Author: mike

Mosimann’s hosts Create’s 15th gala dinner, raising an incredible £38,589

mosimanns gala dinner 2018
mosimanns gala dinner 2018

MOSIMANN’S HOSTS CREATE’S 15TH GALA DINNER, RAISING AN INCREDIBLE £38,589

On Thursday 18 October 2018, Anton Mosimann OBE hosted our 15th anniversary Gala Dinner at Mosimann’s Club in Belgravia. At our flagship fundraising event of the year, we were delighted to celebrate both 15 years of empowering lives, and 15 years of collaborating with Anton and his team.

mosimanns gala dinner 2018

During the evening, guests enjoyed a Champagne reception followed by a fabulous six-course meal, after which Colin Sheaf, Chairman of Bonhams UK, and his wife Annie conducted our auction. Lots included two tickets and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Notre Dame de Paris (a lot that was generously doubled during the auction by Adam Blanshay, who donated it), a luxury weekend stay at Stapleford Park Country House Hotel in Leicestershire, and a signed copy of Howard Goodall’s score for Blackadder. Bidding was animated and, with the funds also raised via table sales, our raffle and individual donations, we raised an incredible £38,589 net.

This will enable us to empower more disadvantaged and vulnerable people across the UK over the coming months. By carefully tailoring our programmes around the needs of each participant group, we use the creative arts to tackle low self-esteem, low self-confidence and social isolation. These funds will enable us to achieve so much.

eddie donaldson mosimanns gala dinner 2018

We appreciate very much the ongoing support of Anton Mosimann OBE, Mark Mosimann and the staff at Mosimann’s, Colin and Annie Sheaf, our table buyers and their guests, and all who donated items for the auction and raffle.

Performing arts student Skye Richardson raises money for Create

11 skye richardson performing
skye richardson before and after her haircut

PERFORMING ARTS STUDENT SKYE RICHARDSON RAISES MONEY FOR CREATE

Skye Richardson, a performing arts student at Arts Educational Day School in London, recently raised an incredible £1,285 for Create. Read on to find out what inspired her to fundraise for us and how she did it.

11 skye richardson performing

“Being involved in the arts myself through acting, dancing and music, I want others to share the same creative experiences. So when I cut off 10 inches of my hair and donated it to a charity that makes wigs for children who’ve lost their hair due to cancer treatment, I decided to donate the money raised to Create.

“creativity gives you the confidence to believe your ambitions and dreams are achievable.”

Skye Richardson

“When I told my friends and family I wanted to cut my hair for charity they were a bit shocked. Especially my mum as she’s a hairdresser and I asked her to do it! But everyone was so encouraging and really keen to support me and kept telling me I was doing something amazing. There were lots of lovely messages of love and support. I felt really overwhelmed by the response and generosity of them all.

skye richardson before and after her haircut
Skye before and after her haircut

“Something I love about creativity is that it gives you the confidence to believe your ambitions and dreams are achievable. I also think it helps me see things differently and stimulates my mind. From my first acting role aged six as Alice in Alice in Wonderland to my most recent performance with the Richmond Music Trust, every performance fuels a passion in me which I love. I want others to share the same experiences.

“For someone who faces big challenges in their life, creativity might be able to help them by taking the bad and changing it into something good.”

Create your own fundraiser

Read more inspiring stories and find out how to get fundraising yourself

creative:u~turn animation premiere at Rich Mix

artwork from our creative u-turn animation project

CREATIVE:U~TURN ANIMATION PREMIERE AT RICH MIX

artwork from our creative u-turn animation project

For eight months in 2016, through our creative:u~turn project, our professional artists and volunteers from sponsor Reed Smith enabled women who attended U-Turn Women’s Project in Tower Hamlets to write and produce their own animated film. The programme helped to empower women who have experienced abuse, substance addiction and homelessness.

creative:u~turn allowed these women to strengthen support networks within their community and build the skills and self-confidence they need to make positive life changes. Through sessions spanning drama, animation and music, they stepped into creative roles to call the shots in producing an original animation complete with their own soundtrack.      

The project came to a close in an inspiring finale at Rich Mix, with the fruits of the women’s creative labour presented for friends, family and the general public. The showcase streamed the women’s final comedic animation, Flower Power: Mole on a Mission, a stop-motion short telling the story of a mole who overcomes personal hardship due to a difficult past, with thanks to intervention from his friends. Representing a humorous and self-aware take on the challenges met by the women in their own lives, the animation presented a light-hearted but poignant look at how personal issues can be addressed through the assistance of supportive relationships for those finding themselves in instances of vulnerability.

Accompanying the animation were performances of the participants’ original musical compositions live from Rich Mix’s stage. Born out of sessions working with Create’s musician John Webb, the soundtrack was perfectly tailored to the film – suitably witty renditions of songs such as ‘(I Can’t Get No) Ratisfaction’ by the Molling Stones set a particularly positive tone for the afternoon’s sharing! 

This article is from 2016.

Read more about this project

National Poetry Day 2018

national poetry day
national poetry day

NATIONAL POETRY DAY 2018

4 October 2018 is National Poetry Day, an annual celebration that encourages everyone in the UK to enjoy, discover and share poems.

At Create, we want to ensure that everyone, no matter their circumstances or background, has the freedom to express themselves creatively and we’ve found that poetry is a fantastic medium for this.

Our professional writer Cheryl Moskowitz, who has led a wide variety of Create projects over the 15 years she’s been working with us, spoke to us for National Poetry Day. Cheryl says that poetry can and should be accessible to everyone.

“If you are someone who struggles at a basic level with reading or writing you might be resistant to the idea that poetry could be relevant or even possible for you to engage with. Time and time again I’ve seen this proved wrong, however. We are all born with an inherent love of the shape, sound, rhythm and cadence of words and a curiosity about their meaning, especially when that meaning has a specific affect and relevance to ourselves. That’s all poetry really is.

“Somehow the more restricted a person’s life and circumstances, the more it seems there is to gain from the freedoms afforded through writing poetry.”

cheryl moskowitz

“Some of my favourite moments have been with those who are, at first, most doubtful about their abilities or seemingly disinterested in poetry. Male young offenders in prison settings for example, or women caught in cycles of drug misuse and sex work, or people who are homeless. Somehow the more restricted a person’s life and circumstances, the more it seems there is to gain from the freedoms afforded through writing poetry. Playing with words produces all kinds of new possibilities, opens doors and changes thinking. That’s what creativity is all about.

“We all use language as a form of communication but we can often feel stuck and unable to say the things that we really want to say in everyday conversation. Poetry lifts language to another level, constantly seeks to find beauty and new meaning in the words we use, and helps us to communicate on an emotional and instinctual level.”

Two poems by participants

This National Poetry Day we’d like to share two poems written by participants during our projects. Both poems demonstrate how poetry empowers us with the freedom to express our feelings. Poetry has allowed both writers to explore self-expression whilst experiencing the confidence-boosting experience of creating art.

I am a dashing, racing, rushing, bolting,
zooming, hurtling, exhibiting,

hovering, swooping, darting,
speeding, manoeuvring
Eagle.

I enjoy being high in the sky
and I believe that I will sky dive

I feel like the ability to actually fly is possible
if you are really in the sky

It is one of the best feelings in the world
to feel like flying in the air

I know that once you are up there
you can spread your wings
above those who have doubted you.

I know the doubters will never bring me down.

By Asante, a young carer in Southwark

Spring in winter, fresh flowers and water fountains
Time to make molehills out of mountains
I’ll make you a sandwich and put fresh parsley
On it, I’ll put it on it … don’t mind me.

Any way you twist it, the winter’s going to be spring
Soon I’ll start to sing it, ‘cause it’s a fine grand thing
Whenever a bee stings me in the mouth
Suddenly I remember it’ll soon be spring
Maybe it’s why birds fly south
Maybe it’s the birdsong they bring.

Don’t worry when the cold wind blows
Your love always ushers the spring.

Thank you for the sarnie.

By Marc, a member of Deptford Reach, which works with people whose lives have been affected by homelessness and mental ill-health

Create wins 17 Koestler Trust awards

Inside Stories
Inside Stories

KOESTLER TRUST RECOGNISES CREATE PARTICIPANTS WITH 17 AWARDS

Radio plays and storybooks made by prisoners as part of our Inside Change and Inside Stories projects have won an incredible 17 Koestler Awards. (This story is from 2018.)

The prizes are awarded by the Koestler Trust, an organisation that awards, exhibits and sells art by prisoners, detainees and secure patients. Since 2012, work made during our projects has been recognised with a total of 81 Koestler Awards. This year is particularly special as, for the first time, one of our award-winning pieces has been selected by the curators of the Koestler Trust exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall.

Of particular note this year are the five accolades for Inside Change. This is a new programme enabling prisoners to explore financial literacy through creating original radio plays. Working with our professional drama artists, prisoners use script writing and drama to develop their financial capability. This aids their rehabilitation and smoother transition back into the community on release. One of the plays, Bars Behind Bars, won the Gold Award in the Radio Play category.

Prisoners use script writing and drama to develop their financial skills. This aids their smoother transition back into the community on release. Government research suggests that low financial literacy is a major barrier to the resettlement of offenders back into communities. Many prisoners and ex-offenders recognise that they have poor money management skills and find it hard to budget. Some reflected that it was hard to learn how to manage money while in prison as everything was provided, so they did not have an opportunity to develop their budgeting skills.

One Inside Change participant told us:

“[Projects] like these make people more aware of financial issues and have the potential to reduce crime by reducing debt. I learnt about high interest loans, to always read the small print, and also about how to stretch money as far as possible and plan my finances.

“Creating the script for the radio play was a new experience – I’d never done a radio play before. The workshops helped me become better at expressing myself and waiting for my turn. As time went on I grew more confident. We all had input and Create’s artists ensured everyone was included. We learnt how to work together and had a laugh recording the play. They’re a good group of boys.

“I’m looking forward to hearing the play on National Prison Radio. It’ll give me bragging rights! I would do this every day. It was the most enjoyable activity I’ve done in prison.

“The workshops helped me become better at expressing myself and waiting for my turn.”

Prisoners produce Koestler-winning illustrated stories for their children

Inside Stories, our programme giving prisoners the opportunity to produce illustrated stories and music for their children, won the remaining 12 awards. Guided by our professional writer, visual artist and musicians, prisoners work in pairs to write, record and illustrate original stories. They then work as a group to set these to music. Following their performance in the prison during a special family visit, the children receive a copy of the professionally produced storybook and CD. This helps to maintain the bond between parent and child.

Below, I’m delighted to share one of the winning stories. Kit Cat the Hero Cat won the First-Time Entrant Award in the Graphic Novel category and the Commended Award in the Flash Fiction and Novel category.

Nicky Goulder, Founding Chief Executive

Meet Marie

creative u-turn participants

Meet Marie

creative u-turn participants
Participants from our creative:u~turn project

Marie has been attending U-Turn Project in Tower Hamlets for three years. U-Turn is a charity that works with vulnerable and hard to reach women of all ages who have been trapped in cycles of prostitution, drug addiction, physical abuse and homelessness from a young age.

One of three daughters, Marie was chosen by her mother to be sold to men from an early age. After revealing that she liked women, she was forced into a physically and emotionally abusive marriage by her family to ‘cure’ her of being a lesbian. When her husband abandoned her and her daughter, Marie became a sex worker. Her daughter and second child were taken away from her by her family. Marie is now addicted to gambling.

Here, she talks about her experience of taking part in Create’s creative:u~turn project, which is taking jewellery making, art, creative writing and music workshops to U-Turn on Mondays between September 2010 and April 2011.

“I come to the U-Turn Project up to four days a week. It’s a lovely centre, and keeps me occupied and from going to certain places I really shouldn’t go. I’ve made friends here and Rio [the manager] helps us a lot. She was the one who told me about the Create project. At first I didn’t think it would be interesting for me, but Rio told me to try it – if I don’t like it, I don’t have to carry on. I’ve never done any art or jewellery before, nothing. But it sounded good. The jewellery was a bit hard because of my hands [Marie has arthritis], and I couldn’t do it on my own, but in the end I made loads of pairs of earrings. It made me move my hands and all that, it was a nice feeling.

“During the art, I made a sign for the U-Turn Project, telling the women when they come that it’s just for women. That’s why I made it, to make them comfortable and easy to come in, because it just says ‘women’ on there. It’s the first thing I’ve made for years.

“I’ve come to as many [Create] sessions as I could, both for art and jewellery. And we’re doing a new one soon, we’re going to do singing. I’m not sure about the creative writing yet, I can’t write.

“When we’re doing something, the artists don’t rush us; they tell us to take our time, if it’s wrong, start again; don’t start screaming or panicking. If you want to say something, they’ll listen to you.”

Marie, creative:u~turn participant

“So far I have liked the art the best, the painting and the drawing with stencils. It was also easier for my hands because I could hold it with one hand and paint with the other. We did a banner for the centre and I painted on the opening times.

“I liked working with Daniel and Hayley [Create’s artists], everyone was really nice. I liked Daniel, he made us laugh, he was funny. Without the artists, we wouldn’t have known what to do. When we’re doing something they don’t rush us; they tell us to take our time, if it’s wrong, start again; don’t start screaming or panicking. If you want to say something, they’ll listen to you.

“It was alright, in the end, to have Daniel around. The first time I saw him I thought “oh, a man”, but he takes our jokes, and he mingles with us. He says he loves coming on Mondays because then he gets his soup and we all sit down at the table, we’re all communicating together, eating bread and soup and talking. He’s a lovely person.

“The Reed Smith volunteers are nice. They come for lunch on Mondays, too, and they all talk about different things. It’s nice to hear about different things, because we need to know each other. You get to know them, they get to know you – I’ve invited them to our Christmas Dinner! I didn’t even ask Rio first! If I didn’t like them, I wouldn’t have invited them.

“I’d be bored if the Create workshops weren’t on Monday. They help us do things so we don’t get lazy. Last Monday I was looking forward to coming because I said “oh, I’m going to finish my picture, I’m going to varnish it!” And I was really looking forward to it! When Monday’s over I think “rubbish, I have to wait another week to get excited!” Because I like it! I think art has changed me to be better. To want to come and do more – I won’t be scared to do art next time.”

* Name changed to protect anonymity. The photo in this blog is not of the participant.

This story is from 2010.

Read more about this project

Meet Jamie and Richard

creative connection 2018 meet jamie and richard
creative connection 2018 meet jamie and richard

MEET JAMIE AND RICHARD

creative:connection is our award-winning programme breaking down barriers between young people from special and mainstream schools. In July 2018, pupils from The Queen Katherine School and Sandgate School in Cumbria collaborated on a sculpture project. Two Kendal students told us about their experiences taking part in the project.

“I didn’t know any of the Sandgate students before. I’ve learnt about what issues people can have.”

Richard

Jamie, who attends Sandgate School:

“We’ve been making fish and underwater animals. We’re making them because people waste plastic and then they drop it in the water and the fish swallow the plastic and die because they think it’s food. I learned that it’s important to put plastic in the bin instead of throwing it on the floor. I’ve learned loads from Jack [Create’s professional artist].

“I don’t do creative things much apart from on Tuesdays at school. I’ve enjoyed all of the project. I liked the spray-painting that we did, and making the jellyfish head using weaving and threading. It’s been good working with the Queen Katherine students. I go to The Queen Katherine School at lunch so I’ll see the sculpture there.”

creative connection 2018 meet jamie and richard

Richard, who attends The Queen Katherine School:

“I’ve had the most fun on the project. You can make good things out of plastic if you proper think about it, like we’ve been making a turtle. I liked putting the plastic together to make the sculptures. This is the first time I’ve done sculpture. I wasn’t expecting us to make something so big.

“Being creative makes your brain better because you have to think of different things. It’s useful because if you have to make a poster in a history or French lesson at school, or if you’re designing your bedroom, you’ve got good ideas to do it.

“It’s nice working in the group because you can get to know people more. I didn’t know any of the Sandgate students before. I’ve learnt about what issues people can have. If you do something that a Sandgate student has an issue with and you didn’t know, you wouldn’t do it again because you’d know it would proper get them and they would have to calm down. Once you know that they are really friendly. They’re not as shy now as they were on the first day, and they’ve got good talent.”

creative connection 2018

Names changed to protect anonymity

Riding RideLondon for Create: Mark’s story

ride london
ride london

RIDING RIDELONDON FOR CREATE: MARK’S STORY

Create’s supporter Mark tells his story of riding RideLondon in aid of Create.

“I was delighted to ride this year’s Prudential Ride 100 in support of Create. After a blisteringly hot seven consecutive weeks without a hint of rain, the heavens opened on the morning of the event and we were soaked through for the first 60 miles. This did not diminish the pleasure of riding with four of my pals (and 25,000 others) through London and Surrey’s car-less streets.

ride london

“It was an amazing feeling to fly down so many familiar roads and past so many landmarks, with a great sense of camaraderie with my fellow cyclists and with such brilliant support from the intrepid souls who lined the route. Particularly memorable moments were the steel drums in Dorking, our family cheering squad on Giggs Hill (and at Hampton Court) and coming down The Mall with arms linked.

“Atop Newlands Corner, the cyclists all resembled something from an Antarctic David Attenborough documentary, as we huddled together like emperor penguins, on the exposed summit, for warmth and shelter, taking in fuel in the form of coffee, cliff bars and bananas.”

Through glens and mountain passes

“I returned to cycling after at least 15 years away from the sport in 2016. My grandad was Scotland’s cinder track cycling champion in 1928 and spent many long hours on his bike going through glens and up Highland mountain passes. For someone who lost his dad in the Great War and brother in the Second, without doubt some of the happiest moments for him were spent in the saddle (he cycled until he was in his late 80s).

“My brother and I, growing up east of Edinburgh, loved nothing more than to head out with our mum, dad and grandad and cycle the quiet country lanes of East Lothian. I never thought riding in London or Surrey would hold much allure and with three kids, a busy job, a good amount of work travel and a passion for running, cycling never came to the fore. That all changed when I tore the ligaments off my right ankle (while running) two years ago and was reintroduced to cycling by mate Jon. A group of us from Thames Ditton now peddle each weekend and I ride to work once or twice a week with my pal Steve.

“Create does phenomenal work with disadvantaged and often sadly marginalised people.”

Mark

“For me, riding for Create was an easy choice. The charity does phenomenal work with disadvantaged and often sadly marginalised people. The cause really resonated as my wife and kids are fantastic artists. My wife was a designer and often paints, while one of my daughters has sold her work for an African art charity in the local gallery.

“I was impressed by the examples of Create’s work supporting groups including children with disabilities, isolated adults, young carers and families separated by prison sentences. I have seen first-hand how art can heal. We almost lost our son (to drowning) five years ago and art has been part of the therapy for some of our number. Our family use art as a form of expression but also as a release and it is great to be able to express yourself in different ways and feel confidence and pride in your work and joy in the process. Create makes this happen for those who might not have access or natural inclination.

“Create was fabulous in its support and I received without doubt the nicest, most personalised good luck and congratulations cards I have ever had

ride london

“I received great support from friends, family and colleagues in raising money for this brilliant cause. I loved the day and would love to do it next year in the dry. It brought back memories of when I ran the London Marathon in 2003 – what a fantastic city this is with amazing people. Create was fabulous in its support and I received without doubt the nicest, most personalised good luck and congratulations cards I have ever had.

“Thank you to all who supported me and to Create for the valuable work you do every day.”

Meet Chris

inspired arts meet chris
inspired arts meet chris

MEET CHRIS

inspired:arts is Create’s multi-art programme for young carers. In August inspired:arts went to Newham where actor James Baldwin worked with young people from Family Action Newham and Tower Hamlets. The group wrote and performed monologues, experimenting with narrative structure and characterisation. inspired:arts enabled the young carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities, build trusting relationships with their peers and develop social skills and confidence.  

Chris cares for his mother who has terminal cancer. He talked about being a carer and taking part in inspired:arts:

“My mum’s cancer is terminal and she is often at the point where she can get upset. All I can do is help her out as much as I can. Sometimes she has to go to hospital in an emergency, sometimes she isn’t feeling well. I have a lot of responsibilities but I don’t mind. I want her to know that her son is doing good in life and to make her proud.

“Projects like this are important because I need some time off. This is a really good opportunity for me to make new friends and take some time for myself. It made me feel more relaxed and know I’m in a place with other young carers where I can enjoy myself.

“IT MADE ME FEEL MORE RELAXED AND KNOW I’M IN A PLACE WITH OTHER YOUNG CARERS WHERE I CAN ENJOY MYSELF.”

Young carer Chris

“For the drama project we were writing and performing monologues, which had to show two emotions, so I did happy and angry. Learning that every story has a problem and a resolution, a bad part and a good, and we had to put that into the monologue.

“I felt nervous before the performance because I was doing it in front of an audience but I felt like I could do it. I knew I had to get over the nerves and do my best. It was enjoyable once I was on stage in front of the audience. I feel like I’m showing what I can do and what I’m good at.

“It was great working with James [Create’s artist]; he’s a really good guy. Working with him is very different from being in school. He always keeps us going if we need any help and he’s full of ideas. When I’m in school there’s only one teacher for a big class, but here James has time for everyone and you learn from the other young people too.

“Doing this project I learned that I can work with new people who I don’t know. If you meet new people you have more friends, and the more you have you feel like you’re in a world where people can help you.”

* Name of young carer changed to protect anonymity

Thank you for supporting Create’s British 10k runners

British 10k 2018
British 10k 2018

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING TEAM CREATE’S BRITISH 10K RUNNERS

Create staff member Anna tells her story of running the British 10k in aid of Create in 2018.

When Create received places for Virgin Sport’s British 10k back in January, I signed up to run on our behalf without much hesitation. A keen but decidedly amateur runner, my longest run to date was around 7km, and the British 10k seemed like the perfect motivation to challenge myself while representing the Create staff team.

A particularly long and snowy winter meant that my training got off to a slow start, but once the clocks changed running became a fun post-work and weekend activity – something I looked forward to rather than a chore.

8 week training plan for British 10K

Suddenly it was May, and with the race fast approaching I decided I needed to step things up a notch. An eight-week training plan was fantastic in giving my training some structure and helping me feel like I was making real progress. It also created a true lifestyle change for me: running before work! Until a few months ago I firmly believed that even running for a bus within the first few hours of waking up was more than I could handle, but if I wanted to keep up with my training plan while maintaining a social life, early-morning runs were a necessity. I discovered that starting my day with a run was a real boost that left me feeling energised, cheerful and ready for the day ahead. It’s one of the main things I’ll take away from participating in the British 10k.

The big day

The morning of the run was an especially hot and sunny one, and there was a buzzy atmosphere as I joined the crowds gathered near Trafalgar Square. Never having taken part in a mass sporting event, I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly everything was run, and before long we were moving towards the starting line on Piccadilly.

Once I crossed the starting line my various concerns – collapsing in the heat, twisting an ankle, inexplicably becoming a much slower runner – evaporated. I was happily distracted by the musical entertainment, the runners in huge Sesame Street costumes, and of course the novelty of running past London’s beautiful sights on closed streets. The most difficult part of the run was when my energy began to flag between kilometres seven and eight, which took in Embankment and Westminster Bridge and offered little respite from the sun, but the thought of every step taking me closer to the finish line was enough to stop me from slowing down. The high point was of course when I passed two Create colleagues cheering on the sidelines – surprisingly exciting given that I see them in the office every day!

The finish line

After collecting my medal and goody bag I headed to the Create picnic in St James’ Park, where our fundraising team had picked the perfect shady spot. Relaxing on the grass with some of Create’s staff team and other runners was a wonderful way to end the experience.

All for a good cause

It was great to know that 14 other people were running in aid of Create: a huge thank you goes out to everyone who ran and everyone who donated. Your donations will enable us to empower the lives of even more of the most disadvantaged people in society through our free, sustainable creative arts programmes. Running the British 10k for Create was a genuinely brilliant experience; even if, like me, you’ve never run 10k when you sign up, I guarantee it’s something you won’t regret.

Raise money for Create