activ8 Community Projects

DID YOU KNOW?

• activ8 runs drama and theatre projects throughout Bolton 's communities all year round
• activ8 aims to use drama as a tool to enable people of all ages to explore their experience of the world, communicate their concerns and aspirations, and enable them to challenge and celebrate their lives and communities
• activ8 also aims to offer opportunities within our communities for individuals to realise their potential and develop their personal, social, and creative skills
• activ8 aims to work with young people and other community groups from all areas of the community, especially those who may experience social exclusion

Here are examples of some of the activ8 projects currently taking place.

art-beat
art-beat is a project (created by activ8, Asian Elders, Age Concern, Housing % for art and Bolton Council) that aims to provide a wide range of arts activities for the over 50's at the Octagon Theatre. art-beat is available to anyone over the age of 50 with an interest in the arts. art-beat also gives members the chance to share their skills with other members of the group and even lead workshops. New this term will be the chance for art-beat participants to meet with and chat to theatre professionals; to find out more about the running of a theatre. Artbeat sessions include stagecraft, singing, and drama.

To join art-beat there is an annual membership fee of £10. This is necessary to ensure that the project begins to generate enough money to allow for expansion and sustainability for the future.

This once yearly payment of £10.00 allows you access to all art-beat activities for a full year.
We do not ask you to become a member until you have experienced one free workshop. This allows you to try us out before deciding if you wish to join up so come along to a free taster session call activ8 on 01204 556501.

art-beat in the community

For the first time art-beat is venturing into the community, providing opportunities for the over 50's to try new creative skills and meet new people. art-beat has been running successfully for 18 months at the Octagon Theatre and we are hoping it will be just as successful out in the communities of Bolton.

art-beat takes place in a range of community venues including:

• Age Concern Learning and Resources Centre - Farnworth
• Flockton Court - Horwich
• The UCAN Centre - Halliwell
• The Lillian Hamer Centre - Dean

If you live in or around these areas we would love to see you at the sessions. For more information please do not hesitate to contact us in activ8 on 01204 556501 or email jennifer.riding@octagonbolton.co.uk

activ8 Extra: a drama drop in
As an alternative to our youth theatre, we offer more informal 'taster' workshops, where young people can experience their 'first bite' of music, drama or dance skills. As with all of our projects, no experience is necessary, simply a willingness to take part and an interest in either drama, theatre or expressive arts.

activ8 Extra : a drama drop-in is completely free and places are reserved for referrals from agencies who work specifically with young people at risk of exclusion.

activ8 Extra is due to re-open to new young people in 2009.

This project is made possible due to the generous sponsorship of  The Co-operative..

Contact activ8 on 01204 556501 if you wish to apply or to refer young people onto this project.

For more information on any of the projects listed above contact activ8 on 01204 556501 or email jennifer.riding@octagonbolton.co.uk