Esteem by Sydney

CONTENTS Editorial / Ident 3 Birmingham Collage 4-5 There are some Jolly Lovely People Around 6-7 The Land of Love and Hope 8-9-10 The Adventures of Johnny and Paddy 11 Birmingham Dogs' Home 12-13 Birmingham Christmas Shelter 14-15 Little Sisters of the Poor 16-17 How can you make a difference? 18-19

T E K K S

Tom Morris Aspiring Graphic Designer I am from Solihull. I would like to push myself and explore areas which maybe new to me, in terms of Visual Communication I like digital work and photography. Emily Webster Aspiring Illustrator I am from Lincolnshire. I aspire to be a free lance illustrator and would love to run my own Design business one day.

Katie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Aspiring Photographer I am from Hertfordshire. I wish to be a freelance photographer that is able to discover and explore the relationship between photography and fine art. Karen Pang Aspiring Graphic Designer I am from Birmingham and I would like to explore different areas of Visual Communication in terms of photography, drawing and moving images and attending seminars.

Sydney Maria Stanislas Graphic Designer and aspiring Photographer I am from Stourbridge and I am keen to explore all aspects of Visual Communication. I love to traveI, interested in Art and like experimenting with Photography.

ident: Esteem https://vimeo.com/79178880

Birming In search of the hidden city

gham

Miss Laima, Is a regular passenger on the train and within the same month she had rescued two phones. The first phone she found was left on the train table, and she researched the name on to phone to track the owner. She discovered he worked for the council, so she e-mailed him. It turned out to be his phone therefore they arranged a meet up so she could return it. He was ever so grateful and brought a box of chocolates as a thank you gift. By coincidence, she found another phone on the train in the same month. When she was about to sit down, she was distracted by a man running by the window of the carriage. He was pointing at the seat by her, and making a phone signal with his hand. So she went over and found a phone stuck between the two seats, she grabbed it and was too late as the train doors closed. She was left standing there holding the phone. After a few seconds she took her seat whist staring at the phone when it rang to life, she picked it up and it was the voice of the man from earlier. That evening on the way home, they arranged to cross paths, where she returned the phone. His surprise thank you gift to her was a lovely bottle of Champagne.

There A Lovely Mr Andy Smith, Works at Char Wallah, a calming environment that serves specialist tea, one day an elderly lady went into his tea shop and wanted to order a full pot of tea, but discovered she didn’t have enough money. So Andy kindly offered a full cup of tea that would have cost a pound but he offered it for free to her on this occasion. She insisted on giving the pound to Andy which he decided to put in the air ambulance donation tub to support a good cause.

Are Some Jolly People Around Miss Anonymous, Was working near the changing rooms when she noticed an elderly lady had toppled over and was laid on the ground at the changing room entrance. She hurried over to her thinking she had a stroke. She called an ambulance and waited with her, even going with her to the hospital. She waited until the elderly lady’s son arrived and she was certain that the lady was in good hands.

Miss Ellen, When she was a young girl aged 8 she was out in the garden being a rebel, her father was with her and he was cleaning the drain pipes when he noticed there was a baby hedgehog stuck in the bottom of the drain. And because he had big hands he couldn’t reach the hedgehog. Instead he called his daughter to use her smaller hands to scoop up the hedgehog. After they set it free, it toddled away into the wild, and she was no longer a rebel as she understood that helping a new born life is better than being a rebel.

The

Land of

Love&Hope

ts raining in Birmingham’s New Street. Its the kind of grey day designed to turn our attentions towards purchasing a good quality waterproof coat and the nice hot chocolate they sell in Marks and Spencer’s. I am expertly dodging the many bobbing umbrella’s flailing around me, determined shoppers in tow. Ahead of me, nestled within the impressive Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, is a corner dedicated to Paul Horton’s Love and Hope Collection. Eighty art pieces awash with vivid yet delicate colour invite me in from the dull world outside. An intriguing orange house, with sides which seem to bulge slightly, stands by itself in a world of green, rolling fields and endless blue skies in multiple pieces. I am surprised at the picturesque scenes before me after learning of Horton’s inspiration behind their conception. ‘My experiences of growing up in 1960’s and 1970’s Birmingham Housing estate greatly influence these works and the creation of the House of Love series.’ He explains. Horton’s years of experience, allowing him to use his chosen Oil Pastel medium in great detail, is not the only fascinating element in the Love and Hope collection. Symbolic imagery is a prominent theme running through his work. ‘The house represents a happy home. It has a warm glow, orange with smoke rising from its chimney to represent this. The love and devotion continuously shown by my mother, through the hardship of raising four children as a single parent, has really influenced me to create these pieces. I believe that true happiness can be found close to home and through the support of family.’ His collection is not exclusively composed of idyllic country scenes. I’ll Be There For You contrastingly paints a realistic picture of cold, tightly packed city houses, winding out into a background of industrial buildings. Its a piece which clearly depicts Horton’s darker memories of growing up in Industrial Birmingham. ‘I suffered with chronic breathing difficulties as a boy.’ Horton recalls. ‘I spent a lot of time out of school and I was put in the lower level groups for every subject accept for one...art.’ He laughs. The more sombre pieces amongst Horton’s collection always contain elements which offer the viewer a glimmer of hope. I’ll Be There For You is no exception.

Two figures holding hands, following the winding road into the distance, reminds us that we are not alone whenever we stumble upon hardships in life. ‘Life can be difficult, but with love and support of each other we can get through.’ Horton says. ‘Some [of my] works reflect a sense of nostalgia. I think nostalgia is an important part of our lives, it effects us all.’

Horton professes his self esteem and the dream to become an artist stemmed from his art teachers support. ‘I was 16 and my head teacher told me to come to his office. I was worried I had done something wrong.’ He smiles at the memory. ‘It was then he explained I had been selected to exhibit my paintings. My art teacher hadn’t told me he had submitted two of them.’ One of Horton’s distinguishing moments in deciding his path to become a serious fine artist was when his art teacher commented his drawings resembled ‘Pre Raphaelite paintings.’ Horton’s choice to include a VW Campervan is a testament to the pride and affection he has for his own families achievements. ‘My son bought this old VW van for a road trip, It was a journey of discovery for him. I thought it would be a fantastic symbol of a journey to seek love and happiness.’ Paul Horton’s Love and Hope immerses us in an opportunity to reflect on the positives in life. ‘Living in a fantasy land of colour and warm orange houses will not resolve our problems.’ I hear you say. But Horton’s intentions are to remind us to recognise who and what that orange house stands for in our lives, to take a breath and appreciate the people who have helped us through hard times and use this to influence how we choose to help others. Horton himself is proof of the amazing accomplishments that can be achieved through self-belief shaped by the support shown by people in his life. Love and Hope is a powerful tool, one which we are all capable of using to better our characters as human beings. Visit www.paulhorton.co.uk. 10

Birmingham Dogs’ Home chance to meet have been lucky enough to have the Birmingham some of the people behind the charity, that is ‘To and Dogs’ Home, that has one mission s, y dog this has rescue, to reunite, to rehome’ stra ch Bart who been established by Sir Alfred Goo e was on (this Hom s supplied the land that the Dog al Street, 1892 was for both Centers – New Can Street 1987 until until 1987, and New Bartholomew present day). . No dogs would The aimed is to take in every stray dog ir outstretched ever see a staff’s back because the day, it is still the hand would always be open. To this ers and new own same; they reunite stray dogs with new staff who families. The only difference are the every dog an are sincere and determined to give they have been equal chance to have a good life as ple and animal doing in the past 120 years, giving peo ful relationship. a second chance in forming a wonder

ts it. The latest determined to live life how she wan These are the news is that she has been rehomed. monitor and care types of moments where staff can able to see them for dogs, at the end of the day, being and they succeed off to a brighter future is their goal that on a daily bases. a’s waste bin by Biffa the puppy was found in a Biff took him to the a member of the public who kindly ff checked the Birmingham Dogs’ Home. The sta er abandoned waste bin incase their were oth .’ Biffa was only puppies, ‘Thankfully their weren’t any a whole history recently born and seems to have Biffa has now e, and now, thanks to the Dogs’ Hom at Sunnyside (the been rehomed too by the Manager ed her. Wolverhampton Centre) has rehom

kes stops at the Everyday the Dog Warden’s van ma stray dogs they Birmingham Dogs’ Home to drop off ut 84 stray dogs have found; on average they find abo four and a half in a week. In a year that would be some would be thousand that they have to take in and ch is located in transported to Sunnyside branch, whi ns the dogs are Coven, Wolverhampton. The conditio sing emotional found in at times can be critical cau arrived at the pain for staff. For example Lucy, who swollen eye, was entrance of the Dogs’ Home with a mined her eye exa rushed to the vets. Once they had k back due to an the veterinarian said her eye had sun was to remove infection and the ‘kindest thing to do udes meeting incl e the eye.’ My visit to the Dogs’ Hom even with one Lucy who now is an energetic dog dogs if not more eye, she is no different from other

charity receives Regardless of its brilliant work, this rely on no government funding. They heavily and individuals ies donations from generous compan nthly donation (become a Friend means giving a mo ities often hold of £3) however, colleges and univers up to £1.8 fundraising events. Last year it cost g vet fees at million to run the Dogs’ Home, includin to 148,000 and £160,096 and tins of dog food up 00. All staff the amount of blankets used was 5,1 day and New as work all year round even on Christm dinner and Years Day, the dogs receive a special the Dogs’ Home presents in form of toys. My visit to ing the selfless has been a touching experience, see health has been acts and passion in restoring dog’s amazing. g

the Fundraisin Side note: Jilly Rivers who works as Coordinator gave Tour.

Birmingham Christmas Shelter y welcome all anybody away. With an open door, the st mo for r yea of e tim cial ur, age hristmas is a spe ctive of gender, sexual orientation, colo spe irre y ma ch whi er; eth tog people. It brings families or religion. time not see each other every day. It is a friends often r the Christfor giving and warmth. Families and volunteers, who run the Shelter ove The as to rred refe n ofte l. They give their time tuck into large roast meals, ss with mas period, are inspirationa ene clos the te bra cele and erâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, dinn ple they may not even â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Christmas . It and there money so that peo ding pud as istm Chr the ting ligh for nothing crackers, hats and w gets to enjoy the holidays. They ask kno d har is it es etim som r eve is a great time of year, how all the charity in the past has spending their in return. On top of be ht mig ple peo er oth how s to the guests gine to ima been able to operate further service s are a few of Christmas.. during the week. Doctors and Dentist to those who many health care benefits available, registered a is lter She as istm Chr am nt. ingh Birm often cannot afford such treatme mth, shelter charity dedicated to provide food, war s and lonely ers and is and a place to socialize for homeles The charity is run entirely by volunte ry year over the Eve a. are am ingh Birm the can continue. in k ple wor peo dependent on donations so its St Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the s use rity Cha the iod, per n running for as Christm Despite the odds, the Charity has bee n tow New , Row n pto Ham at Gre in wn as Community Hub r thirty years It may not be as well kno ove ic ast fant a is It te. una fort to accommodate the less s, however it is local too Birmingecially those other larger charitie esp ple, peo new g etin me for homelessness nity opportu ham and provides vital support . As . nds frie or ily fam e clos any e will be larger who do not hav statistics continues to rise, demand es all, it can this year, whereas the Charity welcom rs a day over hou four nty twe n ope is lter She The only accommodate so many. ween up to one the Christmas week, averaging bet is provided, give a hundred guests daily. Entertainment ever you are this Christmas, please ere Wh and k drin , food as h fortunate than as well as the essentials suc thought to the people who are less ter Win t. nigh the for t res to e plac the charity rm a safe-wa yourself. For more information about r yea the of e tim this ing dur et nights on the stre please visit the website at: nce. The rg can be a harsh, un-necessary experie www.birminghamchristmasshelter.o never turning s, day holi the ing dur e hop s give Charity

Little Sisters of the Poor I

downturn n the midst of recession, economic w that there kno to and cutbacks, it is heartening do their are many charities in Birmingham who members of best to support the most vulnerable oes among our society. They are the unsung her us, the focus of this special issue. rity that looks Our search led to one particular cha ist care and cial after elderly people who need spe heart of attention. Located in Harborne in the Sisters of the Birmingham, the Nuns of the Little Poor run this registered charity. igious Order The Nuns belong to a worldwide Rel uding the incl es that operates in several countri Jeanne with United Kingdom. Their Order started in a small Jugan, born on October 25, 1792 dedicated She . nce fishing village in Brittany, Fra r, and at poo her life to the service of the elderly shelter a very young age felt called to provide ulted in the for these lost souls. Her service res the Poor who of establishment of the Little Sisters countries, and now care for the elderly in over 30 st successful have grown to become one of the mo religious organizations in the world. r established In 1867, the Little Sisters of the Poo e Crescent”, their first home at a place called “Th ved to their near Broad Street. In 1874, they mo

2014 will present location in Harborne, and in ingham. Birm to vice celebrate 140 years of ser es for 38 car St. Joseph’s, as their home is called, e home, there elderly residents. Apart from the car The home is are 12 flats for independent living. l authority, supported financially through the loca . donations, and private resident’s fees e staff In addition to the nuns, thirty full-tim r the afte look members are employed to d that charities residents. Not many people realise k. By doing employ paid staff to support their wor a part in so, the Little Sisters of the Poor play well as as y, supporting Birmingham’s econom a strong caring for its elderly. Thus sending s do give back ritie cha t message to the cynics tha to the community. ting with Walking through their doors, interac after, served residents, seeing them being looked dical freshly cooked food, provided with me physical in care and encouraged to participate is so much activities, makes one feel that there city, in the this charity is giving. Throughout the service the same way, the city offers itself to stronger of vulnerable people. Birmingham is erous deeds – through these selfless people’s gen st. mid the unsung heroes hidden in our

How can YOU make a difference? Everyone knows how nice it feels to put a smile on someone’s face. However, is cracking a smile to a complete stranger in the street or offering ten pence to someone who needs it for the car park really a way to make a difference? We need to start looking at the bigger picture. How would it feel to change someone’s life forever?

any people around the world would like to know how to make a difference by helping their local community. However, the majority of the time the term ‘giving’ constitutes of putting your hand in your pocket, and for many that is just not possible. Once we have fulfilled the needs of our own lives, it is important to consider those who may need our support whether that is physically or mentally. Maybe you wish you could help the people of Birmingham that need it? But the question is, how do we do that exactly? Everyone knows how nice it feels to put a smile on someone’s face. However, is cracking a smile to a complete stranger in the street or offering ten pence to someone who needs it for the car park really a way to make a difference? We need to start looking at the bigger picture. How would it feel to change someone’s life forever? Giving just one pint of blood can change as many as three people’s lives. Whilst one pint of blood may sound like a large amount, in essence the average body holds between 8-10 pints of blood and your body makes around two million new red cells every second, so it doesn’t take long to build up stores of them again. Just less than one pint of blood is taken in roughly ten minutes. By donating this blood you are giving vulnerable people something they need without losing anything at all in the long term.

Giving just one pint of blood can change as many as three people’s lives. Whilst one pint of blood may sound like a large amount, in essence the average body holds between 8-10 pints of blood and your body makes around two million new red cells every second, so it doesn’t take long to build up stores of them again. Just less than one pint of blood is taken in roughly ten minutes. By donating this blood you are giving vulnerable people something they need without losing anything at all in the long term. I conducted a survey to investigate how many people in Birmingham gave blood and why. Only 7 eligible people out of 40 said they did or had at one time in their life. The main reasons given by the people who didn’t give blood was due to a fear of needles, lack of time or because they had never considered the importance of doing so. Although these appear to be very common reasons, it seems selfish to think that people are more afraid of a procedure that isn’t as daunting and painful as many of us think, compared to the fact that others out there are in desperate need of blood. Your blood can be used in hospitals around the globe for a variety of reasons, 30% of the blood donated is used during surgery. Other uses of donated blood also include treatment for people with anaemia or pregnant patients. O- And B- blood type donors especially need to step forward as these stocks are currently low and people out there are in continuous need of your support. So make this your time to make a difference and give hope to those who deserve it. Together we can save lives, together we will Give Blood. Call 0300 123 23 23 or book an appointment at Birmingham’s Blood and transplant unit today.