Charity partners
At LJMU, we put people first in every part of our life as a university. We strive to build skills, the economy, society and community through local and global collaboration.
Over the years we have partnered with many amazing charities, fostering new connections, and helping them in their ambitions to break down barriers, combat social injustice, empower communities and support those in their moment of need.
Our current charity partners, who each make such a difference to the lives of those in the Liverpool City Region, are:
- Claire House Children’s Hospice
- The Girls’ Network
- Micah Liverpool
- Local Solutions
Our aim is to build on our established relationships with each charity, to extend and enhance further opportunities for staff and student collaboration.
We care passionately about supporting the community in which we are embedded and across the university we strive to make a positive difference to the Liverpool City Region. By forging closer relationships with our four charity partners, we can make a significant contribution in support of each organisation’s unique mission and deliver on our commitment to our local communities.
LJMU Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Mark Power
About Claire House Children’s Hospice
Claire House Children’s Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill babies, children and young people to live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life.
By providing specialist nursing and end of life care, as well as emotional and practical support, Claire House supports families through the toughest times of their lives. Claire House has a team of trained professionals including nurses, physiotherapists, complementary therapists, play specialists, and counsellors who are passionate about providing children and families with positive experiences.
Alongside providing specialist care, Claire House offers places for children to relax and enjoy themselves, whatever their age. They have two sites; a full hospice on the Wirral where children can have fun in the multi-sensory room, art room, hydrotherapy pool and jacuzzi, and a site in West Derby, Liverpool which offers day-care, complementary therapies, clinics, play and music sessions, and counselling. They host regular social activities for brothers and sisters to ensure they don’t miss out on having fun.
Claire House is also there for parents during the toughest of times. Whether they are spent at home, hospital or in the hospice, Claire House ensures a child’s final days are memorable and special. They don’t just help with the practical issues of registering a child’s death and arranging their funeral – they also provide dedicated round-the-clock support and specialist counselling. As one family put it: “The best thing about Claire House is knowing that they are always there. From the minute you meet them for as long as you need them.”
LJMU has previously partnered with Claire House to help raise vital awareness and funds for the families supported by them.
Visit the Claire House Children’s Hospice website to find out more about the charity.
About The Girls’ Network
The Girls’ Network is a one-to-one mentoring scheme set up in 2013 by Charly Young and Becca Dean, after they witnessed barriers facing girls in their classrooms.
The scheme was established based on research showing that conversations and personal relationships could impact on challenging stereotypes and expectations. This scheme continues to help to give girls access to greater opportunities and the confidence and skills to seize those opportunities.
They are very passionate about their mission, which is to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities by connecting them with a mentor and a network of professional female role models. They believe that no girls should have their futures limited by their gender, background, or parental income and that all girls should be supported to realise their ambitions, to discover their self-worth and to develop their capacity to shape their world and their future.
The Girls' Network partner with secondary schools and colleges across London, Merseyside, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sussex, Tees Valley, Tyne & Wear and the West Midlands, to match girls aged 14 to 19 with a female volunteer mentor who works as a professional in the public or private sector. Once the girls have completed their year-long mentoring journey, they graduate and access membership to a lifelong ambassador programme.
LJMU has worked with The Girls’ Network since 2020, with many staff embedded within the charity’s volunteer mentor network.
Visit The Girls’ Network website to find out more about the charity.
About Micah Liverpool
Micah Liverpool is a social justice charity set up by Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and St Bride’s Church to relieve Liverpool residents from social injustice and poverty. They currently run projects to combat unemployment and deliver emergency food aid and affordable food. Micah Liverpool is also a Partnership Hub for Zarach, a charity working to end child bed poverty. Micah has a small staff team and large volunteer team.
Micah’s Recruitability Programme is an initiative based at Liverpool Cathedral working with long-term and newly unemployed adults, supporting them for 10 weeks to improve their skills, confidence and readiness for work. Each Recruitability participant engages in a work experience placement, which runs concurrently with skills training.
Micah provides food for up to 500 people each week through two food banks and two community food markets. Food bank users can receive emergency food provision four times within a 12-week period. Community food market users can attend weekly and pay £2 per shop, choosing between 10 to 15 food items.
Zarach delivers beds to children through a school referral system. The volunteer-led team have delivered over 400 beds to children in Liverpool since they launched in July 2023.
LJMU has supported Micah in recent years by making a donation to the charity for every National Student Survey completed by eligible final year students, as well as for completions of the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey and First Year Experience Survey. The charity has also benefitted from student-led project collaboration and student-led donations.
Visit the Micah Liverpool website to find out more about the charity.
About Local Solutions
Founded in 1974, Local Solution’s charity mission is ‘Empowering People, Supporting Communities’ across the region to drive positive social change. This charity is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their goals, make informed choices and unlock their full potential. Through its wide range of services, Local Solutions has made a lasting impact - helping young people transition to independent living, providing essential support for vulnerable groups and fostering community wellbeing.
The partnership will enable Local Solutions to connect with our vibrant community of students, staff and alumni, all of whom share a passion for making a difference. LJMU will support Local Solutions to strengthen its ability to deliver vital services, while exploring new ways to inspire and engage others.
Throughout the partnership, the university will collaborate on key events and recruitment campaigns for volunteering and employment. These events will raise awareness and provide opportunities for the community to actively support the charity’s mission.
Together, Local Solutions and LJMU share a vision for creating lasting change, enhancing lives and building brighter futures for those in need. By working in partnership, Local Solutions aims to inspire more people to join their efforts and make a tangible difference across the region.
Visit the Local Solutions website to find out more about the charity.
Get involved, volunteer and share your ideas for collaboration
Staff and students are encouraged to work together with our charity partners to foster new networks and connections. There may be opportunities to explore new student internships, work placements and research projects, sharing knowledge and expertise and participating in volunteering and fundraising activities. This will help staff and students build experience in the workplace, while helping each charity to deliver in their ambitions.
If you have any ideas for collaboration with any of our partner charities, or if you would like to fundraise or volunteer please email Colette Quail in Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations.
Upcoming opportunities to support the four charities will be shared regularly through staff and student internal communications.