Macmillan Centre invites people to their next health and wellbeing event and to join them for Park Run

SOUTHPORT Macmillan Centre is inviting those affected by cancer to its next Health and Wellbeing event and are encouraging people to join in on the monthly 5k Park Run with the team.

The Centre, based on Mornington Road in Southport is holding its next free Health and Wellbeing event in Southport College on:- Thursday, 13 April 2023, from:- 2pm to 4pm. The event will be a great opportunity to speak to local organisations, support groups, health professionals and Centre staff.

Dr Graeme Allan, Macmillan GP and Primary Care Cancer Lead for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside in Sefton, said:- "This regular event is a great opportunity for people to meet others who have had similar experiences; it is always good to share. Everyone is welcome to come along and talk to a friendly face and to see what kind of support is out there. Come along, have a chat and be entertained by the amazing Macmillan singers; all in 1 place!"

Get the running trainers out... Keeping active has many benefits including:- helping people cope with cancer treatment and reduce the risk of reoccurrence. The community initiative isn't just for runners, the event encourages people to:- walk, jog, run, cheer, or volunteer and attendees can go at their own pace.

Participants are welcome to join the team, at:- Hesketh Park, for the 5k Your Way Park Run where they meet every last Saturday of the month.

Dr Octavia Stevens, Southport and Formby Primary Care Network Cancer Lead and GP, at Ainsdale Village Surgery, said:- "5k Your Way! is a great way to get moving with a supportive group at your own pace, we had our 1st run, on 28 February 2023, and it was great to run together. If you do come along do feel free to meet the team for a tea or coffee in the Hesketh Park Café after. Exercise has huge benefits and can help reduce cancer related fatigue, improve fitness and psychological wellbeing and is social and fun!"

Join in and meet some friendly faces every last Saturday of the month at:- Southport Park Run, Hesketh Park, at:- 8:50am. Attendees need to register at:- ParkRun.Org.UK. To join the Health and Wellbeing event in April, call:- 01704533024 to book a place. Southport and Formby Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre is open from:- 10am to 4pm, every week day. Keep an eye on their website for new events supporting those affected by cancer.
 

EuroStreet and EuroGrants bring Eurovision spirit to communities

LIVERPOOL City Council is has the next part of its Eurovision engagement programme and there is also the chance for communities to bring their own projects to life. Following on from EuroFest, the 2 week cultural festival, and EuroLearn, the education programme, EuroStreet, will make sure that communities across the City Region can bask in Eurovision's sparkle. And not only that; there is now an opportunity for everyone to get their own brilliant Eurovision ideas off the ground with EuroGrants of up to £2,000.

A detailed EuroStreet programme will be released soon, but events will focus on:-

►  Festival of Europe - Celebrating the cultures and heritage of all Eurovision nationalities in the City Region

►  Songs for Europe - Live participatory performances touring residential care settings

►  Solidarity Disco Banquets - Food, music and crafts at community-based feasts.

►  Chess for Everyone - A huge pastime in Ukraine, celebrated with in-person and online games.

►  EuroGrants are supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Community organisations and groups as well as Schools from across the City Region are now invited to apply to fund projects which will take place in May or June 2023. Projects should use Eurovision as their inspiration, focusing on local cultures, memories and the heritage of the Region's communities. Applications from not for profit organisations will take precedence and projects and events should be free or low cost to attend.

Applications for grants of up to £2,000 must be received by:- 5pm, on:- Wednesday, 29 March 2023. Culture Liverpool will be joined by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in deciding which projects are successful with decisions being made by the end of the 1st week of April. To apply and for a full list of conditions visit the Culture Liverpool website.

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said:- "1 of the most important parts of Liverpool's bid to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine was our commitment to making sure that everyone had a chance to get involved in the excitement of Eurovision. Eurovision is about unity and also celebrating differences and we know that our community organisations and Schools will rise to this challenge. And that's what EuroGrants is all about. We know that there are brilliant ideas out there and we want you to let your imaginations run wild! We want to hear your ideas and the more Eurovision tastic the better!"

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:- "Eurovision has a long history of bringing communities from across the continent together and we're delighted to be supporting the EuroStreets community programme as part of 2023's event in Liverpool, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. People and communities across Liverpool will have the chance to play a huge role in celebrating and sharing the rich heritage the City Region is home to and seeing their dazzling ideas come to life. We know that they will make Eurovision 2023 a party that won't be forgotten!"

Peter Ward, producer, Nwoko Arts:- "I've been a fan of Eurovision since Lulu won in 1969, so to be commissioned to produce a theatre project with and for people living in care homes really makes my heart go Boom Bang A Bang! Songs For Europe aims to remind lonely, isolated, elderly people living with dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurological diseases that they have not been forgotten and that, whilst their access to public events may be denied or limited, they too can share in the joy of Eurovision and once again express their hopes for peace across Europe; the very principles upon which Eurovision was established after World War II."

Gosia McKane, of Merseyside Polonia, said:- "Eurovision is not just a great opportunity to show how friendly and hospitable Liverpool is as a City, what's more, it's a great occasion to showcase the diversity and cultural richness of Liverpool and its European communities. This year provides a perfect launch stage for the Liverpool European Festival, and we are proud to be part of the Eurovision Community and Education Programmes. From colourful costumes and folk dances through meeting the masters of European cinema to entering the most sacred heritage buildings treasured by its European communities. The festival will be like a European tour through Liverpool! Hop on!"