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Winter Newsletter 2017

22/11/2017

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DECEMBER / NOVEMBER 2017
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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! 
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CRE8'S ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Hot off the press! Our 2017 Annual Report has just been published... you can view the full report here >>
We're very proud of this years report - some great stories from our youth projects, lots of cracking photos, and quotes from supporters, young people, families and customers. The Report is 'homemade'; that is we design, produce, write, proof-read and take all the photos ourselves using the skills we have. A great achievement.
Enjoy!
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RISING STAR AWARD
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Cre8 was recognised with a special ‘Rising Star’ award at the spectacular North West Charity Awards In October. Cre8 was given the award for punching above its weight in the ‘Small Charity Big Impact’ category. 

Other finalists in the category included charities representing the best from across the North West, so this is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved with Cre8, which is now in its 12th year of supporting young people and families from the Moss Rose Estate in Macclesfield.

The inaugural North West Charity Awards ceremony took place at Manchester’s impressive Midland Hotel. This was a red carpet event where the Cre8 table included volunteers, trustees, workers and young adults, who gathered to celebrate the great work of the thousands of charities and non-profit organisations across the North West of England.

Collecting the Award on the night, Cre8’s Director Rob Wardle said “I am hugely proud of all the people who've been involved in Cre8 since we started 12 years ago - our small faith-based community project on the Moss Rose Estate in Macclesfield. This award is absolutely unexpected for us at an event full of amazing big-hitting charities.”

Cre8 also gained the top award for Creamline Dairies in the Outstanding Business Supporters category. Creamline’s partnership with Cre8 helps to support young people and young adults into employment and give them direct work experience in the commercial world, whilst also providing income for the Cre8 charity.
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Cre8’s aim of Faith: Change: Community is targeted at empowering young people and adults in the local area to make change happen for themselves and for their local neighbourhood of the Moss Rose Estate in Macclesfield.
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WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO...
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Laurence Singers Concert
A brilliant night with the Laurence Singers at their fundraising concert for Cre8. As an added bonus young people from Cre8 had the opportunity for young people to sing alongside the choir.
The finale was a joint performance.... Rolling in the Deep by Adele. The arrangement for the Choir was done by our own music tutor Ollie Gibson. Sang by the incredible Casey with Alisha on percussion, Emma Bass, Alfie drums and Amy guitar, and the choir in support.
Videos of the performances can be found here >> it'll give you goosebumps!
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Go Team Cre8!
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Team Cre8 Faith Change Community SMASHED IT at the Macc 5K & half Marathon organised by Macc Harriers. We entered a community team of 17 people! Great for our first year. 
We came 4th in the 5K community challenge thanks to our 5 fastest finishers. Special mention to Rob Wood who came in 13th place overall in the 5K and Emma Gibson who ran 28 minutes whilst 28 weeks pregnant! We were 3rd in the Half Marathon community team challenge thanks to Gordon, Ollie and Martin.

Bring on next year!
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Harvest 2017
Thanks to local schools, churches and individuals for their donations of Harvest gifts. They went into hampers given out to people round the Moss Estate, the fresh produce made some yummy meals at Clubs like pies, soups and stews and the fresh fruit was juiced in our fruit press!

If you would like to collect / donate food we are always looking for donations, especially of store cupboard items (tins, cereals, pasta etc) and toiletries. Please get in touch and we can arrange collection / drop-off.
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Creamline wins Top Award
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Cre8 gained the top award for Creamline Dairies in the Outstanding Business Supporters category at the North West Charity Awards!!! 
Creamline's General Sales Manager Steve Neary and his wife Beryl went to collect the Award, along with Aaron who has worked for Cre8 on our social enterprise Cre8 Facilities, washing Creamline's fleet of milk floats. A great honour for us to be able to thank Creamline in this way. Their partnership with us means that we can support young people / adults into employment and give them direct work experience in the commercial world, whilst also providing some income for the Cre8 charity. Fantastic.

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CONGRATULATIONS ADAM!
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​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.

GIVEAWAY DONATIONS
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​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.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...
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Youth Music Concert
Saturday 16th December 2017
6-8pm United Reformed Church, Park Green, Macclesfield

Back with a vengeance! Our Youth Music Concert is always a special event. The real passion and talent these young people have shines through. The Cre8 Music project truly belongs to young people. Come along and discover the wonderful community spirit that flows through this project.
A mix of modern songs, solos, duets, and bands, these young people will show you their journey from beginners to multi-talented musicians.
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Crib Festival
14th - 16th October 2017
St Barnabas Church, Lyme Avenue Macclesfield


St Barnabas Church is holding a Crib Festival to celebrate and share the Christmas story. Groups and people who have connections with the Church will be putting together their own Crib's and Cre8's Clubs are busy making theirs.

Anyone is welcome to stop by the Church and have a look at the Cribs - Church will be open during the day so pop in!

Opening times:
  • Thursday 14th - 1-5pm
  • Friday 15th - 1-5pm
  • Saturday 16th - 10am - 4.30pm
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Community Christmas Feast
Friday 22nd December 2017
12-3pm at St Barnabas Church, Lyme Avenue
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A Christmas Feast of hot food to eat together and a food giveaway. Open to everyone from the neighbourhood of the Moss Rose Estate. Come and share good food with friends, family and neighbours.
We're taking in donations for the giveaway... if you're able to contribute see above for details.
We are especially grateful to all the kind people who publicise our upcoming events through their churches, groups, workplace, social media and family & friends. If you're able to - please do include the events listed above in any notices / displays / leaflets - and help us spread the word!

We can provide posters and flyers on request katy.wardle@cre8macclesfield.org

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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
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Tea and toast

13/9/2016

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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".
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Post to the Youth Music Network, September 2016, by Tom Wardle
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Cre8 Festival 2016 - True Light on the Moss Rose Estate

30/6/2016

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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
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Thanks to Comic Relief

21/3/2016

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We're giving massive thanks to Comic Relief today who are funding some of the renovation work in the Wildlife area behind the Cre8 Building.
Watching Jo Brand on TV yesterday, doing her walk for Sport Relief reminded us to say again how grateful we are to those people who raise money for what we're trying to do here, and for young people and families in Macclesfield.
Hopefully we will have the Wildlife area more available to local people in the future, with a new pond dipping platform, circular pathway, bird feeders, ducks and lots more wildlife to see !

​Ashley and Jason found a poorly squirrel today, so we rescued it and put it safely in the empty duck hut. Checking on the squirrel tomorrow.

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Cre8 Youth Music Concert takes over St Michaels

14/12/2015

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The Cre8 Youth Music Christmas Concert held, for the first time, at St Michaels Church in the Marketplace, was a tremendous success! 
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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!


A few comments from the audience...

"Feeling blessed and privileged to have shared another Cre8 Concert. This year it was held at St. Michael 's Church in town. Beautiful venue. I love Cre8. I went there to teach, but have learned so much from the experience. The team are incredible, as musicians and technicians, but most of all, as sincere and dedicated people that I love and admire."
"how inspirational it was to see the talent and excitement of the youngsters. Yet again Cre8 exhibited such a loving and welcome presence and not least in the form of the generous and inspirational music tuition that you guys offer them."

Gallery of photos...

Click on a photo to enlarge
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LEJOG - raising money for Cre8's Offbeat projects

13/4/2015

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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!

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How you can donate:

  • Online donation on give.net: You can make a donation on the LEJOG give.net page which can be found here: https://my.give.net/lejogcre8offbeat
  • Cheque: Cheques can be made out to 'Cre8 Macclesfield' and posted to the Cre8 House: 11 Belgrave Road, Macclesfield SK11 7TW
  • Cash: If you'd prefer to give cash, please don't send this by post. Please pass on to one of the riders or drop off at the Cre8 House 11 Belgrave Road, Macclesfield SK11 7TW

Thanks for your support!!
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