In this inspiring episode, we’re joined by Jai and Nikki from Nightingales Recovery CIC to hear about the incredible work they’re doing across Wirral to support people affected by addiction, homelessness, loneliness and poverty. From providing affordable, nutritious meals to creating safe spaces for recovery, Nightingales is helping people rebuild their lives with dignity, community and absolutely no judgement.

About this episode

Nightingales Recovery CIC is a community-led recovery organisation based in Birkenhead, supporting people affected by drug and alcohol addiction while also helping anyone who needs food, companionship or a safe place to turn.

As Jai explains in the episode, their approach goes far beyond addiction support. Nightingales helps people who are homeless, people struggling financially, people experiencing loneliness and those simply looking for somewhere welcoming where they can ask for help without feeling judged.

A huge part of that work is food.

Twice a week, Nightingales opens its doors in the evening and provides more than 100 people with a hot meal, snacks, fruit, water and soup. Their message is simple: they don’t just feed the homeless — they feed the hungry. That can include people sleeping rough, people in recovery and even people who are working but simply cannot afford to cover the basics.

Nikki Hayward, founder and director of Nightingales Recovery CIC, also shares how the project began after people using local drug and alcohol services said they desperately needed a safe place where they could meet, connect and work towards recovery.

What started with a tiny café selling inexpensive food and drinks has grown into a much wider recovery community offering support groups, wellbeing activities, access to fitness facilities, recovery services and therapeutic support.

The episode also explores the growing impact of ketamine addiction among young people, something Nikki says Nightingales is increasingly seeing first-hand. They discuss the devastating physical effects, the impact on families and the need for specialist support for young people and their parents.

Nightingales works hard to make accessing support feel as normal and welcoming as possible. Rather than walking into a clinical environment, someone struggling with addiction can simply visit one of the cafés, have a coffee and quietly ask a member of staff for help or an assessment.

Many members of the team are themselves recovery champions, having come through services before going on to work within the organisation — giving Nightingales the lived experience that sits at the heart of its approach.

The episode also looks at the organisation’s social enterprise model. Rather than relying entirely on donations, money spent in its cafés helps support its wider community and recovery work.

So even something as simple as buying a coffee, lunch or one of their homemade dog treats can contribute to the work they’re doing.

Nightingales Recovery Café and Hub can be found at:

88–90 Argyle Street
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 6AG

There are also café locations in West Kirby and at Victoria Central Hospital in Wallasey. Nightingales Hub is also recognised as part of the wider Wirral Ways drug and alcohol recovery network.

Find out more about Nightingales Recovery:

Website:
https://nightingalesrecovery.org.uk/

Follow Nightingales Recovery on Facebook and Instagram for updates, support information and fundraising.

Support Nightingales Recovery

Nightingales relies on community support to continue providing hot meals, recovery services, emotional support and a safe, welcoming space for people facing addiction, homelessness, isolation and financial hardship.

The team is also working to develop its Gather & Graze space, helping create more opportunities for community activities, wellbeing sessions and events that can support the wider work of Nightingales Recovery.

If you’d like to support their work, you can donate via their GoFundMe:

GoFundMe – Support Nightingales Recovery’s Amazing Work:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-nightingales-recovery

Every donation, no matter the size, helps Nightingales continue supporting people across Wirral who need food, connection and a route into recovery.

Topics in this episode: Nightingales Recovery CIC, Nightingales Recovery Café, addiction recovery, drug and alcohol support, Wirral recovery services, Birkenhead, West Kirby, ketamine addiction, youth addiction, homelessness, food poverty, community support, mental health, recovery champions, lived experience, affordable food, social enterprise, wellbeing support, drug rehabilitation, alcohol recovery and community fundraising.

In this powerful and moving episode, we’re joined by Sarah from the Claire House Therapies and Wellbeing team and Katie, who shares the story of her beautiful daughter Ava and the incredible support Claire House gave their family, both during Ava’s life and after she sadly passed away. Together, they shine a light on the vital work Claire House does for children and their families, the plans for a full children’s hospice in Liverpool, and why they need the support of the community to make it happen.

About this episode

Claire House Children’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for seriously and terminally ill children, as well as their parents, siblings and wider families.

Sarah shares both her professional and personal connection to this work. As part of the Therapies and Wellbeing team, she supports families throughout some of the most difficult experiences imaginable, with services ranging from counselling and psychotherapy to wider emotional and practical support.

Katie also shares the incredibly personal story of her daughter Ava. After initially developing normally, Ava was diagnosed with the rare condition metachromatic leukodystrophy shortly after turning two. Katie talks openly about how quickly life changed for their family, the support Claire House provided and the way its team helped them continue to create experiences and precious memories together.

She also speaks movingly about Ava’s final days and the care Claire House continued to provide after her death — allowing Katie to concentrate on simply being Ava’s mum at a time when her family needed support the most.

The episode also looks towards the future of Claire House Liverpool.

Plans are underway to transform the charity’s West Derby site into a full 24/7 children’s hospice, bringing specialist care closer to families across Liverpool and the surrounding area. Plans include overnight respite care, end-of-life care, private Butterfly Suites, a hydrotherapy pool, therapeutic spaces and support for the whole family.

But making those plans a reality requires significant ongoing fundraising.

Whether it's making a donation, organising a sponsored walk or bake sale, taking on a challenge, fundraising at work, volunteering or simply sharing the work of Claire House with others, every bit of support can make a difference.

Katie and her family continue to fundraise in Ava’s memory, including an annual walk around the first May bank holiday, raising money to support Claire House and its Butterfly Suite.

Find out more and support Claire House Children’s Hospice:

Claire House website:
https://www.clairehouse.org.uk/

Donate to Claire House:
https://www.clairehouse.org.uk/get-involved/support-us/set-up-a-regular-donation/

Follow Claire House on social media and find out about upcoming fundraising events, volunteering opportunities and ways you can get involved.

Topics in this episode: Claire House Children’s Hospice, Claire House Liverpool, children's hospice care, Liverpool charities, West Derby, palliative care, bereavement support, family support, therapies and wellbeing, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Butterfly Suites, hydrotherapy, respite care, end-of-life care, children's charities and fundraising.

This week on Ladies of Liverpool, Leanne is joined by Jenna Bradshaw, a foster carer who opens up about the incredible journey that led her and her family into fostering. It's an honest, heartfelt and eye-opening conversation that breaks down some of the biggest misconceptions around foster care, explores the realities of welcoming children into your home, and highlights the life-changing difference foster carers can make. Whether you've ever considered fostering or simply want to hear an inspiring story, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

From initially considering adoption to becoming a foster family, Jenna shares how she and her husband made the decision to open their home to children in need. She talks honestly about the assessment process, balancing family life and work, the support available to foster carers, and the rewards and challenges that come with caring for vulnerable children.

Together, they tackle common myths surrounding foster care, discuss why there is such a growing need for foster families across the UK, and explain how fostering can have a lasting impact on both the children being cared for and the families who welcome them in.

Whether you're curious about becoming a foster carer, interested in learning more about the foster care system, or simply love hearing inspiring real-life stories, this episode offers warmth, honesty and valuable insight into one of the most important roles a person can take on.

In this episode you'll hear about:

A powerful, compassionate conversation that could change the way you think about fostering—and perhaps even inspire someone to take the first step.

This week on Ladies of Liverpool, Leanne is joined by social media sensation Rosie the Fearless for an episode packed with laughs, honest chat and brilliant stories from start to finish.

Rosie opens up about her journey from creating comedy content behind the scenes to becoming one of the internet's most recognisable Scouse personalities. She talks about overcoming her nerves about posting on Instagram, why her hilarious character videos resonate with millions of people, and how social media has completely changed her life.

The conversation also takes us behind the scenes of Rosie's acting career, from TV auditions and reality television to her ghost-hunting adventures exploring some of the UK's most haunted locations. She shares what it's really like chasing opportunities in the entertainment industry, the unforgettable experiences she's had along the way, and the moments that have shaped her career.

As always with Rosie, the laughs never stop. From outrageous everyday observations to hilarious behind-the-scenes moments, she has Leanne in stitches throughout. But alongside the comedy, there's plenty of heart too, as Rosie reflects on confidence, following your instincts, embracing opportunities and staying true to yourself.

It's funny, fascinating and full of genuine warmth – a proper feel-good episode with one of Liverpool's funniest voices. If you need a laugh this week, this is the episode for you.

Follow Rosie the Fearless:
📸 Instagram: @rosiethefearless
🎵 TikTok: @rosiethefearless
📘 Facebook: Rosie the Fearless

This week, we sit down with Keri and Alex, the masterminds behind Sapphic Socials Liverpool. They share how they built a thriving grassroots movement for queer women, the changing face of Liverpool Pride, and the chaos of their wildly popular community events. Hit play to hear how they are reshaping the city’s queer nightlife!

Connect with our guests:

This week on the podcast, we're joined by former Lioness and Liverpool FC legend Natasha Dowie. Now an ambassador for the Liverpool FC Foundation, Natasha joins us to chat about the Foundation's fantastic Run to Anfield 5K, the incredible work it does across our communities, and why she's so passionate about giving back. We also look back on her trailblazing career in women's football, the progress she's seen in the game, and the legacy she's helping to build for the next generation.

Five years after her unforgettable appearance on Ladies of Liverpool, we're delighted to welcome back 'Meatball' Molly McCann for a special catch-up double episode. Molly reflects on an incredible few years inside and outside the octagon, discussing her UFC journey, her transition back into boxing, and the highs and lows that have shaped her along the way. We also talk about her deep connection to Liverpool, the importance of family, and what life looks like beyond professional sport. Honest, inspiring, and full of laughs, this is Molly McCann as you've never heard her before.