Posted 07.11.13
Manchester Tower Block Plays Host to Performing Arts Festival
A Manchester tower block, currently undergoing a major refurbishment, is set to become the unusual setting for a mini festival of performing arts this month.
Three temporarily vacant flats and a garage at Cooper House in Hulme have been lent by Guinness Northern Counties to local arts collective Word of Warning. who will use them as the backdrop for 'Domestic' - a programme of seven intimate experiences and performances.
Residents of the nine-storey block, who have grown used to the daily sound of drilling, hammering and sawing since the £7 million makeover began in July 2013, will be invited to experience some altogether different sights and sounds as the festival gets underway.
They include a one-woman kitchen sink drama set in a dilapidated flat, a close encounter in a darkened space with a woman with albinism who attempts to share how she sees light and a performance based on one man's personal experience of the mental health system.
There is also a private experience based on the famous shower scene in Hitchcock's 'Psycho' and a sound and light installation in a garage, offering a relaxing respite from the ongoing building works in the 1970's built block.
The events, which are also open to the public, are being staged by artists from Cooper House itself, as well as visiting performers from around the UK.
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Association Wins 'Best Event' Award
The official opening of an older persons' housing scheme in Newbury has beaten off stiff competition to receive a prestigious award.
Sovereign Housing Association won the Gold Award for Best Event at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Thames and Chiltern PRide Awards, for the opening of its Willow Close scheme on the Andover Road in June 2012.
The event, which featured newsreader Angela Rippon as master of ceremonies and three choirs, was attended by residents of the scheme, local schools, agencies, dignitaries and other stakeholders. A key part of the event was the unveiling of a contemporary piece of public art.
The PRide awards recognise outstanding public relations in the UK. The judges praised Sovereign's event, saying it had "very clear objectives [and] came in under budget. It not only exceeded objectives, but has made a real impact on turning around negative attitudes and changing behaviour in a short space of time. There was a clear demonstration of evaluation and a really thorough approach to organising and delivering the event."
Other candidates in Sovereign's category were two PR agencies; one that organised events to mark IKEA's 25th anniversary in the UK and another that developed an iPad application for the BBC's Top Gear programme.
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Funding Boost for City Debt Advice Service
A debt advice project in Sheffield has received funding from a national housing provider to help train four local volunteers as debt advisers.
Jubilee Money, a project of City Church Sheffield, offers free budgeting and debt support to local residents. The funding from Guinness Northern Counties will help it meet the growing demand for its service in the City.
Guinness Northern Counties, which owns and manages over 2,500 homes in the area, is funding the training which will be delivered by Community Money Advice and the Citizens' Advice Bureau.
Brian Hamlin, Community Investment Manager for Guinness Northern Counties, said:
"We know that many people in Sheffield are finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet these days, especially with the cuts in benefit that so many are facing. That's why we're pleased to be able to help in this matter.
"As a provider of affordable housing we have a real understanding of the support needed by families and individuals to manage their money and stay out of debt."
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Viridian and Asra in Partnership Discussions
Viridian Housing and asra Housing Group are having discussions about the two organisations entering into an equal partnership.
The discussions are at an early stage. When agreement is reached with funders and the Homes & Communities Agency, more information will be made available.
Viridian Housing and asra Housing Group provide homes in South East England and the Midlands. Both organisations have a very strong development record with asra Housing Group committed to creating 1,300 new affordable homes by 2017 and Viridian Housing completing 660 new homes this year.
If the partnership goes ahead, the resulting organisation would be one of the top 20 housing associations in the country with around 30,000 homes.
