That ’ s how the " Live at the Plaza " variety show was born . This is a two hour show once a month which takes place on a Monday afternoon for people with Alzheimer ’ s , Dementia , those in sheltered accommodation and care homes , those who can ' t or won ' t go out in the evening and people who are or have been socially isolated .
We get more than 200 people coming every month – 530 came to the Christmas party last year - it was sold out in October !
I now book the Pride of Sefton barge and take people out for a 3-hour trip serving afternoon tea and copious amounts of tea and coffee . We have a singer and the trip sails from the Titanic Hotel , past the Three Graces , through the Albert Dock up to Brunswick and then back again while we eat drink sing and dance . It goes by in a flash .
It ' s amazing how the atmosphere brings people to life and even people who haven ' t spoken for a while sing along . We all have our fair share of tears on these days . It ' s so emotional .
What ’ s next for you ? I set up a Community Interest Company ( CIC ) in 2020 just in time for Covid to hit and while it ’ s growing , I can ’ t concentrate on it full time just yet unless I can generate sponsorship .
I ’ d like to support different projects . We ’ ve already helped families who were evicted during the pandemic through Sefton Community Pantry , donated £ 1600 for two defibrillators for Crosby Beach , raised £ 1300 for Jospice and sponsored the Bootle Bucks Inclusion Football Tournament twice , but there ’ s so much more we can do .
If you can help Julie with sponsorship or other support , please get in touch at 07723 382 553 . merseylife . com 21