We can’t believe that’s another Liverpool SOUP over! Thanks to everybody who came along to support all the amazing grassroots projects that our city has to offer. 2022 has been the first year we’ve been able to produce four in-person events in a row, and more than a hundred locals came along to make it a particularly special evening. Here’s a round-up of what went down.
Meet the pitchers...
Cool Heswall
About the project
We kicked off the evening with a pitch about ‘Cool Heswall’, a free environmental awareness event on the Wirral. The team brought together local organisations and residents to learn about, and slow down, climate change. Cool Heswall ran in May 2022 and plans are underway for another event in 2023!
Support Cool Heswall
Everyone is welcome at the next event, so find the organisers on Facebook to get involved. The team wants to connect with more Wirral-based environmental organisations too. If that’s you, get in touch with them!
Facebook: facebook.com/jointrotaryheswall
Decolonise LHU Society
About the project
Next up, we heard from a student-led group working to support Black, Global Majority, LGBTQ+, disabled, and neurodivergent students at Liverpool Hope University. Higher education still does not properly represent or support students from all walks of life. Decolonise LHU recognises that this results in isolation and social inequality. Through discussions, events, and peer mentorship, they aim to create safe and more equitable university experiences for students.
Support Decolonise LHU Society
At the event, we learnt that Liverpool Hope University do not currently have an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion department. You can help by lobbying the university to create one. The society is also looking to connect with organisations that can offer venue space and professional development opportunities.
Linktree: linktr.ee/Decolonise_LHU
Wackitball
About the project
Wackitball is an exciting game, new to the UK! Sports often require lots of equipment, lots of space, lots of skill - or sometimes all three. Wackitball is unique because it’s portable and easy to teach. The project have been introducing the sport to young people and neurodivergent players, who otherwise might not have as much opportunity to get active and have fun doing so.
Support Wackitball
Help Wackitball grow in Liverpool and beyond by following them on social media and making introductions to schools and youth groups. You can also volunteer to set up a club of your own or train to become an instructor.
Instagram: instagram.com/wackitballuk
Facebook: facebook.com/wackitballuk
Website: wackitballuk.co.uk
Meet the winning project
It is never an easy task voting for the winning project, and this event was no exception. In the end, you all awarded the micro-fund to Urban Grow. Thanks to all your votes and donations, the project walked away with £1,833 - our largest fund so far!
Urban Grow
About the project
In response to the rising cost of living, Urban Grow encourage people to grow food in their own homes. They provide start-up gardening packs to support local people as they begin their home-grown adventures. The results are healthier, cheaper food and less waste! Urban Grow will use the micro-fund to run workshops, produce more packs, and support more people.
Support Urban Grow
To support this fantastic project, follow Urban Grow Liverpool and come along to one of their workshops.
Instagram: instagram.com/urban_grow_liverpool
Sixty-second Soapbox
As if our four brilliant pitchers weren’t enough, we also invited members of the audience on stage to share even more good news and events from across Liverpool. If you missed it, here’s what we heard about.
A CIC providing workshops, therapy, and outdoor therapy based on the ‘OK Corral’ framework.
A project mapping all the green enterprises within the Mersey region. Put yourself on the map!
A national charity providing specialist support for young people facing abuse.
Make CIC offer a hub of learning and resources to help small businesses and makers grow their projects. The Make CIC Winter Festival is just around the corner, and is a great way to get involved if you aren’t already.
Alex talked to us about a vigil taking place on the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Alex became aware of the vigil through Reclaim Pride Liverpool.
A weekly show, podcast, and radio segment celebrating success stories and positivity in the Liverpool City Region.
A micro-fund, pooled together by local people, to support imaginative projects making a difference in Liverpool.
A not-for-profit, volunteer run organisation promoting the dance and culture of Argentine tango. Take a class and get dancing!
Wait, there’s more!
As if that wasn’t enough, this bumper edition of Liverpool SOUP was also supported by a few other brilliant folks!
Previous winner - Litter Clear Volunteer
Vicky from Litter Clear Volunteer, the winning pitch at our previous event, returned to share a few words of inspiration. Vicky says,
“Our volunteers have repainted thirty-one park benches, removed graffiti…and collected a staggering 1,939 bags of litter off the streets of Liverpool…This event has changed our corner of the world. Great things happen when good people come together. Every city needs a SOUP event!”
If you want to join the litter-picking revolution, connect with Litter Clear Volunteer below:
Twitter: twitter.com/litterclear
Instagram: instagram.com/litterclearvolunteer
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/299682942197106
Music on the night
Thank you to Ben Pavely for a wonderful musical set. Ben can found at instagram.com/benpaveley
Event sponsor
We were also able to make sure every penny of your donations went to the winning pitch, thanks to sponsorship from Brabners.
Join in!
We’re still buzzing from our latest serving of SOUP, and can’t wait to see even more of you at the next event. Follow us on social media to keep up with the latest event news and, if you have a project you want to shout about, apply to pitch next time!
Join our mailing list so you know when applications open, and read our FAQs in the meantime.
Mailing list: liverpoolsoup.co.uk/mailing-list
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