Loving Wavertree

STEPH COLDERICK meets a communtity group that is making a difference

Two yearsagoWavertree was seen by some asmerely a road in and out of Liverpool and nothing more. Now due to the dedication of theLoveWavertreecommunity,Wavertree is a bustling, active and thriving area. In just over a year the community groupLoveWavertreehas 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, tobecomingfinalists in community awards, Wavertree has dropped its negative reputation and bloomed into a wonderful and active suburb. In July 2019, LoveWavertreemet for the first time, and while there was tension, it became clear this group was about local people helping local people. LynseyWilson, who has been involved inLoveWavertreefromits very first meetingsaid: “It was about local people making a difference.” LoveWavertree’sfirst event was their car-free day in September 2019 whenPictonRoad 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 stoppingLoveWavertree. Ms Wilson said: “That kind of kickstarted it all and it certainly raised the public awareness very, veryquickly” 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 shopReLovedwhich 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 makesLoveWavertreeso 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 ofits strengthsisthatitis localpeoplebut it is very,verydiverse.”

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.”

LoveWavertreealso attracts other groups and community ethics across the city. Ms Wilson said: “The beauty aboutLoveWavertreeis 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) withLoveWavertree. The focus is always on helping the local community, with theReLovedshop 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,LoveWavertreeare already looking ahead to try to plan aCovidsafe event and hope to celebrate Christmas in some way.

It ishard to remember that this is onlyLoveWavertree’ssecond 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.”

LITTER PICK: Photo provided by Lynsey Wilson

ABOVE: Merchandise

Photos provided by Lynsey Wilson

BELOW: LoveWavertree Events

‘There are lots of people across the area with the same thoughts and aspirations of what we want Wavertree to be like’