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< Back Luca, 29, Italy A day in the Life of an MEH Project Manager. I deeply want to thank Merseyside Expanding Horizons for the big opportunity they offered to me, and for helping me to grow up individually and personally. Thank you for the support and for making it possible for me to look out over the charm of the city of Liverpool and of the United Kingdom. Thank you to the whole team who made me feel safe. Thank you for all the knowledge I have acquired. Thank you for teaching me that life is rough and that I must not be scared to face changes. Thank you to make me personally stronger despite any difficulty. Thank you to make me realise that I can dream everyday and that we can always improve committing to be better individuals. I am sure we can do much more for reaching a major impact on the communities and Merseyside Expanding Horizons can do it better. A massive Thank You! My day-to-day responsibilities were co-ordinating with different departments and partners of projects to ensure tasks are done on time. Furthermore, keeping track of and reporting on project progress. Completing any tasks assigned by the Project Manager in an efficient and timely manner. I worked on the preparation of application forms for the Erasmus + projects. For the ongoing projects, I worked on maintaining communication with the projects’ international partners. I attended project development & management meetings. I updated and published the social media profiles for the ongoing projects and also prepared flyers for the recent training and piloting events of the projects. I worked on the 'RADart' and 'INCLUDED' Projects: 'RADart's' project aim was to develop creative and artistic tools for youth workers and using art as a vehicle to improve their competencies in order to prevent the risk of radicalisation among young people. I conducted research for the need analysis in the UK. I worked for creating an EU Manual for Youth Workers (Creative and digital methodologies to recognize and prevent radicalization processes), I attended project partners’ meetings online regularly. I have participated in 5 days of Learning and Training Activity events in Poland organised by the project’s Poland partner. I prepared agendas before meetings and after I shared the keypoints and decisions taken during meetings with all partners. I wrote a European Research Report based on the survey carried out by young people about radicalisation in collaboration with partner organisations. I conducted a pilot training session with my co-worker with 8 participants from different NGOs and organisations in Liverpool and the Bootle area. 'INCLUDED' targeted the priority “skills development and inclusion through creativity and the arts”. It aimed to design and implement an inclusive sexual education curriculum for high-school students and a model to foster a whole-school approach to sexual education, both based on theatrical techniques and positive psychology. I did the need analysis of the UK for future project outputs of INCLUDED. I kept track of project progress and communicated with project partners for deadlines. I contributed to creating a curricular inclusive sex-education training program. I attended the project progress meeting and took notes of key points and shared them with partners afterward. Now, melancholically, I say goodbye, and happily I say good luck lovely people! Love you all x Previous Next

< Back Joe Hemington Assistant Chief Executive Joe is our Assistant Chief Executive at Merseyside Expanding Horizons and acts in a senior role capacity at MEH. Joe takes a lead role in the strategic management and development of MEH, and also support the day to day running of both European (ESIF and Erasmus+) and locally funded programmes. Joe has successful track record of delivering and designing support programmes and initiatives engaging with individuals, professionals and organisations/enterprises promoting social inclusion and developing new programmes and innovations. In particular, Joe has vast experience of supporting at risk young people and developing mentoring and innovative employments and enterprise programmes for hard to reach groups. ​ Joe has been a board member of the Liverpool School for Social Entrepreneurs,and is currently a member of the Provider Alliance Voluntary Sector Leadership Group on Social Prescribing, and National Sector Consultative Group for Adult Education run by the Ecorys. joehemington@expandinghorizons.co.uk

< Back Cinzia, 25, Italy European Voluntary Service (EVS) is a great way to get valuable working experience abroad. Merseyside Expanding Horizons offers opportunities for people to participate in EVS, by sending and hosting volunteers. This article is part of the series, where we share the stories of these brave volunteers and interns, who have moved to Liverpool from other countries. Cinzia, one of our Italian team members started working with MEH in November 2018. What made you apply to a European Voluntary Service (EVS) project? After my studies I wanted to do something that I have never done before. I was not ready to enter the world of work, so I decided to do something alternative, something that would give me the opportunity to improve my work skills but also to grow from a personal point of view. Why have you decided to get an internship abroad? ​ I wanted to challenge myself. After my studies in Germany I was not ready to go back home and I was looking for some opportunities abroad in order to acquire some experience and to improve my English. MEH works in an international context with different employees around the world: how do you find yourself in this context? Which are the differences that you noticed most between England culture and your home country? I have always wanted to live abroad and experience new cultures, environments and meet new people. Before coming to the UK, I did a Master in European Politics where I met classmates from all over the world. I really loved exchanging ideas, opinions and habits, because they help you to think more about yourself and to gain a different perspective of the world. It was literally a personal growth and I feel that working at MEH is giving me the same opportunities. What is the thing you are missing most about your home country? Food and nice weather of course! My family also, which has always been a great support for my trips and adventures abroad even if they would love me to go back home. What is the thing you like most and the thing you would like to change about Liverpool? I love Liverpool because there are many things to do and because the environment is really multicultural. People here are very friendly and easy to talk with (even if sometimes they are impossible to understand because of their scouse accent!) If I could change something about Liverpool it would definitely be the cleanliness of the city, because sometimes it is really dirty. Describe MEH in 3 words. Flexible, multicultural, broad. Do you think that your experience in MEH has changed something in your being? (Professional and unprofessional point of view) MEH has definitely changed me. During these months I have learnt new skills and qualities that I did not even know to have and it has been teaching me a lot about my future dreams and dream job. I have also learnt about my strengths and weaknesses, and how to overcome them. ​ Working at MEH is sometimes a challenge; many deadlines, many projects, but it is also rewarding when working with the community and with young people. Indeed, feeling like you can make a difference on something and someone other than yourself is rewarding. Do you think that your experience in MEH will be useful in a future? (Personal point of view) For sure. MEH is helping me to enhance my confidence and self-esteem, encouraging me to do more and to overcome my fears. All the skills that I am learning here are helping me to clarify my ideas about my future job career. Previous Next

< Back Felix, 24, France European Voluntary Service (EVS) is a great way to get valuable working experience abroad. Merseyside Expanding Horizons offers opportunities for people to participate in EVS, by sending and hosting volunteers. This article is part of the series, where we share the stories of these brave volunteers and interns, who have moved to Liverpool from other countries. In this article, our French team member Felix will share his thoughts about doing an EVS. What made you apply to a European Voluntary Service (EVS) project? At the end of my studies I still didn’t know what I really wanted to do. I’ve also never had a long term experience abroad and wanted to try and to improve my social, linguistic and professional skills thanks to a mobility project. When my sending organisation l’ADICE in France suggested this EVS in Liverpool I decided to apply. For me it was an opportunity because I’ve wanted to live in the UK for a long time, and it also gave me the opportunity to have a first professional experience. Which is your qualification degree and what encouraged you to candidate to MEH? Why did you choose MEH? ​ I received a Master degree (Master2) in Political science in 2018 at University of Lille. I applied to MEH because it gave me the opportunity to work in the field of social inclusion which I’ve always been interested in and which is related to my studies, and dissertation. Why have you decided to get an internship abroad? As I said, at the end of my studies I did not have a real professional project. I wanted to have an experience abroad in order to improve my personal, social and linguistic skills. I wanted to have a break, think about my future and enhance my professional skills by a rich and intercultural experience abroad. MEH works in an international context with different employees around the world: how do you find yourself in this context? Which are the differences that you noticed most between England culture and your home country? This intercultural context is very enriching for me and for the work we do here. It is what I really expected to find here before coming. What is the thing you are missing most about your home country? I think the things I miss the most are small pleasures like food and drinks I cannot find in the UK, and of course my friends. What is the thing you like most and the thing you would like to change about Liverpool? Liverpool has a significant intercultural, social and politic history which is still alive and that you can see everywhere. There is a rich and interesting cultural background (music etc) which is really fascinating. I would like to change the weather and also some times the food I can find here. Describe MEH in 3 words Inclusion, non-formal learning, intercultural Do you think that your experience in MEH has changed something in your being? (Professional and unprofessional point of view) On a professional point of view, this experience is very useful for me. It allows me to discover a new work environment in which I would like to work; the third sector in the field of social inclusion and project management. What’s more I am improving my English skills and it will absolutely be very useful. Do you think that your experience in MEH will be useful in a future? (Personal point of view) On a personal point of view, it allows me to meet a lot of people from different backgrounds and countries, in MEH but also outside of work. It will be very useful, it really helps to increase my social network with people around Europe and the world. Of course it is very rewarding for me. Previous Next

< Back ED Sewing Machine Repairs Since the pandemic, many of us have had a chance to reignite our passion for hobbies and crafts. It has awakened us to our need to reduce consumerism and waste and learn ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. We are proud to introduce Liverpool's Sewing-Machine Repairer, Emma Dwyer - entrepreneur, engineer and mother. One of the more lasting changes from the Pandemic is the shift from fast fashion to upcycling and crafting. “Repairing and reusing is something I’ve always been passionate about” said Emma Dwyer, a Sewing Machine Engineer specialising in overlockers with her own sewing-machine workshop in Wavertree, Merseyside. As the cost of living crisis has alerted people to the need to sustain and save, Emma and other small business owners have been sharing the many benefits of networking and sourcing locally and sustainably. She has seen a shift in people’s attitudes, and has helped her own business to survive and thrive! Gendered stereotypes are hopefully ideas of the past, and fashion and textiles have been taken up in larger numbers by male crafters as the whole industry has grown through the pandemic. This may be due to the increase in awareness of the importance of ‘Self Care,’ and understanding that crafting can have a positive effect on wellbeing. Sadly, anxiety and depression rates rose by 25% during the Pandemic according to the WHO. Sewing is known to help relieve stress, among many other benefits, and people around the world are realising that this has not merely been a relief of boredom like Zoom Quizzes and baking banana bread, but a lifeline. People are also more conscious of the environment and a desire to continue lockdown passions will also have played a factor in sewing being taken up by younger demographics. Repairing and ‘Upcycling’ is great for the environment , while fast fashion is demonstrably bad for oceans, workers and agriculture. The growing popularity of the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee has gone hand in hand with the rise in popularity of a ‘make do and mend’ attitude. Along with inflation and popularity, sewing machine costs are also rising and predicted to inflate further according to a Market Research Report highlighted in “Market Watch.” Emma helps solve this issue by offering affordable rates for her repairs to expensive items vital to crafting, and helps people keep their passions and projects going. Emma is also an excellent case study in how to balance work and life: One of the biggest issues in the gender wage gap is the issue of childcare, and Emma is a proud mother who runs her own business. The wage gap is remarkably highest among those with a degree, but her skill is no longer taught in colleges and is therefore in high demand. She has balanced her life and work as an entrepreneur, and will look to take on a staff member in the coming months as her demand grows. One of the ways to shatter glass ceilings is for women to build new proverbial ceilings through creating businesses. While Emma doesn’t build ceilings, she does own her own sewing machine repair company and has decades of experience with this skill and passion. Enterprise is something which hasn’t come naturally, but rather she grew into it through learning her trade and gaining clients. Emma has clients all over the city of Liverpool, and wants to be “THE Merseyside Sewing-Machine Repairer.” She has had clients from Lancashire, Manchester, Birmingham and Wales and enquiries across the country, and is looking forward to seeing her business expand! If you would like to learn how we’re supporting those in Merseyside in Enterprise, contact us at: train@expandinghorizons.co.uk Visit our website: https://www.liverpoolsewingmachineservicing.com/ Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Nicole Belle EU coordinator & Trainer Nicole is our EU Coordinator and Trainer at Merseyside Expanding Horizons, based in Bootle, UK. With a Masters in international management and background in Anthropology, Nicole is well travelled and loves adventure. She advocates for inclusive and accessible outdoor activities and has a keen interest in social entrepreneurship, digital skills, leadership development, and the future of work. ​ ​

< Back Carmen, 26, Italy Carmen came to Liverpool in February and describes internship abroad being a good way to get out of the comfort zone to grow as a person. What is your qualification degree and what encouraged you to candidate to MEH? Why did you choose MEH? ​ My academic history is pretty wide. I have a bachelor’s degree in Communication for Culture and the Arts while, for the Master’s, I decided to move to the International relation and Human Rights field. My first contact with MEH was suggested by a Sicilian NGO, Per Esempio Onlus, with whom I had several collaborations in the past. They are also a long-time partner of MEH. ​ Why have you decided to do an internship abroad? I’ve always believed that there is nothing more formative than spending some time abroad. First and most obvious, it is the greatest way possible to learn and improve a foreign language. In fact, different environments and situations as well as the necessity to interact with others create a continuous learning effort, while being surrounded by locals allows a full immersion in the foreign culture and lifestyle. But the most important aspect is getting out of the comfort zone. Leaving alone and dealing with different, unexpected things make us face our weaknesses and helps to recognise unknown aspects of our personality. ​ I love to travel, explore, and challenge myself. My head is always filled with questions and I found that shifting is the best way to give these questions an answer. MEH works in an international context with different employees around the world, how do you find yourself in this context? I felt comfortable since the beginning. The work environment is really cosy and friendly. Having the possibility to talk and share with lots of people from different backgrounds has been an incomparable opportunity. I would define MEH’s environment familiar and stimulating at the same time. Which are the differences that you noticed most between English culture and your home country? ​ First of all, I think Liverpool’s citizens put a different focus on the local production. I really miss the Italian local markets that are a good way to support the community as well as eat healthier and more sustainable food. Secondly, I think that here the people are more stress-free and cares way less about what the others think about themselves and their behaviour. I‘ve found it very inspiring. What do you miss most about your home country? What I miss most is the sun, both in a physical and metaphorical prospective. The more I travel the more I fall in love with my island, its inhabitants and its joie de vivre, in contempt of its own several faults. I miss the way in which we put human relationships at the heart of our day-to-day experience. What is the thing you like most and the thing you would like to change about Liverpool? The inhabitants are extremely friendly and lovely, the food is delicious and there is always something to do, but I think Liverpool has lots of work to do with waste management. Describe MEH in 3 words I would describe MEH as flexible, eager, and homey. Do you think that your experience in MEH has changed something in your being? I think so. The full experience has been very significant for me, both in a personal and professional way. I am honest when I say that I don’t feel like I’m the same person who arrived here some months ago. I grew up and I built relations that I think will be relevant for my future. I have more clear image than before about what I like to do and what I don’t, which are my objectives and my must-to inside and outside the office. Do you think that your experience in MEH will be useful in a future? Yes, I do. As I just said I built very good professional and informal relations and I discovered a lot about my attitude and my personality also thanks to MEH that continually putted me in stimulating situations. Previous Next

Start Up Support In Partnership with Merseyside Expanding Horizons, SAFE Regeneration and Invest Sefton we are offering friendly and expert advice and support to anyone thinking of starting a business. ​ At our Big Onion hub in Bootle and in outreach across the borough, MEH provides inclusive expert business advice in Sefton to help residents achieve economic independence. ​ SAFE provides free qualified enterprise star up and growth support inan inclusive and accessible environment. ​ Delivered in partnership through the six local authorities in the Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton St Helens and Wirral) and Funded through the UK shared prosperity fund (UKSPF). ​ If you have an idea we can help! ​ ​ ​

< Back Mohamed, 25, France European Voluntary Service (EVS) is a great way to get valuable working experience abroad. Merseyside Expanding Horizons offers opportunities for people to participate in EVS, by sending and hosting volunteers. This article is part of the series, where we share the stories of these brave volunteers and interns, who have moved to Liverpool from other countries. Mohammed has enjoyed his stay and here are some of his thoughts on EVS and life in Liverpool. What made you apply to a European Voluntary Service (EVS) project? At the end of my studies, I wanted to discover the associative world and also to do something that I have never done before to entering the world of work. I wanted to leave my comfort zone and to learn something new. What is your degree and what encouraged you to candidate to MEH? Why did you choose MEH? I have a Master Degree (Master 2) in Management Accounting in 2018 at University Lille 1. I wanted to have another experience abroad after my first in Bulgaria and also to improve my personal, linguistic and social skills. As I said, to discover new horizons before to enter in the world of work. ADICE my sending organisation in France suggested me this EVS in Liverpool, so I took the opportunity and applied. MEH works in an international context with different employees around the world: how do you find yourself in this context? Working in an international context with different employees around the world is rewarding and helps you to learn and to think differently. I’ve felt comfortable since the beginning. The work environment is really friendly. Which are the differences that you noticed most between England culture and your home country? The differences are the accent of Liverpudlians (scouse accent) and also this intercultural environment is very enriching for me and the work we do here. Furthermore, it is lovely the Liverpudlians people are like us the Ch’tis people in France , especially me because I am from Dunkirk (the northern accent). What is the thing you are missing most about your home country? I think the most are the food and drinks that I cannot find here in the UK. What is the thing you like most and the thing you would like to change about Liverpool? Liverpool is known for its historic past (football, Beatles, language etc…) which is still alive and in the hearts of the people of Liverpudlians and also it's amazing to see how they are so proud and it is something I really like. I would like to change the weather and also change the opening hours for the public places like museums since they close too early. The most thing I would like change it is the driving in UK because for pedestrians, we do not know where to look. ​ Describe MEH in 3 words Intercultural, inclusion, non-formal learning. Do you think that your experience in MEH has changed something in your being? (Professional and unprofessional point of view) On professional point of a view, I’ve learned a new skills, this experience is very useful to me. I discovered a new working environmental and new methods of working. I have improved my English skills and it will be very advantageous afterwards. Do you think that your experience in MEH will be useful in a future? (Personal point of view) On personal point of view, this experience allowed me to meet a lot of people from different backgrounds and countries during my European Voluntary Service. It really helped me to be more confident, to increase my social network with people around the Europe and the world. Previous Next

< Back Stacey Robinson Health Wellbeing and Lifestyle Coordiator Stacey Robinson is a Psychologist, a registered member of The British Psychological Society with extensive experience working within criminal justice, mental health and educational settings. Stacey is a Director of The European Anti Bullying Network which brings together 19 members from 15 EU Member States to coordinate bullying prevention across Europe. Stacey has particular expertise within sexual exploitation, addiction, bullying and offending. Stacey continues to be committed to the development and implementation of socially inclusive programmes for those most disadvantaged within society on a local, national, European and International Level. staceyrobinson@expandinghorizons.co.uk

< Back Anja Marojević Project Manager Assistant Our lovely intern from Montenegro, Anja Marojević, is currently studying for her Master's degree at the University of Parma, Italy. Anja is passionate about travel. She loves visiting different countries and absorbing the variety of cultures (mainly food). She enjoys observing how different groups of people live, think and eat and believes that food has a lot to say about a countries' culture. Did we mention - Anja loves to eat? Anja's ambition has always been to work with people that are eager to assist those in need and to support local communities, she says: “Volunteering at MEH has provided me the opportunity to do so, as well as work in a multicultural setting that inspires me to do my best. I'm excited to see what the future holds!” ​ ​