Fundraiser – Lamby and the Liver Bird book gifting to Liverpool / Knowsley Primary Schools, closes 31 Mar ’25

When you were little, do you remember reading a children’s book that fired your imagination or filled you with joy?

There is so much comfort and solace in a great children’s tale, which is why I am so saddened that fewer children than ever are reading for pleasure in Merseyside – something I hope to change with your brilliant support.

Research tells us that reading books for sheer delight is the best way for children to improve their literacy, feel more confident, feel better in themselves overall and boost other areas of learning.

So, with the National Literacy Trust warning that childhood literacy levels are at an all-time low across the country – and especially in Merseyside – I am on a mission to get a copy of ‘Lamby and the Liver Bird’ into every Primary School in Liverpool and Knowsley.

This means more than 40,000 children could have access to a book which celebrates where they live and encourages them to read for pleasure. Having a book which children can relate to makes them more likely to pick it up and start reading. The same applies to adults.

Featuring my storytelling mascots Lamby, Flossie and the rest of the Woolly Crew, this book finds them catching a ride with Bertie the Liver Bird, who shows them the City from the top of the Liver Building. With a map and some fascinating facts about the City, there is something for everyone inside the pages.

We all have a special interest in the place we are from, or call ‘Home’. The aim of this book is to encourage children and families to pick up a book which speaks to them. I want them to read it, enjoy it, talk about the places and then explore parts of the City they haven’t visited before, or that they would like to re-visit.

About Jude

Hi, I’m Jude Lennon (yes, writing runs in the family!) – a storyteller and author who lives in Liverpool. I’m a former Early Years teacher and, having left the chalk face over 10 years ago, I remain passionate about children having access to books, stories, words and creativity.
Never without a book myself, I want all children to experience the feeling of losing themselves in pages which can offer adventure, solace, knowledge, escapism, comfort and company.

“Reading for pleasure and nurturing a love of reading in a child’s free time is a tangible way to equip children with the reading skills they need to thrive in school and beyond” The National Literacy Trust

So, in a nutshell, I want to give as many local children as possible opportunities for reading for pleasure and positive wellbeing.

Who is This Book For?

Four to eight-year-olds to be read to, or to read themselves.

Primary Schools exploring Liverpool as part of a Local Area topic.

Anyone who loves the City of Liverpool.

Anyone visiting Liverpool who is looking for a child-friendly guide.

To donate, visit here

Sponsorship Opportunities for local businesses

Email: Jude@littlelambpublishing.co.uk to sponsor this new picture book set in Liverpool. Opportunities include social media coverage, company logo inclusion in the book, being part of the sponsor list and much more!

Traders – Liverpool Arab Arts Festival Family Day, held 20 July ’25

Taking place on the final day of the festival, Sunday 20th July 2025, the long-established LAAF Family Day is a celebratory showcase of Arab arts and culture at @seftonparkpalmhouse – and they’re looking for Traders to be a part of it!

They especially welcome those whose product or service closely aligns with the objectives of LAAF and is suitable for a family audience. This year they’re particularly interested in hearing from authentic Arab & Middle Eastern food traders – but all applications will be considered.

APPLICATION FORM LINK HERE

Weekly Creative Sessions – 20 Stories High, Community Company, closes 14 Apr ’25

20 Stories High in partnership with LIPA present…

Community Company!

Adults need time to be creative too! Their brand new Community Company gives people 18+ a chance to get involved in acting, singing, movement and live music. Join them for fun, dynamic weekly sessions where you’ll build skills, play, connect with others, and create a brand new show! No experience needed.

Event

Led by Paislie Reid and a host of amazing creative practitioners, starting 12th May 2025.
To apply or for more info, email: leonisha@20storieshigh.org.uk
Deadline for applications: Monday 14th April, 5:00pm

Nominations – Ykids Believe Awards 2025, closes 25 May ’25

Do you know an amazing child or young person? Perhaps they are a carer, an eco warrior, a tireless volunteer, a campaigner, a life saver, a fund raiser or someone who has brought sunshine and magic into the lives of others? Please consider nominating them for the Believe Awards 2025.

The Believe Awards are open to nominations of young people aged 7-17 living across the Merseyside City Region. Our theme this year is ‘Hidden Treasures’ and our awards are focussed on uncovering the hidden treasures within our community – young people who shine brightly through their actions, resilience and compassion.  Nominees are shortlisted to 10 young winners who will be invited to a spectacular event at the Titanic Hotel on the 4th July 2025 where they and their family will receive VIP treatment, an honoured award and the recognition they deserve. The closing date for nominations is Sunday 25th May 2025.

The Believe Awards began its journey back in 2012, created and coordinated by Ykids, a youth and children’s charity. We wanted to challenge the commonly poor representation of young people in our region by celebrating hidden heroes, young people who are examples of resilience, selflessness and the service of others.

Through the Believe Awards we aim to raise the profile of incredible, brave and selfless children so that they are seen, valued and believed in. Children who, without any acclaim, have put others before themselves and sought to make the world a better place.

Children and young people can be nominated by anyone. E.g. Teachers, youth workers, parents, neighbours or by other children and all children nominated will receive a certificate www.thebelieveawards.co.uk/nominate

Donations – Collective Encounters / Big Give Arts for Impact fundraiser, opens 18 Mar ’25

In less than two weeks, Collective Encounters taking part in the Big Give Arts for Impact  fundraising campaign. This is an incredible opportunity to raise vital funds and continue providing free drama workshops across the Liverpool City Region, helping people overcome isolation.

💥 From 18th-25th March, every donation will be DOUBLED, thanks to the Big Give, meaning your support will have Double The Impact!

How You Can Help:

🌟 Sign up to their mailing list (link here) for Big Give 2025 updates
🌟 Set a reminder to donate when the campaign opens at 12pm on March 18th
🌟 Spread the word—share with friends, family, and anyone who can help!

Together, we can use drama to connect, empower, and transform lives.

Donate towards first ever all-female Liverpool comedy festival – Fem de la Femme Festival, opens 7 Mar ’25

Did you know Fem de la Femme have launched the first ever all-female comedy festival in Liverpool?

Well we have and we need your help!

They have had a generous grant from BBC Comedy to get the Fem de la Femme Festival off the ground but are pretty much a one-woman band and so to make this festival the best it can be, the most accessible it can be and the funniest it can be they’re looking for any spare change you might have to support women in live comedy so that I can get help with the festival runnings and set-up.

They know things are tight for everyone at the moment so if you can’t donate right now then please consider sharing this post so they can spread the word far and wide! Thanks for all your support so far, they wouldn’t be here without you all 💪

Link here to donate

Mowgli Dog Show – Claremont Farm, held 7 / 8 June ’25

The Mowgli Dog Show is being held 7th & 8th June, Claremont Farm, on the beautiful Wirral peninsular, in aid of Claire House Children’s Hospice

The tickets always sell out well ahead of time so please grab yours now.

This is the ultimate family, foodie, four-legged friends day. You don’t need a dog! You just need to love eating and drinking in the sun at your local country fair!

Nisha Katona will be there as always with Bear and Goose plus we have a new show ground layout, new live music area, new entertainment in the agility ring….as well as the incredible Dog Show itself in the Main Show Ring and all their fabulous Traders

Every single penny of profit goes to the families of Claire House that so deserve it. Please spread the word and grab your tickets online now-

Click here for more details and tickets: https://mowglitrust.com/dog-show-2025/

Big Union 2025, free community event – Movema, held 22 Mar ’25

Movema world dance charity are excited to bring back their annual, free, community get together event “Big Union”, 11am-4pm on Saturday 22nd March 2025 at The Black-E, Great George Street, Liverpool city centre and everyone is invited!

The Big union brings people together to celebrate our shared humanity by connecting through culture. The event will be bursting with excitement, with multicultural arts activities bringing together Liverpool’s dynamic community arts organisations… and all for FREE! Try out different fun dance and music styles from around the world in friendly workshops, watch some performances from exciting city artists, try some food from around the world and meet new people.

Movema is a multi-award winning, registered charity based in Liverpool and Bristol, co-founded in 2009 by four ethnically and socio-economically diverse female dance artists. They run an annual programme of classes, performances, events, and festivals, which are easy to access and support people from marginalized backgrounds to take part. Movema’s vision is that World dance is celebrated and enables people to create art, improve their health and well-being, and heal divisions in and between communities. Within this they especially reach out to those who are underserved by the arts.

Movema Co-Director Maria Malone “Movema opens up a space where dances from all cultures are valued and celebrated and where all peoples are valued and celebrated. It’s a space of solidarity, unity and creativity. Big Union is a perfect expression of this ethos, all our participants will be present, bringing their family and friends to celebrate what they have achieved over the past year, meet new people and learn new things. Come and celebrate with us!”

Event Co-ordinator Eleanor Liverakou says: “This is an amazing opportunity for the Liverpool community come together to experience Capoeira Brazilian Martial Art, English Ceilidh and Dabke Arabic dance also professional and community performances of Tap from Sole Rebel, Ukranian Dance from Radist, Chinese dance from Movema and more! At a time when our society is so fractured this is an opportunity to unite”

For more information visit www.movema.co.uk contact info@movema.co.uk or call 07548 365 869. Find them on socials @movema.
Movema also invites artists & organisations located around Liverpool who want to connect with communities in Liverpool city region to get involved. You could bring your groups along or have a stall or something else!

Get in touch eleanor@movema.co.uk

Event

For more information visit www.movema.co.uk contact info@movema.co.uk or call 07548 365 869. Find them on socials @movema