Recent updates
The latest news from our projects
-
Your Upfest crowd-funding pledge: Action Required.
An update for Upfest 2020
Mar 31 2020
Dear Upfest Supporters,
We’re exceedingly grateful to everyone that has supported our crowding so far indeed we can’t hold the festival without you.
It has been apparent for many weeks that it would be impossible to host a safe festival for our artists , visitors and volunteers at the end of May, we are working with Bristol City Council on rescheduling the festival which we hope to do at the end of the summer.
Given the situation we will be changing the type of crowdfunding we’re operating from a must hit target of £25,000 by the 5th of April to an ongoing target of £25,000 in order to still raise funds for a future festival and ultimately raise this money to keep us in a position where we can host another festival in the future.
As someone who has pledged, we are now giving you three options:
- Confirm your pledge and we'll take the amount pledged in the next 14 days from the card details you’ve provided. If you agree to this, we will then make arrangements for you to receive your reward as soon as possible. Please note some rewards such as street art tour and artist murals will be postponed until it is safe to operate these activities, we'll keep you updated when these are re-arranged.
- Suspend your pledge and we’ll get in touch once we have a new date for the festival and check again if you’d still be able to support the Upfest, at which stage your reward would then be fulfilled.
- Cancel your pledge.
Thanks once again for everyone’s support and given time we hope to see you at our next festival!
Please email artists@upfest.co.uk as soon as possible with what action (1, 2 or 3) you would like to take with your current pledge.
Stay safe and keep looking after each other,
Steve, Emma & the crew.
View postponement details HERE
(Photo by Paul Box, Artwork: We Are Family by Oli-T)
-
For anyone who has ordered merchandise....
An update for The Man Down Programme
Mar 30 2020
Dear all,
I really hope that you are all keeping well in this most unsettling of times.
We wanted to update you on our position - some of you have donated and bought our merch (THANK YOU)... However I am sure it will come as no surprise that the printing and creation of our merchandise is temporarily on hold.
When we set up MDP we wanted to support local businesses and order through independant printers/merchandise companies. Since these are not deemed 'essential' businesses they are now closed and facing the worries of how they will cope as small businesses in the wake of the pandemic.
It would mean a lot to us to ensure that we stick with the companies we are working with so that they have some guaranteed money once this situation has changed.
With that it means that our supporters will have to be ok with this, and though you have been incredibly patient so far we are are asking that you hold on a little longer to get your tees/sweatshirts/caps/badges etc.
None of us know how long this will last but we are all in it together and our community is one of love, compassion and support.
Without these family run independant businesses we wouldn't have such a great team!
We hope you understand. Any problems please message me.
Big love
Gemma MDP
-
Feed the Homeless/Give a Sh#t Xmas Crowdfunding Campaign update #2
An update for Emergency fund for the Homeless with Give a Sh#t Xmas
Mar 28 2020
Hi to all backers
We just wanted to give you another quick update on the Feed the Homeless crowdfunding campaign that you have so generously contributed to.
The response we have had so far has been overwhelming and we are already closing in on our initial target of £5000 which of course is fabulous.
Therefore we have taken the decision to raise our target to £7500 which at the present rate of progress we feel that is easily reachable.
With the help of Bristol City Council and other Bristol based homelessness charities, we have managed to move the majority of the homeless off the streets and into hotels which obviously is a vital step forward. The charity Caring in Bristol are provided all those accommodated with 3 hot meals a day whilst Feed the Homeless are providing all other essential items such as snacks, hot drinks, toiletries and basic clothing.
All of the money raised by this campaign is being used to pay for those essential items. And as I am sure you will appreciate, because there is no indication how long the Coronavirus lock down will last, we have no idea how much money we will need to raise thus our continuing campaign.
But once again thank you for supporting this campaign, it is truly, truly appreciated. We have produced a brand new video which explains everything. If you could share the url below far and wide we would be very grateful.
There is also a share link on our Fundsurfer page here - https://bit.ly/fth-2020
Many thanks once again and keep an eye out for future updates
Regards
The Feed the Homeless team
-
Update #1 - Success.... But there's more to do!
An update for Who will get the Bailout. The Banks or the People?
Mar 28 2020
Hey!
Thank you so much to everyone who shared or contributed - we already crossed the line!
PLUS we will be doing more - much more! So please do keep sharing and ask friends to contribute.
The banks don't sit idly by but see a crisis like this as an opportunity - and it's up to us to object, or they will just carry on.
The first cartoon was published today here - with this article. Hope you like it!
More soon!
Barry & the Team
-
Update
An update for Emergency fund for the Homeless with Give a Sh#t Xmas
Mar 27 2020
Here’s an update on what’s going on with our homeless/rough sleeping population in Bristol.
The council have taken over a number of hotels, youth hostels and b&bs, which they are moving everyone on the streets into so they can isolate. Most people have now been housed.
If you see anyone out you can check with them whether they’ve been housed. If not direct them to the council offices at 100 Temple Street during office hours. They are housing everyone regardless of their refugee status or connection to the city. Out of office hours still use Streetlink on 0300 500 0914.
A portion of the shelters are closed but the soup kitchens are mainly still running. We’ll be out with Feed The Homeless tonight and Sunday helping manage the queues and providing Sleep Pods for anyone that hasn’t or can’t be housed for what ever reason. We’ll be sticking to one spot in Champion Square where the police have authorised their soup kitchen.
The amazing Shada Nasrullah created an ingenious system to social distance in the queue last week using orange buckets, pics below. It took a little while for everyone to get it but then worked a charm! Molly Mishi May is providing hand made masks for our volunteers.
As we’re now not putting people in youth hostels ourselves the money raised for that is now going to put together welcome packs for the guys as they move into the hotels to isolate. The first ones, made yesterday, are a weeks food. More of these are being made today, 150 in total. Also clothes and toiletries packs being made up today and tomorrow. Thanks for your help Louis Straker, Jess and Joe yesterday.
We already spent 3 times what has so far been given on the fund raiser for accommodation and now supplies, so if you can give any more it would massively help! Please give here:
https://www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/emergency-fund-for-the-homeless-with-give-a-sht-xmas
While I’m here a massive big up to Bristol Wings youth hostel who were so helpful and friendly when we were housing people, and have now given the whole hostel over to the temporary housing project. Support them if you can when we’ve got through this. (Some of the other hostels were less helpful...)
It’s amazing to have everyone off the streets, which comes as a bit of a silver lining to the dark corona cloud. So much other amazing examples of communities working together too, not least all the homeless charities working together more than ever. Try and stay positive everyone, we’ll get through this and maybe come out a better society as a result... ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
-
Covid-19 Impact
An update for The Man Down Programme
Mar 17 2020
Dear all
With the uncertainty of the national government response to the coronavirus outbreak we must let you know that this has directly impacted our work.
It is having a huge impact on the demographic of people we are working with. And as such our London interviews are being rescheduled.
Secondly - lots of fundraising and some sponsorship has been lost due to cancellation of event which means we are significantly underfunded.
The MDP team would like you to know that we support every decision that is made in the interest of public safety. Though WE as a project have lost money our priority is to help and support the artists and self employed music industry colleagues who will face financial hardship.
We wanted to be transparent about our position as this will inevitably delay some of our work and completion of the film.
Our priority is keeping the masses safe and well.
MDP team ❤️
-
Talking to Rag 'n' Bone Man
An update for The Man Down Programme
Mar 10 2020
Friday 29th February marked the start of our filming.
We started with the amazingly talented Rory Graham AKA Rag ‘n’ Bone Man - what a way to start.
Nestled in the middle of the Sussex countryside, Rory’s home studio played host to our first on-camera chat with the multi-platinum artist. The backdrop captured the natural creativity and passion for music that has seen Rory’s chart-topping success garner international awards and accolades.
Talking to Rory was important and here is why: Rory spoke openly about success, he spoke about the experiences of signing to a major label, he spoke about the importance of a good support network, but crucially was honest about his feelings around being away from loved ones, most notably being in America and away from his then partner around the due date of his son’s birth.
Rory made no secret that talking on camera was something he was not fully comfortable with as yet despite his high numbers of record sales, a plethora of interviews, appearances on talk shows and red carpets. His fidgeting in the seat, adjusting his jewellery, stroking his beard and general physical display of nerves showed a gentle humility that opposed the notion that fame prepares you for such an occasion. Rory described being vastly more comfortable addressing an audience from a stage, something I empathise with as a lecturer. I would much prefer to teach 400 students than 10 – something about the focused gaze that becomes polarising.
What was so earnest about Rory was his natural resilience. He cited his band, managers and small professional network as being something that saved him at times of stress. He described them as important and that they had become friends, friends that were sensitive and attuned to knowing when he became uncomfortable in social situations. The pressure of back-to-back interviews, the stage, to camera and meeting new people were all situations he described as enjoying, but there were also times where he needed to leave and have some down time away from the eyes of the masses and flash of the camera.
Talking about his rise to fame and the trajectory of his career for the most part was positive; he stated that he felt supported by his record label and could discuss a time that another artist was struggling mentally and how he had seen the response from the label which appeared to reassure him.
Listening to Rory talk gave me time to contemplate the issues with fame such as his. Hearing him talk about doing day-to-day activities but being stopped for pictures, being told ‘you’re really lovely’ by strangers in shops, the stares, the whispers, I wondered how I would cope if it were me. In short I think I would struggle.
Rory is a gentle calm soul, he seems un-phased by the majority of the attention his fame brings, but this is a reminder that some people are more relaxed and at ease with this type of attention whereas some people might feel overwhelmed. I would like to just pop to the shop for a can of coke and loo roll without having to pose with a fan, but the fan might be the reason I make music, they might be the reason I drive a lovely car with heated seats rather than my 1998 Saab with condensation as a free gift, they might be the reason that I get out of bed in the morning. Every person we have spoken to handles this situation differently, however the overriding factor remains that they each feel grateful and humbled by their fans. Some men smile even though inside they feel sadness and loneliness.
To conclude: your fame and success do not preclude you from being lonely, exhausted and unable to perform, however your resilience and support network maintain your mental state in order to be the creatives that we, as an audience, fans and consumers love and cherish.
-
Fistful of Change, digital edition, download issues?
An update for The Layers' album
Mar 7 2020
Dear backer,
We've had feedback that a few people didn't find it very easy to download and listen to the album via our previous link.
Please accept our apologies for this. We belong to the era of vinyl, cassettes, diphtheria and sabre-toothed tigers and are basically just sat here prodding at incomprehensible technology like Laika, the Sputnik dog.
We want you all to be able to enjoy the music that you helped to make possible, so we've found an easier way to get the music to you.
This link will take you to The Layers' web store and allow you to download the music for free:
http://www.nimbitmusic.com/thelayers/promos/PROMO_33886_email
You'll have the option of .wav or .mp3 format. Wav will give you slightly better quality but mp3 will take up less space. Your shout.
As ever, if you have difficulty with the download or aren't able to listen to the music for whatever reason, please let us know via contact@the layers.me.uk
If the worst comes to the worst, we'll give a young boy a shiny ha'penny to bring you a CD on his bicycle.
The Layers.
-
Our Campaign has ended
An update for WildlifeX - Awesome series about Wildlife in crisis
Mar 4 2020
To all our backers
Our campaign has ended. We fell far short of our mark despite the hard work of our entire team. Fortunately we did cover all our expenses. The small amount remaining will be used for marketing as we continue on our mission.
Please follow us for updates on our website which is almost complete https://www.wildlifexmovi.com/, and on our social media sites as they are completed. Our Facebook account can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Wildlife-X-111055663793932/
Once again thank you so much for your backing.
Love
The WildlifeX Team
-
£1400.00 Mark reached
An update for WildlifeX - Awesome series about Wildlife in crisis
Feb 26 2020
Thank you all for your support. We have reached £1400 of our target, so still a long way to go with cut off time beginning to loom. We are approaching organizations at this point. If you have any ideas on organizations or individuals that may interested in contributing or sponsoring, please let us know, or reach out to them yourselves.
Thanks again
The WildlifeXTeam