You can sing loud and proud and help the local community by joining a new choir at Liverpool Hope University.
The new ‘Community Choir’ is a collaboration between Hope and several different groups that operate in the area surrounding the University’s Hope Park campus in the southern suburbs of the city.
The University’s involvement is being led by the Community Engagement Team, which was set up at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and which now supports a wide variety of community-based projects.
And this Team has joined forces with the Friends of Childwall Woods and Fields, the South Childwall Residents Association and Childwall’s All Saints Church to form a group of singers.
The Choir will sing at Hope’s Christmas lights switch on Wednesday 1st December this year and the plan is for the group to perform at a local care home, too.
Tracy Ramsey, Senior Professional Tutor in Youth and Community at Hope and a coordinator of the Community Engagement Team, said: “You don’t need experience, and you don’t need to be a brilliant singer to get involved.
“This is just for laughs - so come along, make some noise and make some new friends.”
Hope University Community Engagement Team member Danielle Mclaughlin adds: “We’ve been working over the past year to make connections both within the University and also the surrounding area, with a number of events that have proven to be successful.
“These events have sewn the seeds of friendship and connection between the university and members of the Childwall community.
“From these connections, together we have identified a number of projects which members are keen to get off the ground. And this is how the Choir has been formed.
“And, surely, what better way of coming together and getting to know people than singing?
“Did you also know that singing releases endorphins. It’s exercise for the heart and soul!
“So come connect your soul and sing your heart out - and remember a choir is not just for Christmas..."
The choir is open to any and all staff and students.
The first rehearsal takes place Thursday 4th November in the Chapel at Hope Park.
And if you want to be involved simply email Tracy on ramseyt@hope.ac.uk.
The Community Engagement Team, meanwhile, is reconvening this month having taken a brief hiatus during the summer.
It’s open to both students and staff who’d like to contribute and help make a difference. And the Team is now actively looking for projects to engage with.
If you’ve got an idea or suggestion, please email: hopecommunityengagement@hope.ac.uk
You can also read about some of the first examples of Community Engagement Team work here - https://www.hope.ac.uk/news/allnews/hope-launches-community-engagement-team.html