By Andrew Brown, Stand Up For Southport
With 2023 now at an end, we would love to thank everyone who has supported us over the year – by standing up for Southport.
It’s all about making a difference. What improvements can we make? How can we support people and places that need help?
After just three years, over 45,000 local people now follow various Stand Up For Southport social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more, in addition to the many people who read the local news on our website every day.
You’ve all played an active part too, by sharing your stunning photos of Southport, creating posts celebrating the very best about Southport, attending local events, supporting our campaigns.
We set out to create a positive voice and a positive platform for everything good happening in Southport and it’s something we’ll remain true to.
Here are just some of the things we’ve been involved with in 2023. Watch out for more next year, and if you have any great ideas about how we can support local initiatives, please let us know!
1 – Pride Of Sefton Awards
Southport Lifeboat founder Kath Wilson celebrates winning the main Pride Of Sefton Award. Photo by Kevin Brown Photography
On 28th April, we were proud to work with Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group to stage the first ever Pride Of Sefton Awards at The Grand in Southport.
It was a spectacular celebration of some of the incredible people across the borough who make Sefton what it is.
It was an opportunity to thank the unsung heroes who work every day to make this a better place for all.
Our main award went to the inspirational Kath Wilson, who founded the Southport Lifeboat charity and led the campaign to build a new Southport Lifeboat station on our coast.
We celebrated many other local heroes too, with over 1,200 nominations.
A huge thank you to all the local businesses who supported this event to make it possible.
2 – Jail and Bail
Jail and Bail for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates outside The Cheshire Lines Inn.
Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
Another first this year was Jail and Bail.
This saw Stand Up For Southport working together with Queenscourt Hospice, and saw over £25,000 raised for this amazing local charity.
A magnificent 12 fundraisers agreed to be ‘arrested’ and ‘locked up’ while spending a day taking on challenges throughout Southport to raise a minimum of £999 in bail money each to secure their freedom!
We co-organised the event and provided all the publicity.
The day itself saw all Stand Up For Southport social media channels undergoing a Jail and Bail takeover, only promoting Jail and Bail coverage to try and raise as much money as we could.
3 – Sefton Pride march and celebration
The Sefton Pride parade in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
It’s astonishing to think there has never been a Pride march in Southport or Sefton until this Summer.
It was brilliantly organised by Jen Corcoran, and saw scores of people bearing banners and showing pride in themselves as they walked around Southport town centre.
They then headed for a special celebration event inside Southport Market.
Stand Up For Southport was proud to provide media support and publicity for this ground-breaking event – the first of many.
4 – Turning the tide against the media desert
Guests enjoyed the launch night of the new The Many / Paper My Wishes exhibition by artist Suhail Shaikh at the Atkinson in Southport. Suhail Shaikh and Joanne Chamberlain the Heritage and Participation Officer at The Atkinson.
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Southport has so much going on; there is lots happening that local people want to know, and need to know!
Southport, like most towns in the UK in the past decade, has become part of an increasing media desert.
Publications such as Champion Newspapers, the Midweek Visiter free newspaper and the Southport Visiter website have all gone, although it is great to see the historic Southport Visiter newspaper still being published every Thursday.
We need trusted local news! I have worked as a journalist for over 20 years and take pride in covering positive local stories, events and campaigns.
5 – Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals Time To Shine Awards
Time To Shine Awards. Clinical Team, of the Year – Endoscopy
NHS heroes from Southport and Ormskirk hospitals were honoured at a special awards ceremony in October.
Individuals and teams from a wide range of areas were celebrated for their “amazing commitment’’ to providing the best possible care for local patients and their families at the hospitals’ Time to Shine Awards held at Formby Golf Resort and Spa, hosted by Liverpool radio personality Pete Price.
One of the most popular categories of the evening is the People’s Health Hero Award, an award that asks for nominations from the general public.
This year’s winner was Claire Albo, a community midwife who goes above and beyond to help everyone in her care and provides vital support for families.
We were delighted to work with the Trust to appeal for nominations for the awards, and to present the accolade to Claire and to the runners-up.
6 – Sandgrounders Business Club
Guests enjoy the first Sandgrounders Business Club at Southport Football Club. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Earlier this year we teamed up with Southport FC, Birkdale Insurance and Midgley Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning to launch the new Sandgrounders Business Club.
It takes place at the Big Help Stadium, home of Southport FC, on the second Wednesday of every month.
We wanted to create somewhere that was free to attend for local business people to meet in a friendly, informal and productive environment.
We want to create an environment to support local businesses to thrive – come and join us.
7 – Southport BID
Crowds enjoyed the Southport Calling Eurovision party in Southport town centre organised by Southport BID.
We provide media, advertising and PR services for a number of local businesses and organisations, including Southport Business Improvement District (Southport BID).
The BID works hard throughout the year to improve footfall in Southport, bring businesses together and encourage people to support their town.
We work on behalf of Southport BID to create various news stories / press releases to promote the BID and local businesses in the BID area every month, as well as supporting campaigns such as Southport at Christmas and others.
8 – Windrush 75
Crowds enjoyed the Windrush 75th anniversary celebrations in Southport town centre. Event organisers Gemma (left) and Nadia (right). Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
In June we provided media support to the Southport African Caribbean Heritage Association (SACHA) to help them stage the immensely successful week of celebrations to honour the Windrush 75th anniversary.
It was the first time the historic event has been officially recognised in Southport, with families previously having to travel to cities such as Preston or Liverpool to honour the occasion.
It began with the raising of the Windrush flag at Southport Town Hall on 21st June, ahead of Windrush Day.
It was the first time the Windrush flag has been raised on a civic building in Southport.
The week culminated with a superb Windrush 75th celebration in the Town Hall Gardens in Southport.
9 – Southport events
The 2023 Southport Flower Show with General Manager Alan Adams second right and flower show host Paul Crone right
Want to know what’s happening in Southport? Keep a close eye on Stand Up For Southport!
We bring you all the details, information, and exclusive interviews about the big events coming to our town.
We also work with event organisers to help attract millions of visitors into Southport.
We have been delighted to work with superb local events such as Southport Flower Show, Southport Comedy Festival, Southport Classic and Speed, Southport Jazz Festival and many more.
Keep an eye on our page – there’s lots to enjoy in 2024!
10 – Southport royal visit
Princess Anne visited Southport to lead the centenary re-dedication of Southport War Memorial. Photo by Dave Brown Photography
Did you attend the royal visit by Princess Anne earlier this year?
Stand Up For Southport and Dave Brown Photography provided the official media support for event organisers, the Southport Royal British Legion, as Princess Anne officially re-dedicated Southport War Memorial to honour its Centenary.
This very special event enjoyed huge coverage and was a truly memorable day for Southport.
11 – Volunteering in Sefton
Volunteer Centre Sefton is working with Stand Up for Southport to provide a monthly update on volunteering across the Southport and Formby area
Would you like to help to improve our local community?
Volunteer Centre Sefton is delighted to be working with Stand Up for Southport to provide a monthly update on volunteering across the Southport and Formby area.
Volunteering can help you feel connected to your local area. So, whether you are new to Southport or would like to meet new people. Sign up to volunteer today.
Watch out on our Stand Up For Southport website and social media channels for places seeking support with details about how you can apply.
12 – Southport Football Club
The Stand Up For Southport board at Southport FC
What a year it’s been at Southport FC!
There’s been lots happening both on and off the pitch with new owners in the Big Help Group, a superb new manager in Jim Bentley, an upturn in fortunes on the pitch and big ambitions for the future.
We are delighted to be a supporter of Southport FC and will continue to bring you all the latest news and details on how you can get involved with the club.
13 – Southport Comedy Festival and Comedy Bingo Winter Socials
Brendan Riley is hosting Comedy Bingo Winter Socials at Southport Market
We have thoroughly enjoyed providing media and PR services for Southport Comedy Festival, raising awareness throughout the region and attracting thousands of people to come and visit Southport.
We have interviewed the big names; raised awareness; and took part in judging for the superb Southport New Comedian of the Year contest.
We are also supporting Big Comedy UK as they host they Comedy Bingo Winter Social events at Southport Market, sponsored by Halliwell Jones MINI, with the events designed to tackle isolation and grow friendships in our community.
14 – Southport Town Deal
An artist impression of the new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport
Stand Up For Southport provided some of the consultation required for the Town Deal submission to the Government, which secured £37.5 million in regeneration funding – the second highest of any town in the UK in that round of funding.
Over 7,000 responses were secured, the highest number in the UK, which supported both the level of investment by the Government as well as informing which projects were pursued.
We have continued to follow news on all the major Town Deal schemes, including the Marine lake Events Centre, Southport Market, Southport Enterprise Arcade and more.
15 – A community platform
The new Cornerstone Library in Southport has been officially opened by Heartbeat star David Lonsdale. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
With nearly 27,000 local people in our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group, we have created a sizeable local audience and a substantial local community that can support organisations, charities and events.
If you have a fundraising event taking place, please post to let people know what’s going on.
We will also cover what we can, and have been at events including the opening of the new Marshside Fog Bell, the new Cornerstone Library in Churchtown, the Southport Santa Sprint for Queenscourt Hospice and many more.
16 – Supporting local businesses
Ainsdale Village in Southport has been lit up with 70,000 new lights thanks to Ainsdale Civic Society and IllumiDex UK Ltd. Steve Clayton and Chris Ryan from IllumiDex celebrate completing the project. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
With over 20 years’ experience working for regional newspapers, websites, social media sites and PR companies, we are well placed to support the advertising needs of local businesses.
We can raise awareness; improve your profile; and attract more customers in a variety of ways.
Please contact us to let us know what you need. Email us at: standupforsouthport@gmail.com
17 – Southport Nostalgia
Southport Sea Bathing Lake July 1983
Keeping our past alive is so important.
Every week, we provide copy and pictures for a two page Southport Back In Time feature in the Southport Visiter.
We have nearly 3,000 followers on our Stand Up For Southport Nostalgia page.
We have also supported heritage themed exhibitions at The Atkinson in Southport such as The Many by Suhail Shaikh.
We will continue to bring you great pictures and stories of Southport in years gone by.
We would love to see your old pictures and memories of Southport too!
18 – Botanic Gardens
Volunteers at the Fernery at the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport
We have continued to support the improvements needed at the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown, through providing publicity and media support for both the Make A Change For Botanic community group and the Botanic Gardens Community Association, and the event they hold.
The past couple of years have seen over £40,000 raised and a real community campaign which has already seen new water aeration fountains installed and an impetus to make further changes.
19 – Building connections with the Liverpool City Region
The first birthday celebrations at Southport Market. Photo by Mark Shirley
Southport is very much a part of the Liverpool City Region – and the better connections we can build, the more we engage, the more our town can benefit.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is already proving funding towards major Southport infrastructure projects such as Southport Market and the Marine Lake Events Centre.
We have also encouraged as many local Southport businesses to get involved with events such as the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards.
This year we have Tik Taco plus Season Coffee, Bar & Kitchen in the running for the Hidden Gems category.
Please vote for them!
20 – Recognition at 10 Downing Street
Stand Up For Southport Director Andrew Brown at 10 Downing Street
In April Stand Up For Southport founder Andrew Brown was recognised among UK Local Media Champions at a celebratory event held at 10 Downing Street in London.
The reception was hosted by Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer KC MP, who gave a speech to guests about the importance of local journalism to communities throughout the nation.
The invitation was extended to people who have set up community websites, community newspapers, community radio stations, community blogs, from places including Hartlepool, Mansfield, Milton Keynes, London, North Wales, and elsewhere.
All with similar motives to Stand Up For Southport – to inform, to engage, and to keep people connected.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
