Welcome to our Winter Warmer update... bursting with inspiring stories from people in our neighbourhood, our upcoming events, awards, annual reports and lots of things to get you feeling warm and fuzzy for Christmas! 

​We recently said farewell to Adam. He's got a new job working as a recovery driver - something he's always wanted to do. Adam started with us about 3 years ago working as a young person on Cre8 Facilities (our social enterprise) washing vehicles. He's been a team leader for the last couple of years and done a fantastic job leading our work with Creamline. And he's recently become a father! Congratulations Adam - you'll be missed but we're very pleased for you 😁😁😁 This is what it's all about.

​Calling all our wonderful supporters
We are planning a ‘Food Giveaway’ at the Community Christmas Feast at St Barnabas Church on the 22nd of December. Following the incredible response at previous giveaways we realise how important it is for so many, so close to Christmas.
If you are able to donate items (see below) please get in touch with Cre8 on 01625 503740

• NON-PERISHABLE FOOD - we will take donations of non perishable items any time between now and Friday 22nd. These can be dropped at the Cre8 House (11 Belgrave Road) or get in touch as we might be able to collect.
• FRESH FOOD - we will take in donations of perishable food (like bread, milk, juice, fruit, veg etc) on Monday 17th until the morning of Friday the 22nd. These can be dropped off at Cre8 or get in touch and we may be able to collect.
• TOYS, TOILETRIES, NAPPIES, WASHING POWDER - we are VERY keen for donations (unopened / unused). Families and young people are often in need of these. 
• A LITTLE TIME - if you'd like to help out on the day - serving hot food or helping with the giveaway we would love to have you. It's a great atmosphere and a wonderful start to Christmas.

If you are able to ask your local shop or business to donate something then please do!
We really do appreciate your support for the young people of the Moss Rose Estate and their families.

Volunteers are at the heart of Cre8. They make things happen, and they share their passion and time. It is hugely valuable to a young person to have an adult who will sit and chat with them about their day. We welcome volunteers of any age, background or experience.
Right now, Cre8 specifically need new volunteers to help with ART and CRAFT activities, COOKING and GAMES/SPORTS at our youth clubs which run on Tuesdays 6-8.30pm and Wednesdays 5-7.30pm (which includes setup/close down time). Our youth clubs run in term time.
If you can regularly give a few hours of your time, please phone us on 01625 503740 or email hello@cre8macclesfield.org
Volunteering isn't just about giving, it's so much more, have a look here: http://www.cre8macclesfield.org/volunteering.html

In 2011 Cre8  started a music project with funding from Youth Music. Since then it's gone from strength to strength and now represents a key part of our provision, engaging over 60 young people in music-making activities on an annual basis, with a core group of around 30 participants who attend 3 times a week. Many of these young people have been involved for years, developing from complete beginners into multi-instrumental musicians and going on to excel in their music GCSEs and study music at college.

But why do they keep coming back? Is it the music? Ask them, and they'll probably say it's the toast.

As a youth worker based in a community long-term, I'm always interested in what it takes to engage young people in activities that develop tangible skills and make a visible impact on their lives on a long-term basis. As a musician, I understand the impact that music-making can have on an individual. It can be defining; more than just a hobby, it can shape personalities and futures. So naturally when the opportunity arose to combine the two it was a welcome challenge.

Back to the toast.

One of the more interesting parts of my training as a youth work was the theory of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (look it up here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs). The theory suggests that for individuals to experience growth in areas of self-esteem, confidence, achievement and respect of others their basic physiological needs, sense of safety and need for positive social relationships has to be met. To put it plainly: if you want hard-to-reach kids to learn to play music and respect other, give them sofas, support, tea and toast.

Now that's not to say there aren't difficulties that come along with this. Sometimes it's difficult to define whether a young person spent more time learning how to play 'Smoke on the Water' or standing in the queue waiting for a brew. Or when I've forgotten to pick up the chocolate spread and have to spare a member of staff for 10 minutes to go to the shop to avoid all out mutiny. But it works, and the numbers prove it. More importantly, we can see it working. Now that we've been going for 5 years, we can see lives changing. I watch kids who once struggled to sing above a whisper stand up on a stage in front of 100+ people, including families and peers (which is often worse) and smash out their rendition of 'Read All About It Part II'. I have seen kids who have literally beat themselves up when they place a finger wrong on the fretboard, who have learnt patience and perseverance and can deliver the solo from 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love'. And every time they do it, their lives change a little for the better.

It might seem simple. It might seem like an unnecessary distraction. But if there's one thing I would share with people who are struggling to reach the kids who need it the most, it would be: "firstly, give them tea and toast".

Post to the Youth Music Network, September 2016, by Tom Wardle

The Cre8 programme on the Moss Rose Estate was alive with music, art, stories, food and celebrations during their recent Festival to celebrate young people and community and 10 years of Cre8. The theme for the week was True Light.

Activities included: a Youth Music Event at St Michaels Church - run and featuring performances by young people from the Cre8 project; storytelling at The Park Tavern on the theme of ‘Light’; community games evening, free lunches and opportunities to meet the Cre8 team; a local business supporters evening; and reopening of the community wildlife area. The finale of the Festival was a Hog Roast and celebration evening showcasing Cre8’s activities over the last year.

The Festival was very much a community event, organised and run by young people, adults and families involved with the Cre8 project over the last 10 years.

The week of activities – held from 11th – 17th June - was enjoyed by over 250 people, including David Rutley MP, Lord Lieutenant David Briggs MBE, High Sheriff of Cheshire Kathy Cowell OBE, and the Mayor of Macclesfield Cllr Alift Harewood-Jones.
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To find out more about Cre8 and how you can make a difference in your local community visit www.cre8macclesfield.org

With 17 performers from ages 8 up to 16, all of whom attend the Cre8 Music project on a regular basis, the Concert delivered on it's promise to be a truly inspirational and emotional evening. We had solo performances, bands and supporting acts. The key message, visible to all, was that this group of young people support each other through their music. When someone forgot the words - we joined in and helped them remember; when the nerves tookover - we smiled, cheered and whooped! The young people, and the team of music tutors and youth workers, support each other to play instruments and to make their performances the best they can be. This is what Cre8 is about - bringing out the buried treasure in one another. 

All the young people who performed at the Concert attend professional, tutored music lessons each week, provided free of charge to young people from the Moss Rose Estate, by Cre8, through funding secured from Youth Music. Many of these young people have no musical background or experience but the passion and enthusiasm from the Cre8 team, and the dedication from the young people, means they are able to achieve great musical heights!

There were over 100 people in the audience at the beautiful venue that is St Michaels Church - what an incredible experience for the young people to sing and play in such a spectacular venue! We cannot thank the team at St Michaels enough for their support to put on this concert. 

CDs of songs sung at this Concert, but recorded in our Studio at the Cre8 Community Building, are available to purchase (although we sold out on the night!) Please email hello@cre8macclesfield.org

We can't wait until the next concert - and look forward to seeing you there!

Click on a photo to enlarge

The BIG cycle ride from Lands End to John O'Groats (LEJOG)

As well as helping some fulfil a life ambition we're also hoping to raise funds for Cre8's Offbeat projects. Cre8 Offbeat provides skills and task focused activities (such as bike repairs and music making) for marginalised and hard to reach young people on the Moss Estate in Macclesfield. You can find out more about Cre8 on their website: www.cre8macclesfield.org

Tom, Jonathan, Tim & Ollie will be cycling the 1000 miles (well just shy!) from May 23rd - June 6th 2015, with support provided along the way by family and friends. Please help us to raise £3000 for Cre8 - we really need your support!