Musicians and poets are getting together over the next few days under the banner of We Shall Overcome at more than 250 gigs across the UK to support foodbanks and to encourage people to make donations to homelessness and other projects.

Laura Taylor, who is organising a We Shall Overcome gig at The Rendezvous Bar, St Helens, on Saturday 8 October at 7.30pm, said: “We Shall Overcome is part of an anti-austerity movement but it is also very much pro-community. We wanted to do our bit here in St Helens to show solidarity and be part of something big that’s happening right across the country.”

The evening’s entertainment will include council house poetry from Louise Fazackerley, music from Bob Kettle, of folk rock band Merry Hell, and Widnes group The Revolvers, plus improvisational theatre from Liverpool’s Impropriety. Audiences are being asked to bring a suitable non-perishable food donation - please check the site - or a pay-what-you-can-afford cash donation.

Laura Taylor and Louise Fazackerley will also be appearing at another We Shall Overcome event on Sunday 9 October at the Old Courts, Wigan, which will be compered by Ian Whiteley. It begins at 1pm with poetry, including open mic, and acoustic music, and carries on through the evening. Ian is also organising another We Shall Overcome event with Jimmy Andrex, Toria Garbutt, Simon Widdop and Bard Company among those on the bill at the Labour Club, Red Shed, Wakefield on Friday 7 October at 7pm. 

We Shall Overcome is a movement of musicians, artists, activists and community organisers who are angry about the human costs of austerity policies and want to do something practical to help those affected. You can find your nearest  We Shall Overcome gig over the next few days by scrolling down this list.