlight the challenges they face, and help design the support that will make the biggest difference in the years ahead.The sessions will take place both in person at community venues and online,ensuring people of all ages and circumstances can take part. A spokesperson for Galloways said: “Listening to the people we support is essential. These sessions are an opportunity for people to tell us what really matters to them, so we can build services that reflect real needs and lived experiences across our communities. A range of dates and locations are available, along with online and telephone sessions for those unable to attend in person.People can view all upcoming sessions and book their place by visiting https://galloways.org.uk/survey

Underpants, toy soldiers and food packaging 40 years past its sell by date was amongst litter collected during a big tidy up. Keep Britain Tidy has thanked an army of litter-pickers across Lancashire and the North West who pledged to collect 48,128 bags of litter in the region during the 2026 Great British Spring Clean. The North West’s contribution has been hailed a huge success after individuals, community groups, businesses and local authorities in the region joined forces to protect the environment – and local wildlife – throughout the annual movement.

A social group for people with autism, ADHD and adults with disabilities meets every other Monday at the Harris Museum in Preston. Autism Connect meets for two hours from 10.30am to 12.30pm. For more information call Emma on 07792 960899.

Families across the North West planning a trip to a farm this Easter are being reminded to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching animals to avoid picking up infections that can cause serious illness. While farm visits are brilliant family fun, farm animals can carry bugs including cryptosporidium, E.coli and salmonella, which can be passed to humans through direct contact with animals, their droppings, or contaminated surfaces like fences and gates. Some of these infections can be very serious, particularly for young children and pregnant women. Emma Savage, Consultant in Health Protection at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: Farm visits are a fantastic experience for families, however there is a small risk of catching infections from the animals or the environment. Farm animals can carry germs that are invisible to the naked eye. Even if your hands look clean, they may not be. Washing thoroughly with soap and warm water straight after touching animals, and before eating, is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your children. Hand gels and wipes won't work – they don't remove the bugs found in farm dirt."