Recent updates

The latest news from our projects

  • 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.Rags MDP

  • 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

  • Hello! / ¡Hola!

    An update for El Gran Salto (The Jump)

    Feb 24 2020

    Hello everyone! Sorry for being absent this last couple months regarding the updates to our film "The Jump" (El Gran Salto) around here.

    We got news to share with you. After our premier in Monterrey Film Festival in August 2019, we also got the opportunity of participate in some festivals around Europe:

    • Sport Movies & Tv 2019 - Festival del Cinema e della Tv Sportiva (Milan, Italy) where we obtain a “Mention D' Honneur”.
    • Festival Internacional de Cine de Atletismo (San Sebastian, España) where we obtain “Aquiles de Plata”.
    • Chihuahua International Film Festival where we won the award to best documentary.

    Our next stops will be at Alamos Film Festival in Alamos Sonora Mexico, then we will be at AmDocs Film Festival in Palm Springs, California and last but not least we would be at Ambulante Documentary Film Tour in Chihuahua, Mexico.

    We hope we can share the film in other cities soon. Thank you so much for believing in us and making this possible. We’ll keep you updated with upcoming screenings and festivals.

    If you believe it, then you live it…

    Jorge Porras
    Director

     

    -----

    ¡Hola a todos! Perdón por estar ausentes estos últimos meses.

    Les compartimos algunas novedades. Después de nuestro estreno en el Festival de Cine de Monterrey en agosto de 2019, también tuvimos la oportunidad de participar en algunos festivales de Europa:

    • Sport Movies & Tv 2019 - Festival del Cinema e della Tv Sportiva (Milán, Italia) donde obtuvimos "Mention D' honneur”.
    • Festival Internacional de Cine de Atletismo (San Sebastián, España) donde ganamos el "Aquiles de Plata".
    • Festival Internacional de Cine de Chihuahua, donde obtuvimos el premio al mejor documental.

    Nuestras próximas presentaciones serán en el Festival de Cine de Alamos en Alamos Sonora México, luego estaremos en el Festival de Cine de AmDocs en Palm Springs, California y por último, pero no menos importante, estaremos en el Tour de Cine Documental Ambulante en Chihuahua, México, en Abril.

    Esperamos poder compartir la película en otras ciudades pronto. Muchas gracias por creer en nosotros y hacer esto posible. Son y serán siempre parte importante de El Gran Salto. Los mantendremos informados sobre las próximas proyecciones y festivales.

    Si pasa por tu mente… Pasa por tu vida.

    Jorge Porras
    Director

  • Your digital edition of 'Fistful of Change'

    An update for The Layers' album

    Feb 22 2020

    Dear Backer,

    Here it is, with our undying gratitude for your kind support, your digital copy of the album. 
    For those of you waiting for physical copies, tee shirts and other gifts, we ask you to bear with us for just a little while longer. All going to plan, we should be able to present you with those personally at the launch gig next week or by post shortly thereafter. 

    Follow this link to download the album and, when requested, paste in the decryption key.

    https://mega.nz/#F!w3xC0SzI

    Decryption Key.

    R2VG2NFViK6iE7BeT7l7IA

    The files are tagged, so should show up as The Layers with the correct song order in your digital music player of choice. 

    Please join us at The Old Library on Muller Road in Bristol, next Saturday 29th February from 8pm to celebrate the launch. We'll be playing, we have a surprise support act, there'll be drinks, dancing and a great night had by all. It's free admission, the venue is child-friendly and you're welcome to bring your own refreshments. We'll be finished in time to get little ones off to bed at a not-too unreasonable hour or for you to slip your granny some special K and take her out clubbing for the night. Both if you can get a babysitter. 

    Let us know if you have any issues with the download and please drop us a line via contact@thelayers.me.uk or find us on Facebook to let us know what you think of the album. 

    Unlimited love,

    The Layers. 

     

    Album link and decryption key

      

    https://mega.nz/#F!w3xC0SzI R2VG2NFViK6iE7BeT7l7IA

  • The album is finished!

    An update for The Layers' album

    Feb 20 2020

    To everyone who backed our project, once again we thank you. 

    We're delighted to announce that the album is finished and really excited for you to hear it!

    It's going to take about a week to get the CDs made and printed, the process has begun and then we'll deliver them to you in person or by post as soon as we can, along with the tee-shirts that we spent a merry weekend making. Your gifts will be with you very soon!

    For those of you that ordered a digital version of the album, there will be an email coming to you very soon with a secure download link.

    We couldn't be more excited about this and we hope that you enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it. 

    Please come and celebrate with us at the Old Library in Bristol if you possibly can on the 29th of February. We'd love to shake your hand and thank you in person for being a part of this project. 

     

    Unlimited love from The Layers. 

  • So far, so GOOD!

    An update for The Man Down Programme

    Feb 12 2020

    Dear Friends of MDP,

    This is our first ever post!

    I just wanted to keep you all up-to-date with how the programme is looking.

    Excitingly we start filming on the 28th February, our first interview is with Rory Graham AKA Rag N Boneman – I am so excited for my road trip, but I am more excited to hear Rory’s story of the music industry and how he has found being famous. If you would like to read a little bit about why he is involved in the MDP you can, head across to our website and read all about the participants there......  https://www.mandownprogramme.com/participants

    We are immensely grateful to all of you for your support up until now, this project is a labour of love for the people behind the scenes and we are working around the clock to ensure that we meet your expectations.

    The thing I have learned since we launched the crowdfunder is that people truly believe in us.

    We have received a high number of messages from people telling us their stories, they have thanked us and they are feeling heard.  In a time where I was worried that we may not have the impact I had hoped, these messages were a beacon of light.

    Some messages simply said “thank you”. We are overwhelmed by these messages, however the hard work has only just began so please bear with us if we do not reply to each of you in a timely fashion.

    I will not regale you with the difficulties that we are facing behind the scenes, however I will tell you that funding remains our fundamental issue. We desperately need to get to at least 5K to get the film element of the training package wrapped up. I urge you to share our page and our work and get your friends and family involved.

    This project and all of the support we receive will change the experiences for the beloved musicians we go to in our hour of need. When we too feel that the world needs a pause button or that we need to listen to aggressive rap music to get from one side of the city to the other on foot, or when we need a giant cry because we feel so stressed.

    There is no quick fix in any trauma or distress, there are simply moments of time where things feel less painful. Recovery is slow and we hope to arm as many people with coping skills as possible.

    We will update this blog every time we get 50 new backers.

    Please keep an eye out for some amazing rewards that are due to be added soon! I cannot say too much but there is music and art up for grabs.

    Thank you once again, you have made this experience a whole lot easier and SO heartwarming at a time where the world is very trying.

    Big love

    The Man Down Programme Team