Eric Martyn
Escape for Life – The renowned Karen Kennedy’s latest masterpiece to be performed at Crawford House Community Centre in October
Karen Rachel Kennedy is a British American Producer, Director, Playwright, Singer, Songwriter, Author, Screenwriter, Stage Writer, Actor & Poet of 5 World War II Plays, 3 Poetry Collection books, and one celebrated Comedic Episode in an Amazon international detective novel. She is also the author of 11 published short stories in the US & UK, and a recipient of 8 Editor’s Choice Awards in the USA . Her success and highly regarded reputation saw Karen being inducted into the ‘International Library of Poets for the 90’s’ in 1995 in the USA.
Her Escape For Life play is the 5th to be performed in Liverpool, and is a welcome addition to her ‘Stolen Lives Collection Series’ of WW11 plays, and the second in a trilogy of plays featuring the French Resistance & British Operations Executive (SOE) operating in occupied-France during World War 11.
The production covers World War II in France during 1943-1944, when the Germans believed they were winning the war.
Karen has also written 6 bespoke songs for the play – the music and lyrics of each being performed during the shows.
Karen and the team hope you can join them at Crawford House Community Centre in Liverpool L8 for one of the two performances, which will take place on:
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Matinee 2pm-4pm Evening 7pm-10pm
Tickets are £4 Adults, £2 Students/Children, and are available for sale on Ticketsource:
or
You can also pay at the door on the day or evening of each performance
ESCAPE FOR LIFE, by Karen Kennedy
Crawford House Community Centre, 2 Gwent Street, Toxteth, L8 8DN
Karen Rachel Kennedy – Producer, Playwright, Administrator For Life Productions Ltd & Producer, Director, KRK Productions Ltd – Mobile: 07891422584
Fighting to be Heard Presents THIS IS ME at Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. Sponsors required.
On October 25th 2025, the curtain rises at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool, for “This is Me!” – a bold and beautiful variety show packed with music, live acts, laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments.
Hosted by the brilliant Leanne Campbell and headlined sponsored by M J QUINN INTEGRATED SERVICES LIMITED, a telecommunications company based at Knowsley Business Park, this special evening honours women and men living with secondary (incurable) breast cancer – a community whose voices deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Chair and Co-Founder of Fighting to be Heard, Kathryn Orr, says, “We are so very grateful for the kind hearted support of Mick Quinn for providing the headline sponsorship for “This is Me!”. We are a national charity run by volunteers from Liverpool, the beating heart of this country, and from where we support those living across the UK with incurable cancer. We cannot do this alone however, we also need that extra support from incredible businesses and kind-hearted supporters to help ensure that we bring this wonderful night to life.
Sponsorship opportunities for each act are available from £500 – £1000 and these will help cover the costs of staging, lighting and the unforgettable performances that the acts will move the audience and amplify our message. Each sponsor will receive:
Tickets to attend the evening Personal “Thank You” videos from our founders, to be shared across our 200k+ social audience A filmed walk-through visit to your business, which will be featured on the night and in our wider campaign Branding at the venue and on-stage mentions from our host Leanne Coverage across BBC Radio Merseyside, Liverpool Live Radio, National & Regional press Celebratory attendance.
Most importantly – all monies raised by the event will go into our Winter Grants Fund. There are many in our community who are unable to work due to their illness and these grants will help to cover basic needs such as paying for food and gas/electricity bills .
Your support means survival this winter for someone living with incurable cancer.
BOOK SPONSOR OPPORTUNITY
Fighting to be Heard is also looking for a sponsor for our highly anticipated debut book, Fighting to be Heard, which will be launced on AMAZON the same evening. At the heart of this book is our beloved founder, the late Kate Rackham. Kate’s story is at the soul of ‘Fighting to be Heard’ and the release of this publication is eagerly awaited. Kate’s final tweet reached 1.8 billion people around the world and if you would like to have your brand aligned with a story of truth, courage, and lasting legacy, do not hesitate to get in touch.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT “THIS IS ME!” OR THE “FIGHTING TO BE HEARD” BOOK
Please email Kate Orr at:
admin@fightingtobeheardfoundation.co.uk
FIGHTING TO BE HEARD POSTER CREATED BY: aVA MAY TOBIN
Group Photograph by: Sane Seven
Walton Hall Park becomes new home for Liverpool Feds in Everton Collaboration
Liverpool Feds Women’s Football Club have entered into an exciting new collaboration with Everton Women
The agreement will see the Feds play their home fixtures at Walton Hall Park – underlining Everton’s ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of the girls’ and women’s football pyramid.
With Goodison Park now the permanent home of Everton Women, the Club had pledged to ensure Walton Hall Park continues to serve as a hub for grassroots, community and development activity – with a specific focus on opportunities for women and girls. The move will see Liverpool Feds benefit from WSL facilities, an elite level pitch and enhanced player and supporter amenities as the club competes against Burnley, Wolves, Stoke and West Brom in a competitive division.
Everton Free School and Football College – part of the The People’s Learning Trust – will also be utilising Walton Hall Park, alongside Everton Under-21s men’s team who will play their home fixtures there, ensuring the stadium plays a central role in supporting development football across the city. Welcoming the Feds to the stadium is another powerful step in fulfilling that promise.
Founded in 1990, Liverpool Feds have developed from a grassroots side into one of the region’s leading women’s football clubs. They now compete in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division, the third tier of women’s football in England. Hannah Forshaw, Everton Women’s new Chief Executive, said: “This is an exciting time for Everton Women, as we begin our historic journey at Goodison Park. Partnering with Liverpool Feds reflects our wider commitment to championing women’s football across the city – from the grassroots to the elite game. By supporting a thriving local National League side and ensuring Walton Hall Park remains a hub of opportunity, we’re not only maximising elite-level pitch usage but also helping to inspire the next generation of players and fans. This collaboration is another demonstration of how we will be using our facilities at Everton to continue to play a leading role in the growth of women’s football.”
Originally formed by students at Liverpool Hope University, the Feds have grown into a truly community-driven club. Today they embody the spirit of grassroots women’s football in the city of Liverpool and boast a thriving youth section, with more than 150 girls from under-10s to under-18s playing football every week.
Liverpool Feds general manager Abby Pope said: “The move to Walton Hall Park marks a significant milestone for Liverpool Feds. It not only elevates our matchday experience for both our players, staff and fans but also strengthens the visibility of women’s football in Liverpool. This partnership reflects our ambition and belief in the power of collaboration to inspire the next generation of players and fans. We want to thank Everton for their collaboration and support in making this move possible, and we wish them every success as they begin their own exciting new chapter at Goodison Park.”
To discover more about Liverpool Feds Women’s Football Club please visit:
www.liverpoolfeds.com
Storyhouse Elders Festival Returns This October With A Week Of Creativity, Conversation And Celebration
Storyhouse Elders Festival is back in Chester for five uplifting days of music, theatre, talks, photography, workshops, wellness and craft all celebrating creativity in later life.
From 13–17 October 2025, the Storyhouse building will come alive with events that explore, question and celebrate the richness of growing older. Everyone is welcome whether you’re keen to try something new, reconnect with an old creative spark or simply want to join others for a joyful day out.
At Storyhouse, they believe it’s never too late to start or to be seen. Through this festival, they challenge outdated perceptions of ageing and make space for older people to lead, perform, and be heard. You don’t need to show your ID just bring your curiosity and join in.
Carys Williams, Head of Creative Communities at Storyhouse said “Storyhouse Elders is about visibility, voice and joy. Whether you’re stepping on stage for the first time or just curious to try something new, this is a week where everyone is invited to be creative at any age.”
Monday opens with a big, bold launch event featuring local favourites Rock Choir alongside Sankofa Singers from Ready Generations, hosted by actor Nick Fry. Then head upstairs to the Garret Theatre for a powerful performance by Doms & Dahlias, a theatre company of African-Caribbean women, sharing stories through music, dance and memories of the Manchester music scene.
Tuesday is all about storytelling. Hear from Reverend Dr Andrea Russell, Director of Gladstone’s Library, in a talk about her life shaped by books. Then join acclaimed poet and rapper Joy France, who began her performance career in her sixties, for a creative workshop on finding and writing your story.
Wednesday celebrates endurance, courage and connection. Be inspired by Rachel Smith — ocean rower, paramedic and double Guinness World Record holder — followed by Nicola Marshall, a grief counsellor and hypnotherapist, offering practical guidance on overcoming anxiety and trauma. Two guided walks through Chester explore the city’s literary and historical landscape.
Thursday welcomes back festival favourite and award-winning photographer Jim Holmes, sharing powerful stories from the Mekong River and, closer to home, the River Dee.
Friday rounds off the week with actor Janice Fryett leading a workshop on voice, confidence and expression, followed by a joyful, intergenerational finale of song and performance in The Kitchen.
All events are Pay What You Can (£0–£5), making the festival as accessible as possible for all.
For full details and to book, visit storyhouse.com/elders or call the box office on 01244 409 113.
Savera UK announces first acts for “Culture at the Bombed Out Church”
Savera UK, a leading charity established in Merseyside to help people affected by ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices, has announced the first acts that will perform at its March to End HBA 2025 and “Culture at the Bombed Out Church” festival on Saturday 27th September.
The charity’s annual awareness-raising march through Liverpool city centre will this year end at the iconic St Luke’s Bombed Out Church with an afternoon of performances by its community partners Katumba, Movema, renowned drummer and percussionist Felix Ngindu, Sattvika Arts & Cultural Centre, MD Productions, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF), Dee Sign BSL Choir and dancers from Pagoda Arts.
There will also be poetry readings by members of the Savera UK Youth Collective and the charity’s clients, survivor stories and a free henna station, as well as more speakers and acts still to be revealed.
The “The March to End HBA 2025“and “Culture at the Bombed Out Church” are supported by march sponsors, Maria Fogg Family Law, festival supporters, FPC, and Helplines Partnership, venue partner, St Luke’s Bombed Out Church and longstanding campaign partner, Zonta London, with whom the march was first established in 2022.
Under the theme ‘Culture is Beautiful: No Excuse for Abuse’ the day’s events seek to raise awareness of the issue of HBA and harmful practices, including forced marriage, FGM, conversion ‘therapy’, and spiritual abuse, among others, and how these forms of abuse can easily be missed due to lack of recognition and understanding. It also aims to separate these forms of abuse from culture or certain communities, defining them instead as a collection of abuse characteristics and a violation of human rights that can affect anyone regardless of culture, background, gender, age, sexuality or disability.
Afrah Qassim, Savera UK CEO and Founder, said: “Honour’-based abuse and harmful practices are too often wrongly conflated with culture. These practices are simply abuse and a violation of human rights that are not a part of any culture, faith or community’s traditions. Culture and tradition are beautiful. They are the things that shape our identity and allow us to belong. They are music, language, dance, art – all of which will be showcased at our celebration. Culture is never an excuse for abuse. We invite people to march with us to raise awareness of this and then celebrate the true meaning of culture with us. Hosting this event with the support of the Bombed Out Church holds special meaning for us, not just because the venue is a testament to community spirit in Liverpool and the power of the arts to affect change, it is also the place where our march originated in 2022.
“That year, a small group of us marched from the steps of the Bombed Out Church, down Bold Street, led by Movema’s Sankofa Bird who represented freedom and beauty. Since then the event has grown each year, to a point where we can now host a full celebration of culture. To do this in our 15th birthday year is a true achievement. Many of our community partners, sponsors and festival supporters have worked with the charity over those 15 years, helping to amplify our message and support our mission to end HBA and harmful practices for good. We could not do this without them, and we look forward to celebrating with them on 27th September.”
Natasha Martin, Chartered Legal Executive Advocate, from march sponsor Maria Fogg Family Law, said: “We’re proud to support Savera UK and their March to End HBA, because no one should face abuse or violence in the name of tradition. Standing alongside Savera UK reflects our commitment to protecting vulnerable people, raising awareness, and driving change in our community.”
Moira O’Shaughnessy, Managing Partner from festival support, FPC, said: “At FPC, we believe in standing alongside organisations that create real, lasting change in people’s lives. Savera UK’s work to end ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices – and to help survivors rebuild their futures – is both vital and urgent. We are proud to support their 15th anniversary campaign, which challenges misconceptions, raises awareness, and celebrates the beauty of culture without excuse for abuse. For us, this is about protecting human rights, supporting those most at risk, and contributing to a safer, more inclusive society.”
Miguel Doforo, from community partner, MD Productions, said: “The MD Productions team, via See You See Me, will proudly gift a special community performance for Savera Uk’s event. Our work will showcase the incredible talent and spirit within our community, while carrying forward the event’s core message: that unity, respect, and understanding are the true heartbeat of culture.”
As well as the March to End HBA and Culture at the Bombed Out Church on Saturday 27th September, there will also be a special free awareness session on Modern Slavery relating to ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) in October 2025, and a free online event for professionals on Wednesday 10th December 2025 ‘HBA and Harmful Practices Happen Here – Responding As A Frontline Professional’.
To find out more about “Culture is Beautiful: March to End HBA & Culture at the Bombed Out Church” visit: https://www.saverauk.
Photograph of Moira O’Shaugnessy by Stephen Dodd
Liverpool Art Fair celebrates another successful year with the announcement of the 2025 People’s Choice Award winners
After weeks of public voting, the winners of the prestigious People’s Choice Award at Liverpool Art Fair have been revealed:
- WINNER: Kevin Pollard
- RUNNERS UP: Hazel Thompson and Charmaine Chaudry
Kevin takes home an impressive prize package including: Cass Art vouchers and a two-week exhibition in their Liverpool store Dinner, bed and breakfast at INNSiDE Liverpool and Gino’s Restaurant Artist spotlight feature with The Guide Liverpool Family ticket to Royal Liver Building 360 Tour One-year dot-art membership.
“We’re delighted to announce this year’s People’s Choice winners,” says Lucy Byrne, founder of Liverpool Art Fair. “The quality of work and public engagement has been outstanding throughout the fair.
The exhibition closed on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August and since opening on 11th July, the fair has continued its mission to make art accessible to everyone, showcasing the work of almost 200 emerging and established artists from within a 35-mile radius of Liverpool.
Kevin, Hazel and Charmaine will also have a complimentary feature included in the October edition of My Planet Liverpool magazine http://www.myplanetliverpoolmagzine.co.uk
Urgent appeal from food and community charity as Wirral residents face “greater need than ever”
Wirral-based Neo Community has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to help it prepare for what it expects to be the most challenging winter in its history, with Wirral residents facing a greater need than ever.
Neo Community launched in 2013 with one clear belief: no one should go without, and community means belonging. What started as a small food support initiative has since grown into one of Wirral’s leading charities, supporting tens of thousands of local people every year. Alongside food support and wellbeing, the charity works directly with children and young people – providing safe spaces, hot meals, creative opportunities, and youth programmes that help them thrive.
Each week, the organisation sees the impact of the cost-of-living crisis in Wirral, witnessing first-hand the reality behind the headlines: parents skipping meals so their children can eat, older residents sitting in cold homes to keep bills down, young people navigating a world that feels stacked against them.
Ema Wilkes, CEO at Neo Community, said: “Food insecurity, fuel poverty, and social isolation are not abstract issues – they are daily struggles for thousands in our community. And while Neo is here to respond, the cost-of-living crisis is spiralling, and we can’t do it alone. While we work year-round, there are times when support is most critical – and winter is top of that list. January and February are the hardest months for many. After the strain of Christmas, families face rising bills, empty cupboards, and isolation. We are expecting this winter to be the most challenging one we have ever faced, with demand and need rising. While Neo remains committed to standing in that gap, we need help to do so.
“That’s why, this winter, we are asking individuals, businesses, and community groups to rally with us. We’ve been fortunate to secure grant funding for many of our programmes, but the truth is grant funding is short-term and demand is long-term. If we are to continue to deliver vital services, we need deeper community involvement, stronger fundraising, and committed corporate partners who see the value of investing in people, particularly young people who are not only our priority today, but they are also the community leaders of tomorrow.”
To support its appeal, the charity has listed ways that individuals, businesses, and community groups can help on its website, from fundraising, regular and one-off donations and volunteering for individuals, families and community groups, to corporate partnerships, surplus food partnerships, and hospitality partnerships, where restaurants, bars, and cafés can support Neo Community by adding an optional £1 to customer bills, for local businesses. It has also set up a Go Fund me page.
Ema continued: “There are ways to help whatever your means. You could sponsor a family’s food for a week, provide gifts or essentials for an isolated older resident, or support Neo’s warm hub community meals through campaigning, or donating funds or your time.
“We are incredibly proud of what our staff, volunteers, and partners have achieved – but Wirral residents are now facing a greater need than ever. That’s why we’re asking for you to stand alongside us and ensure our work can not only continue but grow stronger. We need you to back us in building long-term, systemic change, so we can create the Wirral we want to see – where no one goes without, voices are heard, and that is filled with compassion.
“Change starts with one small action – and together, we can make it unstoppable.”
To make a donation: https://www.gofundme.com/f/a64kk-neo-community-needs-your-help
To find out more about helping Neo, visit https://www.
call 0151 6475981 email Support@neocommunity.
August 2025
Savera UK marks 15th birthday with March to End HBA and festival of culture
A leading charity established in Merseyside to help people affected by ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices is celebrating its 15th birthday and helping more than 1,000 survivors find their ‘new beginning’.
Established in 2010, for its first six years Savera UK was run by a small team of volunteers, providing advice on HBA and harmful practices to frontline professionals and raising public awareness. In 2016, the charity’s first major grant* allowed it to set up its direct intervention team, directly helping with survivors and those at risk to leave abusive environments.
Savera UK will mark its milestone year with a series of events, including its ‘March to End HBA’ which this year will take place on Saturday 27th September and will culminate in a ‘festival of culture’ at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church on Leece Street in Liverpool, under the theme ‘Culture is Beautiful: No Excuse for Abuse’.
The event, which will feature high-profile speakers and diverse performances, will form part of a wider campaign to highlight that HBA and harmful practices continue to happen here in Merseyside and across the UK, and that they can affect all genders and communities, as evidenced by new research undertaken by the charity and the University of Liverpool. The soon-to-be-published paper, ‘Practitioner Views on Defining ‘Honour’-Based Abuse: A Focus on Atypical Cases’, highlights that the framing of HBA and harmful practices as “cultural” or “gendered” issues risks cases not being identified, particularly those that are not from ‘stereotypical communities’, where there is considered to be a prevalence.
The campaign also aims to raise awareness of the vast range of harmful practices that many people are not aware of, including virginity testing, conversion ‘therapy’ and spiritual abuse.
In the last year alone Savera UK has helped 339 clients and received almost 700 calls to its national helpline and submissions to its online referral forms. As well as seeing a 51% increase in referrals for forced marriage and 33% increase for FGM, it also noted a much more significant increase in less well-recognised harmful practices. These include spiritual abuse, where referrals doubled, referrals relating to sexuality and gender (125% increase) and forced servitude, referrals for which increased by 433%.
Afrah Qassim, Savera UK CEO and Founder, (pictured above) explained: “In 2010 we established Savera UK because, contrary to what data showed, we knew that HBA and harmful practices happened here and that people needed a service that understood these issues and how to respond to them. Since then, we have helped more than 1,000 people across the UK and provided advice and training to thousands of frontline professionals. We now have data that shows these issues are present and recognition, identification and response has greatly improved – but there is still a long way to go.
“Our research with the University of Liverpool has already identified the characteristics of ‘honour’ based abuse and harmful practices, providing a baseline to support better identification. However, these forms of abuse are still widely viewed as being part of certain ‘cultures or communities, or only women and girls are considered to be at risk. We are also seeing a much broader range of reasons for referral, including harmful practices such as spiritual abuse, conversion ‘therapy’ and forced servitude, which are far less recognised or understood by professionals and the general public.
“In 2010 we challenged the myth that HBA doesn’t happen here. Now, in 2025, we are using our 15th birthday year to evidence that these issues continue to happen and ANYONE can be affected, regardless of culture, background, gender, age, sexuality or disability, and that this kind of abuse can take many forms that can easily be missed.
“Separating these forms of abuse from culture or certain communities is absolutely pivotal to improving recognition and response. HBA and harmful practices are not a part of any culture; they are simply a collection of abuse characteristics and a violation of human rights. Culture, on the other hand, is beautiful. It is music, language, dance, art and food, the things that shape our identity and allow us to belong. Culture is never an excuse for abuse.”
As well as the March to End HBA and festival of culture on Saturday 27th September, there will also be a special free awareness session in October 2025 on Modern Slavery , which is relating to ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA), and this will be followed on Wednesday 10th December 2025 by a FREE online event for professionals on ‘HBA and Harmful Practices Happen Here – Responding As A Frontline Professional’.
*The grant was awarded by the Big Lottery fund as part of the Violence Against Women and Girls Initiative. Savera UK was one of just 60 organisations out of the 500 that applied nationally who were awarded the grant.
To find out more about Savera UK’s 15th birthday events and campaign, visit: https://www.saverauk.