Monthly Archives: July 2009

Local radio DJ, Roger Phillips referred to Liverpool Lighthouse’ Harmonize Graduates as being “Our capital of culture”. Merseyside’s Award winning presenter was a guest speaker at the 2009 Harmonize (alternative education programme) Graduation ceremony held at King’s Hall Auditorium, Anfield Tuesday 21st July.
115 students aged 13-18 who do not attend school for a variety of reasons, successfully completed the course enabling them to leave with qualifications up to the equivalent of 5 GCSE’s.

The afternoon’s Graduation ceremony was hosted by Liverpool Hope University Senior Lecturer and trustee of Liverpool Lighthouse, John Patterson. No ordinary graduation ceremony, the audience were treated to dance routines, original rap music, and roof raising singing as some of the Graduates showcased their performance skills. The poignant messages that came across through performance included the negative effects of gun and knife crime.

The graduation ceremony also saw a performance from Manchester’s Christian rap artist DCype.
Having presented the graduates with their certificates, Phillips spoke of how privileged he was to be at the graduation ceremony. He said of the performances he’d seen: “You’ve all got talent”. He went on to congratulate the families of the graduates and Liverpool Lighthouse teaching staff for having faith in the individuals to help them get to where they are today. He said “This is culture…You lot are Capital of Culture.”

Harmonize has seen students graduate for the last 5 years. The programme has a high success rate, with 85% of its students continuing onto further education, training or employment. This year Liverpool Lighthouse sees Harmonize graduate Rhianna Beacall successfully receive a place studying Performing Arts at Liverpool Community College, Thomas Enyia to go onto learn plumbing at LCC and Szczepan Kobylarz who has gained full time employment.

Merseyside’s successful ‘Freerunner’ Daniel Ilabaca has performed his daredevil skills for TV and film for the last 4 years. He has jumped, flipped and rolled for high profile music artists, an Oscar winning Director and a Bollywood film cast. But now, Daniel is gearing up for his latest challenge of teaching the Parkour discipline to the young people of North Liverpool as part of the Liverpool Lighthouse Summer Programme.

Daniel will be assisting Parkour guru and Vice President of the British Parkour Coaching Association, Jason Matten in leading the summer programme workshops. With a wealth of expertise in the freerunning field, Daniel, Jason and the team will be ensuring that the students learn the discipline safely.

Feerunning refers to an individualised style of Parkour and has since become a popular physical art form. Daniel has featured in music videos by The Chemical Brothers, David Guetta and Eric Prydz. His passion has led him to work with ‘Slum Dog Millionaire’ Director Danny Boyle on the film ‘28 Weeks Later’.

The summer scheme kicks off on Sunday 19th July with an organised Youth Day event held at the Liverpool Lighthouse. It will launch the range of planned activities to cater for young people aged 8 to 17. A trip to Blackpool, Street dance, family days and sports are just some of the activities open to youngsters. The Freerunning classes are set to be a highlight of the Summer School as the extreme sports popularity is on the increase.

Summer school programme leader, Matthew Moreton says “We’ve worked closely with Liverpool Housing Trust and Liverpool Youth Services to make sure that the programme is the best yet. It’s also the launch of the new Youth Café which will operate as a drop in centre for young people throughout the year. This is the start to a year of positive and fun youth led activities with the youth café at its centre.”

Places are open to young people in the North Liverpool area and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. For information or to reserve a place on the programme please contact Matt Moreton at the Liverpool Lighthouse (0151) 476 2342 or email matthew.moreton@ljmgroup.org.uk