Latest news with #KevinMaher
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
HRPS, Halton Healthcare launch mental health support team
The Halton Regional Police Service and Halton Healthcare have partnered to launch a pilot Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT) aimed at providing enhanced care to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis across the region. Under the MCRRT program, a specially trained HRPS officer will be paired with a healthcare professional to jointly respond to urgent mental health calls. The officer's role is to ensure safety, while the healthcare worker assesses the individual's needs and recommends next steps. The team may engage in conversation to de-escalate the situation and provide comfort, or, based on the circumstances, connect the individual to community services offering expert care and recovery resources. Hospitalization will occur only if no other safe or appropriate option exists. The MCRRT program has three main objectives: ensuring the individual's first point of contact is with a mental health expert, reducing strain on hospitals and the justice system by diverting individuals to community care, and alleviating demand on HRPS frontline officers to allow response to other emergencies. The new initiative expands on an existing MCRRT partnership between HRPS and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, which pioneered the crisis response model. Between Jan. 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, HRPS received 5,476 calls related to mental health and addictions. Of those, 1,739 were answered by the HRPS–St. Joseph's MCRRT. The Halton Healthcare partnership is expected to handle an additional 10 per cent of annual mental health-related calls. 'Every day, our officers see the tremendous amount of distress experienced by people who are in crisis,' said HRPS Deputy Chief Kevin Maher. 'Though we are always ready to respond, we know healthcare professionals and community services are better equipped to provide robust support. Our hope is that MCRRT programs reduce repeat crises by ensuring individuals receive the care they need, allowing our officers to focus on other emergency calls. This partnership is a win for everyone.' Claudia Barning, program director of mental health and addictions at Halton Healthcare, said the collaboration marks a meaningful step in improving care for people in crisis. 'By integrating healthcare professionals into these situations, we can offer immediate support and ensure individuals receive timely and appropriate care,' she said. 'Our goal is to reduce the number of repeat crises and help people lead healthier lives. Together, we are creating a safer and more compassionate community.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Final defeat feels raw'
Southend United will reflect with pride on their journey to the National League's promotion final but it may take some time, according to boss Kevin Maher. The Shrimpers were within 29 minutes of a return to the EFL before going down 3-2 in extra time to Oldham Athletic at Wembley Stadium. Advertisement The Essex side have endured a troubled recent history, including a number of winding-up petitions, transfer embargoes, relegation to non-league football, and continued ownership issues before being taken over last July. "What we've all been through at this club, you shouldn't have to go through those sorts of things," Maher told BBC Sport. "When we reflect we should be proud as a football club to see how far we've come in such a short period of time - but it's pretty raw because as a professional you want to win." Southend only secured their play-off place on the final day of the regular season before coming through extra time to beat Rochdale 4-3 in their play-off eliminator, and then squeezing past Forest Green Rovers on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the semi-finals. Advertisement They led twice in the Wembley showpiece in front of a record crowd of 52,115 with an own goal from Oldham's Manny Monthe and then Leon Chambers-Parillon's header in the first minute of extra time. But, after Joe Garner had levelled from the penalty spot early in the second half, James Norwood and Kian Harratt scored in the space of two minutes in extra time to send Oldham back to the EFL after a three-year absence. "There were so many momentum shifts in the game," Maher, the former Southend midfielder, said. "At 2-1 I thought we might go and get the third, and if you do that it probably puts it to the bed." Advertisement Maher congratulated Oldham in his post-match press conference and added his voice to the calls for a third promotion spot from the National League. "There's a bottleneck at this level, and this game tells you everything about the standard and quality in the league. "In the National league you've got to be better than 22 teams and only the top one goes up automatically, while in League Two you've only got to be better than 20 sides – it should be three up, of course it should. "Whether it gets voted in or not I don't know, people say it's like turkeys voting for Christmas."
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'Final defeat feels raw'
Southend United will reflect with pride on their journey to the National League's promotion final but it may take some time, according to boss Kevin Shrimpers were within 29 minutes of a return to the EFL before going down 3-2 in extra time to Oldham Athletic at Wembley Essex side have endured a troubled recent history, including a number of winding-up petitions, transfer embargoes, relegation to non-league football, and continued ownership issues before being taken over last July."What we've all been through at this club, you shouldn't have to go through those sorts of things," Maher told BBC Sport. "When we reflect we should be proud as a football club to see how far we've come in such a short period of time - but it's pretty raw because as a professional you want to win."Southend only secured their play-off place on the final day of the regular season before coming through extra time to beat Rochdale 4-3 in their play-off eliminator, and then squeezing past Forest Green Rovers on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the led twice in the Wembley showpiece in front of a record crowd of 52,115 with an own goal from Oldham's Manny Monthe and then Leon Chambers-Parillon's header in the first minute of extra after Joe Garner had levelled from the penalty spot early in the second half, James Norwood and Kian Harratt scored in the space of two minutes in extra time to send Oldham back to the EFL after a three-year absence."There were so many momentum shifts in the game," Maher, the former Southend midfielder, said."At 2-1 I thought we might go and get the third, and if you do that it probably puts it to the bed."Maher congratulated Oldham in his post-match press conference and added his voice to the calls for a third promotion spot from the National League."There's a bottleneck at this level, and this game tells you everything about the standard and quality in the league. "In the National league you've got to be better than 22 teams and only the top one goes up automatically, while in League Two you've only got to be better than 20 sides – it should be three up, of course it should."Whether it gets voted in or not I don't know, people say it's like turkeys voting for Christmas."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Oldham and Southend have endured so much and, as they prepare to fight for a place in the Football League, Shrimpers boss Kevin Maher admits: 'It's a shame one of us has to lose'
In a perfect world, the National League play-off final would have been held at Easter and not this week. Why? Because on Sunday evening an army of battle-scarred fans from either Oldham Athletic or Southend United will be euphoric following a resurrection. But, as all of those involved in this weekend's Wembley showdown — set to be watched by a record crowd in excess of 50,000 — will readily testify, this is not a perfect world. There are many stories that underline how far each proud, former Football League club had fallen in the not-too-distant past. At Southend's training ground a year ago they wereperforming rain dances. Not because the pitches needed watering, but because the toilets needed flushing. 'We had buckets down in the gym,' explains manager Kevin Maher. 'There was no running water so we'd collect the water when the roof leaked, which was often, and then we'd lob it down the toilets because we couldn't flush them.' It is one of many lingering memories of day-to-day survival at Roots Hall under the controversial ownership of former chairman Ron Martin. On another occasion, Maher was forced to drive the kit van home because there was a real concern bailiffs were about to turn up at the club and take it away. 'I collapsed on the settee that night and thought, "What the f*** am I doing?" 'the former player turned manager explains. 'It was as close as I got to packing it in.' There are similar tales to tell at Oldham. Under another deeply unpopular owner, Abdallah Lemsagam, and his band of ludicrous lieutenants, collapse came quickly. The former founding members of the Premier League had spent 21 consecutive seasons in League One. It took less than five years under the Moroccan for them to fall out of the league. As an Oldham fan, I'd heard from insiders how bad things had become. One night I got a call from a friend who told me it had been his turn to wash his young son's team's kit that week. He went to the launderette on the main road close to Boundary Park and noticed a lady performing a similar task. 'I asked her which kit she was washing, thinking it might be a team in my boy's league,' he said. 'She turned to me and said, "Oldham Athletic".' With the washing machines disconnected, the club had been forced to take its kit to the cleaners. The nadir arrived when relegation out of the league was confirmed at home to Salford. Desperate fans invaded the pitch and the game was stopped. When it restarted, stewards held up advertising hoardings to block the view from where those who remained had gathered. They had become a club that was trying to stop its fans watching them play. That summer, a name from the past stepped in to help provide a future. 'I called my dad after that Salford game from the car and he was in tears,' explains Darren Royle, son of Joe and now Oldham chief executive, who had a season ticket to a horror show. 'We knew we had to do something.' Royle hit his contacts book and ended up on the doorstep of well-known local businessman andPortakabin king Frank Rothwell. 'He was in a flat cap and overalls and we spoke in his garage,' Royle says. 'I told him of a plan, a vision for the club and town. I wanted him to be part of a consortium but he said "Bugger that!", and after speaking with his family they decided to do it on their own.' And so, in 2022, with a £1.2million tax bill 'hours' from sending them under, a 127-year-old institution was saved. The Rothwells shelled out around £13million to buy the club, the stadium and the land. Already, as they attempt to rebuild, repair and restore their place in the EFL, they are in for £20m. On Sunday, around 22,000 will travel south. A group of fans have paid for the father of cult hero Mike Fondop to fly in from Cameroon. 'We've done £20,000 in the club shop today,' says Royle. 'The place is ready for lift-off. We said we want to do something which makes people say Oldham and not Manchester when they get asked where they are from and this is a big step.' The resurgence is not lost on manager Micky Mellon. 'It's a fanbase hungry for success and it's no wonder,' he explains. 'After what they've been through it's like a relief to see the fanbase still exists, that people are still bothered. You're talking 34 years since the last promotion, so anyone under 40 won't remember it. It's generational stuff. We are hoping this is the start but have a big job to do.' Oldham found form following a difficult second half of the season and upset York, who had finished 23 points above them, on their way to a first Wembley appearance since 1994. They start as marginal favourites against the Shrimpers. Southend, who departed the EFL in 2020, will be backed by around 24,000 — a figure that could have been substantially higher had it not been for a ticketing fiasco and a limit set due to the closure of Wembley Park Tube Station. Regardless, they too will enjoy a hard-earned day in the sun,following a takeover by Australian businessman Justin Rees. 'I have to give all credit to the players,' says modest Maher. 'Because of what they went through, they have such a strong bond. At times, when money was tight, they deferred their own payments to make sure others who needed it were sorted. 'There was a game at Maidenhead when I was in the office until 10 at night wondering if we could put a team out. Butplayers and staff stayed loyal. At the back of your mind you're thinking, "It's Southend". The size of the club — someone has to come in. Fortunately they did.' Maher, who had a stint at Oldham in his playing days, sees similarities between the promotion rivals. 'They are both what you would call proper clubs with big fanbases who've been through a lot and who deserve better, he explains. 'They shouldn't be here, but here we are.' Maher pauses, and then captures the mood of all those who will be present on Sunday, and no doubt beyond with his next comment: 'It's just a shame one of us has to lose.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘I know how special this club is': Kevin Maher's Southend close to EFL return
Kevin Maher is no stranger to winning promotion with his beloved Southend. The club stalwart helped them earn back-to-back promotions as a player in 2005 and 2006 and was a near ever-present in their season in the Championship in 2006-07. Now he stands on the verge of a managerial achievement that could possibly eclipse anything from his playing days, given the Shrimpers' recent travails. Even the lofty heights of League Two have seemed unreachable in the past few years. Many Southend fans assumed for a long time that a route back to the Football League this season would prove beyond them after finishing seventh, 28 points behind second-placed York. But those struggles on and off the pitch help to explain why Maher is so keen to grasp this opportunity, as Southend prepare to face Oldham in the National League playoff final at Wembley on Sunday. Advertisement Related: The accidental Shrimper: American student becomes Southend fan after boarding wrong boat Maher says it will be a proud moment to lead out his players given his affiliation to the club, which dates back to 1998 when he signed as a 22-year-old from Tottenham. He never got the chance to play at Wembley despite competing in three playoff finals – all were staged in Cardiff as England's national stadium was being rebuilt. Yet despite the emotion his approach is a calm and measured one. 'It's not the occasion, it's what it entails, it's the game itself,' he says. 'Hopefully we've got many more days to come with success for the football club and this is an opportunity we want to take. Playoff games are cup games, so anything can happen. What you've got to do is come out on the right side of results and we've managed to do that so far.' Peaking in the playoffs is always an art form and Southend have indeed come good at the right time, battling past Rochdale and Forest Green, who finished fourth and third in the league respectively, to reach Wembley, where they will be backed by close to 25,000 fans – the capacity of the game upped to 50,000 after Shrimpers' fans lobbied MPs for their ticket allocation to be increased. It could have been more but for unfortunately timed engineering works closing Wembley Park tube station. Advertisement 'It's madness,' says Maher. 'I guess us and Oldham have put a spanner in the works. We as a club could have taken close to 40,000 with us . So you could have had 70,000 in the stadium for a game in the fifth tier of English football. 'I'm gutted for the fans who have missed out. It always seems to be fans who suffer when there's bureaucracy going on.' The demand for tickets shows not only the size and history of Southend but the belief and passion Maher has instilled in the club. They finished the regular season with home attendances at Roots Hall nearing 10,000 – double what they were attracting when he took over in October 2021. Back then the club had just endured back-to-back relegations, falling into non-league in a tailspin of debt, missed wage payments and winding-up orders from the high court. In 2023 the situation was so dire fans started making plans for a phoenix club, and there was a points deduction in 2023-24 before finally a sale to Justin Rees, the new chair, saved the club from liquidation. Advertisement Maher remained in his post through all the chaos, a guiding hand on the tiller. Few understand the club's history like him. 'It's the story of what the club is,' he says of the era of financial struggles. 'We don't shy away from that or dismiss what's come before. First and foremost we should be proud that we have a football club. You wouldn't have this football club without people sticking with us and being loyal. But we always look forward as well. 'I've been at this football club and we've won things, even as under-23s manager, and that's my focus. We will be incredibly proud of the players no matter what they do, but the focus is winning.' Perhaps that is where Maher's vast experience will truly count. He knows results will ultimately define him and Southend, and how badly the club need Football League status to continue their story. Oldham, for a long time rivals of the Shrimpers in League One and Two, are apt opponents in the playoff final and crave promotion for similar reasons. So what would victory on Sunday mean to Maher? 'It would mean everything, of course, that's an easy one. I know how special Southend is as a club. But I don't allow myself to get carried away because I've got too much respect for our opponents. We'll make sure we are ready when we cross the white line. It's about performing on the day. You enjoy it more when you win.'
