MEMBERS NEWS
RE-ENGAGING THROUGH CREATIVE LEARNING Natalie Flynn is Senior Creative Learning Manager for the Ambassador Theatre Group, and leads on this for the Liverpool Empire Theatre. Here she tells us about the remarkable work she does in the local community. Over the last 12 months we have enabled 15000 people from across the Liverpool City region to engage with the Liverpool Empire Theatre via our Creative Learning programme of events and activities. Our programme provides extraordinary experiences to nurture the future, engaging and empowering people of all abilities, ages, gender, races and socioeconomic backgrounds in local communities and schools. Our aim is to increase access to the performing arts and to inspire a diverse future workforce, audience, and creative global community. Last academic year, we engaged 12,781 students across our nine enrolled Partner Schools through a year-round offer of engagement. Schools Partnership Programme for Academic year 2023/24 includes workshops with English National Ballet, an opportunity
Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre presents Legally Blonde The Musical. Image by Phil Tragen
to perform at Liverpool ONE Christmas Launch, cast-led workshops and pre-show Q&As with visiting companies such as Mischief Theatre and many more. “Being a partner school of Liverpool Empire has inspired a generation of students and we are so thankful for the opportunities it provides” Rosanna Rigby Tutor at Warrington & Vale College. Under the supportive guidance of industry professionals, participants involved in our Youth Theatres experience an authentic, professional environment, preparing them for the world of work within the theatre industry. Following record-breaking performances of Legally Blonde The Musical in August by the Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre, we are delighted to have seen over 300 young people at our annual auditions this autumn. 2022/2023 has also seen the highest number
of alumni working in the industry and making their professional West End debuts. “My time at Empire Youth Theatre has been invaluable, I have learnt so many life skills, gained friends for life and, discovered a confidence and belief in myself “ Grace Hunt, Youth Theatre Participant 2019 - 2023 Partnership is at the heart of what we do. Following the effect of the pandemic on culture, schools, and communities; working together across sectors to rebuild, reengage audiences, and for resilience, is vitally important. We forge relationships with other organisations to further our impact locally and nationally. Contact me at natalieflynn@ theambassadors.com or Sales & Development Manager, Adam Birch at adambirch@theambassadors.com for ways in which we can work together.
CARE BEFORE CRISIS: HOW PROACTIVE WELLBEING SUPPORT CAN REVOLUTIONISE YOUR WORKPLACE From family concerns to financial struggles, menopause symptoms to mental health challenges - life’s everyday pressures can quickly build into overwhelming roadblocks to wellbeing. With many traditional means of support – particularly for mental health – becoming inundated with users in recent years, more and more employees are now turning to their organisations for access to support pathways. In fact, research has found that the number of employees using their workplace’s Employee Assistance Programme as a primary means of sourcing mental health and wellbeing support is on the rise, with the estimated ROI of such programmes now peaking at a staggering £10.85 per every £1 spent by employers (EAPA, 2023). Historically however, many workplace support systems and wellbeing strategies suffer from the same downfall – forgetting that prevention is always better than cure and becoming a reactive, rather than proactive, treatment. With many wellbeing
Liverpool Chamber
By acknowledging the full range of mental and physical wellbeing needs that make up our overall health and seeking to address these needs before they become a concern, proactively healthy organisations are able to promote an inclusive, long-term health strategy that keeps their workforce happy, healthy, and motivated.
strategies being designed to offer help after employees reach crisis, EAPs (Employee Assistance Programmes) can be a key factor in helping workplaces avoid both absentand presenteeism, as well as stress and health related absences. So, how is a proactive, holistic approach to wellbeing so innovative in the workplace? Namely, by actively seeking to prevent mental health challenges before they become serious problems.
This innovative approach to employee health and wellbeing became the guiding principle of Medicash and Health@Work’s new partnership with award-winning wellbeing service provider Vivup, recently launched this autumn. This new provision was designed to improve the inclusivity and holistic nature of their EAPs, incorporating new services and tools such as selfassessments for better health awareness, a dedicated menopause support line, and even access to a clinically moderated peer support network for opening up mental health discussions. To find out more about the range of wellbeing services available, visit www.medicash.org/eap-services
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