Mum-of-two Nadia Speers-Robinson, 28, has been on a mission to inspire and support people in her hometown of Southport – in the wake of the horrific Axel Rudakubana stabbing attack.
When her work contract ran out just before the 2024 tragedy, the shocking attack at a Taylor Swift-themed summer dance class prompted her and her mum Rebecca Armstrong to try to bring the community back together.
Nadia explained: “Despite our town having an incredibly traumatic year, there’s a strong spirit of togetherness and resilience that shines through in Southport.”
The pair formed The Hearth, a community interest company enabling people to join in sustainable activities such as an Earth Day celebration with free vegan food, recycled t-shirt crafts and Forest School sessions.
They later set their sights on Southport’s Great Big Green Lunch 2025, part of Great Big Green Week, where guests were asked to bring along their own crockery to reduce plastic waste.
Nadia also reached out to her local Salvation Army shop for fabric heading to landfill, and with textile artist friend Jen and an army of 15 volunteers they sewed together yards of stunning bunting.
When the big day came around, over 125 people joined in with a Big Lunch full of food, music and community spirit.
The event was opened by their town crier, with music provided by Ukrainian Harmonia, a choir of Ukrainian refugees, Via Grace, a local singer, and Ion, a local busker who brought along his accordion.
Attendees were treated to a buffet donated by restaurants, supermarkets and attendees, with food on offer ranging from lasagne and biryani to pizza, sandwiches and a ‘Bake Off’ competition providing sweet treats for everyone to enjoy.
Most importantly, Southport’s Great Big Green Lunch raised valuable funds for projects being led by the families of two of the Southport stabbing victims.
Nadia added: “We had such a positive response to our Big Lunch.
“People were happy something was happening for the community and said it felt like the old Southport, where everyone pitches in and you get a chance to talk to people that you’ve not really met before.
“Community is about the people that live around you, but it’s also the environment that you live in.”