We really enjoyed starting this month’s SOUP in the sunlight and hope you did too. Summer is just around the corner and, although there’s lots going on in the world right now, we’re continually heartened by our SOUP friends and the amazing difference you’re all making. We learnt about another batch of fantastic projects, and launched our 2023 impact survey. And, of course, there was music and soup too! Let’s rewind:
Meet the pitchers...
Glory Walks
First, we heard the story behind Glory Walks, a project supporting the wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees. Sami from Glory Walks has been organising wellbeing walks and outdoor activities in the North West since 2016.
The aim is to help participants rest, refresh, and connect with others. Though they’re often experiencing hugely challenging and stressful circumstances, the participants’ time with Glory Walks is a chance for reprieve and relaxation.
Connect with Glory Walks using the links below. If you’re looking to support this project in non-cash ways, the project is in search of a funding expert and/or bid writer. If that’s you, please get in touch with them directly!
Instagram: www.instagram.com/glorywalks_northwest
Facebook: www.facebook.com/glorywalks
Liverpool Cultural Welcome Guide
We also met Katy from Liverpool Cultural Welcome Guide. Katy and the team want to make it easier for migrants to access culture in our city - and remove some of the barriers preventing them from enjoying everything Liverpool has to offer.
To do this, they’ve organised research workshops to help better understand what makes culture harder to access. Then, working with artists and people of migrant experience, they’ll produce a prototype ‘Cultural Welcome Guide’.
This guide could ultimately be used by theatres, museums and galleries in Liverpool and beyond to ensure our cultural attractions can offer everybody a really warm welcome.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetalCultureUK
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalliverpool/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetalLiverpool
GigMate
Joining the line-up was Rob from GigMate, an innovative technical response to post-pandemic loneliness. GigMate is an online start-up which matches people together based on their musical taste. Concert-goers can connect with likeminds, make friends, and worry less about enjoying their favourite artists alone.
GigMate is already making waves after a BBC Radio slot and, with 80 people already signed-up, can soon begin matching people! To best support the project, Rob needs you to spread the word to any live music lovers you know: www.gigmate.uk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gigmateuk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gigmateuk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gigmateuk
Meet the winning project
We were all really impressed and inspired by this month’s winning project, Alfie’s Squad. Alfie and his mum earned the most votes and will use the £1,754.15 raised by our wonderful audience to continue their work. Here’s more about the project:
Alfie’s Squad
Alfie and his mum have been doing phenomenal work for more than four years. Alfie’s Squad supports children who have been bereaved by suicide in Merseyside. It was started by Alfie, then just eight-years-old, after experiencing this himself.
Together with his mum, he wanted to help other children like him feel less isolated. At the time of writing, it is the first support group of its kind in the whole of the UK. Alfie’s Squad offers young people a chance to share their experiences of bereavement by suicide, take part in activities to help them improve their self-worth, and make new friends.
They’ll use the micro-fund from Liverpool SOUP to support these activities, and to buy podcast equipment so that all children can benefit from being part of the squad - even if they can’t make it in person.
Help Alfie’s Squad to continue by supporting them online and spreading the word:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alfiessquad
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alfiessquad
More inspiring stuff across Liverpool
As always, we welcomed lots of extra guest-speakers throughout the event. First, we welcomed our winners from February 2023 - R-SPACE!
R-SPACE
R-SPACE supports people recovering from addiction by organising historical, cultural, and physical trips/activities. John and Lesley returned to SOUP and told us:
“We don't get any funding really, [so] we've really benefited from winning SOUP. Liverpool SOUP has got us recognised in the Echo, found us a new group member and been an uplift for the group...It's about coming out of that dark place where we can all find ourselves.”
If you’re experiencing addiction yourself, or just want to help promote R-SPACE, follow them on Facebook.
Sixty-second soapbox
Audience members also took to the stage to shout about other fantastic events and projects in the area.
Clean Air Liverpool - cleanairliverpool.org
Raising awareness of Liverpool's dangerous air pollution, with the aim of getting all political candidates to put (and keep!) this issue on their agenda.
Asylum Link Merseyside - asylumlink.org.uk
Assisting Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Liverpool - and raising public awareness of the challenges refugees face.
Fazakerley Community Garden
A great way to connect with the community and improve the quality of life in the local area.
DOES Liverpool - doesliverpool.com
An independent makerspace, co-working space, and education hub. It’s an affordable way for anybody to try out laser-cutters, 3D printers, and unlock access to creativity.
Plastic Tactics - plastictactics.com
A group of hardworking volunteers, motivated to make beautiful and useful things from waste plastic.
Ignite - igniteliverpool.com
A speed-talking, TED-style event to inspire, entertain, educate, and amaze!
Don’t forget
Additional thanks goes to Ffion, the fabulous singer who provided entertainment on the night. Ffion was supported by Alfie on guitar. You can follow Ffion on Instagram.
We also launched our impact survey, which you can complete via this link. Every response really counts and helps us better understand the difference SOUP is making to the Liverpool City Region (and how we can keep getting better!).
And remember to keep in touch so that you can attend, pitch, or get involved with Liverpool SOUP at future events:
Mailing list: liverpoolsoup.co.uk/mailing-list
FAQs: liverpoolsoup.co.uk/faqs
