Jubilee fever hits South Liverpool at family fun day

Published by Michelle Bloore for South Liverpool Housing in Housing

Neighbours in Speke and Garston got to know each other a little bit better last Friday when landlord, South Liverpool Homes (SLH), organised a special Queen’s Diamond Jubilee themed event last Friday.

Despite the wet weather, hundreds of residents turned out to the huge community family fun day in Speke, which was a double celebration to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as well as European Neighbours Day - an international event where people are encouraged to get to know their neighbours.

Liverpool Lord Mayor Cllr Sharon Sullivan, opened the event at 12 noon alongside Junior Lord Mayor, Megan Howarth.

Residents enjoyed a range of attractions including a fun fair, climbing wall, dance demonstrations and the chance for children to cuddle and learn about some of their favourite animals.  People brought along their sports gear too, to take advantage of free swimming and gym use at the local leisure complex, Austin Rawlinson Sports Centre.

Bunting was proudly hung and spirits were high during a traditional jubilee tea party where around 150 older residents danced and sang to their favourite tunes.

Other attractions during the afternoon included information stalls ran by over 50 local organisations to give residents a better idea of services available in their local community, whilst taking part in fun activities at the same time.  Many stalls also provided much-needed welfare advice on benefits, debt, education, training and employment.

The highlight of the day was the annual Community Dragon’s Den event which saw eight local community groups bid for up to £1000.  The dragons, which included members of SLH’s senior management team, awarded one of the top prizes to the ‘Growing Old Together’ project where young people give something back to the older people in the community by offering them pamper and well-being sessions. 

Julie Fadden, Chief Executive of SLH Group said “It was brilliant to see so many people turn out in South Liverpool.  Events like this are great as they really do bring the community together which can be very rare these days.  It was a real community effort right from the start as sheltered schemes rallied together to make the jubilee bunting and local primary schools got creative by taking part in a poster competition for the day.”

Neighbours Day is an international event which aims to bring neighbours and local people together and encourage community links.  The event was first launched in Paris in 2000 and this is the 6^th Neighbours Day event that SLH have organised.