ProMail February / March

Hello. It’s been stormy weather but we managed to break through the snow to bring you another ProMail Newsletter. Find out what’s new and update yourself on recent happenings here at ProMo-Cymru. Remember, if you would like to distribute information or advertise your events you can always email us.

If this email isn't displaying correctly in your email client, click here to view it online:
www.promocymru.org/newsletters/2009_02_newsletter.html.

ProMo Team Developing

ProMo-Cymru recently expanded its team and welcomed three new members: Samantha James, Sarah Dean and Sarah Parfitt.

Sam successfully applied for the role of 'Ebbw Vale Institute (EVI) Buildings & Facilities Administrator' and shared her first impressions: "EVI is a vibrant and ambitious project, which will help transform the Church Street area of Ebbw Vale and surrounding areas. The historic building is in the process of being fully restored and will soon become a cultural, creative and enterprise centre. There will be live music/performances, an art gallery, a heritage project, state of the art recording facilities and much more... I am very proud to be part of the EVI project, and am enthused by the history of the building, which reflects the strong community spirit of Blaenau Gwent. I look forward to welcoming everyone to EVI."

Before joining our team Sam ran her own creative enterprise in the arts, supporting her partner in selling his paintings worldwide and pursuing a career in illustration and art licensing. She says: "I appreciate the challenges of 'making a living' in this area, and firmly believe that with passion and dedication to your talent, it can be achieved. But support is needed... and this is where ProMo-Cymru can help... just believe in your creativity and go for it!"

Sarah and Sarah have worked on the CLIC project at Careers Wales Gwent (previous contract holders) since 2005 working with the following local authorities; Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen.

They thoroughly enjoyed making contact with many varied organisations both statutory and voluntary who work with young people in these areas. Their contacts total over 300, of which they are looking forward to re-establishing, introducing them to the exciting developments on the next phase of CLIC: "We are really looking forward to working as part of a team at Promo-Cymru that have young people’s thoughts and participation at the heart of everything they do. The combination of a new generation of social networking and active participation of young people on issues and projects that affect them in their locality will revolutionise CLIC. We can’t wait to start!"

CLIC Project

Following on from the success of our development website launch at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea in December, we are now moving ahead with CLIC, the national information and advice channel for young people in Wales.

In currently setting up the National Youth Editorial Group with young people from across Wales, we will begin by reviewing information on a range of subjects and issues at a forthcoming residential weekend.

Whilst we engage young people in this process, we will contact all interested potential partners from every county across Wales to discuss in detail how they can benefit from coming onboard via a local CLIC website. We'll provide the web templates, the CMS and various forms of support for local information channels. Local counties will need to be able to support young people’s participation and involvement within their area.

If you'd like more information about CLIC or would like to come onboard, email cindy@promo-cymru.org

First Event At Ebbw Vale Institute

We are pleased to announce that Ebbw Vale Institute (EVI) will be hosting its first event in the main hall on Thursday 26th February from 10-4pm, as the ground floor refurbishment is almost complete.

In partnership with EVAD (Ebbw Vale & District Development Trust) and Age Concern, the event will be a day of healthy living taster sessions, reflexology, massage, tai chi, free healthy snacks, belly dancing and much more...

Support organisations such as the Stroke Association and the Feeling Good Project will also be holding stands to offer free advice and information for the over 50s.

For more information click here

EVI Open Evening

Following on from the success of our previous stakeholder sessions held in 2007 and 2008, we would like to invite you to be amongst the first people to view the exciting changes that have taken place at the Institute.

The redevelopment of EVI has been collaboration between ProMo-Cymru, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, HOV (Heads Of The Valleys) and The Welsh Assembly Government. The aim of the project is to develop a vibrant community space to be used for cultural activities and social ventures for the local community.

The open evening will take place on Thursday 26th February at 5.30pm, with refreshments and a Q&A session from 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information regarding the EVI please contact:
Julian Gardner, Senior Development Officer – 07970 707209
Sam James, Buildings & Facilities Administrator - 07977 810397

Further information here. To confirm your attendance please email sam@create-at-evi.org

Ebbw Vale - Through My Eyes

We have just added a new space to EVI website under the name 'Ebbw Vale - Through my eyes' to share pictures and thoughts about Ebbw Vale. Do you have a 'special place' in Ebbw Vale?

What are your favorite sights? Do you have any good photos?

Email your images along with a small paragraph of explanation to ana@promo-cymru.org and they will be added to the flickr gallery.

Youth Cultural Research

ProMo-Cymru has recently received Cymorth funding to undergo Youth Cultural Research. This research will capture what is presently available and work directly with young people aged 11-25 to develop a set of realistic suggestions to enhance cultural services and projects available to them in Cardiff.

Once the report is finished, the findings will be presented to the Cardiff Children and Young People’s Partnership so they can assess what needs to be done and what they can do to help.

Now is the chance to step up to the plate and help to change things. In the coming weeks, focus groups are going to be taking place around the Cardiff area and if you feel you have something you would like to contribute or if you are in charge of any youth clubs / societies where you feel your members would like to get involved and be heard, then please get in touch with Pearce as we would like as much input as possible.

pearce@promo-cymru.org
t: 07817 497 954
http://www.promo-cymru.org/

www.theSprout.co.uk

A surprisingly busy and creative month for theSprout, considering the usual amount of apathy and disdain that permeates the average January/February. Currently on the site is a review of the Scotland/Wales game, a call to arms in supporting a Welsh language school and information on Cardiff’s new Youth Gateway Centre. The next Editorial Group meeting is Thursday 26 February at 4.30pm in Grassroots on Charles Street. Budding young writers, journalists, photographers and designers are welcome to email ryan@theSprout.co.uk for more information and to attend.

Work Experience At ProMo-Cymru: A Blog

I looked at my work experience sheet. General Assistant, they called me. All my friends were on about how I would be the tea maker. How wrong they were.

It’s a Monday. It’s wet. You’ve also got the gloom of wondering how you can avoid the tea making. Yet, for some bizarre reason, you’re looking forward to the experience (even if it does have the word ‘work’ in front of it).

So, on this Monday, what did I have to do? Did I have to do some filing? Nope. Did I have to make a presentation on how feta means slice, so technically having feta cheese really means having a slice of cheese? Nope. So, I hear you scream, what did I have to do? Look at a website and comment on it. At first, I didn’t really understand why. I thought it was just something to waste my time here while the rest of the workers carried on with real work. As I studied theSprout website and it’s sister-site, ShoutTawe, and realising there will be a similar site for Rhondda Cynon Taf, it CLIC’d (yes, that pun was intentional). It was an assignment to see if a site like the two for the Cardiff and Swansea regions would work in the area I live, Pontypridd. I assessed the two sites, and considering the possibilities for the Rhondda Cynon Taf site.

The next day I did the same with CLIC. Well, I say the same, I mean more of seeing the content and design of the site. By this time, the documents I had to write on really made me feel like I was in school (though there was no ‘Website Assessment’ course in my school. Pity). Though I understand the point of this task also. As I would aspire to become a designer (in web, logo, anything really), this really helped with my thoughts on how to layout a website.

Next day (I think there’s a pattern here), I was put with the editor of theSprout. He gave me more of an in-depth look on how theSprout and the site that will be set up for the Rhondda Cynon Taf area will work. I submitted a story on the website, a lengthy piece detailing the rise and even bigger rise of that good old game, Guitar Hero. Ah, it was fun. Though I did have songs from that game in my head for the rest of the day. Also, I visited Burning Red, the company that’s to do with the design part of it all. Ah, that was good and interesting, to be honest. I learned more about web design and how to use codes in that half hour session than I’ve done on my own in the house.

Now, on the day after the last day I was on about, the first thing I had to do was see where in the world was Heath High Level, because I was to attend a meeting to discuss the progress of the Cardiff website. For some reason, I didn’t find it boring. Maybe I had training to stop being bored by having double Religious Studies on the road to my GCSE exams. Ah, such fun. The meeting I mean. After I returned to the office, I carried on with a piece for theSprout website.

Last day. Pity this placement was only for a week. Still managed the week without making the tea. It started with a lovely time working on PhotoShop to create some t-shirts for CLIC. Ah, my creativeness tested to the max, because I’ve never used Photoshop on a Mac before. I produced four t-shirts. After that, it was the usual ‘write stuff for theSprout’ malarkey.

Great. End of my work experience. Back to the usual ‘half eight to three’ days. No need to catch two trains. Ah, well, I suppose it could be worse. I could be going back to four A-level courses. Damn. I am.

Written by Gareth John (17)

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International Dance Master Classes for Young People

A three-day dance event in Cardiff University for all dancers in Wales and some who will come from Manchester and London. Master classes will explore styles as new school hip hop, ragga, popping, abstract, house and much more.

Venue: Cardiff University Fitness And Squash Centre, 49 Park place, CF10 3AT, Cardiff

The teachers this year will be: Tony Adigun (Creative Director of Avant Garde in London, who has worked with Mel B, Jojo, Usher, Ashanti, etc.), Joao Assuncao (taught for HIP DROP for those of you who know this amazing company. Has worked with J LO, Black Eyed Peas, etc.), Joao Marques (he’s a member of ‘All About Dance’ company in Portugal and worked with J LO), Azrul Aminudin (he has worked with Trevor Nelson and is currently choreographing ‘New Blood”, came first in the UDO World Championships Over 18 open category) and Carlos Neto (Trevor Nelson. Goldie Lookin Chain. Choreographer in the upcoming TV Programme Dance Stastic, taught Pineapple Dance Studios, Sunshine Studios, Royal Ballet School, London. Moscow, Lisbon.)

The best thing is the price! For only £50 you can take part in all 3 days. Single class £8/Tony's class £9, Day pass £22 (Sunday £25), 2 days pass £38, Full Pass £50 (extra charge of £2 after the 15th of Feb)

To buy your passes you will have to fill a quick form, which I will be handing out in my classes in Cardiff/ London, or I can email it to you. Alternatively, just contact me to book your place. LIMIT of 30 people per CLASS so buy your passes now!!:) This event was called "THE BIGGEST DANCE/ TEACHING EVENT IN WALES" by the BBC WALES you don't want to miss it!

Contact carlosneto007@hotmail.com

To view flyer click here