Arts, Business & the Community 2018

Sponsored by Wales & West Utilities

Winner: Charter Housing

Bron Lloyd, Charter Housing, Pauline Burt, Ffilm Cymru Wales & Di Botcher

Image by Glenn Edwards

Charter Housing wished to increase the economic activity and wellbeing of its tenants and partnered Ffilm Cymru Wales on a new entrant training programme, Foot in the Door. The pioneering scheme enables individuals from socio-economically deprived areas to realise how easily their skills can be transferred to film, TV and the performing arts. The partners worked closely to identify and select trainees, with Charter supporting the participants’ personal development as well as practical issues such as transport and childcare. Trainees with skills such as carpentry, hairdressing and administration worked on the feature film Apostle, starring Michael Sheen.

Since the initial pilot, two further housing associations, encouraged by Charter, have partnered Foot in the Door, enabling Ffilm Cymru Wales to offer a further 20 placements on the S4C TV series, Craith. Over 100 people in North, South and Mid Wales have already registered interest in participating and plans are now underway to develop the scheme further.

Finalists

Care Forum Wales

Care Forum Wales, which represents over 450 health and social care providers, sponsored The Aloud Charity’s intergenerational project, Home for Christmas, in eight care homes in North and South Wales. Only Boys Aloud choirs from the local areas rehearsed in the homes for two weeks, welcoming the residents to take part, before performing a concert for them and their families. The judges agreed that the project encouraged community interaction and enriched lives.

Horizon Nuclear Power

Horizon’s sponsorship of Pontio’s Profi project is in its 5th year. Focussed on Year 12 pupils from Gwynedd and Anglesey who may face challenges such as lack of confidence or support, Profi develops their potential through the use of theatre and art. Almost 250 young people have benefitted from it to date, improving their life skills and employment prospects. Profi is now an integral part of Horizon’s Education Strategy and the judges were struck by the ongoing impact of the project.