After a short hiatus this summer, folks from across the Liverpool City Region returned to LEAF on Bold Street – hungry for brilliant community projects, great company and some delicious soup. It felt amazing to be back!
Meet the pitchers...
Riot Response Hub
First up we heard from Danika ad Shan! Set up by the Be Free Camaign, the Riot Response Hub is for those impacted by the recent violence across the city. The hub offers trauma counselling for those who need it, particularly if they’ve experienced re-emerging trauma due to culture, race, or religion.
The Hub is a volunteer-led organisation, and they’re always looking for volunteers to help them reach more people.
Find out more by following this link.
Zero Fashion
We also heard from Siobhan at Zero Fashion who helps reduce clothing waste and take social action against clothes poverty. This CIC is working to set-up swap swaps, clothing pantries, and sewing workshops to ensure that people have access to clothes when they need them. And to help the community rely less upon purchasing brand new clothes.
To help ZERO with their mission, you can donate clothes (any age and size). They’d also love to expand their network of volunteers and venues.
Tuebrook Community Arts Fund
Tome from Tuebrook Community Arts Fund delivers free art workshops, exhibitions, and public art programmes in Tuebrook. Their aim is to help people connect with each other, get creative, and enjoy art.
Tuebrook Community Arts Fund would love to hear any advice or stories about your own area or community projects and what it is you enjoy.
Find out more via their Instagram.
And the winning pitch is...
Young Philospher’s Training
Glenn passionately pitched for free 'Young Philosophers Training' places for children from areas of high deprivation, planned to run at Spellow Hub in Walton. Children develop critical, creative, caring, and collaborative thinking, discussion and life skills, helping them to form high quality beliefs, values and decisions.
At a time of misinformation, disinformation, and toxic communication through social media, there has never been a time of greater urgency for young people to develop critical thinking skills. Young Philospher’s training helps makes this happen, delivering workshops for young people to earn bronze, silver, and gold awards.
Thanks to the generosity of the Liverpool SOUP audience and donors, the project was awarded £1,396! This will allow Young Philosopher’s Training to provide more workshops, planned to run at Spellow Hub (Walton), and offer free places to children from areas of high deprivation.
More inspiring stuff across Liverpool
We were lucky enough to hear from TWO past winners this time around (a real treat). It’s always inspiring to find out how the micro-fund is helping to have an impact for communities across Liverpool.
Creative Calm
Creative Calm won the micro-fund in February 2024. They support displaced people and those experiencing mental distress or isolation.
Their van needed lots of repairs. The van goes out into different communities and helps reach people who might not otherwise engage with the project. Thanks to the micro-fund, they’ve been able to start repairs and keep their van roadworthy.
They said, “You’ve truly changed lives… It’s fortuitous that we’re here on Wold Mental Health Day – the van is a really precious resource… Thank you!”
Gather at the Table
Betty pitched for the Gather at the Table project at Liverpool SOUP back in September 2021 and walked away with £1,597. Gather at the Table is now transitioning to become be a fabulous café, garden, and community hub. The aim is to provided good food, delicious West African Dishes, and support the wellbeing of all who visit. The kitchen will also be working with signposted organisations to provide work experience and volunteering opportunities for women that have overcome domestic violence, SEN, socially isolated, school leavers, refugees and those learning the English language.
It was brilliant to learn that Betty has now secured premises for the project and work has begun on the interiors. Betty said, “The opportunity to speak [at Liverpool SOUP] really propelled me forward…I have a whole army of people behind me in the community…It’s a real privilidge to serve my community [and] bring about transformation. Thank you so much!”
From the 60 Second Soapbox...
The 60-second soapbox also returned, and members of the audience stepped up to share their amazing projects too. Catch up below!
Wirral SOUP
Another serving of Wirral SOUP will take place on 20th November: https://linktr.ee/wirralsoup
Savera UK
Savera UK is a charity working to end ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and other harmful practices. On 23rd November, they will be marching on Wilkinson Square as part of the World Health Organisation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Farm Urban
Farm Urban grows sustainable food and have produced a fully funded sustainability programme for schools. They are looking for participating schools now!
Generative Minds
Generative Minds works with organisations and charities to help them better understand how AI can support business practices. They offer some pro bono consultancy and are looking for collaborators:
Women's News Magazine
Women’s News Magazine is looking for writers – amateur, professional, or aspiring:
Compost Works
Compost Works are food waste composting specialists. They are looking for secondary schools in Knowsley or on the Wirral to pilot a new resource about the circular economy:
See you in 2025!
Thanks for everyone who attended and donated. A truly heartwarming evening, and we all felt really lucky to be back doing what we love.
An extra shoutout goes to Bric-a-brac, the wonderful jazz duo (made up of Alex and Pablo) who entertained us on the night.
And a final massive thank you to Gather, who sponsored this event. This means that 100% of donations taken on the door can be awarded to the winning pitch!
Comments