James Dunn - Rainhill Independent Councillor

13/06/2026

12/06/2026

Courage belongs to us all.

As Refugee Week begins, we are mindful that this year’s festival takes place at a time when some communities are experiencing rising hostility, division and uncertainty. In recent weeks, we have seen incidents of racism, violence and attempts to disrupt events that celebrate welcome, inclusion and belonging.

It is precisely in moments like these that Refugee Week matters most.

For 28 years, Refugee Week has brought people together through art, culture, food, film, music, sport and conversation. It creates opportunities to meet neighbours, hear new stories, experience different cultures and discover what connects us. Each year, millions of people take part in tens of thousands of events and activities, helping to build stronger communities across the country and internationally.

Refugee Week is a celebration of the enormous contributions that people seeking sanctuary have made - and continue to make - to every part of our society. It is also a chance to deepen understanding of why people are forced to flee, and to recognise the importance of the right for displaced people to seek safety, dignity and opportunity.

This year's theme, Courage, feels especially resonant.

For refugees courage is often a daily necessity. It is the courage to face unknown journeys, learn new languages, navigate unfamiliar systems, or simply to wake up each morning and step into an uncertain world.

But courage belongs to all of us. Courage to welcome, to stand for what we believe in, and to celebrate culture and community.

At a time when some seek to divide and blame, Refugee Week offers an opportunity to broaden our horizons and discover the richness that emerges when people from different backgrounds share creativity and connection. This year also marks 75 years since the Refugee Convention - a landmark agreement affirming that those forced to flee deserve protection, dignity, and hope.

As Refugee Week 2026 begins (15 June), we invite everyone to celebrate the courage that lives within us all - join us and take part!

If you are hosting or participating in an event this year, read our 'Showing Solidarity and Staying Safe' resource, which offers an overview of Refugee Week alongside practical guidance for organisers.

It explores why the festival matters in today’s context, how it helps build connection and counter hostility, and shares simple, proportionate tips for planning safe, welcoming events - from risk awareness and safeguarding to managing online spaces and protecting personal information: https://refugeeweek.org/showing-solidarity-staying-safe/

12/06/2026

Looking for your next career move? We have a number of vacancies available right here in St Helens borough👇

- Senior Estates Surveyor
- Commissioning Officer
- Regulatory Services Compliance Officer (Noise Control)
- Best Start Inclusion Practitioner
- Senior Social Worker (Approved Mental Health Practitioner)
- Vehicle Engineer
& more!

Find out more and apply at https://jobs.sthelens.gov.uk

09/06/2026

I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on the discussions around Pride, Refugee Week and the role of public institutions in promoting inclusion.

As a councillor, I understand that administrations have the right to make decisions about priorities, spending and policy direction. That’s part of democracy.

As a gay man, a youth worker and someone who works in mental health, I also understand the impact that language, visibility and belonging can have on people’s lives.

What concerns me isn’t simply whether an event receives funding. It’s the wider message that can be created when Pride, refugees or other minority groups are repeatedly discussed as problems, distractions, political battlegrounds or things that need to be removed from public view.

I’ve spoken to members of our library team yesterday and today and I want to be clear that the staff working in our libraries remain welcoming, professional and committed to serving everyone in our community. Any frustration residents may have should not be directed towards frontline staff who are carrying out their roles.

Libraries matter because they are one of the few places that genuinely belong to everyone. They provide access to information, learning, support, culture and community. They should remain places where people can discover different perspectives, see themselves reflected in the world around them and feel welcome regardless of who they are.

I don’t believe that supporting community cohesion and tackling the practical challenges facing our borough are competing priorities.

We can improve roads, support families, tackle anti-social behaviour, improve services and advocate for residents whilst also recognising that diversity exists within our communities and that inclusion matters.

I’ve worked with young people for many years. I know how important it is to feel accepted. I know how damaging it can be to feel invisible.

Strong communities are not built by deciding which groups deserve recognition and which do not.They’re built when people feel they belong.

That is the St Helens I want to be part of, and the St Helens I want to help build.

08/06/2026

If you’re struggling with your mental health or in crisis, you don’t have to face it on your own 💙

You can speak to someone any time by calling our free, 24/7 urgent helplines across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Warrington.

07/06/2026

Thank you for following this page!

I’m James Dunn, one of your Independent councillors for Rainhill on St Helens Borough Council, and also a Rainhill Parish Councillor.

I work full-time for the NHS and I also help run Reach Rainhill CIC. Where any matter relates to Reach, funding, youth provision, venues or potential conflicts of interest, I will be clear about which role I am acting in and will declare interests where appropriate.

I want to be visible, accessible and effective but I also want to be honest from the start. I won’t always be able to reply instantly, and I won’t pretend I can fix everything overnight. What I can promise is that I will listen, follow things up where I can, ask questions, and report back honestly.

-How to contact me

For general comments, ideas and local discussion, this page is a good place to keep in touch.

For casework or anything more detailed especially if it involves personal circumstances, housing, services, anti-social behaviour, health, education, SEND, social care, roads, planning or anything sensitive please email me rather than leaving details in Facebook comments.

My council email is:

[email protected]

Email helps me keep track of issues properly,ask for the right information, protect people’s privacy, and follow things up in a more structured way.

-What you can expect from this page

I’ll use this page to share:

• monthly councillor updates
• local information and useful links
• surgery dates and community drop-ins
• updates from council and parish meetings where appropriate
• local events, groups and opportunities
• requests for feedback from residents
• progress on issues I’m working on

I want this page to be useful, not just a place for announcements. Rainhill has a lot going on, and I want to help spotlight the people, groups and organisations doing good work locally.

-Surgeries, listening and local feedback

My councillor surgeries will initially take place on the third Saturday of every month, from 10:30am to 12:30pm at The 4f Centre.

I’m starting with this time because I hope Saturday mornings will be more accessible for residents who work during the week, have caring responsibilities or find weekday appointments difficult.

That said, I want this to work for residents, not just look tidy on paper. I’ll take feedback as we go, and if a different time, format or location would make surgeries more accessible, I’m open to adapting them.

I also want to build in wider listening opportunities, community drop-ins, online contact and feedback routes so people have more than one way to raise issues, share ideas or tell me what they think Rainhill needs.

-My first 100 days

After my first 100 days as a councillor, I’ll publish an honest update covering:

• what I’ve done
• what I’ve learned
• what is progressing
• what still needs work
• what residents have raised with me
• what my early priorities are becoming

By that point, I hope to have a clearer routine for surgeries, a simple casework and issue-tracking system, early ward priorities shaped by resident feedback, and clearer separation between my councillor role, NHS role and Reach Rainhill CIC role.

That separation matters. I wear a few hats locally, but when I’m acting as your councillor, I need to be clear, transparent and accountable in that role.

-Please keep in touch

If you have an issue, concern, idea, local group, community project, event or opportunity you think I should know about, please get in touch.

I’m especially keen to hear from residents who don’t always feel heard, young people, families, carers, older residents, community groups, local businesses and anyone with ideas for making Rainhill stronger.

You can message this page for general contact, but for anything detailed or personal, please email:

[email protected]

I’m looking forward to listening, learning, working hard and doing my best for Rainhill!

05/06/2026

Looking for a friendly exercise class in Rainhill?

I know joining a new class can feel a bit daunting, so I wanted to share a little about my Zumba class for anyone local who might be thinking about giving it a try.

We’re a welcoming group with people of different ages and fitness levels, and the focus is always on having fun, enjoying the music, and getting some exercise without taking ourselves too seriously!

You don’t need any dance experience, fancy workout gear, or loads of confidence to come along. You just need to take that first step!

Many of my regulars tell me they come as much for the laughter and friendly atmosphere as they do for the workout.

📍The 4F Centre on Old Lane Rainhill
🗓️ Tuesdays 6:30pm

If you’d like to know more about the class, feel free to comment below or send me a message . I’d be happy to answer any questions.

04/06/2026

Our friends at Café Laziz & St Helens Minster are holding World Street Eats on 13 June as part of celebrations. Head down, enjoy some delicious food, meet new people and maybe learn a little too ☺️ ♥️