The Anfield Wrap supports Birkenhead mental health charity

A local mental health charity:- 'Open Door' were delighted to welcome:- 'The Anfield Wrap' for a special podcast recording at the Bloom Building, in Birkenhead.

For the last 13 years, Open Door Charity has provided a range of free, fast and effective mental health programmes to young people and adults. This is a lifeline for the local community, supporting over 100 people every week.

The Anfield Wrap podcast is a local favourite for Liverpool FC fans, reaching over 21,000 listeners per month, with episodes recorded after each Liverpool game.

Using this platform, The Anfield Wrap are helping Open Door with their latest text to donate campaign, raising funds to ensure the charity can continue their work in transforming the mental health space in Liverpool.

Neil Atkinson, CEO of The Anfield Wrap said:- "Open Door with its unique set up and environment is the sort of charity we are delighted to partner with. They are in the heart of the community and are representative of the community in both Birkenhead and the whole City Region. Birkenhead and the City of Liverpool should lead the way in innovation and should place the idea of care at the centre of that innovation. Open Door do that every day."

Open Door offers engaging and versatile support in a non-clinical setting, without a lengthy referral process or waiting lists.

The flagship:- 'Bazaar' programme moves away from conventional mental health services, favouring an innovative model that uses elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness and peer mentoring, supporting people aged:- 14 to 35, with symptoms of low mood, depression and anxiety.

Feedback shows that Bazaar often has powerful, life changing outcomes for its members.

"It has changed my life and wellbeing completely. I rarely go into my extremely negative anxiety mode anymore, as I have developed useful skills throughout the Bazaar programme on how to cope with life stresses, whether they are little or large. I am living life properly now with little fear or worry," said a Bazaar member.

Open Door is seeing an increased demand across all of its programmes, with many factors impacting young people's and adults' mental health, including the pressures of social media, the cost of living crisis and lack of access to appropriate services.

Lee Pennington, founder and director of the Open Door Charity, commented:- "The financial landscape for charities is ever more challenging. Traditional funding sources are experiencing unprecedented demand, all whilst the need for services continues to rise. As a charity, we are in a very exciting moment of change, but to navigate this safely, we need the help of our community. Supporting, championing and being proud of the work that our volunteers and team do to save and improve people's lives."

To support this vital service for our young people's mental health, text:- 'TRANSFORM' to:- '70480' to donate.

Liverpool Pride 2025 cancellation highlights issues with hate speech online

THE growing spread of online hate speech, particularly on US owned social media platforms, like Facebook, has again come into sharp focus following the cancellation of this year's Liverpool Pride.

The rise in digital hostility is an alarming trend, affecting not just the LGBTQ+ community but society as a whole, as an onslaught of toxic discourse continues to escalate.

This week, the LCR Pride Foundation, the charity responsible for the annual:- 'March with Pride' event, has announced that the 2025 Liverpool Pride, which was originally scheduled for:- Saturday, 26 July 2025, will no longer go ahead due to financial difficulties. Despite operating largely on a volunteer led model, the event still requires funding to take place.

However, financial challenges were further complicated by the Foundation's decision to sever ties with long term sponsor Barclays, following concerns raised by the local LGBTQ+ community.

In addition to exacerbating funding issues, this move has seemingly contributed to a surge in hate filled spam posts, originating not only from within the UK, but more worryingly from other parts of the world, like America.

The influx of external commentary highlights the growing threat of political interference, both direct and indirect, on social issues within Britain. Many of the comments reacting to the cancellation echo rhetoric associated with figures like Donald Trump, raising further concerns about the influence American Social Media firms have on global politics, not just in an international level, but on local matters within the UK.

It's important to remember that Pride is not solely about LGBTQ+ representation, it is about inclusivity in all forms. Yet, much like the concept of free speech, this principle is increasingly being twisted to justify harmful attacks.

This trend poses a significant challenge to democracy. The ability to freely express opinions should not be exploited as a shield for online aggression. Among the negative reactions, some comments have masked hostility beneath economic concerns, with claims such as:- "Good, our kids are safe again." Others subtly shift the conversation, beginning with financial arguments, before veering into political discourse for instance, suggesting that events like Pride should lose funding as a cost saving measure, along with aligning with narratives from groups such as Reform UK.

Crucially, these arguments often overlook the fact that major events like Liverpool Pride contribute significantly to the local economy, generating far more revenue than they consume. Losing yet another high profile event is an undeniable economic setback for the City.

Beyond the financial impact, Liverpool Pride's cancellation also raises urgent questions about the role of social media in shaping public perception. With platforms controlled by non-British corporations, it has become increasingly easy to distort narratives and manufacture the illusion of widespread opposition, even when the reality suggests the majority of residents are either supportive or indifferent to a set topic that has become hijacked by a few.

This situation further underscores the challenges of moderating social media platforms and the devastating effects of coordinated hate campaigns. As digital spaces grow more polarized, ensuring fair moderation and protecting community events from malicious interference is more critical than ever.

It is worth adding that despite what is being said on some parts of the internet, the Foundation has confirmed that discussions are already underway with Liverpool City Council and local sponsors to ensure the celebration returns stronger in 2026.

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