CAN uses its bi monthly newspaper to help it in supporting local communities with information and advice on a variety of subjects. As well as articles produced in house it receives and publishes items from other charities, voluntary groups and community organisations. It is not always possible to publish all these articles in full. In this issue we are trialling publishing some of these articles on our website,
www.ca-north.org.uk in the library > publications section, alongside the pdf versions of CAN News.
Supplement to NCN2801
Amazing Events on Your Doorstep
Imagine the joy of seeing an exquisite show at The Sage, or a puppet show which is so good it sold out every performance at the Edinburgh Festival, or attending a gig by musicians applauded by Radios 2, 3, 4 and Classic fm.
Now imagine going having these shows at your own hall…
Highlights North is the community touring scheme overseeing these delights. It’s one of 41 community and rural touring schemes across the country and works by recruiting a team of volunteers with a suitable-sized venue from tiny outlying village halls to community centres. These volunteers then choose a show, market the show and sell tickets, and then host the night.
Twice a year Highlights produces a brand new menu – a brochure with a choice of music artists, comedy, theatre, dance and children’s shows. Community venues that are signed up to the scheme receive the menu and then pick their choices for the following season.
Highlights is funded by local authorities, the Arts Council, the Northumberland Strategic Arts Forum, (an association of local authorities and arts providers) and the European Development Fund to bring impeccable, wonderful, professional theatre, music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, comedy and magic to outlying communities and villages. And thanks to this funding, it means the shows and the ticket prices are affordable to all.
Extraordinary shows this season include the sell-out puppet show Elves and the Shoemaker by Theatre of Widdershins, a beautifully crafted set and puppets, sublime music, and a comic mouse. The company sold out every show at Edinburgh 2007 - so book early to avoid the rush! **** The List ***** Three Weeks.
There’s also The Devil’s Violin a gripping performance of forgotten Roma Gypsy tales and music from Wales and beyond described by The Times as ‘A scintillating combination of music, sound and story’.
And there’s Hoagy, Hornpipes, Handel and Hoedown with Hilary James and Simon Mayer “A witty and captivating mix of folk, swing, blues and classical showstoppers” - with everything from beautiful folk ballads to lively mandolin tunes and hilarious children’s songs. Simon is one of the world’s leading mandolin virtuosos as well as a fine guitarist and fiddle player. Hilary James has been described on BBC Radio 4 as ‘one of Britain’s finest voices’.
Theatre of Widdershins The Devil's Violin Simon Mayer and Hilary James
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET INVOLVED?
Would you like to see these sorts of performances in your village hall or community centre? Then please get in touch. Your best starting point is to contact Highlights Community Touring Scheme at 14 Kings Head Court, Bridge Street Appleby, Cumbria, CA16 6QH, 01768 353954 info@highlightsnorth.co.uk
2pm - 4.30pm, Tuesday 4th March
The Lower Ballroom, The Assembly Rooms, Fenkle Street, Newcastle,
NE1 5XU
Your opportunity to meet the team managing our 2008 grant programmes:
· Building Positive Lives: help for disadvantaged young people, homeless people, substance misusers and people affected by prejudice and discrimination. Budget: £2.25m
· Independence and Choice: services for older people, carers, people with mental health problems and learning disabilities. Budget: £2m
· Safety and Justice: support for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and exploitation, child abuse and hate crimes. Budget: £2m
To reserve a place call: 0191 284 8412
Or email: generaloffice@nr-foundation.org.uk
Booking deadline: 25 February 2008
Autism speaks
Autism Speaks, the only UK charity set up solely to raise money for autism research, is returning to The Alnwick Garden for a second Walk for Autism Research on Sunday, 4th May 2008. 2007’s walk was such a success – 700 supporters, families and friends turned up in the rain, raised just under £26,000 and enjoyed a really happy day.
The charity is asking our readers to bring along their family and friends along to make up a team! Children and adults with autism are especially welcome to come along to have fun and enjoy the games or entertainment along the route (which is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs). Explore this enchanting landscape, parts of which are not routinely open to the public – dip in and out of the jets of water in the Serpent Garden and help us raise money for research into a neurological condition which affects 1 in 100 school-age children. Registration from 10.00 to noon.
Taking part is easy. You can register online at www.autismspeaks.org.uk and set up your online fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/autismspeaks/raisemoney or call Lynn Hart on 01491 411 569.
TV Dragon wants you to
PITCH YOUR PROJECT
James Caan, entrepreneur and ‘dragon’ on BBC 2’s Dragons Den is
backing a new competition for local community groups in Northumbria.
The Dragons’ Den style scheme, PITCH YOUR PROJECT, is looking for organisations that benefit the health, wellbeing and fitness of their community with the support of volunteers. Whether it’s running a sports club, befriending scheme, or patient support group, if the project has an unusual idea for making a difference with volunteers, they could win £1000 cash when they pitch their project to a panel of experts.
James Caan, who listens to innovative ideas on the BBC show, said:
“My advice to organisations pitching is to prepare by putting yourself in the shoes of the Dragons and thinking about the sort of questions they might ask.”
“Nothing can compare to the challenge of pitching your idea to a panel of experts in front of a camera. It really sorts the wheat from the chaff.
“We have so many people on Dragons’ Den who pitch a variety of business ideas, so this project is an interesting opportunity to learn about ideas for improving people's health and wellbeing.”
Five shortlisted projects will be given £500 to develop a pitch as well as receiving face to face advice from a panel of experts in communications, design, health and volunteering, all under the watchful eye of the camera.
PITCH YOUR PROJECT is run by TimeBank in partnership with the NHS Foundation Trust Network and is looking for innovative and effective ways in which volunteers can support the delivery of health and wellbeing services. These may be either inside or outside of the health system. They may be based in the community or within an institution.
Project Manager Jane Dawson says:
“This project is all about discovering new ways of making the most of volunteers’ time in the delivery of health and wellbeing services. The panellists are looking for innovative, effective ideas.
“Charities that come up with great pitches will have support from the Dragons and a fantastic opportunity to develop and grow. So ‘put your mouth where the money is’ and apply!”
PITCH YOUR PROJECT also celebrates the dramatic impact community groups and charities are already having on the health and wellbeing of local communities. One entrant, the Bell View Project in Belford, Northumbria, is a multi purpose resource centre incorporating day care for older people. Manager Paul Harrison says:
“Our volunteers are an integral part of our work. Developing how we work with volunteers will help us
expand our services to reach more people.
“We are excited about entering the PITCH YOUR PROJECT competition because it is a great
opportunity for us to gain expert advice and hopefully some financial support.”
PITCH YOUR PROJECT is running throughout the Northumbria Foundation Trust area.
Deadline for applications is 3rd March, 2008.
To find out more or apply please go to www.journeystohealth.org
Or you can ring Jane Dawson on 0845 456 1668 email her at j.dawson@timebank.org.uk
