North Birkenhead community comes together for Block Party celebration

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Hundreds of children, families and residents came together at Ilchester Park on Saturday 11 July for the North Birkenhead ‘Block Party’, a free community celebration marking six years of Cradle to Career in North Birkenhead.

Working with Cradle to Career partners, we invited the local community to enjoy an afternoon of free food, live entertainment, family activities and opportunities for children and young people to try something new.

There was free pizza, BBQ food, snacks and drinks, alongside live music and dancing, football, boxing and musical instrument tasters, face painting, hair styling and nail art, messy play, a reptile zoo, SEND-friendly quiet space and more.

The Block Party was an opportunity to thank everyone who has helped shape Cradle to Career in North Birkenhead over the last six years.

A local parent who attended with her three children said:

“I knew the children would love it and we live so close so we came to play and have some fun. It’s important that it’s free so everyone can enjoy it. It brings people together and it’s important to be able to spend time as a family.”

Another parent added:

“We only live two minutes away and I think it’s really nice that something like this has been organised so close to home. It brings the community together. It’s a lovely community and a good event.”

One young attendee also said:

“I like how everyone is happy. I’ve seen my friends from school too. I’ve enjoyed the ice cream, pizza, dancing, football and I enjoyed the tortoise as well!”

Thanks to our partners and providers on the day

The Block Party was funded through Cradle to Career and delivered with the support of our partners including: The Hive Youth Zone Wirral; Gautby Road Play, Youth & Community Centre; St James Centre; Koala North West; Equilibrium; and Positivitree.

Argyle Community Fitness, Birkenhead Community Fire Station, Future Yard CIC, North West Training Professional Centre, Dope Crusts Pizza, C n D events, Zap Graffiti, AMT Productions, Co-op Portland Academy - school choir, Vox Community Singers, Abbie Fairchild and Niki Kand were fantastic on the day.

With very hot weather, special thanks also go to St John Ambulance for being on hand throughout the event and to everyone who supported the smooth and safe running of the day.

Six years of place-based change in North Birkenhead 

Cradle to Career in North Birkenhead was initiated and funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation in 2019, co-commissioned by Wirral Council, with additional funding from SHINE Trust and UBS Optimus Foundation. It is managed by place-based change charity Right to Succeed.

It has brought together schools, family services, residents, community groups and local organisations to work around a shared vision for the area, with a focus on improving outcomes for children and young people.

In 2023, funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and support from Mayor Steve Rotheram scaled Cradle to Career across communities in all boroughs of the Liverpool City Region.

For more information on Cradle to Career, visit: https://www.righttosucceed.org.uk/cradle-to-career