During this Black History Month Sefton Council will be celebrating the incredible history, achievements and contributions of black people in our communities and across Merseyside.
Throughout the month, we will also be shining a light on some of the people and organisations who are striving for equality and diversity in our Borough. This includes an update about the Council’s joint work with the Liverpool City Region’s Combined Authority, to drive the race equality agenda across the whole City Region.
There are a range of exciting events happening across the Borough, some of which are based on this year’s national campaign ‘Proud to be’, which encourages people from our black communities to share their own personal and unique stories.
We’ll be keeping people updated about these activities but to kick off, here are a few to highlight;
Sefton Libraries
Sefton Council will be hosting a series of library events during half term. Aimed at young people, the sessions will open up conversations around Black history. Children will be encouraged to think about who they are, where they come from, their heritage and how they are ‘Proud to be’.
Parents can sign up for their children to join one of two groups — one in Crosby Library, and one in Bootle. Both events are free, but booking is essential to help manage numbers.
Please email nwokoarts@gmail.com with any questions. Drinks and snacks will be provided, please bring a pack lunch for the longer sessions. Parents are welcome to stay to join the session if they would like too.
Bootle Library
Saturday 16th October 11:00 am – 12:00pm, Introduction
Join workshop leader Maria Paul to take part in some icebreaker games and to meet the rest of your group.
Monday 25th October 11:00 – 2:00 pm, What is in a name?
What is in a name? We will creatively explore our names and where they originate from, investigating their meaning and celebrating the richness and diversity of our names.
Tuesday 26th October 11:00 – 1:00 pm, Mask Making
Our final session will be an African mask making session, using the origins of our names as inspiration for what we make. Afterwards, we will engage in a movement session and small performance wearing our masks.
To book tickets and find out more information, visit the event page.
Crosby Library
Saturday 23th October 11:00 am – 12:00pm, Introduction
Join workshop leader Maria Paul to take part in some icebreaker games and to meet the rest of your group.
Wednesday 27th October 11:00 – 2:00 pm, What is in a name?
What is in a name? We will creatively explore our names and where they originate from, investigating their meaning and celebrating the richness and diversity of our names.
Thursday 28th October 11:00 – 1:00 pm, Mask Making
Our final session will be an African mask making session, using the origins of our names as inspiration for what we make. Afterwards, we will engage in a movement session and small performance wearing our masks.
To book tickets and find out more information, visit the event page.
Southport against Racism Community Event
The Southport Against Racism Community Group are holding a fun-packed event entitled ‘Proud to be Black in Southport’. The event brings communities together to enjoy artists and talent from across the Borough with performances including music, poetry and spoken word.
The event will take place on Saturday 30th October at Greenbank High School, Southport.
People can stay up to date and get involved by joining the event group ‘Southport Against Racism’ on Facebook.
Black History Month in Schools
Black History Month magazine has sent 500 resource packs to UK schools which include information about key moments in Black British History and a wide variety of lesson plans. People can find the resource packs by visiting www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk
Cllr Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing at Sefton Council, said:
“We are proud to be celebrating our black communities throughout Black History Month and beyond. As a council, we are incredibly grateful for the contributions black people continue to make to not only our Borough, but across the UK.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how black people across our Borough are ‘proud to be’ and to continue conversations on how we can build a stronger, more united society.”
Catherine Ross, the editor of Black History Month UK, said: “It’s been a challenging time for many black and brown people, with so much in the media about racism, inequality and injustice. We wanted the theme of Black History Month 2021 to focus on celebrating being black or brown, and to inspire and share the pride people have in their heritage and culture – in their own way, in their own words.”
Sefton Council is saying a huge “thank you” to all who were involved in providing vital free lunches for schoolchildren form eligible families and other groups across the Borough throughout the 2021 summer holidays.
Cooksland and Allengate car parks will have new layouts, better utilising space and increasing the number of spaces available. The car parks will be future-proofed to include electric vehicle charging spaces and easy pedestrian routes will be created to connect the car parks with the town centre high street.