Pioneer Projects News

P R E S S  R E L E A S E :: P R E S S  R E L E A S E :: P R E S S  R E L E A S E

Thought provoking art work will challenge stigma for World Mental Health Day

Community based arts and health charity, Pioneer Projects (Celebratory Arts) Ltd has been working with community groups in North Yorkshire and Cumbria producing artwork in response to questions about good mental health and wellbeing: What Makes a Difference? What makes us feel better? How do we overcome stigma?

Participants have worked with professional arts and health artists to make series of art works, films, sculptures and postcards, all of which will be exhibited for World Mental Health Day 2011 in

Elephants Yard, Kendal (8 – 11 October), this work has been funded through BIG Lottery Wellbeing
Kirkgate Centre, Shipley (10th October, 2 – 6pm), this work has been funded through Bradford District Care Trust

The opportunity to work with Pioneer Projects’ artists has been warmly welcomed by groups including Age UK, Sunbeams, Looking Well Friday Group, Workbase and Sandgate School (Kendal) and Bradford District Care Trust Mental Health Service Users. They have found the experience of making such personal work for public scrutiny eye opening and challenging. Not only have people had the opportunity to learn new skills - speaking to camera, creating batik, handmade postcards or contributing to a collaborative sculpture – for some it has been the first time they have found a way to express the complexities of living in a society that stigmatises them.

“I’ve been to many art groups but I found this very different because it’s been about self expression, just learning to express all the mixed up feelings inside in a simple way – a way that I can manage when I’ve been feeling poorly – has been very liberating” Bradford participant

“I came to the session feeling tired, unfocused and uncreative and left feeling interested, happy and talkative.” Kendal Participant

The two exhibitions will now offer an extraordinary opportunity for people to increase their understanding of the challenges faced by people living with stigma through experiencing and contributing themselves to the displays.

Editors Notes

• The work for the Borders Project, exhibited in Kendal, has been funded by The National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund
• AnswersonaPostcard has been delivered in partnership with Bradford District Care Trust through the Exciting Futures II programme
• For further information and photo opportunities please contact Pioneer Projects on 015242 62672 or office@pioneerprojects.org.uk
• Pioneer Projects (Celebratory Arts) Ltd is a charity (No. 1067976) and a company limited by guarantee (Reg. No. 3241874)

Pioneer Projects (Celebratory Arts) Ltd
Address: 32-34 Main Street, High Bentham, Lancaster, LA2 7HN
Website: www.pioneerprojects.org.uk
Telephone: 015242 62672
Email: Office@pioneerprojects.org.uk

P R E S S R E L E A S E :: P R E S S R E L E A S E :: P R E S S R E L E A S E

Bentham based charity receives National Lottery funding to change cultural landscape of Craven District for people with Dementia

Community based arts and health charity, Pioneer Projects (Celebratory Arts) Ltd has been awarded £135,985 by the Big Lottery Fund to deliver Own Now - a 3-year partnership programme which aims to increase creative choices and opportunities in Craven, North Yorkshire, for people with dementia and their carers.

Own Now has grown out of a Settle-based pilot programme, led by professional participatory artists Philippa Troutman and Tony Stephenson. One participant had the following to say:

“The art sessions inspired me to want to go out and do things for myself. My confidence has returned and I feel that I have something to contribute.”

The National Lottery funding will enable the charity to continue to improve people’s wellbeing using the arts. It is recognised that getting involved with the arts builds confidence and self esteem and provides an opportunity for socialising with others – leading to people feeling less isolated, especially in our rural communities.

Own Now will provide a range of arts activities for those with dementia, their carers, employed and voluntary staff across the district. Regular arts workshops will be delivered in accessible settings and a new volunteer-led service will facilitate access to art galleries and museums.

Own Now will challenge stigma faced by people with dementia raising awareness of the creative contribution that those with memory loss can make to the wider community and celebrate the achievements and learning of those labelled by the condition.

Pioneer Projects’ Manager, Jay Haigh, said:

“We are delighted by this award which recognises the important contribution the arts make to wellbeing of people with Dementia. Own Now offers an extraordinary opportunity to work creatively with people in Craven to improve choices available to them, their families and those they care for.”

Pioneer Projects is currently recruiting project staff. For more information please contact Julie on 015242 62672, office@pioneerprojects.org.uk  or via the website www.pioneerprojects.org.uk

Editors Notes

• Own Now is funded by the National Lottery through Big Lottery Fund
• The pilot project participants have their art work on display at Looking Well Studios in Bentham until 9th September 2011.
• For further information and photo opportunities please contact Jay Haigh on 015242 62672 or jay@pioneerprojects.org.uk
• Pioneer Projects (Celebratory Arts) Ltd is a charity (No. 1067976) and a company limited by guarantee (Reg. No. 3241874)

Pioneer Projects (Celebratory Arts) Ltd
Address: 32-34 Main Street, High Bentham, Lancaster, LA2 7HN
Website: www.pioneerprojects.org.uk
Telephone: 015242 62672
Email: Office@pioneerprojects.org.uk

Own Now

Pioneer Projects has been awarded £135,985 by the Big Lottery Fund to deliver Own Now - a 3-year partnership programme which aims to increase creative choices and opportunities in Craven, North Yorkshire, for people with dementia and their carers.

Own Now has grown out of a Settle-based pilot programme, led by professional participatory artists Philippa Troutman and Tony Stephenson.

One participant had the following to say:

“The art sessions inspired me to want to go out and do things for myself. My confidence has returned and I feel that I have something to contribute.”

The National Lottery funding will enable the charity to continue to improve people’s wellbeing using the arts. It is recognised that getting involved with the arts builds confidence and self esteem and provides an opportunity for socialising with others – leading to people feeling less isolated, especially in our rural communities. Own Now will provide a range of activities for those with dementia, their carers, employed and voluntary staff across the district.

Regular arts workshops will be delivered in accessible settings and a new volunteer-led service will facilitate access to art galleries and museums.

Own Now will challenge stigma faced by people with dementia raising awareness of the creative contribution that those with memory loss can make to the wider community and celebrate the achievements and learning of those labelled by the condition.

We are now recruiting for the Own Now Programme Manager. Please click here for the application pack. Closing date for applications is 30th September 2011. Interviews will be held on the 7th October 2011.

Looking Well News - Bentham - by Julie Vass

Happy New Year!

Art Shed – Tuesdays 10.30 – 4.00pm.
This month we will be learning with Nikki how to make the panto-props and costumes.

Coffee and Crafts at Café IN - Wednesdays 11.30 – 12.30
Series of one hour new craft taster workshops starting 11th January. Learning new and exciting crafts - Re-cycled jewellery making, paper-making, weaving and batik with local artist Eleanor Bennett. Very flexible, so feel free to bring any ideas you have and discuss them over coffee before hand.

For those suffering with chronic fatigue illnesses and their carers.
Following a meeting held here at the Café-In on the 30th November a wonderful warm atmosphere led to a great deal of positive conversation. Shared ideas and experiences punctuated with much laughter led to the group deciding to meet again during Café In on Wednesday 25th January. All who are affected by such illnesses are welcome.

Harmony Singing Group Wednesdays 7.00 – 9.00pm
Chase away the January Blues and sing your heart out in an informal, relaxed atmosphere? Absolutely no experience necessary – enthusiasm vital!

Friday Nights at King Street: Friday 13th January - Doors open at 7.30pm.
Jane Chilton will be talking about her recent visit to Upper Mustang in Nepal, including a slide show, "Mysterious Mustang, a remote Himalayan Kingdom". Highlights included taking tea with the King.

Pantomime Prop-making workshops – Every Saturday Jan 7th - Feb 11th 11 00 – 1.00pm
Learn with Nikki how to make the pantomime props and costumes for this years pantomime ‘Robin Hood’. Guaranteed fun in a sociable, productive way. These popular workshops are for individuals and families (children under 12 must be accompanied).

Volunteer drivers and helpers wanted.
Could you give two hours on a Sunday once or twice a year? Contact the Elderly provides tea parties for older people once a month on a Sunday, in association with Pioneer Projects, and we need more help. If you know an older person who may enjoy attending a monthly tea party we’d like to know about that too.

Could you sponsor a tea party? If you haven’t time to help but would like to make a donation towards transport / a venue, please contact Clare.

For details of all our sessions and groups that meet here please pop in to Café IN on Wednesdays, see Diary Listings or telephone Julie on 015242 62672 or email julie@pioneerprojects.org.uk  We look forward to welcoming you into our hive of wellbeing activities!

Past Events:

‘A String of Pearls’ Exhibition –
8th Oct to10th Dec / Mon – Fri 10.00 – 3.00pm

This intimate exhibition celebrates the art work produced during a pilot project for people with dementia & their carers.