Families across Merseyside are being given the opportunity to enter a competition that will see their work published and included in a collage of works appearing at the Anglican Cathedral in May.
Entitled ‘Boat of Hope’ Creative Competition, the initiative is a collaboration by Liverpool CIC Split Perspectivz founded by Natalie Reeves Billing and Jude Lennon and Liverpool Heartbeat and follows on from the Boat of Hope and Builder Book campaign last Christmas that saw hundreds of volunteers benefit child mental health in the region.
Natalie feels 2023 will be even bigger for supporting child mental health in Liverpool via the medium of storytelling and creativity, starting with this new project.
She said: “By Christmas 2022, almost 20,000 Builder Book boxes had been delivered and all those who received one along with families looking at digitally entering will be able to participate in the Boat of Hope Competition. Ultimately, we’re looking for art that carries that vision…and what that looks like for a family. There are plenty of resources on the website, including poems that can assist the creative process too, which culminates in producing one definitive piece using art and words to illustrate the message.”
Robin Baynes from Liverpool Heartbeat who secured the funding for the Book of Hope from the PH Holt Foundation said the project will also see six hope ambassadors appointed in the city, chosen to oversee the entries “with every child who enters being published and included in a collage presentation. All entries will be published in a Book of Hope, and a copy will be sent out to schools and libraries too. We’re really grateful to the P H Holt Foundation and also to Catapult Connected Places and the Steve Morgan Foundation for their kind and valuable donations to the project. (Pictured below, Robin with Natalie)
Jude Lennon explained how children and families can come and see their work on display and take away a book of their children’s artwork. “They will be able to take part in the events at the cathedral, including music and drama, theatre and workshops. We want children to feel empowered and know that anything in life is possible. We want to help children discover their true potential via creativity and storytelling, all in support of the Boat of Hope campaign.”
Meanwhile Split Persectivz CIC has just been shortlisted for the Community Enterprise Award at The Good Small Business Awards 2023 for the work they do in the children’s mental health and wellbeing space in the City. “We are delighted to be amongst such wonderful businesses, who are making a real difference in the daily lives of so many across the region,” said Natalie. “This will help us shine a spotlight on the wonderful things our amazing volunteers do every year.
Click https://www.splitperspectivz.com/boat-of-hope for all Boat of Hope Competition entries
