LL THIS WEEK
Loving Wavertree
STEPH COLDERICK meets a community group that is making a difference
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wo years ago Wavertree was seen by some as merely a road in and out of Liverpool and nothing more. Now due to the dedication of the LoveWavertree community, Wavertree is a bustling, active and thriving area. In just over a year the community group LoveWavertree has grown from strength to strength, proudly showing off this part of Liverpool with community effort and hard work. From Winter Wonderland to their own shop, to becoming finalists in community awards, Wavertree has dropped its negative reputation and bloomed into a wonderful and active suburb. In July 2019, LoveWavertree met for the first time, and while there was tension, it became clear this group was about local people helping local people. Lynsey Wilson, who has been involved in LoveWavertree from its very first meeting said: “It was about local people making a difference.” LoveWavertree’s first event was their car- free day in September 2019 when Picton Road and Wavertree High Street were closed. Ms Wilson described the event:“It was just like a massive street party… there was just this real swell of local support and local effort.” After that there was no stopping LoveWavertree. Ms Wilson said: “That kind of kick started it all and it certainly raised the public awareness very, very quickly” and began defying the less positive reputation of Wavertree. Next was Winter Wonderland which included a Santa’s grotto and creating Christmas hampers for less fortunate families in the area. Ms Wilson explained: “We asked people to contribute not just basics not just baked beans, but your special food, your special biscuits and your nice crackers and they were all distributed through local primary schools.”
Following that came litter picks, then the impressive opening of their new shop ReLoved which has been open for nearly three months. Wavertree is also in bloom with planting going across the area and many different clubs from running to book clubs for residents to enjoy. But what makes LoveWavertree so successful? How did this community manage to come together to create a new thriving suburb? Ms Wilson credits the diversity of the group, she said: “I think one of its strengths is that it is local people but it is very, very diverse.” The best part for Ms Wilson is that everyone wants to help:“There are lots of people across the area with the same thoughts and aspirations of what we want Wavertree to be like. Of course, we do not agree on everything but it is just this real wave of positivity.”
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oveWavertree also attracts other groups and community ethics across the city. Ms Wilson said: “The beauty about LoveWavertree is that it provides a bit of a focal point for these other groups to be able to lend support and come onboard.” These groups include Scouse Flower House, who are helping to maintain The Mystery (a local park) with LoveWavertree. The focus is always on helping the local community, with the ReLoved shop stocking local school uniforms at a highly discounted price, of which Ms Wilson said: “It really fulfilled the ethos of locally trying to help local people.” As Christmas approaches in this strange year that 2020 has thrown at us, LoveWavertree are already looking ahead to try to plan a Covid safe event and hope to celebrate Christmas in some way. It is hard to remember that this is only LoveWavertree’s second year of running when you look back at everything they have achieved and as Ms Wilson said: “All of sudden I think Wavertree might have a slightly different reputation than it had before.”
Photos © Lynsey Wilson BELOW: LoveWavertree Events
‘There are lots of people with the same thoughts and aspirations of what we want Wavertree to be like’ LITTER PICK: Photo © Lynsey Wilson
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ABOVE: Merchandise
