Lee will take on a massive walk through every Liverpool postcode, from L1 to L40, covering communities across the city to send a powerful message: mental health affects every neighbourhood, and no one should suffer in silence.

The fundraiser is deeply personal for Lee, who has faced significant mental health struggles following the loss of both his parents and a relationship breakdown in 2024.

After reaching crisis point and being admitted to Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Lee began the difficult journey toward recovery. He received life-saving treatment and was later supported by James’ Place on Catherine Street & The Florrie in Liverpool 8, where he was able to open up about his experiences for the first time.

Lee said:

“I’d been crying out to open up to someone but would never ask for help. I saw it as weakness. I now know that asking for help is strength. Walking has given me purpose, discipline and structure. The Florrie and the lads at Walk Florrie have helped me massively with my recovery.

Mental health knows no borders. It affects every community. I know there are men out there like I was, suffering in silence. Please don’t. There is a better way.”

Lee was introduced to The Florrie, a Grade II listed community arts and heritage venue in Liverpool’s L8, where he joined Walk Florrie, a men’s wellbeing group that meets twice weekly to encourage open conversation and connection through walking.

Since joining, Lee says he has found brotherhood, belonging and renewed strength. He now also takes part in additional wellbeing activities at The Florrie.

This is not Lee’s first remarkable fundraiser. In 2025, he completed a non-stop 100,000-step walk in just 13 hours to thank the organisations that supported him in his recovery.

Tony Caveney, who founded Walk Florrie, said:

“When we started Walk Florrie in 2022, it was about creating a safe space for men to talk, move and support one another. Lee embodies exactly what this group is about. His courage in sharing his story and taking on this challenge will inspire others to reach out and realise they are not alone.”

Lee’s postcode walk will begin in the city centre in the early hours of the morning before finishing at The Florrie that evening. Supporters, members of the public and media are encouraged to join Lee for sections of the walk, cheer him on along the route and help spread awareness. For more info email info@theflorrie.org.

Funds raised will support The Florrie’s men’s wellbeing programmes and wider community services.

To donate, visit:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/lees-postcode-walk-for-mens-mental-health

The post Lee’s Postcode Walk for Men’s Mental Health appeared first on The Florrie.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to use your camera, this is the perfect place to start. Our friendly sessions will guide you through the basics of photography, including understanding camera settings, composing shots, and capturing everyday moments with confidence. Whether you’re completely new to photography or just looking to brush up on your skills, these classes are designed to be fun, practical, and inspiring.

When: Thursdays at 11:30am
Booking: Essential

To reserve your place, contact Tim at Tim@theflorrie.org

Come along and see the world through a new lens. Everyone is welcome, and no prior experience is required!

The Florrie Community Hub

At The Florrie, our Community Hub offers a wide range of activities for adults and families, from creative workshops and fitness sessions to wellbeing programs and social clubs. Whether you’re interested in arts and crafts, music, gardening, or just meeting new people, there’s something for everyone. Our goal is to bring the community together, spark creativity, and support health and wellbeing for all.

The post New Class: Beginners Photography appeared first on The Florrie.

Whether you are a complete beginner or already have some experience, our language sessions are open to all abilities and designed to be enjoyable, social, and supportive.

French Class

Our French class has been running for over five years and is a much-loved weekly session at The Florrie. Led by our dedicated volunteer Koku, the class takes place every Wednesday at 1pm. It is a friendly and engaging space where learners can build confidence, practise conversation, and enjoy learning at their own pace.

New! Spanish & Coffee: Starting 25th February

We are excited to introduce our brand-new Spanish class, “Spanish & Coffee,” starting on Wednesday 25th February at 11:30am in Florrie Coffee.

Run by volunteer Marta, this relaxed session focuses on learning through conversation in a warm, informal setting. It is the perfect opportunity to learn Spanish while enjoying a chat and a brew, making language learning feel natural and fun.

Everyone Welcome

Both classes are open to all abilities, so whether you are starting from scratch or looking to refresh your skills, you will feel right at home. The focus is on learning together, building confidence, and enjoying the process in a supportive community space.

For more information or to get involved, please contact:
Tim
Email: tim@theflorrie.org
Phone: 0151 278 2323

The post Learn a New Language at The Florrie! appeared first on The Florrie.

For more than 130 years, The Florrie has been a place where people come together. Today, we work with our community through youth activities, creative and cultural programmes, health and wellbeing sessions, free community support, food provision, and safe, welcoming spaces where people can connect and feel part of something.

The funds raised through this challenge will help us continue delivering these vital activities and supporting individuals and families who rely on The Florrie every week. As demand for community support continues to grow, every donation helps us reach more people and respond where the need is greatest.

You can support our runners and donate here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-florrie-liverpool-half-marathon

Our runners are training hard and pushing themselves to complete 13.1 miles for a cause that truly matters. By donating, you are directly helping people in our community live healthier, happier and more connected lives.

Our Liverpool Half Marathon runners

We want to give a huge shout-out to everyone running for The Florrie so far:

• Michael Foley
• JP Atkinson
• James McLean
• Georgia Sharam
• Terrance Foster
• Kerry O’Brien
• Alia Breeze
• Elliott Clarke

We are incredibly grateful to each of them for taking on this challenge in support of our work.

Running the Liverpool Half Marathon?

If you are taking part this year and haven’t yet chosen a charity, we would love you to consider running for The Florrie. By fundraising for us, your miles will help support real people, right here in our community. Contact us on info@theflorrie.org or pop in and speak to Tony to get involved.

Whether you are donating, sharing this fundraiser, or running alongside our team, thank you for your support. It means the world to us and helps us continue making a positive difference in people’s lives.

The post Florrie Runners Take on the Liverpool Half Marathon to Support Our Community appeared first on The Florrie.

The sessions are led by dance expert Hazel Langdon and are open to everyone. You can enjoy music, learn a few steps, or simply spend a relaxed afternoon in good company. There will be plenty of tea, coffee, and biscuits, and a friendly atmosphere perfect for meeting new people.

“We wanted to create something fun, friendly, and easy for everyone to join,” says Laurence Fenlon CEO of The Florrie. “Whether you are an experienced dancer or have never danced before, this is a perfect chance to get moving and make new friends.”

The dances run from 1–3pm at The Florrie, 377 Mill Street, Liverpool. Entry is £5 on the door, and all proceeds support The Florrie charity and its Community Hub activities for people across Liverpool and beyond. No booking is needed, just turn up and join the fun.

The 2026 Afternoon Tea Dance dates are:

• Friday 30th January
• Friday 27th February
• Friday 27th March
• Thursday 30th April
• Friday 29th May
• Friday 26th June

These dances are the newest addition to The Florrie’s Community Hub Activities, which offer over 40 hours of activities every week. They help people across Merseyside overcome social isolation, boost mental wellbeing, stay active, learn new skills, and build lasting friendships in a welcoming environment.

With music, movement, and a chance to connect with others, The Florrie’s Afternoon Tea Dances promise a fun and uplifting afternoon for everyone. We look forward to seeing you there.

The post Afternoon Tea Dances at The Florrie appeared first on The Florrie.

The Florrie is excited to announce its first Community Hub timetable for 2026, offering over 40 hours of activities each week to Meet New People, Learn New Skills & Have Fun.

All of our current classes are continuing, including cycling, yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, guitar, gardening, table tennis, art, French, local history, drama, ukulele, reading, and autism support sessions.

We’re also introducing two new activities:

• Women’s Wellbeing Walking Group – Join us every Wednesday at 10:30 for a gentle walk around the local area. A chance to get active, enjoy the fresh air, and connect with other women in a supportive environment.
• Afternoon Tea Dances – A new monthly social dance session, open to everyone, running on the last week of each month from 1–3 PM. Enjoy tea, coffee, and biscuits in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Entry is £5 on the door, with all proceeds supporting The Florrie charity.

Tim, our Community Hub Coordinator, says:
“Our Community Hub is all about creating a welcoming space where people can connect, try new things, and improve their wellbeing. We’re thrilled to add these new activities, giving even more opportunities for everyone across Liverpool to get involved.”

With activities for all ages and interests, The Florrie’s Community Hub is the perfect place to stay active, make friends, and enjoy yourself in a friendly, supportive environment.

For the most up-to-date timetable and details on all activities, visit The Florrie Community Hub.

The post The Florrie Launches 2026 Community Hub Timetable appeared first on The Florrie.

This Christmas, The Wood are spreading festive cheer and supporting a great cause with their special new release, “Benoit’s Christmas.” Every donation from the single goes directly to keeping The Florrie’s free community activities running.

For over 130 years, The Florrie has been at the heart of Liverpool, offering creative, social, and wellbeing programmes for people of all ages. From youth workshops to adult classes, from music and art to social meet-ups, The Florrie provides vital opportunities for the community at no cost. These free activities are currently at risk, and this fundraiser will help protect them for the future.

The track is a heartfelt cover of “Benoit’s Christmas” by The Pale Fountains, a Liverpool classic reimagined in support of a place that means so much to the city.

You can listen to and download the song on The Florrie Bandcamp page with a suggested donation of £1.50. Donations above this amount are very welcome, and every contribution helps keep The Florrie’s programmes free and accessible.

Support The Florrie this Christmas and help ensure the community continues to thrive.

The post The Wood Release Christmas Single to Support The Florrie appeared first on The Florrie.

Get Ready for The Big Guitar-In 2025 – Chord Sheets Now Available

It is just one month until we all take over Mountford Hall for this year’s Big Guitar-In, and now it is time to do a bit of homework.

Click the button below to download the first draft of this year’s chord sheets and start practising for the big night.

This year’s songs are:

Comedy by Shack

Nothing Lasts Forever by Echo & The Bunnymen

Weather With You by Crowded House

Neighbourhood by Space

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

The Big Guitar-In is more than just an incredible night of music. It is a fundraiser to help save The Florrie’s free community activities, which are a vital lifeline for people in our community and across Liverpool. Our activities have a huge impact helping people to learn essential skills, combat social isolation and form new friendships. Every ticket sold helps us continue supporting people through culture, creativity, and connection.

If you have not got your tickets yet, why not? Do not miss out on being part of one of Liverpool’s most amazing music events.

Get your tickets now: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Liverpool/Mountford-Hall/The-Big-Guitar-In-at-Mountford-Hall/41159754/

The post Get Ready for The Big Guitar-In 2025: Chord Sheets Now Available appeared first on The Florrie.

On Thursday 11 December 2025 The Big Guitar-In Fundraiser is back for the 5th time. Its goal is to raise urgent funds to Save The Florrie’s Free Community classes and provide the opportunity for 100s of amazing guitarists to perform together in Mountford Hall, including many young stars of the future. The unique and record-breaking event once more brings everyone together for one incredible night of music, community and celebration and fund-raising. Last year a new record was set with 602 guitarists performing together. This year the target is to beat this by one, with 603 guitarists strumming side by side.

Leading into the Big Guitar-In, The Florrie faces rising utility costs, fewer grants, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and a rapidly growing number of people needing social support has pushed the Community Classes’ availability to the limit. The Florrie’s Community Classes are a vital lifeline for the people of their community and wider region, helping them to learn essential skills, get active, fight social isolation and build new friendships. They also connect people of all backgrounds with wider support from their community.

Timo Tierney, Community Hub Co-ordinator & Organiser of The Big Guitar-In Fundraiser, says: “The Big Guitar-In is about so much more than music. It’s about people coming together, celebrating community and showing the power we have when we unite. To see hundreds of guitarists and singers from all ages and backgrounds filling a hall with sound is truly magical. This year we’re especially proud to give young Liverpool artists the chance to shine on a stage with so much history, while also raising vital funds to save The Florrie’s Community Classes – this is something I started myself at The Florrie almost ten years ago with our guitar classes and it’s grown ever since. It’s going to be a wonderful night nobody forgets, so please give us your support us by buying a ticket to perform, watch the magic in the audience or by making a donation to support us.”  

This year for the first time The Big Guitar-In Fundraiser is taking over Liverpool’s famous Mountford Hall. The venue has hosted some of the world’s biggest names including Queen, The Who and local lad Elvis Costello. Now hundreds of aspiring guitarists will get the chance to tick off their bucket list by saying they’ve performed on the same stage as their idols.

2025s spotlight is firmly fixed on Liverpool’s incredible young talent, with rising stars Ellis Murphy, Louis Gibney, Credits, The Sway and Olga Fitz leading the way, joined by established favourites Space, Crowded Scouse, Brian Nash (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) and a host of special guests still to be announced. Also performing are the brilliant 601 ½ Choir who formed from members of other local choirs under the guidance of John Finnigan who featured in past Big Guitar-In events.

The young artists will be front and centre this year, leading performances of legendary Liverpool hits Nothing Lasts Forever (Echo & The Bunnymen) & Comedy (Shack), as well as Space performing their classic Neighbourhood. Topped with surprise moments and guest performances throughout the evening.

The Big Guitar-In Fundraiser is for everyone an inclusive not exclusive event in true Florrie spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just learning your first few chords, you are welcome to be part of this unforgettable event. The Florrie Guitar Group meets every Tuesday at 6pm and new members of all abilities are encouraged to join and learn in time for December.

Tickets are available now for both guitarists bringing their acoustic guitar to take part and for a very limited number of spectators who want to experience the atmosphere from the audience. Early bird tickets have already sold out and the rest are going quickly – if you want to be part of it, make sure to grab yours soon.

Tickets are available via Skiddle: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Liverpool/Mountford-Hall/The-Big-Guitar-In-at-Mountford-Hall/41159754/

If you’re unable to attend, please Donate what you can to Save The Florrie’s Community Classes: https://gofund.me/8f8f91837

The post The Big Guitar-In Fundraiser Returns at Mountford Hall appeared first on The Florrie.