Hi everyone, we’ve got some news this week and we need your help!

Like so many of the UK’s charities at the moment, the current situation is really challenging for Lister Steps. Being forced to temporarily close our childcare facilities has had a huge impact on our main source of income and we are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that we are in a strong position to keep supporting children, families & our local community when the crisis eases and business can resume.

That’s why we’re inviting you, your family and friends to take part in The 2.6 Challenge to help to save the UK’s charities, which launches on Sunday 26 April – what should have been the date of the 40th London Marathon, the world’s biggest one-day annual fundraising event.

We’re asking you to take part in an activity of your choice based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 and donate to support Lister Steps. If you’re feeling active, you could walk, run or cycle 2.6 miles, take part in a 26 minute workout (we can highly recommend Aziza’s Bellydancing Classes!) or do 260 laps of the living room.

Or perhaps you’d rather bake 26 cupcakes or binge-watch 26 episodes on Netflix – the possibilities are endless and we encourage you to get creative (whilst following government guidelines around exercise and maintaining social distancing of course).
 
To join in on Sunday 26th April – or any time this week! - follow these simple steps:

1.      Dream up your 2.6 challenge – if you need help there are lots of ideas here

2.      Head to our dedicated Lister Steps donations page or set up a fundraising page & ask your friends & family to sponsor you - click here to donate

3.      Complete your challenge!

4.      If you’re feeling brave, share a photo or video of your challenge on our social media with #TwoPointSixChallenge
 
We hope you’ll join the nation in The 2.6 Challenge to support Lister Steps and help to save the UK’s charities. Thank you.

Interested in local history in and around L13? Drop into one of our Friday afternoon sessions with our friendly volunteers Heather & Susan to find out about their fascinating research into the streets surrounding The Old Library.

They've spent the last year looking into newspaper records and census data to uncover some brilliant stories about the people who used to live in our neighbourhood.

If you're keen to find out more, they can also share some useful tools & techniques that will help you carry out your own research.

The group is currently running every Friday afternoon from 1pm - 3pm until April. Feel free to drop in and see what it's all about!

Saturday 18th January is your next chance to see the latest progress at The Old Library. Drop i to site any time between 10am and 3pm to see the latest restoration progress. For the first time since building work started, you'll be able to step inside the old Boys & Girls Reading Room to take a look at what will become our main community space when the building re-opens. With new plasterwork being installed, it's starting to look very impressive!

We'll also be gathering your feedback on what kind of activities & training opportunities you'd like to see at The Old Library, as well as your ideas for our new community cafe.

Entrance to the site is on the corner of Green Lane & Lister Drive (right next to our very colourful community mural) and sturdy footwear is essential. At busy times there may be a short wait as we can only have a limited number of visitors inside the building.

If you have any questions, contact olivia.johnson@listersteps.co.uk or call 07988 778372.

 On Wednesday 16th October, we're hosting a fascinating evening of local history talks all about The Old Library and life in L13 through the years.

You’ll hear from Dr Oriel Prizeman from Cardiff University who is running an international research project looking at how Carnegie libraries around the world are being re-purposed for modern use. We’ll also be joined by Vanessa Oakden from the Museum of Liverpool who led an archaeological dig at The Old Library back in June. She’ll be sharing some of the things we discovered and what we now know about how the area has changed over the last few centuries.

Our fabulous research volunteers will also be sharing what they’ve learnt over the last 12 months, looking at case studies of interesting people who’ve lived and worked in L13, as well as how children have enjoyed, as well as worked in, libraries across Liverpool in the past.

The event kicks off at 6.30pm at St Cecilia’s Club on Green Lane, L13 7DT. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Lister Steps (L13 7HH) for £2 or on the door for £3. For more information, contact Olivia on olivia.johnson@listersteps.co.uk or 07988 778372.