Craig Charles joins all star line up for Mayors' DJ Battle to tackle homelessness

THE UK Actor and DJ Craig Charles has joined an all star line up for Mayor Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham's Liverpool v Manchester DJ Battle to raise funds for homelessness charities. The former Red Dwarf and Coronation Street star will take to the decks at Liverpool's Camp and Furnace venue, on:- Friday, 2 February 2024. The BBC Radio 6 Music Presenter also joins singing stars:- Jamie Webster, Rebecca Ferguson and Peter Hooton and England football legends John Barnes and Peter Reid in Mayor Rotheram's Liverpool City Region Team.

Performing DJ sets on the Manchester side are:- M People#s Heather Small, former Corrie Actress Sally Lindsay, BBC Radio 5 Live Presenter Nihal Arthanayake, and Presenter Matt White.

Craig has presented:- "Robot Wars," "The Craig Charles Funk" and "Soul Show" on BBC radio since 2002, along with being a regular DJ at clubs and festivals throughout the UK and abroad.

The DJ Battle is the 3rd time Mayors Rotheram and Burnham have faced each other on the decks as they raise money for initiatives in Manchester and the Liverpool City Region to tackle homelessness and end the need for rough sleeping.

Their 1st clash took place online during the Pandemic with a follow up in person event in Manchester, in December 2023, which raised over £25,000 and won:- 'Leading Live Event of the Year' at the 2023 This is Manchester Awards.

Early bird tickets for the February fixture are now available with people urged to follow the charities' and the Mayors' social media accounts for further information.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "I'm really looking forward to welcoming Andy and the rest of the Greater Manchester contingent to Liverpool; or the UK's cultural capital as I like to call it! We've shown time and again that nowhere can throw a party quite like our area and we've got a fantastic line-up of famous faces joining us on stage for what promises to be an evening full of fun and great music. Most importantly though, it's all in aid of a cause that's very close to all our hearts. Together, we're showing that the North West will always stand united in support of those who need it most."

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:- "We're coming back, but this time we're heading over to Liverpool. I was so proud of what we achieved with our DJ Battle last year, using the power of music and friendly rivalry to unite behind one powerful message, that homelessness has no place in Greater Manchester. It's going to be bigger and better this time round, as we spread the fundraising and ramp up the noise over in Liverpool."

The work of the Mayors is all part of a concerted and creative effort to tackle the challenge of homelessness across the regions. The current financial crisis is seeing communities facing increasingly tough challenges.

In the Liverpool City Region, Mayor Rotheram is piloting a pioneering new approach to tackling homelessness. Housing First has helped hundreds of local people out of homelessness and into a home of their own, with 90% sustaining their tenancy. This is alongside the Region's Assertive Outreach Service which has supported hundreds of people who were rough sleeping or at risk of doing so, helping them into temporary accommodation and providing support around physical and mental health.

Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside distributes funds to charities and community groups in the Liverpool City Region. Their knowledge of the sector allows them to find and reach charities in their community, including lesser known charities operating at a grass roots level; ensuring charitable awards create lasting change.

Rae Brooke, Chief Executive of Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside, said:- "We're so pleased to be working with Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity for DJ Battle round 2! It was clearly such a great night last time, and the funds raised were phenomenal. This year, it will be even better and I'm delighted that we can be part of it."

Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity's A Bed Every Night has helped tackle homelessness across the Region ever since its peak in 2017. Since 2020 it's helped nearly 6,000 people, with 2,910 people supported in the last year alone. Currently, there are 658 people in A Bed Every Night who would otherwise be at risk of rough sleeping.

The Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity remains resolute that they can address the challenges against increasing adversity, with campaigns, events, and challenges that have to date raised millions.

Tim Heatley, Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity, said:- "The last DJ battle was epic. It ramped up the friendly rivalry between the 2 City Regions and saw the Mayors and Region's cheerleaders all giving up their time for a common goal. Music has the power to unite communities and these head to heads have shown the willingness of music lovers to put their hand in their pockets, support a worthy cause, and have a great night while doing so. We're getting warmed up for Liverpool and can't wait to bring the party to the City."

Merseyside businesses announce support of youth restorative justice programme

AN L8 charity that runs a restorative justice programme for young people has announced a new partnership with 2 Merseyside businesses.

Housing association, Plus Dane Housing and general building contractors, Penny Lane Builders will both lend their support to Mandela8's Roots & Wings programme in 2024, delivered in partnership with Taking Shape Association.

Roots & Wings supports young people who lack positive role models and are at risk of criminal exploitation, as well as those who are experiencing violent crime or live in fear of violent crime on a daily basis.

The programme has been running annually since 2020 and has seen 28 young people graduate from the scheme, earning a total of 72 AQA qualifications between them in the process. Its patron is LFC and England international, Trent Alexander Arnold.

Sonia Bassey MBE, Chair of Mandela8, said:- "These young people live in areas of high deprivation with high levels of crime and are frequently disengaged from School and at risk of permanent exclusion from School. We are delighted to see our programme supported by businesses that are part of the infrastructure of our communities. Working together to develop cohesive solutions is critical to the opportunities for our young people and sustainable communities. It is great to have the support of Plus Dane Group and Penny Lane Builders who both started out in Liverpool 8 and is a really positive way forward for us all."

The programme includes restorative justice practices and aims to find enduring solutions to prevent young people from becoming involved in crime and violence and supports them to recognise consequences; understand cause and effect; reduce naivety; and increase their resilience and strength to:- 'not get involved.'

Roots and Wings also supports cultural change around the acceptability of carrying weapons and succumbing to peer pressure.

Plus Dane Chief Executive, Ian Reed, said:- "I am really pleased to be supporting the Mandela8 Roots and Wings programme. We started in L8, with 400 terraced homes in 1976 and we continue to invest in the area today. Supporting this inspirational programme, helping young people in the communities we serve, is a perfect match for us. Working together we want to help steer young people away from crime and create a vibrant, safe community for generations to come."

Penny Lane Builders, Chief Executive, Gerard McEvoy, said:- "At PLB we started our business in 1996 in the L8 area. Today we still work predominantly in the Liverpool area and we care about the success of our local communities. Part of our investment in the success of the communities is that we support innovative programmes that have real impact. We are proud to support young people in the Liverpool area via the Roots and Wings Young Leaders Programme and look forward to watching the young people progress over the 12 weeks."

Kevin Stuart from Taking Shape Association said:- "Roots & Wings is not just about giving these kids good experience with quality intervention and love. We support community empowerment by changing mindsets and shaping futures without compromise, which they deserve."

Stephen Nze, Mandela8 Ambassador said:- "To see the young people who come on the Roots and Wings programme and having a understanding of the young people and why they have joined; it's great to see how they engage with Kevin and the team, and the difference it has made to many of those young minds; how they think about themselves, their families, and wider society. It's incredible to see. Thanks to all who support this programme and support the young people and their families who we engage. It does make a difference."

More information on Mandela8 and Roots and Wings can be found at:- Mandela8.Org.UK.