We are pleased to announce that Liverpool Lighthouse has become one of only 40 other organisations across Liverpool to achieve the matrix Standard. This is a nationally recognised quality mark which is open to organisations that deliver advice or guidance on learning and work. It aims to ensure that all of the information made available to service users is of the highest standard. Other Liverpool organisations which hold the matrix Standard accreditation include Merseytravel and Train 2000.

In order to achieve the accreditation, our staff have been working hard to ensure that visitors and service users can easily access comprehensive information about the various services and events which take place at Liverpool Lighthouse. Furthermore, in the hope that we will continue to develop and grow through constant interaction with visitors, service users and the local community, we have now placed a suggestion box in reception and encourage people to give us their feedback on all aspects of Liverpool Lighthouse.

Marie McConville, Senior Manager of Education, Training and Compliance, said,

For more information on the matrix Standard, you can visit

www.matrixstandard.com

Music and dance performances by African, Indian, Chinese, Spanish, South American and British performers will continue to prove that Liverpool is living up to its 2008 title of Capital of Culture. 

 

The main event at Liverpool Cathedral will be followed by a week of Evangelistic activities where many Merseyside Churches will be conducting their own outreach events. John Manwell says “Merseyside and North West regional churches have embraced this opportunity to unite cultures. This is highlighted by a planned free ‘Cultural Extravaganza’ to be held in Newsham Park on 15th May. Here live worship music and activities will create a festival atmosphere for the young and old from all cultures. It really is a sign of God moving in our City as we enter this new season.”

Tickets are available from Liverpool Cathedral Bookshop (0151) 7096271  www.liverpoolcathedral.org.ukor from Premier Radio 08456 525252  www.premier.org.uk/events

For further information about Heal Our Land, Liverpool visit www.healourlanduk.com

 

Top of page

 

1st April 2010 - Harmonize students bring a classic musical up to date...

 

The Harmonize students wowed us again this week with their fantastic end of term show, North West Side Story. Performed on 31st March in the King’s Hall Auditorium, the show was a modern re-telling of the classic musical, West Side Story. The original show was written by Stephen Sondheim and inspired by Romeo and Juliet. It was set in 1950s New York and told the story of Tony and Maria, two ill-fated lovers from rival teenage gangs. Emphasising how the issue of gang crime amongst youngsters still exists in today’s society, North West Side Story brought the tale into the 21st Century, setting it on the streets of Liverpool, where feuding gangs the Jets and the Sharks are locked in a constant battle for turf and respect.

With performances from both the full-time and part-time Harmonize students, the production gave the teens the opportunity to really showcase their multiple talents. It featured dynamic dance routines, beautiful singing and impressive rapping and was set to a soundtrack of popular R&B and Hip Hop music, including well known tracks such as Hallelujah and I Got Soul.

Highlights of the show included a vibrant ‘dance-off’ sequence, which demonstrated the youngsters’ skills in various styles of street dance, and a heartfelt rendition of Tonight sung by the two leads, which left the auditorium ringing with applause. The audience, which was made up of Lighthouse staff and members of the general public, were extremely impressed with the hour-long show and were full of praise for the youngsters. One audience member said,

“Not only are they talented, but they’ve got so much confidence too! I wish I was brave enough to get up on a stage and do that!”

 

 

29th March 2010 - Roll Up Roll Up…….

Come and enter a new world, filled with classic tales, new interpretations, and different cultures. No neither C.S.Lewis nor J.R.R Tolkein have written a posthumous book, it is merely one way to describe the eclectic selection of events that are making up the Liverpool Lighthouse’s Spring/Summer Season. Whether it’s sampling the delights of the Urban arts care of the Harmonize students, or simply reminiscing about the days when you were young and Motown was the craze; there will be something that will tickle your cultural taste buds.
The second ever season of events at Liverpool’s second largest auditorium and the hidden gem of Anfield, will begin on 28th March with the Harmonize students Urban take on the tale of West Side Story. Bringing the classic stage show based upon William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet into the Twenty-First Century, and while updating it the students have also injected some of their urban arts skills into it. This is a once in a lifetime show that will make you look at the tragedy in a whole new ‘street’ light. Tickets are free and with past students all moving on to bigger and better things, this could be you chance to catch a star in the making. The season won’t just focus upon the work of the Harmonize students and will over the space of three months bring a variety of events to Anfield (click here for the brochure). So don’t waste any time book your tickets now and get a new cultural experience.

8th March 2010 - Snooker-loopy youths prepare to represent Merseyside

A Liverpool Lighthouse Youth Connect Programme member is preparing to represent Merseyside in the Regional Pool Championships in April. Megan McNevin (17) who hails from Anfield, fended of competition from hopefuls to become 1 of just 2 females chosen to represent Merseyside in the Under 19s category.

The annual competition hosted by Merseyside Youth Association Sports Development Programme has engaged with youth clubs across the region to hold their own pool competitions. Liverpool Lighthouse’s Youth Connect members took part in the successful scheme during February.

Youth Sector Development Fund awarded the money to set up the Youth Connect project back in 2009. The programme, which engages with disaffected young people aged between 13 to 19 from the streets of Anfield and Everton provides its members an opportunity to get involved in projects such as the Pool competition. This is just one of the many out reach activities the Youth Connect team runs weekly. Other activities include Free Running (Parkour) and Urban Arts such as DJ-ing, rapping and street dancing. The project has so far been a success and as a result the streets of Anfield has seen a significant reduction in youth, street crime.

8th March 2010 - Liverpool Lighthouse award success

A young Liverpool Lighthouse volunteer has won the prestigious LFC Young Person of The Year Award. Steven Martin (17) who hails from Anfield was presented the award by the Reds’ rising star Dani Pacheco at a ceremony held in the Shankly Suite at LFC on Tuesday 2^nd March.

Liverpool Football Club honour the outstanding achievements of young people in the city at their annual event. Local people are invited to nominate young people that they believe have shown commitment and compassion in the community, and courage in overcoming affliction.

Steven was nominated at the end of last year by Liverpool Lighthouse

for his volunteer contributions to the community. He has volunteered

in the venue department at Liverpool Lighthouse since October 2009 and has been a member of Temple of Praise Church for the last two years. Avril Martin who nominated him says “Steven has worked so hard and achieved a lot personally over the last year or so. It’s great that his contribution has been recognised. I’m so pleased he’s won.”

Steven joined the other winners who attended Tuesday’s ceremony and enjoyed an evening of celebrating, dining and entertainment. On winning the award Steven says “I didn’t think I’d win and I almost didn’t go. I was really pleased to hear my name ready out although I did feel a bit embarrassed about it.”

Steven is no stranger to hard work and has in the past enjoyed volunteering on the Tall Ships and has even taken part in the Tall Ships race that took place in Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year.

Looking to the future, Steven has high hopes of becoming a Fire Fighter. Having spent some time on a course where he worked alongside the Fire Fighting department in Old Swan has had a real passion for following this career. He says “I’m enjoying volunteering at Liverpool Lighthouse and I’m learning lots of new skills that will help me to eventually reach my goal of becoming a Fire Fighter.”

Photograph from left to right -Richard Burns and winners Steven Martin and Sean Critchlow)

Top of page

18th January 2010 - Liverpool Lighthouse jons Haiti Earthquake appeal

Liverpool Lighthouse is joining other leading charities in raising funds for the people of Haiti who have been left devastated from last week’s earthquake.

The Anfield based charity that supports the regeneration project of the North Liverpool community is joining the likes of Christian Aid and Oxfam in providing a mechanism for the people of Merseyside to donate money to help provide the people of Haiti with aid.

Liverpool Lighthouse’s International Manager, Alfie Levene says “We will be doing everything we can to raise money to provide aid for the people of Haiti. We all know how catastrophic this natural disaster has been and know it is our duty to reach out to them. We’d like the people of Merseyside and in particular North Liverpool to know that we will be providing a platform for them to join the campaign. Every penny will help and it’s needed urgently”

Donations being taken on behalf of the public by Liverpool Lighthouse will go in with Christian Aid’s funds to directly help the Haitian communities.

Liverpool Lighthouse has set up an online donation system on their sister LJM website and will also be supplying local shops with money boxes as well as collecting from their premises.

For further information please call Liverpool Lighthouse on 0151 476 2342.

Top of page

8th January 2010 - North West leading the healing in 2010

Several leading Christian ministries are joining together to present a North West musical prayer festival in 2010s Year of Prayer. The musical ‘Heal Our Land’ which is planned for May, will be revealed at its launch event by steering group Together for the Harvest (TFH) on 23rd January at Liverpool Lighthouse, Anfield.

‘Heal Our Land’ has been written by Jimmy and Carol Owen, who’s previous work includes the successful ‘Come Together’ and ‘If My People’, both of which played a significant role in past renewal movements. ‘Heal Our Land’ has been adapted by major British based songwriters and artists from different styles and ethnicities. It has already seen success in other parts of the country and TFH alongside other leading Christian organisations such as SHINE and Churches Together Merseyside Region (CTMR), plan to reproduce the same success here in the North West. The 2 week festival programme will see ‘Heal Our Land’ musical sandwiched between 6 days of prayer activities and a further 7 day programme of Evangelism activities entitled ‘Love GB,’ carried out across the region.

The creative team behind the national tour of ‘Heal Our Land’ has described the production as “designed to encourage believers from all traditions, streams, age groups, ethnicities and races to come together for two weeks, bringing healing to their communities.” They state that “Christians need to ‘find their voice again’ and take the message of salvation ‘to the streets’.

The launch event of Heal Our Land aims to get as many North West Christian organisations as possible on board with the giant project. It is 1 of just 3 launch events planned across the country and the only event in the North West. Proactive church leaders, musicians, prayer group leaders and other church members can learn how their church can get involved with this high profile event that has already obtained the support of Together for the Harvest, Love and Joy Ministries, SHINE, CTMR and Premier Radio who are the official media sponsor for the event. John Manwell, TFH Chair says “I am personally thrilled that in May 2010, the Liverpool City region will take the lead in the North West with the timely and highly significant event ‘Heal Our Land’. We do believe that our region has a key role to play in shaping the future of our land. Having seen some of the material and the programme, I want to encourage leaders to come to this preview, to be inspired and to be part of this very exciting Kingdom venture.”

The preview launch event is being held at Liverpool Lighthouse, Oakfield Road, Anfield on 23rd January from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. For further information or to reserve your free ticket please contact Margaret Henry on 0151 476 2342 or email Margaret.henry@ljmgroup.org.uk

Top of page

 

22nd December 2009 - Volunteer success!

The success of volunteers on Liverpool Lighthouse’s Volunteer Programme and Business in the Community’s ‘Back to Work’ programme was celebrated Friday11th December. The volunteers were joined by some of the businesses involved in the project in King’s Hall Auditorium.

Business in the Community teamed up with Liverpool Lighthouse and other businesses in Liverpool to help people who had struggled with addictions, crime and homelessness to get back into work. The scheme gave the candidates an opportunity to gain some work experience through volunteering and in some cases has lead to permanent work within that organisation.

At the celebration, Liverpool Lighthouse’s long term volunteer, Tommy Fielding gave a very emotional account of his life before he started the volunteer programme. He read aloud his self written, heart-felt poem that expressed his story. Thanks were given by BITC programme leader, Alison Gibon and Liverpool Lighthouse’s Community Development Manager, Sheila McCormack.

Liverpool Lighthouse continues to work with BITC and is currently developing its volunteer programme and recruiting more people. If you're interested in becoming a volunteer and would like to join the programme contact us on 0151 476 2342 or email us info@liverpoollighthouse.com

Top of page

14th December 2009 - Harmonize students prepare for 'Fame'...the musical

Students on the Harmonize alternative education programme at Liverpool Lighthouse are rehearsing this week for their forthcoming musical production of 'Fame' being performed at Liverpool Lighthouse 16th December at 12pm.

The students adaptation of the famous West End Musical includes songs from the energetic and passionate well loved show. It willtake you through the ups and downs and hardships of making it.

The Harmonize students are using their urban arts skills to put their creative stamp onto their production of 'Fame' for public enjoyment. We hope you can join us on Wednesday 16th December at 12pm.

Tickets are free. For further details please contact us on 0151 476 2342

 

8th December 2009 - Record number of ESOL students graduate at Liverpool Lighthouse

Liverpool Lighthouse celebrated the graduation of 37 students from their ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) course on Friday 4th December. The group who hail from 17 different countries, has spent the last 12 weeks working towards their nationally recognised ESOL with integrated music, craft and IT qualification.

 

The NLDC funded programme, has seen students from Brazil, Thailand, China, Africa and Poland (to name but a few) graduate successfully. Liverpool Lighthouse ESOL training is currently leading the way; with two of its graduates taking part in a pilot ICV programme that no other organisation is currently doing. This involved producing an electronic and multi media version of their CV that can be easily sent anywhere in the world as part of a job application. The innovative idea came from Liverpool Lighthouse’s visionary, Dr Tani Omideyi. The video based CV’s aim is to provide a creative platform for the individuals to effectively promote themselves anywhere in the world and to increase their career opportunities.

This year’s students celebrated with foods of the world and live music in Bliss Bistro at Liverpool Lighthouse. Each graduate brought along food from their country to share with the other candidates .

 

Senior Manager of Training and Compliance, Marie McConville says “The students have worked hard to achieve this goal and we’re very proud of them all. I’d like to thank NLDC for their continued support that helps students not to just learn English but to integrate into the community and enhance their lives.”

Top of page

 

2nd December 2009 - Merseyside Police bring ‘Terriers’ to Liverpool Lighthouse

 

An audience of young people were privy to a performance about gun and knife crime yesterday. The play ‘Terriers’ that was performed in Liverpool Lighthouse’s Kings Hall Auditorium was part of a local tour organized by Merseyside Police as an initiative to educate secondary school pupils through theatre.

 

The hard hitting, professional play was written especially for the Merseyside school tour by local writer Maurice Bessman whose credits have included countless BBC television productions, radio plays and national and local theatre productions.

‘Terriers’ was commissioned by Merseyside Police in 2008 and was shown to 1,500 young people at 22 Merseyside schools in March this year. After outstanding feedback the project developed and has now just finished its month long tour of 40 secondary schools in Liverpool and Kowsley where gun and knife crime are a part of real life for some of its audience. Up to 20,000 young people have watched the show, with Liverpool Lighthouse audience being the last.

 

The 6 young professional actors play rival gang members in Liverpool. The story sees the pressure and moral dilemmas put upon the young crew members and the detrimental effects their decisions have on their lives and the lives of others.

The production doesn’t end at the curtain call however, schools are provided with a CD Rom of the script and production to engage them in follow up discussion work.

 

Artistic director and Producer Miriam Mussa says “We’ve had an overwhelming positive response from the school audiences we’ve taken ‘Terriers’ to. They seem to relate to the characters well and the most common comment is how realistic the production is. Maurice Bessman is a fantastic writer who never patronises his audience, making it easy for the young audience to relate to the characters. We will continue to evaluate the impact of this tour but so far we’ve seen that using theatre in education is far more effective than police officers going into schools and giving talks about how not to get into gangs.”

 

Top of page

 

30th November 2009 - Liverpool Lighthouse youth volunteer speaks out in Europe

 

 

One of Liverpool Lighthouse’s youth volunteers has proved herself to be a future leader as she attended the International Leadership Conference in Prague last month. Natalie Green (16) who volunteers at Liverpool Lighthouse’s youth café attended the conference with a group from North Liverpool Academy and Breckfield and North Everton Neighbourhood Council (BNENC).

The young people secured the funding by convincing a dragon’s den style panel (Youth Opportunity Fund) that their voice should be heard in Europe. During the trip they visited a local school where they met with students from the UK and Prague to discuss what is happening in their community. They also joined a World Cafe Event where they spoke as equals with adults from around the world.

The students’ were chosen for the trip because of their community work as volunteers or with the Future Search project, where NLA school works in partnership with community groups to tackle local issues. This has given them a great insight into how the community operates and gives them the skills to become future leaders.
The students received high praise from everyone they met including the President of the International Leadership Association who said the students are an inspiration.

Chelsea Doran addressed an audience of 650 people made up from delegates from around the world and called on young people to be given an equal voice in decision making.

Liverpool Lighthouse’s Youth Connect Programme leader Matthew Moreton says “Natalie is always an incredibly enthusiastic volunteer who is great with the young people who attend our café. I think she has great potential to become an important voice for this country in years to come.”

Next year the conference is to be held in Boston and already the students are planning to seek funding to attend to allow them to spread their ideas beyond Europe to International students’.

Top of page

 

20th November 2009 - Harmonize student prepares to face Cowell

Liverpool Lighthouse Harmonize student, Vadane Robson is preparing to face Simon Cowell in February after successfully getting through the first round of auditions of Britain’s Got Talent this week.

Fifteen year old Vadane who hails from Anfield, attended the Renaissance Hotel in Manchester last Monday where he performed labi Siffre’s ‘Something Inside So Strong’ to a small panel. The successful audition has earned him a place in the next round of the competition to be held in London on 10th February. Vadance will perform in front of the critical live audience and the infamous judges.

The year 11 Harmonize student is no stranger to performing. Hi CV includes Harmonize productions at Liverpool Lighthouse and regularly flexing his vocal chords singing original songs with local group Home Grown Music. But Vadane’s talents don’t end there - he also plays guitar, piano, drums and trumpet, he raps, beat-box’s, and can turn his hand to songwriting. But will Vadane’s multiple talents be enough to keep him from being buzzed out by BGT judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan? Vadane says “I want to be the first scouser to win Britain’s Got Talent’. Simon doesn’t seem to like scousers so I’m looking forward to his reaction when he hears me sing. I want to be successful in the music industry because I love performing. I’d say I’m about 2% nervous about the next round in London and I hope that I get through so that I can show off more of my talents in each round.”

Britain’s Got Talent Series 4 is due to be aired next spring and Vadane is hoping that he is in with a chance of singing for the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance as well as bagging himself £100,000 winners prize money.

Top of page

19th November 2009 - Roll out the red carpet for the youngest film makers

 

Six students on the Harmonize programme at Liverpool Lighthouse will be putting on their glad rags next Saturday as they attend their own film premiere in London. The group is heading for South Bank’s glitzy British Film Institute where their work will be among a selection of short films, created by young people across the country, to be shown to an audience of Politicians and celebrities.

 

Film company Truetube worked with the Harmonize group in Liverpool back in October. They gave the students the opportunity to write, direct, act and edit their own short film. It has been available for public viewing on Truetube’s website and will now be watched by an audience of over 500 people including former Eastenders soap actress Brooke Kinsella and high profile QC Michael Mansfield. Mansfield has worked on behalf of clients including Stephen Lawrence and Jean-Charles de Menezes families, Mohammed Al-Fayed and the Guildford 4. Brooke Kinsella who played Kelly Taylor in the BBC soap is a keen campaigner against knife crime after her 16 year old brother was stabbed to death in London. The students will have an opportunity to put questions to a panel of guests including Labour MP Kerry McCarthy and Conservative MP Tim Loughton

 

The Harmionize group decided to base their film on the consequences of under age drinking. The 3 minute film entitled ‘Drunken, Disorderly and Unprotected’ features the acting work of student Vadane Robson who says “I’m really excited about the premiere. I enjoyed the filmmaking process and it gave me my first experience of performing to camera as well as actually filming.”
Harmonize’ film can be found at http://www.truetube.co.uk/media.php?do=detail&mediaid=1421

Top of page

 

6th November 2009 - Liverpool lights the way for Manchester

Staff at Liverpool Lighthouse have been helping to shape a Manchester community development project by sharing their expertise. Visitors from Levenshulme Inspire Project met with senior managers at Anfield’s Urban Gospel Arts Centre to learn from the established community charity.

The Manchester project that shares similarities with Liverpool Lighthouse plans to open its new centre in September 2010. In the same way that LLH are set in the regeneration area of Anfield, the new project is located in the heart of deprived area of Levenshulme, Manchester. It will aim to engage the community in danger of exclusion and provide facilities such as a café, housing programme and learning opportunities. The new project grew out of the United Reformed Church whose members realised that in order to survive they would have to re-focus and join forces with social network enterprises. With the aid of funding and partner organisations such as HARP and Bubble Enterprise Creations, Ed Cox and his small congregation are hoping to achieve their shared vision for the community centre.

The visit to Liverpool Lighthouse last week included a presentation about the history of the Liverpool charity along with a tour of the building and its facilities. Ed Cox says “I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen and especially by the way Liverpool Lighthouse integrates its Church life with the life of its community projects. That’s what we are aiming to do in Manchester and it’s good to see it working in practice.”

Sue Dixon from Bubble Enterprise Creation says “We have come away with inspiration and food for thought and look forward to sharing it with the others on our steering group. Liverpool Lighthouse have shown us how much can be achieved and how vision can be realised.
I was particularly moved by the Harmonize project and the progress young people can make when they feel they belong. I hope we will have as much success in building our Inspire community.”

14th October 2009 - Lights! Camera! Action!

Students on the Liverpool Lighthouse Harmonize programme are preparing to address the government with matters that concern them this week. The group of young people are working with web based film making company TrueTube.co.uk to write, act, direct and edit a short film that tackles a chosen subject close to their hearts. The end product is due to be premiered at the British Film Institute in London to MP’s and celebrities.

Truetube company provides a web platform where young people can make themselves heard. Its site boasts to use the powerful medium of the web, and advances in streaming video technology to help young people think, speak out and act on important issues happening in the real world. The Truetube film making bus has been travelling the country since July, with a team of 3 professional filmmakers who work with the young people they meet. They have so far made films in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol but today they added Liverpool to the list. TrueTube film maker Alison Wright says “We’ve worked with 24 groups of young people from all walks of life and we’ve found that they’ve all had something to say, which is brilliant for us as it epitomizes what TrueTube is about. We work with the young people and establish a community action plan which encourages them to use the end product (film dvd) in a pro-active way within the community.”

 

Harmonize group has chosen to make their film based on the consequences of under age binge drinking. The hard-hitting script is being wholly devised, created and performed by the youngsters on this three day project.

 

TruTube’s Alison Wright who trained as an actress in Newcastle and then continued her studies at the New York Film Academy says “I’ve had a lot of experience of theatre in education but using film in education brings a current element to learning. It opens up a new world for young people. It’s great start for a young person who wants to pursue a career in film making. They leave with a copy of their work which gives them something physical to be proud of. We encourage them to show off their work as much as possible by adding it to social networking sites as well as it featuring on TrueTube.co.uk. The Harmonize participants have been great to work with and some are great actors. They work really well as a team and are supportive of one another. I’m excited about the results.”

 

The premiere of the five month project will take place on November 28th at the British Film Institute in London. Here all 24 groups that TrueTube have worked with will showcase their work in front of an audience of over 500 people which will include politicians and celebrities. It will be the young people’s opportunity to show the country’s leaders what is important to them in a bid to make a difference for their generation.
Top of page

 

7th October 2009 - Educating churches to build walls at annual conference

Christian Aid’s Director Dr Daleep Mukarji and Evangelical Alliance’s Executive Director, Dr Krish Kandiah were amongst the speakers educating churches to pro-actively engage with their community at Love and Joy Ministries annual conference last Saturday.

The one day event began with the harmonious sounds of Love and Joy Gospel Choir before John Cavanagh lead the morning’s prayer and worship. LJM’s Senior Pastor, Dr Tani Omideyi was first to speak as he focused on the active and varied work of the Ministry. This was followed by Christopher Gibaud from North West Christian Business Forum who talked about the forum and how businesses can engage in the community projects that carry out God’s work.

Our first keynote speaker, Dr Daleep Mukarji took to the lectern and gave a passionate, and inspiring international focused talk. Dr Mukarji is due to stand down from his position as Director of Christian Aid later this year and so for many this was the last opportunity to hear him speak. He reflected on his own experiences during his work with Christian Aid and shocked with statistics of third world poverty that still exists in this world.

The second keynote speaker, Krish Kandiah gave a lively talk about integrated mission. He engaged with delegates by facilitating participation exercises that provided food for thought and discussion within the audience.

Dr Modupe Omideyi, rector at LJM then shared best practice by providing the Love and Joy Ministries model – explained the achievements, aims and goals.

The practical workshops came after delegates were fed and watered. They included ‘A business focus’ from John Manwell, ‘Setting up and managing community projects’ from Pastors Tani and Modupe Omideyi, ‘How to start the ‘Square Mile’ project from Krish Kandiah and ‘Principles to developing formal partnerships with other organisations’ from Steve Robinson of Samaritan’s Purse.

The well attended event sent over 100 church members back to their churches and communities with the tools, abilities, insight and encouragement to begin or continue developing their transforming work in God’s name.

The conference didn’t just cater for the adult Christians however, Christian Aid lead an afternoon of practical and fun workshops. The good turn out is sure to lead to more and more youth mission work in the future.

Love and Joy Ministries would like to thank all the guest speakers and people who attended the event for making is such a great success.
top of page

 

 

17th September 09 - Liverpool Lighthouse host international visit

Staff at Liverpool Lighthouse were in high spirits today as they prepared for a visit from Bulgarian VIP’s. The Deputy Mayor, Mrs Albena Atanasova and her assistant Anton Konstantinov from Sofia are members of a European good practice network called CoNet. The pair were treated to Liverpool Lighthouse's culinary delights and entertainment as they learned about the UK’s first Urban Arts Centre.

The delegates five day trip to Liverpool that started on Monday 21st September had been organised by Liverpool City Council as part of a networking visit between CoNet and local social inclusion agencies which included Liverpool Lighthouse.

The afternoon was spent with Dr Modupe Omideyi (Liverpool Lighthouse CEO), Dr Tani Omideyi and Senior Managers as they demonstrated the work that happens here at the centre and beyond. Mrs Atanasova and Anton Konstantinov observed both ESOL and Harmonize classes taking place. They joked with Harmonize students asking if they knew where Bulgaria was. They then learned about Liverpool Lighthouse’s Bethal House project where they seemed to listen with interest as Housing Manager, Avril explained the aspects of the programme.

International Manager Alfie Levene talked the group through the healthy eating practices that Bliss Bistro employs and the community service that the Furniture store offers.

Then came the entertainment which began with the over 55’s Kaleidescope Project performing their line dancing. The visitors had smiles on their faces as they observed the show and clapped along in support. This was followed by a fabulous performance by international guest Gospel artist Jimmy Lee Howard who had come all the way from Canada. It highlighted the international artists who perform at Kings’s Hall and the inclusion of gospel music in Liverpool Lighthouse projects across the organisation. Jimmy performed three

show-stopping numbers effortlessly and had the audience up dancing.

The final part of the afternoon involved collaboration talks with Liverpool Lighthouse’s CEO and Senior Managers.

On the day Mrs Atanasova said “I have been very impressed with the way Liverpool Lighthouse’s programmes bring groups in danger of exclusion together. We have similar initiatives in Bulgaria but we can learn from one another.”
As a wheelchair user herself, Mrs Atanasova said “I have been most impressed with Liverpool’s disabled access around the city and especially on public transport systems. This is an area that we need to develop in Bulgaria and we shall take best practice ideas back with us.”

top of page

9th September 09 - A case of mistaken identity

The UK’s first Urban Gospel Arts Centre, Liverpool Lighthouse is at the centre of an identity mix up. Merseyside’s drug rehabilitation charity The Lighthouse Project, who’s only connection with Liverpool Lighthouse is the similar name, featured in the news recently when it went into administration. Since then, Liverpool Lighthouse has been inundated with calls from concerned members of the public who have mistaken them for the ill-fated charity. Most disturbing though, is the news that the Local Education Authority who refer young people to Liverpool Lighthouse’ alternative education programme, have been wrongly informing parents that they have gone into administration.

Liverpool Lighthouse’s CEO, Dr Modupe Omideyi says “The Board and Management of Liverpool Lighthouse Ltd are sorry to hear in the news that an unassociated organisation with a similar name, that is, the Lighthouse Project, has gone into liquidation. We would like to make it clear that Liverpool Lighthouse, which is not connected in any way to the Lighthouse Project, is still fully operational and trading. As a charity we are in a strong position and have just received substantial funding from the Department for Children Schools and Families to run a weekend project in North Liverpool to engage with 600 young people. If this misconception continues to spread it could have detrimental effects on our work. We urge the local media to help us to get this message across to help us to continue with our community work.”

Back to top of page

23rd July 09 - Harmonize Graduates sing out

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.

Back to top of page

 

 

16th July 09 - Merseyside's Spiderman to weave his web in the community

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

Back to top of page

06/07/09 - African Children's Choir to light up Anfield

The Internationally renowned African Children’s Choir is returning to wow its audience at the Liverpool Lighthouse, 17th July at 7pm as part of their tour of Britain. The highly sought-after choir has performed at many prestigious venues including The Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Gardens, Carnegie Hall and the White House. The Choir has chosen to return to Liverpool after the success of their last visit in July 2007, when they performed to a packed audience at King’s Hall Auditorium.

The 23 choir members from Nkomazi, South Africa are all aged between 7 and 10. Many of them have suffered the legacy of disease, poverty, War and famine which, for many, has taken the lives of family members. The Choir was founded by human rights activist, Ray Barnett after a trip to Uganda in 1984. Now celebrating their jubilee year, the Choir has gone from strength to strength and have performed with high profile artists including, Sir Paul McCartney and Mariah Carey at Live8 and Josh Groban for American Idol. The Choir continues to give African children an opportunity to a better life through touring their highly acclaimed, musical feast.
The artists will be supported by local acts including the Liverpool Signing Choir.The ticket sales are going directly to the African Children’s Choir charity.

Back to top of page