November 2010 ebulletin

Welcome to November at Play Resource! It is hard to believe, but Halloween is over already, and Christmas is creeping up on us! Thankfully we are ready for it here, with exciting new stock and samples that will inspire creative young minds! As always, the Scrap Store won't let you down for festive favourites.  Why not have a look at our Ideas Wall for a taster of the many Christmas Quick Ideas Cards we have on offer.  The full range is available on our website for anyone to download for FREE.

Follow us now on Twitter to hear of shop and scrap items as they arrive, and be the first to know about special offers!

Christmas Closing Dates: Play Resource is closed from 1pm on 17th December 2010, re-opening Tuesday 4th January 2011.

As a reminder, V.A.T. will rise to 20% in January, therefore we encourage members to spend now in order to maximise their funding!

Art & Play Shop

Christmas stock is selling fast, so visit now to get what you need! The attached shop price list can help you plan your shopping, making it easier to see our full range at a glance.

For a taster of what seasonal products we have on offer download our seasonal price list.

So far, our most popular festive item is proving to be Polycones which come in two sizes. These are great for making mini Christmas trees, and can be decorated with felt, tissue, glitter or use glitter strips as shown in the image used here. Perfect for even small children to manage.

Look out for our Play Resource cotton shopping bags on sale for only 99p.  Help us protect the environment when you shop by investing in one instead of using plastic carrier bags!

Scrap Store

NEW IN:

We have a range of hospitality items in stock in the Scrap Store for a limited time only.  Come and have a rummage amongst 'goodies' such as shampoo, soaps, shower creams and slippers!  These would be ideal for tombolas, fairs and Christmas fete prizes!

BACK IN:

A limited stock of paint of various types.

Plus all the usual scrap favourites! See the full Scrap Store Materials List for all that’s on offer. If there is something in particular you are looking for but can’t see it – just ask one of the Warehouse Team who are always happy to help.

Creative Paths Arts Programme

Look out for your copy of our new and improved Annual Review 2009/2010 that will be winging its way to all our member groups within the next fortnight.

Staff this year have worked hard to give a full picture of the four main services being offered, and this adds up to a lot!

A real focal point is the expanded Creative Paths section, highlighting successful projects undertaken throughout the year with a variety of member groups. Creative Paths is a true showcase for us to illustrate how all the resources on offer in the centre can be used in a meaningful way. The ‘Stats at a Glance’ page is a new feature, with some of the figures proving to be quite staggering! Who knew we had 10,000 visitors in one year?

Packed full of images and inspiration, we hope you enjoy reading it.
 

Membership News

The popular BMC Community Arts and Craft Training Course OCN Level 2 is back at Play Resource this January, delivered by accomplished artist Anna O’Kane.

The aim of this course is to build artistic skills, confidence, develop creativity and generate new ideas for those working (or wishing to) work with community groups. There are no formal entry requirements, and full details (including fees) are available on the course flyer.

Telephone BMC central admissions on 028 90 265265 for enrolment. Please note, bookings must be made before the end of December to secure a place.

Member to Member News

AMAWELE – appeal for partner schools in N.I.

Amawele is a charity supporting partnerships between schools in South Africa and Ireland through curriculum based activities and educational exchanges. The charity hopes to expand its base to schools in Northern Ireland, and invites interested participants to contact them via their website.

A seminar will be set up by Amawele once there is a sufficient level of interest for the programme to go ahead in the north. Any school is welcome to enquire, regardless of age, ability or faith.

RE:FOCUS (Replay) offers a free development and training opportunity

For 1 week in November, Replay Theatre Company will be hosting Re:focus – an event designed to bring together professionals, organisations and emerging artists who currently create work, or would like to create work, with and for children with disabilities. The event will be a chance to gain new skills, refresh, share existing work practice and methodologies from within Northern Ireland and the UK, and consider the future development of the sector within our region. The five-day event will include training, presentations of work, panel discussions, practical sessions and sharing of practice which reflect questions of accessibility, support, leadership and quality.

Re:focus will take place from Tuesday 23rd to Saturday 27th November 2010 and the main venue will be the Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Road, Belfast. Delegates may book for as many days as they wish, but must book each day individually. Delegate Packages are free, and lunches and refreshments and additional travel to venues other than Crescent Arts Centre will be provided throughout the five days.

For full information about the course download the attached flyer and booking form.

AUDIENCES NI – training programme

Finally, Audiences NI have released their 2010/2011 training programme, which can be accessed via their website:

http://www.audiencesni.com/training

Free sector wide sessions on Lobbying for the Arts and E-Marketing are available, as well an AMA networking event on PR and a joint event with NITA all about Finance. A limited number of discounted places at £45 (usual price £95) are available for Culture Northern Ireland's digital training programme events to members of Audiences NI.

Please contact marketing@audiencesni.com to book any Audiences NI training.
 

Feedback Forum

We would like to hear from you each month, to help us improve the services we offer to our members. Question of the Month:

Are there any scrap materials in particular you would like to see in the store?

Respond via email to fiona@playresource.org. We look forward to hearing from you!