RECLAIM

We are working with the lovely Abi at Urbis on the RECLAIM initiative. Here is a bit about it...

RECLAIM is an award winning leadership and mentoring project designed and delivered by Urbis. Starting in 2007, the project empowers young people across Manchester to make positive changes in their communities. RECLAIM enables some of the most disadvantaged young people to engage directly with the decision makers influencing their lives and their communities. By promoting leadership and facilitating dialogue with the police, council and media it helps those who are often marginalised to realise their voice.

RECLAIM takes place over six months. A cohort of young people identified as at risk of negative outcomes are nominated by their peers, schools, parents, and Youth Offending Teams. They are partnered with an adult mentor who supports them throughout the programme.

RECLAIM begins with a four day conference Urbis, featuring inspirational speakers, community and personal challenges and the creation of a youth manifesto for their area. Over the next 6 months the young people undergo a diverse programme of activities before graduating.

RECLAIM aims:

• To raise the aspirations, confidence and attainment of young people in disadvantaged areas of Greater Manchester
• To improve relations between young people and their communities
• To increase young people’s engagement in positive activity in their community
• To improve employment opportunities and employability skills of young people

Awards

•RECLAIM Philip Lawrence Award 2008 (above)
•RECLAIM National Crimebeat Award 2008
•Ruth Ibegbuna Peace Activist of the Year, Peace Week 2008
•RECLAIM/Urbis Optimism Arts and Culture Awards 2008
•Ruth Ibegbuna Kath Locke Award for outstanding contribution, Manchester Women Awards 2009

Future Plans

RECLAIM Breightmet, Bolton

New project working alongside Bolton Octagon, with 30 boys starting October 2009. Anticipated themes for the project:

• Developing a community identity and sense of place
• Raising aspiration

RECLAIM Bolton needs you! Are you male and aged 21 or over? Are you bright, resourceful, independent minded and inspiring? Are you passionate about working with young people? Can you commit to at least 6 months of focused mentoring?

Following the success of three previous RECLAIM projects we are looking to replicate the achievement with 30 Year 9 boys from the Breightmet area. We are looking for inspirational men from a diverse range of backgrounds to share their wisdom and insight.

If you can meet this challenge, contact the RECLAIM team for more information.

Email: reclaim@urbis.org.uk
Telephone: 0161 605 8200

Shameless 'nominate us for an art08 award' plug!

Arts council England, North West is running the art08 awards to celebrate the creativity and innovation of arts in the North West and you could help us win £10,000 for the work that we do.

The categories for nominations are:

Individual Artist Award 2008 - to celebrate and recognise the achievements of an individual regional artist

Inside, Outside and Online – celebrating where great art has found its way into people’s lives in new and exciting ways

Putting the North West on the Map - recognising where an individual or organisation has made a significant impact in helping raise the region’s profile and creative reputation

Creative Sparks! - celebrating an arts partnership with business that has captured the hearts and minds of those involved

Unsung Heroes – recognising those ‘back room’ players who have been critical to bringing success to an arts project. The overall winner will walk away with the £10,000 prize for The Arts Council outstanding Achievement Award.

Deadline for nominations: 5pm 26 September 2008. You can download the nomination forms from the website www.artscouncil.org.uk/art08

Help us win. Nominate us today!

When the Chips are Down!

You'll have to excuse the terrible pun above but all will become clear. The good thing about having the blog is that not only we can update you on how things are going, what's happening and all sorts of other things but it gives us the opportunity to thank just some of those people that are willing to help the Theatre.

A big thank you must go out to Olympus Fish & Chip Restaurant (37-39 Great Moor Street, Bolton BL1 1SW) who have been kind enough to help us out with the chips that will be featured on stage during the run of Road. If all this talk of chips is making you hungry why not pop on over there and grab some - not only are their chips stage trained (!) they are also delicious. Thanks again Olympus....