The Hearth, in collaboration with local businesses and energy industry leaders, is set to host Southport’s inaugural Earth Day event at the historic Wayfarers Arcade this April. This free, family-friendly event aims to celebrate sustainability and empower attendees with practical ways to save money on energy bills while making a positive impact on the planet.
Aligning with this year’s Earth Day theme, ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, the community event will take place on 22nd of April from 10 am to 2 pm and will feature a diverse programme of interactive workshops, expert-led discussions, and engaging activities designed to highlight the role individuals and communities can play in driving meaningful change.
Among the key highlights of the day, visitors will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into energy efficiency through pop-up sessions led by experts from Scottish Power, Making Energy Greener, Southport Eco Centre, and the National Energy Agency. These sessions will help attendees better understand their energy bills and provide practical, money-saving advice on energy usage and cost-saving measures, a pressing issue for nearly a third of UK households.
Dr. Barnabas Calder, head of the History of Architecture Research Cluster at the University of Liverpool – the largest architectural history research group in the UK – will also be in attendance to deliver a lecture on the area’s architectural history and its energy implications. As part of a dedicated heritage zone, visitors will be invited to share their memories and experiences of energy practices from the past.
Alongside educational workshops, The Hearth is bringing an exciting mix of creative and interactive activities to Wayfarers Arcade. A team from Manchester University will offer a unique virtual reality experience, allowing attendees to see Earth from an astronaut’s perspective. Sustainability takes centre stage in creative workshops, including a dreamcatcher crafting session using recycled t-shirts, led by Jen Rogers from Knot Me Macrame, and a sustainable art session hosted by Emmy Porter from Art Ease CIC.
For green-fingered guests, Jess Coulson from A Book Of Petals will be hosting a plant swap, where visitors can exchange their favourite plants and share gardening tips and Becky Potter from Gang of Elk Forest School will be talking about how to engage children with nature and the importance of play.
Guests will also have the opportunity to meet with David Booth, a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors, who is passionate about using recycled and reclaimed materials in his work, he’ll be showcasing his works on the day, and talking about how he’d like to repurpose the material waste from other industries into art. Meanwhile, fitness and sustainability will combine in the Smoothie Bike Challenge, where participants will use their pedal power to blend their own smoothies, with the top scorer winning their very own smoothie maker!
This community-driven event is made possible through the support of local businesses and organisations, including Making Energy Greener, The Engine Room, Wayfarers Arcade, and Scottish Power.
The Earth Day celebrations are suitable for all ages and are free to attend, with free vegan meals available and a special prize giveaway.
Rebecca Armstrong, Director at The Hearth, said:
“Earth Day unites over a billion people across almost 200 countries across the world, and I am overjoyed that Southport will be part of this global movement. At a time when more people than ever are facing soaring energy bills and grappling with climate anxiety, we must equip individuals with knowledge and tools to make sustainable choices – choices that benefit both their wallets and the planet.
“This event is a chance for our community to come together, offer meaningful support, and make a real difference, while also having fun along the way. Thanks to the collaboration between local businesses, residents, and major organisations like Scottish Power, we have the opportunity to showcase this message in Southport.
“Every individual has the power to make an impact, and I hope this event inspires people to take action, not just for their future, but for the wellbeing of others and the health of the planet”.
Nadia Speers-Robinson, Director at The Hearth, said:
“The theme for Earth Day 2025 is ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ I would like to interpret this as the power that we as individuals and small businesses have to make change for the planet, I hope that after the event, attendees will come away feeling inspired and empowered, armed with the knowledge of the minor lifestyle changes they can make to live in a greener, more efficient way- it’ll save them money too.”
“I am so excited to work with all of the businesses and organisations involved on the day, everyone involved is so passionate about what they do, it is going to be such a great atmosphere on the day”
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