Press Release

£1,000 CHP Charitable Trust grant helps stage production for young people

30/01/2006
Ref: pr0077

Stereo is a hard hitting and thought provoking play which raises issues of criminality and life choices among young people.

Chelmer Housing Partnership Charitable Trust has given a grant of £1,000 to Chelmsford Borough Council (CBC) arts development team to stage a production of Stereo by the ARC Theatre group.

The aim of the performance is to encourage young people to consider their future and the direction in which their lives are heading with an emphasis on the choices available to control their destinies.

Presented in Melbourne, the play involved young people and encouraged them to talk to the actors in character. The whole project includes two theatre performances and six follow up workshops at St Peters College which are due to start on Monday 7th February. The workshops are a great opportunity for those involved to build their self esteem and commit to regular involvement in a project.

Dennis Laws, Chairman of CHP Charitable Trust, presented the cheque to Emma Finlayson of CBC Arts Development Team. Dennis said: "I am pleased that CHP Charitable Trust was able to help the ARC Theatre group, and on behalf of the Board, I would like to wish them every success in the future."

The project by ARC theatre was also supported by Chelmer Tenants Forum, Chelmsford Borough Council and Essex Police.

If you would like to be involved in the follow up workshops please contact Emma Finlayson at Chelmsford Borough Council' Arts Development Team on 01245 606973 or email emma.finlayson@chelmsfordbc.gov.uk

ENDS

Editor's Notes:

Photo: Actors performing their part in Stereo.

2nd Photo attached: Cheque presentation by Dennis Laws, Chairman of CHP Charitable Trust to Emma Finlayson of CBC Arts Development Team (centre). Brenda Laws, Secretary of Chelmer Tenants Forum also present (left).

Performance: The play follows the life of a young man who is about to move to an adult prison. Set in a young offenders institute where he is serving a life sentence for murder, the story is told through a series of flashbacks. The relationship with his mother, the police and youth offending team are explored.

CHP Charitable Trust, set up in March 2003 by a gift aid from Chelmer Housing Partnership:

• Facilitates community development in Essex neighbourhoods
• Works in partnership to add value to community based projects to help improve people's quality of life
• Aims to benefit both existing and potential service users of Chelmer Housing Partnership by providing sustainable development

The Trust's objectives:

• Providing youth facilities
• Enhancing skills
• Promoting healthy living
• Tackling financial exclusion

For further information contact Ana Nikacevic, PR & Marketing Assistant on 01245 613152 or email at: ana.nikacevic@chelmerhp.org.uk