Passion for the community and wise words from her parents
still ringing in her ears are what is driving 70 year old Liverpudlian Val
Price to reject retirement in favour of setting up a CIC, Proud of Liverpool.
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| Val Price, Proud of Liverpool CIC |
Listening to Val’s journey of what brought her to this point
is fascinating. Sharing with warmth about her humble beginnings in Old Swan Val
told us “I had a good life as a kid, but we didn’t have two ha’pennies to rub
together. What I do remember though is that mum always made me aware that
although she didn’t have money to give she would say that time is important,
and you can always give time, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m giving my time to
this.”
Proud of Liverpool is building to its first event on Friday
9th September 2016 10am-4pm at The Florrie on Mill Street. From
10am-4pm there will be a jobs fair where a competition will launch for people
to enter about what they consider is great about L8, also encouraging people to
share their memories of L8. Then the
evening brings the Fashion of the world together with fashion of the 40’s by an
L8 establishment – Bijou & Vintage, and throughout the evening music and entertainment.
On Saturday 10th September Proud of Liverpool will move on to
Prince’s Park in L8 for a further celebration event including food of the world
market stalls and entertainment 12-4pm.
Val explained these events are just a starting point of giving
the L8 community things to continue to feel a pride in their community,
building on the amazing initiatives happening in the area. Proud of Liverpool aims to recruit volunteers
who currently live in L8 to start a pilot project of mapping services and
amenities in the area, but with an in depth community level knowledge about
them. From here the organisation can
become a central point of contact for those moving into the community, as well
as those already living there helping them to understand what is there and how
to utilise it.
Val says
“One of the biggest problems in these communities is that we
don’t know enough of what’s out there. What is a major concern is the people
who need help and support who are unaware, suffering from loneliness and
poverty, and are not accessing these services.
The events we are organising is to share the knowledge of what is great
in L8, helping to find connections, bringing everything together. From there I
hope our volunteers can start visiting organisations and really understand what
is there. Enabling us to establish by 2018
(ten years from when Liverpool became the European Capital of Culture a central
office where we can offer people new to the area a walk into and find out
everything they need to know. Acting as a signpost to the many people and
organisations available and providing people with a real welcome to their
neighbourhood and the community.”
Having recently discovered that a large number of people
living in Toxteth are living below the poverty line, and those in Kirkdale have
a life expectancy of 12 years less than in other areas of Liverpool, Val has
been impassioned to focus on areas of deprivation in Liverpool to see why that
is. Starting with the L8 pilot Val is
planning to move into different neighbourhoods. The aim is to “map out what IS
there, and then be able to see what ISN’T.
That way start to identify what is different about Kirkdale that
accounts for that 12 years less, and from there make recommendations and work
with the community to work on what needs to happen to change that community.” Val emphasised that it is a key focus of the
project to link in and collaborate with the amazing people who are already
working hard to make that difference in these neighbourhoods. Throughout Liverpool what is encouraging,
Val says, is “the community really making moves to improve their neighbourhoods
and every day hearing of new initiatives being taken by the people who live in
them. No longer are they prepared to
accept the Status Quo and personal efforts by groups are on the increase to
make that difference…because everyone can do that!”
In looking to establish Proud of Liverpool Val worked with
The Women’s Organisation through the Enterprise Hub Programme to develop an
action plan and understand the practicalities of establishing a Community
Interest Company. Reflecting on the support received Val said “It’s been
brilliant! Meeting Janine regularly and talking things through is just great.
I’ve asked questions I wouldn’t have known where else to ask. I’ve had help with things like developing a
safe guarding policy, looking over my public liability insurance to check I
have everything I need. It’s been a great help.
I just love coming to The Women’s Organisation building at 54 St James
Street anyway as it’s a great place to come and have coffee with people, and
for me with my wonky knees I never have to worry about parking here.”
Val is passionate about developing the work of Proud of
Liverpool to have a real impact on what she calls ‘the donut’. Describing Liverpool Val says “Over the years
in Liverpool the City Centre has changed for the better, but we have forgotten
the areas surrounding that, the ‘donut’ that you have to drive through in order
to reach that uplifting city centre.
It’s those areas that we need to focus on.”
Beyond her passion for the community Val says that being her
own boss is “freedom to use your voice”.
Having worked in a number of professions over the years including 20
years at United Biscuits, working in personnel, managing a sports and social
club, working in hotels, cleaning firms and retail – Val is happy to no longer
have to think of ‘company policy’ before speaking her mind. If she can see
something needs to change or isn’t right, she is free to speak out.
The starting point of Proud of Liverpool Val says is having
“empathy and understanding”. She says “I’ve been through difficult times, I’ve
lived in these places. I can empathise with these communities and that’s what
we need. I just want to remind them of
things about their area that they can be proud of, and help to bring more
things that give pride to those areas.”
If you would like to find out more about Proud of Liverpool
you can write to Val Price at 54 St James Street, Liverpool, L1 0AB, or visit her facebook page. Also contact Val for details of the L8
competition, the event and how you can be involved, or join the events free on
9th & 10th September.
And if like Val you have a passion that you would like to
turn into a business, please contact Enterprise Hub to find out more about the
free support available to those living in the Liverpool City Region on 0151 706
8113 or Enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk. Enterprise Hub is part funded by European Regional Development Fund.
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