Connect-Create project launched for Armed Forces families
News from our partners The Hive, Shrewsbury
The Hive in Shrewsbury is delighted to announce that the organisation is in receipt of Armed Forces Community Covenant funding for “Connect-Create”, a project working with Armed Forces families and their local communities in Shropshire throughout 2015.
The Hive is an independent art organisation and charity based in the heart of Shrewsbury, working across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. The successful project funding was agreed by the Shropshire Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme following a series of taster workshops managed by The Hive between April and August 2014.
David Fairclough, Armed Forces Community Covenant Co-ordinator, said:
‘‘The Hive is a fantastic charity and the Community Covenant is delighted to support them. The Hive’s enthusiasm and passion for music is infectious, and I’m convinced that this project will bring military and civilian communities closer together. I can’t wait for the project to begin and for young people to get a chance to do something new, innovative and exciting.’’
Starting in February 2015 Connect-Create will be offering more than 80 inspirational workshops for toddlers, children, young people and families – both in the Armed Forces and in their local communities, led by experienced professional artists. Working with groups of all ages from RAF Shawbury and Tern Hill Army barracks, surrounding local communities and British Red Cross Young Carers, from toddlers to teenagers. the Connect-Create creative programme aims to connect Forces families with their local communities through shared interests and experiences and help to raise awareness of the issues affecting the Armed Forces community.
Lieutenant Colonel Ivor M Gardiner, Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment at Tern Hill, commented:
“Connect-Create has already proven of immense benefit to run the taster sessions, and the project sits firmly within the aspirations and aims of the Community Covenant.”
Gp Capt Alastair Smith, Station Commander at RAF Shawbury, said:
“The taster music sessions proved to be extremely popular with our young people last year and we are delighted to see the Community Covenant in action, delivering a unique opportunity to our community.”
Agnes White, Community Development Worker from the Army Welfare Service, Tern Hill, sai:
“We are delighted that this project is coming to Tern Hill and we’re all very excited. The young people loved the taster sessions in April; the atmosphere was amazing, so vibrant – there was a sheer enthusiasm from the young people and The Hive team which was fantastic to see. The group has been asking for the workshops to come back ever since. Their families were very grateful and were really supportive of this project following the workshops. It helped the group to work well together as a team and is great for our local community.”
Katie Jennings, Projects and Programmes Manager for The Hive, commented:
“Everyone at The Hive is thrilled that we will be running Connect-Create. It has been incredibly rewarding working with Armed Forces and local communities in 2014 and we are very much looking forward to embarking on a full year’s programme.”
