Following the success of the recent Southport Ideas events led by Patrick Hurley MP, over 400 suggestions were submitted by residents and work has already begun to explore turning these ideas into reality.
A key theme from the summer meetings was the need to improve Lord Street, with ideas ranging from public art installations in empty shop window to repurposing upstairs spaces. Patrick Hurley MP initiated the early development of the Southport Town Improvement Group as a sounding board for these ideas. While the group is already shaping change with Lord Street seeing enhanced street cleaning, refurbished verandas and plans to improve the appearance of empty buildings.
Using this model, Southport Matters was launched to help bring more ideas to life and strengthen local communities.
Thanks to £55,000 of investment secured by Patrick Hurley MP from the Lloyds Bank Foundation and with Compassion Acts acting as fiscal host, the project is supporting residents to transform their ideas into real, community-led initiatives. Richard Owens has been seconded to lead the project, providing guidance, practical help and support to help ideas move from ideas to reality.
Southport Matters will help facilitate some of the other small but impactful community-led ideas, such as:
- Vibrant Villages – an annual awards competition between local villages
- Youth Public Speaking Competition
- Community trails, such as a Shrimp Trail, Dan Dare Trail and Ghost Walk
- Local festivals, including a Tarleton Festival, Village Fete and Steam Punk Festival
- Chess tables, Residents’ Forum initiatives, and more!
Patrick Hurley MP said:
“The Southport Ideas meetings gave us a clear picture of what matters to local people. I’m proud to have helped lay the foundations for Southport Matters, to support residents to take these ideas forward. The Southport Town Improvement Group has played an incredible role in improving Lord Street and it’s exciting to see the community taking the lead.
Over the past few months, I’ve worked closely with this group – across parties and in a non-partisan way – to help get the group up and running; they are already getting local results!
Through the Southport Matters initiative, there will be support for more groups to take the lead on these exciting ideas. As the MP for Southport, it’s vital that under these new boundaries, I sought the opinions of the whole of the new Southport constituency on what they want to see in their town and villages.
Ideas are nothing without action; the funding from the Lloyds Bank Foundation will work to see these local ideas brought to life.”
Chair of Compassion Acts trustees Dr Dympna Edwards said
“It ties in really well with what we are trying to do with work across the area to strengthen community. People may know us from our work tackling food insecurity and preventing poverty but we also have a desire to see even more cohesive and thriving communities in line with our strategy “Thriving Lives”
Residents and community groups interested in getting involved can register via the project website: https://southportmatters.co.uk/southport-ideas.
About Southport Matters
Southport Matters empowers local residents to improve their communities. Through guidance, small funding support, and practical help, it encourages sustainable, community-led action to enhance quality of life across Southport and its neighbourhoods.
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