Young people from Speke put police officers, housing colleagues and bus company representatives through their paces as they came together for a fun-filled community football event last week.
Held at Goals South Liverpool, the event brought together children aged 12 to 16 from Speke Adventure Playground, known locally as The Venny, with colleagues from South Liverpool Homes (SLH), Arriva and Merseyside Police.
The event marked the latest chapter in a partnership that grew out of a challenging period for the community last year, when a series of anti-social behaviour incidents targeting local buses in Speke caused distress for drivers and passengers, led to police dispersal zones and resulted in temporary bus diversions that affected local residents.
Determined to turn a negative situation into something positive, the organisations have been working together to strengthen relationships with local young people and promote greater understanding between communities and frontline services.
And if the football was anything to go by, the future is in good hands.
Throughout the day, young people took part in a mini tournament with the adults, who quickly discovered they were no match for some of the talented footballers on display. There was plenty of laughter, friendly competition and teamwork, with the youngsters more than holding their own and, in many cases, running rings around the adults.
The event provided an opportunity for young people to meet the people behind the uniforms and job titles, helping to break down barriers and create positive connections in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Angela McHugh, Housing and Communities Officer at South Liverpool Homes, said:
"This event is a fantastic example of what can happen when organisations come together with a shared goal. While last year's incidents were difficult for everyone involved, they brought partners together to look at how we could create something positive for the future.
"Today has been all about giving young people the opportunity to have fun, build relationships and see that we're all part of the same community. Watching them engage with colleagues from Arriva, Merseyside Police and South Liverpool Homes has been brilliant and, if we're honest, they completely showed up the adults on the football pitch.
"We're proud to work alongside our partners and The Venny to help create opportunities like this that bring people together and encourage mutual respect and understanding."
Carl Oliver, Sites Manager at Arriva said:
"Over the last six months, we have worked closely with Liverpool South Homes, The Venny and Merseyside Police to better understand how we can help reduce anti-social behaviour in the Speke area.
“This partnership has been one of the most rewarding initiatives we have been involved in, bringing organisations together with a shared commitment to supporting local young people. Today's football match feels like another chapter of Arriva building trust, relationships, and positive opportunities with the youth of Speke. We are proud to play our part in investing in the community and helping create a brighter future for the next generation."
“Today helped to break down barriers and showed that everyone is working towards the same goal, making Speke a safe, positive place for young people to grow up."
- Kimberley Preston, Speke Adventure Playground
Kimberley Preston, Manager at The Venny said:
“At The Venny, we see every day how much potential our young people have when they’re given opportunities, encouragement and people who believe in them. Events like this are about much more than football. They give young people the chance to build positive relationships with the people and organisations they see in their community, in a fun and relaxed environment.
“Today helped to break down barriers and showed that everyone is working towards the same goal, making Speke a safe, positive place for young people to grow up.
“We’re incredibly proud of every young person who took part and we're grateful to South Liverpool Homes, Arriva and Merseyside Police for working alongside us. This is exactly what partnership working should look like, and we hope it’s the start of many more opportunities like this.”
The last word must go to one of the young people who took part. We asked them what they had learned from the day:
“Not everyone's horrible,” they said. “You think the Police are horrible, but they’re not. They’re still people, aren’t they?”
The event was organised through a partnership between South Liverpool Homes, Arriva, Merseyside Police and Speke Adventure Playground, with all four organisations committed to creating positive opportunities for young people and supporting stronger, safer communities across Speke.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that the biggest win of the day wasn't on the scoreboard, but in the new connections and understanding built between local young people and the organisations that serve their community.