Liverpool ONE and ThoughtWorks Create a Virtual Gaming Experience Celebrating Ukraine and Liverpool

LIVERPOOL ONE has teamed up with global technology experts ThoughtWorks (NASDAQ: TWKS) to create a virtual gaming experience for children to mark the Eurovision Song Contest taking place in Liverpool.

The new concept was created as the City hosted the iconic event from:- 9 May to 13 May 2023 on behalf of Ukraine, taking inspiration from The Soloveiko songbird trail, that was held in Liverpool and the digital model of the City of Liverpool has been created by the University of Liverpool.
 
A part of EuroFestival, the 14 day cultural festival across Liverpool, the Soloveiko songbird trail took visitors on a walking tour of Liverpool that was a discovery journey of the Regions of Ukraine, through the songs and stories. Already, thousands of visitors have experienced the trail throughout the City.
 
The Soloveiko Songbird; nightingale in English; is the national bird of Ukraine and a symbol of song and happiness. A total of 12 soloveiko, each a large illuminated and bespoke decorated sculpture, are placed in unique locations around Liverpool to represent different Regions of Ukraine.

Now, the new gaming initiative will stand as a legacy for children and families to enjoy even after the world's largest live music event concludes, with virtual and augmented reality technologies creating an exciting, interactive experience.
 
Upon locating each 1, the nightingale will come to life with artwork and music from Anton Dehtiarov, a Ukrainian composer and Svitlana Reinish, creative lead and Ukrainian artist who are also featured in the Soloveiko songbird trail around Liverpool.
 
Once they have completed the game, children can design their own nightingale which their Teachers can download and print as a worksheet.
 
Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "At Liverpool ONE, we're excited to welcome visitors from around the world to experience our dynamic and thriving city and get involved in the incredible buzz of Eurovision. With a shared commitment to bring the spirit of song and community together, we're thrilled to partner with Thought works with its 30 years of experience at the forefront of innovation to create a virtual game experience that augments the live event and will delight the children of Liverpool and beyond as a legacy of Eurovision." 
 
Working with EuroLearn, the educational programme crated for Eurovision, 10 Primary Schools from across Liverpool will kick off the gaming experience by finding the trail that leads to the 12 nightingales, which are at locations including Thomas Steers Way and Chavasse Park at Liverpool ONE. Many of the Schools have been provided with complimentary laptops to easily access the gaming experience.

Julie Woods-Moss, Chief Marketing Officer, ThoughtWorks, said:- "ThoughtWorks is excited to partner with Liverpool ONE in creating an imaginative and compelling digital gaming experience that will captivate children and showcase the unique beauty and culture of the cities of Ukraine as well as key landmarks in Liverpool. This project demonstrates how technology can be used to augment live events and showcase cities around the world at premier events such as Eurovision."

Alicia Smith, Culture Liverpool's Arts and Participation Manager, said:- "EuroLearn has been designed to ensure children across Liverpool City Region are part of the Eurovision experience and this is a great example of just that. The game that ThoughtWorks has developed is a fun and exciting way of teaching children about the culture of Ukraine, for which Liverpool is hosting Eurovision on behalf."
 
Laura Burke, a Teacher at Pinehurst Primary School in Liverpool, said:- "The children are really enjoying the game. When playing, they have been very enthusiastic , really enjoyed seeing the ariel views of the city, flying in and out of the buildings. They have loved seeing their scores at the end; asking if they can play again!"
 
Taking a product thinking and lean product development approach, the organisations ideated, designed and delivered the interactive game filled with beautiful art, resonant music and memorable moments for children.
 
The Soloveiko Songbird Trail Gaming experience is available via:- Storage.GoogleApis.Com.

1 Supported with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Spirit of 2012 and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, EuroLearn provides a unique opportunity for Schools, and non-School educational settings, to celebrate all things Eurovision by taking part in and delivering their own events.
 

Dad of 2 takes on huge challenge following his bowel cancer diagnosis

SEAN Jones, 36 married to Emma with 2 young children (7 and 4) is raising funds for Maggie's Cancer Charity, at Clatterbridge Wirral, following his own diagnosis. Sean has recently taken on his own personal triathlon, along with his friends. Consisting of running the Liverpool Half Marathon, hiking up Snowdon and completing a 29 mile Wirral Coastal Walk.

Sean said:- "I 1st started feeling unwell in June 2022, aged 35. My toilet habits changed considerably and rapidly, daily over the course of 2 weeks and I was losing a lot of blood 20 to 30 times a day. I was going through some blood and sample tests with my GP, but the symptoms got out of control later that week and I went to A&E with horrendous pain and blood loss.

I was admitted as an emergency patient and had an endoscopy. The doctors expected to see signs of Crohn's disease or Colitis, but the tumour was sadly located during this endoscopy. I then had a CT scan and MRI to provide clearer pictures of the issue. A colonoscopy followed to check there were no further issues along the bowel.

A month later I had the surgery to remove the tumour and a sizable section of Bowel to be analysed. The analysis showed that I had Stage 2 Bowel Cancer and the tumour had started to penetrate the bowel wall.

At the time of diagnosis, my world totally collapsed, and I naturally feared the worst. I was worried I wouldn't make it to Christmas and was terrified about what this meant for Emma, Harry and Sophia at home.

I had to Force myself to not allow the emotion of the diagnosis to consume me. I quickly went into 'battle-mode' rather than feeling sorry for myself and wondering 'why me.'

I spent the 4 weeks pre-op getting myself in the best possible condition as the consultant explained this would give me the best chance of a successful surgery and recovery.

I immediately ditched the booze, fast food and fizzy drinks. I started serious running, hiking, golf, badminton, tennis and ate a strict healthy diet too.

I was scared about what I should or shouldn't say to my children. What do they need to know? They were 6 and 3 at the time so I took advice from Kathy, a Bowel Cancer Specialist and Centre Head at Maggie's, and we decided to keep it very simple and just say I had a poorly tummy. This has worked well over the past 12 months, and they have been incredibly loving and caring during my recovery. Maybe there is 1 day in the future when I might share more details with them; I'm glad I don't have to worry about that right now.

Following the diagnosis, my wife Emma joined me in battle mode and was the 24/7 emotional support I desperately needed. We stayed positive throughout. We faced into each step of the process together as a team and I felt protected and stronger as a result. My family and close friends were out of this world and made me feel ready for the fight and importantly that I was capable of winning. My employer, Simpson Millar, has been outstanding with their support and well wishes too.

I simply wouldn't be in the shape I am today if it wasn't for my support network.

Maggie's were there from Day 1 for me. I initially met with Debbie, 1 of the workers there, when the news was still very raw. Her understanding and kindness towards Emma and I shone through, and I knew I had a major support straight away. Emma and my parents were understandably shocked by the diagnosis and found comfort and strength from the visits to Maggie's and chats about the situation. This is so important because it is easy to forget that it's not just the patient feeling the pain and emotion.

In the run up to my surgery, I met a few more times with Kathy and she settled concerns I had about the affects this would all have at home and the uncertainty over my future. Once I was back on my feet post op, I found the monthly Bowel Cancer Support Group sessions vital for my continued focus and recovery. I seem to benefit from sharing experiences and hearing from others in similar situations. I went from being desperate for advice in September 2022 to trying to help newly diagnosed patients in recent meetings. I'm by no means out of the woods but I aim to give hope and positivist to others. I have met wonderful people in those meetings.

Despite my physical improvements, enabling me to complete the recent triathlon, the ongoing psychological impact stays with me and occasionally overwhelms me. Following a meeting with Kathy, we are going to try to help this situation with some Psychologist appointments in the coming weeks to help me understand and deal with these situations."

If you would like to kindly donate to Sean's fundraising, you can do so at:- JustGiving.Com.

Kathy Wright, Centre Head at Maggie's said:- "We are extremely thankful to Sean for his fundraising achievements, he has raised almost £3000, which will make a huge difference to our centre visitors. We cannot thank him enough, for taking on such a tough physical challenge during difficult times for him and his family. We are pleased to hear that Sean and his family have found comfort at Maggie's. If you or anyone you know is struggling with the impact of cancer, please do just drop in. We're here to support anyone affected by cancer, along with friends and family. We provide free practical, emotional and psychological support through an evidence-based programme of support."

Maggie's Wirral is built on the grounds of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (Wirral) and is a warm and welcoming place acting as a safe haven and providing an alternative to the hospital environment cancer patients and their friends and family see. Maggie's relies solely on voluntary donations to support the ongoing services and keep their doors open.