The Knowledge

Information provided by Elke Weissmann, Reader in Television and Film, Department of English & Creative Arts, Edge Hill University

At Edge Hill University, collaboration with community organisations is central to creative practice. A recent project, led by Elke Weissmann, Reader in Film and Television in the Department of English and Creative Arts, exemplifies this approach through a partnership with Wavertree Cricket Club (WCC).

Elke spearheaded the production of a series of short films, including a longer seven-minute piece, to capture the story of WCC as more than a sporting club. The films highlight its significance as a cornerstone of the Wavertree community, a place where generations have trained since 1854 and where efforts are now underway to raise funds to purchase the land for its long-term future.

In addition to the main film, two shorter videos were created to spotlight WCC’s visually impaired team. These were designed for social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, with the goal of raising awareness of the club’s inclusivity and attracting new members.

The project addressed two clear challenges: strengthening WCC’s fundraising campaign by demonstrating its community impact, and supporting recruitment for the visually impaired team. Although the videos are still being prepared for release, the process has already had an impact, providing the club with a renewed sense of pride and validating its work within the community.

For Elke, a particularly memorable moment was witnessing the vitality of the community around WCC. At a children’s celebration event, families from all walks of life came together on the cricket field. A restaurant owner, grateful for the sense of belonging his children had found at the club, even donated enough pizza to feed the entire crowd. Similar connections were evident within the visually impaired team, where members spoke of the unique sense of acceptance and inclusion that WCC provides.

Next steps for the project involve sharing the films across WCC’s platforms to reach new supporters and players. Phill O’Brien is also considering hosting a local launch event as part of the club’s fundraising efforts.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Phill said:

“I was looking for support to help us tell our story. I knew we had a compelling position but I also knew the background was complex. I wanted video collateral to capture everything, our culture, the feel of the place, our why. I’m delighted with the outcome of our tie up with the University. The video will be used to help promote our fundraising and the club in general.”

From the University’s perspective, the project highlights the importance of supporting community-focused organisations.

Elke explained:

“We are incredibly proud to be able to support Wavertree Cricket Club in their quest to raise awareness of the club’s role in the community. The work they do in terms of supporting community cohesion, physical and mental health is really important and hence provides another example of the importance of co-benefits of local community work which needs to be showcased by our media. The fact that we have been able to do just that by making these videos for them is really special.”

The films stand as a testament to the value of storytelling and the strength of collaboration between universities and local communities. By amplifying the voices of Wavertree Cricket Club, the project celebrates its heritage while supporting its future.