Recent updates
The latest news from our projects
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Horray!!
An update for Somewhere out there
Aug 4 2016
We are OFF!...We are excited to launch our first crowdfunding campaign! Thanks so much for all the pledges thus far. We are thrilled to reveal a new addition to our cast: the wonderfully talented actress Pippa Haywood, from GREEN WING and SILENT WITNESS. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0371846/
More to come and it would be great if you can share this link thanks so much!!
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Last chance
An update for Bearpit Social - The Next Phase
Aug 1 2016
Hi everyone,
We are going to be extending the deadline for the final two weeks and on August 15 we will bring the campaign to the end. We may not be successful so I just want to thank everyone who has made a pledge regardless of the final outcome.
love,
Team Bearpit xx
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Sikh remembrance garden Project Bristol
An update for Sikh Garden of Remembrance
Jul 29 2016
Deep Breath,
Alright folk! They say you can't rush good thing.
As we continue to search for match funding, we are extending the campaign to end of the August.
This will create a delay with council and BBC Gardener's designer to start the work.Thank you to all those social media heroes who are helping spread our voice.
Love
Sikh community centre -
New Reward!
An update for Bearpit Social - The Next Phase
Jul 28 2016
Hi Everyone!
We've released a new reward - we are putting 10 tickets up for a seat at the very first Bearpit Banquet!
Read all about it over here: http://www.bristolbiennial.org/Bearpit-Banquet-Festival-Launch-Party
Join us for music, food and fun!
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Final project - Community areas in Greece
An update for Help Refugees - #holidaysforgood - shelter campaign
Jul 26 2016
Hi All
It’s been a while since we finished the fundraiser and we are now in the position where we have made a decision as to how the £40k raised, would best be spent.
This decision has been made in consultation with a number of people; those on the ground, those really informed as to what is going on, and Help Refugees, our charity partner.
When we first thought about how we could help the refugee crisis, our thoughts were focused on building shelters in Calais. Prior to the campaign being launched the situation in Calais changed dramatically, with the French government bulldozing large sections of the camp and moving refugees into new purpose built containers. So we shifted focus to Dunkirk, but since finishing the campaign, the situation has changed there too and the French government are being very controlling about any new shelter building.
The future of these French camps looks very uncertain. Therefore, we have decided that it’s too big a risk to the money that you have helped to raise, and the impact that money can have on those in need, to build shelters in France.
As you all know the refugee crisis is a deeply connected one. People are on a long journey, escaping wars and inhumane regimes; Calais and Dunkirk have been the final resting points for many hoping for a better life in the UK, but there are many pressure points along the way. Greece is one such place where there are an estimated 50,000 refugees, with 40% children and 25% women, many living in military camps in horrific conditions. This is where we have decided to concentrate our efforts.
Project aim and summary
The aim of the project is to provide shade and community spaces for refugees living in military camps in Greece.
The output of the project will be increased access to shade and respite from the hot sun, and a space for communities to gather and conduct activities.
Problem addressed by project
The temperature in Greece is rising up to 45°C at the height of the day and the majority of the military camps offer no shade and are located in isolated industrial areas or on mountainous terrain. With a serious lack of items such as sun cream and sun hats to distribute, and no spaces besides crowded tents to seek cover from the blaring sun, refugees particularly children, have blistering sun burn. Medical care is infrequent and so quite often the severe sun burn that children are getting can cause open wounds that get infected and cannot be treated.
As well as the physical and health problems that come with having no access to shade, it also presents little for children to do in the unbearable heat all day. Some children living in the refugee camps in Greece have not been to school for years during their perilous journeys, and are now stuck in the camps awaiting their asylum claims to be processed. With no child friendly space under shade, these children cannot have a childhood and a safe place to play games and learn, catching up on the years already lost.
A lack of community spaces in the camps also correlates to an increase in tensions among the community living in such close quarters. A space that the community can use, to make and drink chai, have community meetings and gather separate from the bleak warehouses that people are often living in will hugely increase the atmosphere in the camps.
Description of project
In Greece, Help Refugees have been installing shaded areas in 6 of the military camps with the group Green Helmets. So far, the spaces have been adopted by the community, turned into schools where teachers from the refugee community can teach the children. They are used in the afternoon as a space to drink chai, and in the evenings to watch movies provided by volunteer groups. Our teams have noticed a significant increase in community spirit, engagement and wellbeing levels.
Help Refugees will build shaded areas in 4 more camps in Thessaloniki. These would provide a safe space for approximately 5,500 people, of which 40% are vulnerable children.
Help Refugees will then work with volunteer groups in the camps to ensure that the community are able to develop programmes for the spaces, so that people are able to use their time waiting for their asylum claims to process in a productive way.
What gaps in services already offered on the ground is this project filling
There are currently no groups building community spaces and offering any respite from the shade. The Ministry of Migration in Greece is over-capacity and does not have any further resources to make the camps liveable and safe.
Help Refugees will do all that we can to ensure that refugees are able to have access to safe sanctuaries and shelter until they reach their final destination.
I’m sure you will agree that this is a tremendously important project. We carefully considered all the options and are really happy that the money we raised with your help, will make a huge difference.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the project, please just let me know.
The work will be starting immediately and we will share further updates with you as the project progresses.
Thanks again for making this happen. Without your support this simply wouldn’t have be possible. We are forever grateful for your generosity and warmth and for joining us and our wider community in doing something to make a difference.
Best wishes
Tom Dixon
Managing Director
Sawday's Canopy & Stars -
July Update
An update for The Imperial Plan by The Fable
Jul 22 2016
Hi everyone,
The last track to be mixed (The Alliance Waltz) will be ready in a few days time so I can get the mixing done. The voiceovers were that last thing recorded and they are fantastic. They really pull the whole thing togather and secure it as a genuine concept album and I am delighted with the results.
Also I have commissioned a line drawing artist to produce images for each track to go inside the booklet/cover (still not 100% sure on the format for that).
For those of you that pledged for books, magazines etc. they are all on order and will be shipped with your CD.
I am working hard to get the album released September/October time and will update you as soon as I have a firmer date.
Mike
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Premises
An update for Bristol's First Cat Cafe
Jul 20 2016
Hello Cat Lovers,
Good mews! Keep your paws crossed because I found a potential premises for our cafe - the final winner of 21 properties I have viewed (approached over 35!). Time to get things moving! The lawyer has started working on the terms of the lease. The legal process can take up to 3 months depending on the complexity of this property. I know, long! But this is pretty much a normal process when it comes to finding the commercial property and actually getting keys to it! On the side I am working busy on the cafe design, our suppliers, menu, legal and much, much more. Also our vouchers are almost ready, hopefully soon I will start sending them to all of you! So don't worry! Things are happening behind the scenes.
And as always thank you so much for your patience. If you have any more questions you can always drop me an email at info@youandmeow.co.uk
Hugs & Paws,
Ewa xx
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August
An update for Bearpit Social - The Next Phase
Jul 18 2016
They say you can't rush a good thing!
As we continue to search for match funding, we will be extending the campaign to August. This will create a delay in the work beginning as we won't be able to book any workmen in but we are staying positive. Thank you to all those social media heroes who are helping spread our our voice! Any one day we are usually juggling 6 or 7 roles to run the business and be part of the Bearpit so any man power or advice is appreciated to drive this campaign forward is appreciated.
Love
Team Bearpit
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Dear 54 Pledgers!
An update for Bearpit Social - The Next Phase
Jul 13 2016
With 6 days to go we've reached our 50% target! This is an all or nothing campaign that means if we don't reach our target by July 19th we won't be taking any of the money.
The reason being the works we need to do are absolutely necessary and we can no longer put them off! If our 54 pledgers could share our crowdfunding campaign with at least 10 friends we make this happen!
If you have any food lovers out there here's an example of a menu for the private dinner party in our home!
Feast of the Sea
Scallops 2 ways - carpaccio & served with butternut squash mousse and chorizo oil
Homemade tagliatelle allo scoglio
Hake, capers & seasonal greens
Lemon posset
Accompanied with selected wines to go with your meals!
Thank you all for all your words of encouragement and support,
Love
Miriam