Its with sadness but with lots of happy memories that SMASH had to say cheerio to Sharon this week, as she left for pastures new. She will be missed… (But she promises to be at SMASH Fest!)
Archive for February, 2010
Last week was a really busy one at SMASH, with a visit from no less a peronage than Harriet Harman, the Deputy Prime Minister and our local MP, Anne Snelgrove. Together they spent time talking to a bunch of our young people who were doing a week’s arts workshop for the Herritage Lottery. Lots of fun (and splashed paint!) - culminating at the end of the week with a visit from the Deputy Mayor and his wife. All in all, a VIP packed five days!
Other news is that Toby (Chairman of Trustees) and Rob (SMASH Project Manager) spent a pleasant half hour chatting to Mark O’Donnell of BBC Radio Swindon on Wednesday morning, talking about the challenges and rewards of mentoring - not to mention those of securing new funding to make sure we continue to deliver for the young people of Swindon. If you want to have a listen, it’ll be available for the next six days on the BBC ‘listen again’ feature: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p006hk5h
It was good good opportunity to plug ‘SMASH-Fest’ as well!
Please keep in touch!
The SMASH team
A mentee with the project called Clive has spoken spoke at length to our local newspaper about the difference SMASH has made to his life. Here’s a quote which wasn’t featured but which we think really illustrates what we are all about:
Clive explained that the involvement of SMASH has enabled him to get out into the community, improving his confidence, self esteem and independence. With support from staff and his mentor, Clive has managed to negotiate public transport with a visit to Bath via bus and train, taking responsibility for checking the times etc. and purchasing his own food. He has visited the local railway museum, attended go-karting, enjoyed rock climbing and is currently looking forward to participating in an art workshop during February half term. (This is being funded the Heritage project within SMASH and will be run by our friends the artists Toni and Gordon from ‘No Added Sugar’ – I’ll also be helping on that for the full week – so await tales of artistic endeavour and photographic evidence of paint splattered fun!)
Clive’s mum Angela, is also hoping to refer her younger son to SMASH, has expressed her concerns regarding the future security of SMASH .
“There is nothing out there at all for young people, Clive rarely leaves the house as he does not feel safe and has really enjoyed experiencing the variety of activities offered through SMASH. It will be a great shame if we were to lose this unique project, I only wish there was something more that we could do as a community”.
So, there it is yet again – another ringing endorsement of what we do and of the real difference which ordinary people can make to the lives of others by just giving up a bit of their time.
If you’re a potential funder reading this blog or someone who feels they can volunteer some time to help – please get in touch. We’re not looking for hand-outs, we just want to help give young people a hand-up.
Hot news from event planning central! We’re told that the following top Swindon bands have confirmed that they will be playing at the SMASH gig at Riffs bar! Keep up to speed with the latest news on the gig at the SMASH Facebook page.
The Kalucci March <http://www.myspace.com/thekuluccimarch> Theo Alteiri <http://www.myspace.com/theoaltieri> Zoë Mead <http://www.myspace.com/zoemeadmusic> Frosted tea cakes <http://www.myspace.com/frostedteacakes>
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