Run, Jog, Walk for Creative Spaces Co.

We’re taking part in Run for the 97 5K on Saturday 24 May, to raise money for our Reading Folk project, a 5-week Book Club for mums of children under 2 that meets weekly in Liverpool and Knowsley to chat over a good book and enjoy some grown-up company.

For many new mums, Reading Folk has been vital for their mental health and wellbeing, by supporting our GoFundMe you can help us bring even more people together to read and connect.

“Having a child can be a lonely experience, one where you can lose your identity a little, Reading Folk gives you a chance to connect with people, enjoy something for yourself, and helps you pick up a book to enjoy!”

And there’s still time for you to join our fundraising team! Fill the form below and we’ll be in touch!

2024 Wrapped

Happy New Year! As we get ready for another year of creative happenings, here’s our 2024 wrapped 🧡

• 399 children and their grown-ups joined us at least once to read, sing, play games and make crafts at our weekly Story Box sessions across four community venues.

• We hosted six Reading Folk Book Clubs across Liverpool and Knowsley, helping new mums find time to read for pleasure.

• Our 2024 Book Club read Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, Kala by Colin Walsh, Weyward by Emilia Hart, The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff, Weirdo by Sara Pascoe, Talking at Night by Claire Daverley, Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney, Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, Intermezzo by Sally Rooney and finally Think Again by Jacqueline Wilson. Over Christmas, we enjoyed Small Things Like These, ready for our January meet-up.

• Over the Spring and Summer, we brought our creative pop-up to community spaces across Liverpool City Region. We were delighted to be part of Knowsley’s first Pride event! We read, played games and made lots of crafts! 

• In June, we launched the Walton Book Social, in partnership with Walton Vale Community Shop and enjoyed Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart, Trespassers by Louise Kennedy, Kala by Colin Walsh, Uprooted by Naomi Novik, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan.

• In the summer, we worked with Merseyside Play Action Council to host art workshops at their summer events and made lots of eco-flower pod cups. 

• We had a Spooktacular October half-term, bringing The Story Box at Hallowe’en to libraries, youth clubs and community centres across the city.

• In December, we brought Santa’s Grotto to Warbreck Moor Park. Over 100 children and their grown-ups met Santa, took home a gift and made a Christmas wreath with My Outdoor Classroom. 

• We were delighted to be part of Spellow Library’s reopening weekend and brought Mrs Claus to celebrate with us!

• To end the year, we hosted our magical Christmas Story Box events and were joined by Rachel from Holistic Harmonies to sing and dance our way into the festive period!

New Reading Rooms in Walton!

Following the devastating attack on Spellow Library in August, Creative Spaces Co. has worked with Walton Life Rooms, Liverpool Libraries, and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service to create a much-needed cosy, safe and welcoming reading space for children and families in North Liverpool.

With the support of our partners and the community, we collected hundreds of new and preloved books to create a diverse children’s collection in Walton Life Rooms. Families can loan books from the new library using a Liverpool City Council library card.

To join the library, pop in to Walton Life Rooms or sign up online.

Introducing Reading Rooms

Following the devastating attack on Spellow Library earlier this month, we’re working with Walton Life Rooms to create a much-needed cosy, safe and welcoming reading space for children and families in North Liverpool.

Working with the Life Rooms team, Liverpool Libraries, and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, we’ll be creating a new library service for the community. In addition to delivering our regular Story Box session on Friday mornings from 10:30–11:30 am, we'll have extra craft drop-in sessions on Thursdays from 1:30–3:30 pm over the summer holidays.

If you would like to donate books, please drop them in to: Walton Life Rooms, Evered Avenue Monday-Friday 9:15am - 4:45pm

Thank you National Lottery Community Fund!

We’ve got some exciting news to share…

We’ve been awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to support our work bringing free weekly Story Box sessions for under-5s in Spellow Library, Toxteth Library, The Old Library and Walton Life Rooms - families can book their free places here.

With this funding, we can deliver additional free storytelling events in parks, libraries, community venues and more!