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Charity pages
Gilbert’s on his way
The Prout Bridge Project is a small youth and community charity that makes a big difference by delivering services for people of all ages in rural West Dorset.
Gilbert the van with the Prout Bridge Project team.
The Prout Bridge Project exists to provide opportunities for people of all ages in West Dorset to come together socially, participate in our community, make friends and support each other. We provide: • Youth clubs and youth work (age 8-18) • Mental health support and a free counselling service (age 16+) • Sports, art, music and community activities for all ages • Access to information, support and other services including the Food Bank,
Citizens Advice and the Space
Youth Project (a safe space for Dorset’s LGBQT+ young people).
The arrival of Gilbert
Following a successful Crowdfunder campaign earlier in 2021, the Prout Bridge Project went mobile over the summer with the launch of a new outreach programme. Thanks to the generosity of all who gave money and rewards to the campaign, and to the time and support of many more, we were able to buy and kit out an outreach vehicle. The van is affectionately known as Gilbert, named after the late founder of the charity Gil Streets. It means that vital youth and community work can take place in local villages and at the new Beaminster skatepark. The campaign was backed by Dorset Council, Comic Relief, Sport England’s Return to Play, Power to Change Community Business and the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership. We’d also like to mention a special thanks to Mayfair, Multiform, the Ollerod and Tangerine, along with all our local community business partners and patrons. Their valued support and input into the charity has helped us get to where we are today. Paula Tuff, Manager, said “We are all so grateful to everyone who has supported us. We feel as through we achieved the impossible, and can now take our services out and about to isolated areas.”
Beaminster Community Centre
The charity has also just reopened the Prout Bridge Youth and Community Centre in Beaminster, which has been closed because of Covid, and has launched a new Autumn programme of activities. For further information or to support us please visit our website, facebook, Instagram, or call 07802 514171.”
“We operate from the small town of Beaminster and in a typical year we work with more than 500 young people & adults”
Shaftesbury has one of the best volunteer-led arts centres in the South West
Established in 1957 in the old covered market in the centre of the medieval Dorset hilltop market town of Shaftesbury, Shaftesbury Arts Centre is now widely recognised as one of the best volunteer membershipled arts centres in South West England. The regular, varied and lively year-round programme of amateur and professional plays, films, art, photography and craft exhibitions, workshops, and training courses draws people from surrounding counties. It is also increasingly taking the arts out into the community.
Fancy being a volunteer?
It’s a great way to meet people, be at the heart of something amazing, and to enjoy new experiences. The charity relies solely on volunteers to manage every aspect of the Arts Centre, from set building to selling tickets, and from make-up to maintenance. If you’ve got a little time, would like to meet new people, and get involved in any way, pop into the Arts Centre and have a chat, or drop an email to: contact@ shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk They are always looking for people to help front of house, backstage and in the general running of the Arts Centre – so there’s something to suit everyone.
A returning schedule of events
Little by little, things at the Arts Centre are getting back to some sort of normality. The room hire is gradually picking up, rehearsals are underway for the October production of Bugsy Malone (tickets are selling well already) and plans are afoot for a pantomime in January. The Friday films were back in September and the monthly Tuesday afternoon seniors’ matinees (for over 50s) have returned. These are ticketed events, which can be bought on the day or in advance. The Gallery continues to thrive with increased footfall and in the autumn, we hope to allow artists to resume holding private viewings, albeit with reduced numbers.
For more information, visit www.shaftesburyartscentre.
Sir Cliff Richard invites fans to be part of the most fabulous big screen party of the year. On Saturday 20th November Shaftesbury Arts Centre will present a recorded Live Streaming event from the Royal Albert Hall. The Great 80 Tour features a selection of his greatest hits. Cliff Richard’s incredible energy and passion on stage will sweep you off your feet and be sure to have you swaying in the aisles.
