Infirmary Project Brief

                      

Project Brief: Creative Arts Initiative (working with older people)

Organisation: The Infirmary, University of Worcester 

Submission Deadline: 12 noon Monday 11^th February 2013

Fee: £6,000 (lnclusive of travel, materials and VAT)

Project Brief Outline  

The Infirmary is seeking to commission an artist/facilitator to work with people over the age of fifty who may be experiencing challenges in their lives. This could be in a number of potential areas from feelings of isolation, or adjusting to life changes such as bereavement, health issues or voluntary/compulsory retirement status. This project commission, supported by AGE UK, will enable participants to engage in creative activity with positive outcomes for those involved. An important element of the project will be sustainable outcomes. This will be through the generation of a lasting final product/resource which may share understanding about isolation or life changes, together with giving consideration to building on the interests of the group in the longer term.  The Infirmary is also interested in discussing the feasibility of inter-generational working, perhaps through students or family connections, in building understanding between age groups of life issues.

The project brief is not prescriptive in terms of art forms but it is essential that applicants have experience of working with older people within community and health related contexts. The project term is 4-6 months commencing in March 2013 and will engage participants on a regular basis during the actual residency period.

Background

The Infirmary is a new medical exhibition focusing on the history of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary and the science behind medicine from the late 1700s, when the Infirmary was built, to the present day. Additionally the exhibition aims to provoke thought and build empathy on matters relating to some of the more hidden histories of health as well promoting reflection on preventative measures. The exhibition is housed in one of the former wards of the hospital and now forms part of the University of Worcester’s City Campus. It has been developed through a Heritage lottery funded partnership between the University and the Charles Hastings Education Centre (CHEC) an educational charity whose purpose is the advancement of education in areas relating to medicine and health care. This is complementary to the University’s strong vocational training and teaching in these areas.

Aims and Objectives

Developing opportunities for more vulnerable members of our community or hard to reach groups by working in partnership with voluntary and charitable agencies is one of The Infirmary’s objectives.

The rationale for commissioning of an artist/facilitator is to support participants through a period of change in their lives, giving them opportunities to develop new skills, as well as building relevant connections.

Intended Outcomes/outputs for participants:-

·         Experience benefits from engagement in creative activity

·         Develop new, or lapsed, skills and interests  

·         Raise self-esteem and confidence

·         Build social connections and foster peer support

·         Feel more empowered to participate in society

·         A creative output generating sense of achievement by the group

Intended Outcomes/outputs for the Infirmary, partner and wider community:-

·         Develop sustainable relationships with individuals, local community and local partnership organisations

·         Enhanced knowledge and understanding of life cycle and health issues

·         A sustainable resource which may enhance others understanding relating to perhaps isolation or life changes as well as building appreciation of others contribution to society.

In developing this project we also seek to build on Age UK’s aims and objectives in particular:-

To enable older people to influence the services they want; to identify new areas of activity they can engage with; to increase awareness of opportunities available to older people; to treat older people fairly and with respect recognising their different needs, choices and values and to promote the value of older people in their communities and to each other.

Artist /facilitator Requirements:-

·         Work with the Infirmary co-ordinator to agree creative framework and delivery arrangements of the project

·         Work with the Infirmary co-ordinator and participant group in understanding needs in helping to shape the project

·         Planning and delivery of creative workshop sessions with participants within agreed timescales

·         Provision of necessary support to allow participants to feel confident in exploring themselves creatively seeking ways to encourage and harness the creative potential of participants

·         Development of a final creative resource in extending the learning from the project to other groups and individuals.

·         Take an active part in the evaluation of the project.

·         Supply of necessary materials for workshop and final resource

·         Appropriate insurance cover

Approach and Support

In delivering this project we have set the following broad principles of approach:-

·         The project will be run as a partnership with the participants to consolidate ownership

·         The highest standard will be expected from the project and quality of materials used throughout and for final product

·         The participants will be involved in as many aspects of running the project as possible to provide them with opportunities to learn new skills (or to develop existing skills)

Upon agreement of project proposal, the project will be co-ordinated by Carol Bowsher, Learning and Access Officer for The Infirmary who will be the first point of contact. A link officer from Age UK will provide advice and support as required.

Indicative Timescale

Time frame 2013	Status
11 February	Submission deadline
8 March (tbc)	Interviews
Mid March	Project Initiation
April /May	Consultation
May /July	Residency period
July	Development of resource
	* subject to negotiations with appointed artist

Selection Criteria

·         Experience of participatory work with older people in community and health related settings

·         Understanding of brief and knowledge of the needs of target audience

·         Evidence of production of high quality work (process and product)

·         Consideration of end product and sustainable outcomes from the project

·         Evidence of ability to deliver to project specification and budget

Submission Details

Interested artist/facilitators should submit an outline proposal which includes the following information:-

·         Your initial ideas /approach to brief in line with objectives and outcomes (no more than 2 sides of A4)

·         Details of knowledge and experience of working with older people and of how this will help you deliver this project  (no more than 2 pages)

·         Budget breakdown - Details of how you will develop the project in relation to the proposed fee with a full budget breakdown (day rates, materials, creative sessions, resource development)

The closing date for receipt of tenders is 12 noon Monday 11 February 2013.

Tenders should be returned Return to: Carol Bowsher, Learning and Access Officer, The Infirmary, University of Worcester, City Campus, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3AS.

Email: c.bowsher@worc.ac.uk

Telephone enquiries for an informal discussion: 01905 542540

*Fee & payments: Upon appointment a schedule of payments will be agreed on commissioning. The contractor will be require dot submit invoices to the Infirmary quoting relevant order number. 

Additional Information.

You may find the following links useful:-

The Infirmary     http://www.facebook.com/TheInfirmaryWorcester

University of Worcester  www.worcester.ac.uk 

Visits to  The Infirmary Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (Christmas closure 3^rd December -  7 January)

Age UK http://www.ageuk.org.uk/herefordshireandworcestershire/

Age of Creativity http://www.ageofcreativity.co.uk/

Opportunity for artists in all disciplines

Opportunity for artists in all disciplines

The Worcestershire Arts Partnership (WAP) is working with First Capital Connect and CBS Outdoors to commission 5 artists to produce work that will be exhibited and/or performed on Bus routes across Worcestershire.

Each artist will be paid £100 towards the work.

Background to the Project

The WAP has a remit of providing access to the arts to as many people as possible and sees this project as a way of bringing arts to a group of people who may not have the opportunity to access it. We are working in partnership with First Capital Connect and CBS Outdoors on this unique and exciting project which will have the backing of us both to raise the profile of the arts and of course yourself!

The Brief

We are seeking five artists from a variety of art forms. Examples could include:

·         Poets who wish to have their work displayed

·         Musicians who are looking at playing to new audiences

·         Visual artists who wish to see their work on a new canvas

·         Theatre companies who wish to have new audiences.

The list is endless and the only limit is your imagination.

You need to send us in the form of no more than three sides of A4

·         A description of your piece

·         how much space it will require

·         The duration if it is a live piece or any issues which may need to be considered if it is not live.

·         Any requirements you will need in terms of access to refresh your work in any way

·         An outline on how you will install your work and how long it will take to install, please keep this to a minimum. 

·         A copy of your risk assessment

·         Tell us what your connection to Worcestershire is or why you would like to work here.

You can also send us a web link or dvd to show your work.

Parameters:

You supply all your work at your own risk, First Group can make no commitment to the security of your work, you may have to consider that your work may not be returned to you, could be interfered with or stolen by passengers, please bare this in mind. The Worcestershire Arts Partnership (WAP), First Capital Connect and CBS Outdoors take no responsibility for your work it is displayed at your own risk.

Please remember your work will be shown in a public place to all ages and tastes, though we don’t want to put too many restrictions on applicants we must ask you not to include sexual references, nudity or profanity.

Your work must leave no trace on its host bus, just a lasting memory or souvenir of the journey for those who encounter it.

Time line

The date for submission is: 30.01.13

You will know if you have been shortlisted by: 15.02.13

Your chance to meet the selection panel date is: 25.02.13

Exhibition and Performance dates are: during March 2013 details to be confirmed

To apply please send in the above to:

Loz Samuels

Arts and Play Development Officer

Wyre Forest District Council

Wyre Forest House

Finepoint Way

Kidderminster

Worcestershire

DY11 7WF

Email: loz.samuels@wyreforestdc.gov.uk

Tel: 01562 732 977

EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD, WORCESTER BRANCH, PROGRAMME 2013

Please find attached the programme of meetings, talks and workshops to take place during 2013.

I would appreciate it if you would publicise this as appropriate.

 I draw you attention in particular to The West Midlands Regional Day of the Embroiderers Guild which Worcester is hosting at Worcester Warriors, Sixway Stadium on June 22nd.

We welcome visitors and new members to our meetings.

EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD, WORCESTER BRANCH,  PROGRAMME 2013

5^th February   Talk             ‘Venture Update’                            Venture Group

5^th March       Talk              ‘From Farming to Felt’                         Jill Denton

6^th March        Workshop    ‘Felt & Mixed Media Jewellery’                Jill Denton

7^th March        Workshop     ‘Nuno Felt Scarf’                                Jill Denton

2^nd April        Talk              ‘Creative Surfaces’                              Lynda Monk

                    Bring & Buy             and                          Meadows Trophy Theme

3^rd April         Workshop    ‘Creative Surfaces’                               Lynda Monk

7^th May                   Talk              ‘Batik - The People Behind the Cloth’              Diane Gaffney

8^th May                   Workshop    ‘ Folded Secrets, Chinese Thread Booklets’  Ruth Smith

9^th May                   Workshop    ‘Make a Folded Secrets Book Cover’                  Ruth Smith

4^th June         Talk              ‘This is How I Do It’                        Yvonne Brown

5^th June         Workshop    ‘Medieval Magic’                              Yvonne Brown

22nd June    WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL DAY at Worcester Warriors,

                        Sixway Stadium,  WR3 8ZE.

                        Speakers: am - Althea MacKenzie -‘Every Object Tells a Story’

                                           pm - Alice Kettle – ‘Stories of Stitch’

                  

2^nd July                   Workshop    -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -               Committee Members

3^rd July                   Workshop    ‘Thrift and Alchemy’                    Stephanie Redfern

3^rd Sept.        Workshop     ‘The Good, the Bad & the Ugly’             Gina Ferrari

4^th Sept.        Workshop    ‘Tassels, Cords & Beads’                      Gina Ferrari

1^st Oct.                   A.G.M.          Lunch from 1pm                     Speaker from Branch

2^nd Oct.         Workshop    ‘Inspiring Images’                             Annette Emms

5^th Nov.        Talk              ‘The Obsession Continues’                  Maryke Phillips

                   Bring & Buy

6^th Nov.        Workshop    ‘Hand Stitching, Bag or Book’                       Maryke Phillips

3^rd Dec.         ‘Share & Tell’  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -                                      Members

Talks and meetings are  held at Perdiswell, Young People’s Leisure Club, WR3 7SN at 1.30 for 2pm.  Visitors are welcome.

Workshops are also held at Perdiswell, from 10am -3.45 pm.

For further information please contact Jacky Shail, Telephone:01684 562669