Colleagues at Liverpool Hope University have been working with Citizens UK to champion change in the local community.
Engaging with Liverpool City Council, the collaborative project aims to work with and listen to the needs of the Everton community to win impactful change for the area close by to the University’s Creative Campus.
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest people-powered alliance bringing together everyday people and local organisations to build a better, fairer society. Together we are seeking a safer and cleaner environment in which to live.
Last year, University staff and Vice-Chancellor Professor Claire Ozanne led a community walk through Everton for members of the City Council, including Cllr Liam Robinson.
The University’s core team of colleagues include Colette Watkinson, Amy Courtney, Dr John Lowndes, Angela Pierre-Louis, Dr Sarah Black-Frizell, Dr Abraham Ng'ang'a, and Associate Professor Anthony Ridge-Newman, an Associate Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts and Humanities.
Since this event significant progress has been made in securing impactful change, with the support and backing of Liverpool City Council. Project milestones were celebrated at the Liverpool Citizens Accountability Assembly held at the Capstone Theatre, Creative Campus, on Wed 26 Nov 2025. This event offered a platform for local citizens to hold decision-makers accountable on issues including, but not limited to, cost of living, public transport and health.
Progress as a result of the project has included:
- Undertaken a big lighting contract where smart LED’s have been installed. The work has focused around the MUGA (multi use games area) in the park where lighting has been improved.
- Work has also taken place on pathways, including the cycle pathway, which now glow in the dark. Both students and general park users have responded positively to this project.
- The Council plan to conduct a consultation about improvements to the play area within the park and shared that young people have voted for inclusive equipment.
- There are plans for the introduction of an Everton Nature Garden and a Physical Activity Strategy which will see the introduction of Liverpool’s first over 55’s Nordic Walking Club. They are looking for further funding for other community-centric initiatives.
- The local Police force have engaged with Shewsbury House Youth Centre, engaging with young people, including a collaborative football tournament between the two groups.
- The possibility of replacing the football pitches is being explored, with improved lighting and access.
Speaking at the event, Cllr Robinson highlighted key achievements following the initial community walk organised by Liverpool Hope. He commented: “It was a great walk and great to meet with all the community. We’ve had arborists cutting back all the branches that were interfering with street lighting, and have been working with the housing association to frame the lighting that belongs to them.
“We’ve inspected all of the lighting columns across Everton Park and we’re working through the process of improving the lighting in addition to the repairs we’ve already done.
“In terms of the park, we’ve been doing lots of tree works such as raising the site lines and clearing out the undergrowth.
“We’ve done four action days with the police where safety is concerned, organised by Jane Corbett, local ward councillor. We’ve got another action day planned for January.
“At the MUGA (multi use games area) sports pitch, we’ve prepared some fencing around it and cleared off the surface. We have also allocated money into play facilities.”