LJMU partners with four charities making a difference in the region

LJMU is delighted to share that it is partnering with four local charities - Claire House Children’s Hospice, The Girls’ Network, Local Solutions and Micah Liverpool - to support their work in the Liverpool City Region.  

Building upon its established relationships with each charity, the new partnership agreements aim to extend and enhance further opportunities for collaboration.

Both staff and students will be encouraged to work together with each charity, fostering new connections and generating opportunities to undertake research projects, to share knowledge and expertise, and to participate in volunteering and fundraising activities.

There will also be opportunities to explore new student internships, work placements and projects, enabling students to build their experience in the workplace while helping each charity to deliver in their ambitions to break down barriers, combat social injustice, empower communities and support those in their moment of need.

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

Harry Boshell, Partnerships Manager at Claire House Children’s Hospice, said: “We’re so excited to get the chance to work closely with LJMU again over the next few years. We’ve been supported by their passionate staff and students through volunteering and their internship programme, along with them raising vital awareness for our cause and services. We’re looking forward to doing even more together over the next few years.”

Millie McCaughrean, Senior Network Manager for the North at The Girls’ Network, said: “We’re delighted that Liverpool John Moores University has joined us in our mission to give young girls the confidence to succeed in life. We train and support our mentors so that they can develop their workplace skills, such as coaching and problem solving. Last year our survey found that 93% of girls said their mentor helped them feel more positive about the future. We can’t wait to get started with LJMU and enable more girls to realise their potential.”

Jenny Snell, Head of Business Development and Impact at Local Solutions, said: “We at Local Solutions are delighted to be working with Liverpool John Moores University as one of their charity partners. This partnership is a powerful reflection of our shared commitment to empowering individuals, strengthening communities and driving positive change. Together, we aim to inspire action and create opportunities that align with our joint missions of innovation, education, and social impact. By combining LJMU's academic excellence with Local Solutions' dedication to addressing local needs, we can achieve meaningful outcomes that make a lasting difference for the people and communities we serve.”

Catherine Kearney, CEO of Micah Liverpool Micah Liverpool, said: “Micah is absolutely delighted to be one of LJMU's charitable partners. We are very much looking forward to working with LJMU, benefitting from their expertise, skills and networks. Micah is a small charity in terms of its staff team, so this partnership with LJMU will support and equip us to better meet the needs of those in our city facing poverty and social injustice. We look forward to seeing LJMU staff at students at events and welcoming them to Micah for staff and volunteer days.”

About Claire House Children’s Hospice

Claire House Children’s Hospice is a 24-hour, seven days a week service that offers a wide range of support to seriously and terminally ill babies, children and young people between the ages of 0 and 25. The hospice helps families make the most of the time they have however long or short that may be.

By providing specialist nursing and end of life care, as well as emotional support, Claire House helps families through some of the toughest times of their lives. They provide a range of services at their hospice on the Wirral, and at their Liverpool site, at home, in hospital and in the community.

LJMU has previously partnered with Claire House to help raise vital awareness and funds for the families supported by them.

About The Girls’ Network

Charly and Becca were secondary school teachers in North West London when they witnessed the multiple barriers facing girls in their classrooms. Together they established a one-to-one mentoring scheme for 30 girls in 2013, based on research showing that conversations and personal relationships could have a big impact on challenging stereotypes and expectations. They believed that the girls needed greater access to opportunities, but also the confidence to seize those opportunities and the skills to thrive in them.

The Girls’ Network mentoring was soon in high demand, and now operates across London, Merseyside, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sussex, Tees Valley, Tyne & Wear and the West Midlands, working with around 1,000 girls each year.

LJMU has worked with The Girls’ Network since 2020, with many staff embedded within the charity’s volunteer mentor network.  

About Local Solutions

Founded in 1974, Local Solutions has been at the heart of ‘Empowering People and Supporting Communities’ across the region for over 50 years. The 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.

LJMU was proud to be the main sponsor of the Lord Mayor’s annual dragon boat race 2024 that raised funds for the charity, with staff and students also participating in the race. As part of the new partnership, Local Solutions and LJMU will collaborate on key events, including the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Boat Race, the Local Solutions Big Sleep Out and recruitment campaigns for volunteering and employment.

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.

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.

Staff and student ideas for collaboration welcomed

LJMU staff or students that would like to put forward an idea for collaboration with any of the charities can 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.  

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