News archive 2007-2009

Christmas & New Year Closing Dates

November 2009

Don’t forget your last minute shopping at Play Resource but remember our Christmas closing dates!!
We are closed from Thursday 17 December at 5pm, and reopen again on Monday 4 January 2010 at 9.30am. Merry Christmas to you all!

AGM at Play Resource on Thursday 26 November, all members welcome

November 2009

Join us at the Play Resource AGM on Thursday 26 November at 6pm. All members are invited to come along and meet the staff, and enjoy refreshments and a light buffet.
Why not give a thought to getting involved in helping shape the future of Play Resource as we aim to welcome a few new faces to join the Board in a voluntary capacity at this AGM? We are looking for new Board members. If you would like to be part of this exciting dynamic team please call Gail McGarvey on 9035 7547 for more details and an application pack. We aim to ensure that our Board is representative of all the sectors that Play Resource currently supports including: arts, play, youth, education, and the environment.
Please RSVP by email to let us know if you plan to attend the AGM. We hope to see you there!

Evaluation

An important recent Evaluation Report conducted for Play Resource, which looked at the Creative Paths Arts Programme has now been published. The programme is flexible, easy to access. You simply have to be a member of Play Resource, working with children and young people aged 3yrs – 25 yrs.

The comprehensive report looks at: the operational effectiveness and policy relevance of the programme, how it meets the needs of members and funders in equal measure. The quality of life outcomes section makes interesting reading as it is often difficult to quantify the value of the arts in this context. Gaining qualitative feedback from participants in their own words as to the value of the programme has been very useful to Play Resource. Last but by no means least; it addresses just how the arts programme offers value for money.

You are most welcome to read the report in full. Or for a snapshot of the findings simply look at Section 8.7 of the Evaluation Report. Play Resource are very proud of the conclusions of this evaluation and keen to embrace the recommendations made in the document so that we can keep improving the arts programme on offer to members.

Autumn Display

October 2009

This month sees a new seasonal look for the Ideas Gallery. Take a stroll through this “Winter Wonderland” display. It has been created by staff on a recent training day to give fresh Ideas & Inspiration, with the changing seasons in mind. Also on display is a selection of Halloween ideas using scrap materials and you can expect Christmas to creep in soon too!

BMC Community Art & Craft Training Course (OCN Level 2) is back at Play Resource! Sign up now.

Looking to improve your Arts & Craft skills, or develop new ideas for creative activity? Bring new skills to your workplace? Working in a full time or voluntary capacity with community groups, then this is the course for you!

The BMC Community Arts & Craft Training Course, held at Play Resource, is a practical course set to fire the imagination, build skills and confidence, and help participants deliver arts & craft ideas to a range of age groups. This year is 2 units for OCN Level 2. Sign up now for the next course starting Tue 8th September.

Are you?

• Looking to improve your own Art & Craft skills and knowledge
• Looking for training and development for your volunteers, youth workers or staff working in a community setting

Then Sign up now!

Starts: Tuesday 8 September 2009, 12 weeks
Venue: Play Resource, 2 ½ hours per week
Course details: 2 Units – Materials Exploration & Design Project (mosaic)

To register or for further information contact course tutor Anna O’Kane or call 9035 7545 or enquire at Shop counter today!

Looking for seasonal ideas? We have the answer: the Halloween & Christmas Arts Training Workshops are back!

This autumn Play Resource is running a series of Arts Training Workshops to link in with the seasons to give you ideas and training at the times when you need it most! Starting with Halloween and followed by Christmas. Each workshop can be booked individually. Cost per session £20. Book early to secure a place!

What’s on offer at a glance…

Wed 30 Sep
Halloween Ideas with artist Bobbi Rai Purdy, Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Thu 8 Oct
Halloween Face Painting with artist Stacey Kilpatrick, Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm, repeated 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Mon 2 Nov
Christmas Ideas from Scrap with artist Caroline Jeffrey, Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Wed 4 Nov
Quick Ideas for Christmas with artist Anna O’Kane, Time 9.30am – 12.30pm

Thu 5 Nov
Early Years Christmas with artist Sally Young, Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Fri 6 Nov
Angels & Fairies with artist Katie Blue, Time 9.30am – 12.30pm

Mon 9 Nov
Funky Christmas with artist Laureen McGill, Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Fri 13 Nov
Fun Christmas Decorations with artist Anushiya Sandralingham, 9.30am – 12.30pm

Join us for our seasonal Arts Training Workshops. Cost per session £20. Why not book more than one! Book early to secure a place by completing the booking form or call 028 9035 7545.

Creative Paths Arts Programme Bursary Scheme

July 2009

Creative Paths Arts Programme Bursary Scheme is now closed for the year but if you can provide 100% funding, applications to the arts programme are still welcome!
The Creative Paths Arts Programme has run a record number of projects over the last 12 months, with 132 projects being run in a variety of community settings including schools, nurseries, and youth clubs. This means a total of 3,475 people, including adults, children and young people have participated in the 485 creative sessions offered during the latest round of the Creative Paths Programme, with at least 90% of these receiving the 60% bursary offered to groups.
This means that the bursary scheme is now fully subscribed for the year, with all available funds spent. But we are optimistic that we can re-open the bursary scheme later this year once new funding can be allocated to the arts programme. In the mean time applications to the Creative Paths Arts Programme are still being welcomed if groups can meet 100% of the costs.

Get set for a summer of arts…the Arts Training Workshops are back by popular demand. Book now!

Join our exciting programme of workshops suitable for outdoor and indoor creative play, book now to secure a place! They will provide a source of ideas and skills for Summer Schemes covering a diverse range of topics suitable for everyone working with children and young people. Workshops are specifically designed to appeal to anyone organising arts and play activities over the summer.

The programme gives you access to experienced artists, fresh ideas, new skills and increased confidence to deliver arts activities in a group setting.

Arts Training Workshops:
Tuesday 2 June
Quick Things to Do

Wednesday 3 June
Costumes, Props & Accessories from Scrap

Thursday 4 June
Puppets
Action Toys from Scrap

Friday 5 June
Creative Activities for Outdoor Play

Wednesday 10 June
Sets, Props & Models

Thursday 11 June
Face Painting.

Each workshop costs £20 and can be booked individually by calling 028 9035 7545.

Closing Dates over the summer at Play Resource

May 2009

Please note Play Resource will be closed on the following dates over the summer:
Monday 4 May 2009
Monday 25 May 2009
Monday 13 & Tuesday 14 July 2009
Monday 31 August 2009

Our day at the seaside… makes a splash in the Ideas Gallery

If you are looking to inspire the imagination of children and young people this summer, why not explore this theme with them? Just see what learning it leads to… think of all the possibilities that could spring from the idea of holidays, visiting new places, the seaside, beaches, or rock pools, shore lines, tidal zones and the underwater all teaming with sea life…! Be a beachcomber; take a look and see what ideas you can collect from our display and use for your own. Plus read about Rosie’s (aged 5) imaginary Day at the Seaside!

Just creating a simple display like this using scrap and shop materials can lead to children developing their research and conversation skills, learning about the world around them, or it can even be used to spark a creative writing exercise. Get them to write a story or a poem about their own Day at the Seaside and let their imaginations run wild!

We are lucky enough to have one such inspired story written by Rosie (aged 5) to accompany our display. Take a look in the Ideas Gallery and find out what happened The Day the Super Kitties went to the beach and met a monster….! Rosie’s very special illustrated storybook and a miniature puppet show made from scrap materials are on display too. Please note: The sunshine has a very toothy grin!

The Teenage Project says “Get rid of your fears – don’t be pressured by your peers”

The latest exhibition to be revealed at Play Resource this month is the culmination artwork created by teenagers with clear messages to other teens.

The Creative Paths ‘Teenage Project’ was run over a 6-month period. It gave groups of teenagers from North and West Belfast the chance to explore issues that were important to them. Using art to express concerns affecting their lives, with the support of their peers and Quaker Cottage youth service, their messages are loud and clear! In their own words…..“Get rid of your fears – don’t be pressured by your peers”

After many group discussions and experimentation with plasticine for modelling, new skills were learned but more importantly new friendships were forged. The end result is this exciting and vibrant collection of posters and printed t-shirts created by the teenagers to express the impact of bullying, drug abuse, anorexia and peer pressure on their lives, in the hope their messages can help other teens by sharing their own experiences.

Come and visit the showcase exhibition of the jointly run Teenage Project by Play Resource in Partnership with Quaker Service, thanks to funding from YCNI. Visit Quaker Cottage for more information about the valuable services run by them for young people and families in Northern Ireland.

Healthy Eating with the Hungry Caterpillar for Early Years

May 2009

Take a look the next time you visit Play Resource and see the results of a training day for Early Years workers to stimulate thinking around how they can integrate healthy eating values into nursery settings using the much loved icon of the Hungry Caterpillar! It also provided great cross curriculum links for learning by incorporating opportunities for creative activity and discussions about how we relate to the world around us too.

Staff create giant ant eater to learn how Play Resource can support schools

The importance of creativity and art across the NI primary school curriculum came into sharp focus during Curriculum Awareness Training for both artists and staff at Play Resource, facilitated by Marie O’Donoghue, Education Officer at BELB. Real insight was gained into the revised NI Curriculum: Primary. The importance of Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities is clear from a glance at the ‘Big Picture’ of the Curriculum at Key Stage 1 & 2. After being set the task of creating a piece of 2-D group artwork we were reminded that creativity is so much more than art, and that the process is more important than the product to a child’s learning and development!

The process was to split the group into teams of three, select a topic from a list, then create a group piece of 2-D artwork. One person was responsible for choosing the topic, another responsible for time keeping and the other reporting back to the groups on what was created. It was clear that by co-operating as a team to complete this simple task using scrap materials, we had been provided with the opportunity for managing information, thinking, problems solving, decision making, being creative, working with others and self management, all cornerstones of the cross curricular skills. Through play, playfulness and topic based teaching a broader approach to learning can be nurtured, which helps the whole child develop.

As well as having fun it refreshed our sense that active learning through; play, sports & games, art, nature such as outdoor play, all feed into a childs’ creativity, which in turn supports their learning and development. All the resources available from Play Resource provide the perfect support to teachers and anyone working with young children.

Visit the Creative Corridor upstairs at Play Resource to see the visual feast created during the training; including The World Around Us and Creatures Large & Small – you may even come face to face with a giant ant eater!

Changes to the invoice & credit system in the Art & Play Shop come into full effect by 1st April 2009

Please note the changes to the invoice/credit system in the Art & Play Shop will impact on to how you are able to receive goods on invoice from Play Resource. The measures are to protect our members from fraudulent use of their cards, and to support Play Resource’s credit control systems.

When purchasing goods on invoice you will now be required to provide some form of evidence to show that you are authorized to purchase goods on behalf of your group.

Please provide one of the following:

• If you have your own internal purchase order system please provide us with a requisition on each visit
• If you purchase under your local Council or Education and Library Board please provide a copy of your requisition
• If you are a small group who do not have a purchase order system, we will accept a letter on headed paper stating the current date and the amount up to which you are able to purchase. This must be signed by the relevant member of your organisation authorised to make purchases.

If you have any enquiries regarding these changes simply call Nicola on 028 9035 7546

Brand new look in the Art & Play Shop injects a new lease of life into Play Resource!

4 March 2009

Welcome to the brand new Art & Play Shop unveiled this week following the refit!
The not-for-profit Art & Play Shop has never looked so good, with its exciting fresh new look, improved layout and signage, and even better displays of the Ideas & Inspiration on offer.
We hope that you can find just what you are looking for more easily, and that you will have an even better shopping experience than before! We think it’s a great improvement, but don’t just take our word for it…. all you Art & Craft shopaholics come and see for yourself and browse the full range of stock for Mothers Day, St Patrick’s and Easter!

Spring & Easter Holiday Closing Dates at Play Resource

March-April 2009

Please note: Play Resource will be closed over the following dates the spring for holidays:

Tuesday 17 March 2009 – St Patrick’s Day
Monday 13 April & Tuesday 14 April 2009 – Easter

Don’t miss the return of BMC Community Art & Craft Training Course OCN Level 1 in February. Sign up now!

Are you looking to improve your own Art & Craft skills and knowledge, or looking for training and development for your volunteers, youth workers or staff working with children and young people in a community setting? Then the BMC Community Art & Craft Training Course OCN Level 1 is the course for you, and your team.

The popular course is back for the third year running, starting on Tuesday 24 February, for 15 weeks at Play Resource. This includes two OCN Level1 Units: Design Style & Design Project.

Cost : £74 full fee / £48 concession (includes accreditation fee of £22).
To register or for further information contact course tutor Anna O’Kane (aokane@belfastmet.ac.uk) or call 9035 7545.

This course is aimed at anyone who works with a community group, with no formal entry requirements, simply an interest in Arts & Craft. Whether you are a volunteer with an after schools group, a care worker with the elderly or you help keep the teenagers entertained at the local youth club, you will be given the opportunity to develop planning skills and ideas for creative activity.

Extra Closing Dates at Play Resource for Shop Refit in February

February 2009

Play Resource will be closed from Thu 26th February at 5pm, reopening for business on Tue 3rd March at 9.30am, due to a shop refit over several days.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and look forward to your valued custom in our ‘new look’ shop. All will be revealed…..!
We look forward to welcoming you to the new look shop when it reopens for business!

Ideas Gallery unwraps new Eco-Education display illustrating the benefits of a cleaner greener environment for all of us!

January 2009

Visit the Ideas Gallery to see the new Eco-Education display where ideas are brought to life, with children and young people in mind. Use this colourful scrap filled scene to cultivate your own ideas. The scene clearly illustrates the benefits of a cleaner greener environment and the need to ‘reduce reuse recycle’…. It’s a clear message worth spreading!

Visit the January Sale at Play Resource Art & Play Shop and start the year by saving money!

January 2009

We are back to the business of bringing you great Ideas & Inspirations and all the resources needed to run excellent arts, play and education activities! Top up your art & play supplies for the long dark evenings ahead from the bargains in our extensive January Sale. There are great savings to be made with up to 50% off some items – have a good rummage it’s sure to pay off! See for yourself…face paints, sponge painting sets, stickers, crepe paper, cotton drawstring bags, google eyes to name but a few!

Plus SPECIAL OFFER:
Bargain Bags for £5 We have put together a special offer this month to make your money go further….Choose between Card Making, Collage or Early Years bag of goodies all for just a fiver!

Don’t forget your last minute shopping at Play Resource but remember our CHRISTMAS CLOSING DATES!!

December 2008

We are closed on Wednesday 17th Dec at 5pm, and reopen on Monday 5th Jan at 9.30am.

Seasonal Arts Training Workshops promise fresh Halloween and Christmas ideas.  Book now!

This autumn Play Resource is running a series of Arts Training Workshops to link in with the seasons to give you ideas and training at the times when you need it most!  Starting with Halloween and followed by Christmas.  Each workshop can be booked individually. Cost per session £20.  Book early to secure a place!

What’s on Offer at a Glance…

Monday 29 Sep
Halloween Costumes with artist Heather Long, Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Scary Face Painting with artist Stacy McStay, Time: 1.30pm-4.30pm

Monday 20 Oct
Christmas Ideas from Scrap with artist Anna O’Kane, Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Early Years Christmas (1) with artist Jess Webb, Time: 1.30pm-4.30pm

Tuesday 21 Oct
Angels & Fairies with artist Katie Blue, Time: 1.30pm-4.30pm

Wednesday 22 Oct
Christmas Gift Ideas! with artist Amy Willans, Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Early Years Christmas (2) with artist Jess Webb, Time: 1.30pm-4.30pm

Thursday 23 Oct
Big Ideas for Christmas with artist Laureen Magill, Time: 9.30am-12.30pm

Friday 24 Oct
Christmas Displays with artist Frances Huddleston, Time: 9.30am-12.30pm.

Join us for our seasonal Arts Training Workshops.  Cost per session £20.  Book early to secure a place by completing the booking form or call 028 9035 7545.

Get spooked by the Haunted House display created especially for Halloween

September 2008

Our shop team got spooky this time around to bring you a Halloween themed display using a combination of scrap and shop materials, creating a haunted house scene complete with all the classic Halloween characters like witches, mummies, ghouls and ghosts.

Come and have a peek at our special spooky monsters and ghouls on display in the Ideas Gallery, but be warned you may be spooked by what you see – as well as inspired to create your own unique displays for this spooky season!

Autumn hails the return of BMC Community Arts & Crafts Training Course OCN Level 1

Looking to improve your Arts & Craft skills, or develop new ideas for creative activity? Bring new skills to your workplace? Working in a full time or voluntary capacity with community groups, then this is the course for you!  The BMC Community Arts & Craft Training Course, held at Play Resource, is a practical course set to fire the imagination, build skills and confidence, and help participants deliver arts & craft ideas to a range of age groups.  This year offers two flexible learning options for the course. Sign up now for the next course starting Tue 9th September!

Have fun unleashing your creativity whilst bringing fresh ideas and new skills to your workplace:

Course details
Two course options will run from 9th September 08, both fully accredited OCN Level1:

1. ‘Award in Art’ – 1 year course on Tuesdays 10.00-11.45am Cost: £126 full fee/ £74 conc.
2. ‘Creative Craft Skills’ – 17 week course on Thursdays 4.00-5.45pm. Cost: £74 full fee/ £48 conc.

Artist/Tutor: Anna O’Kane. Venue: Play Resource.

Course Content & Assessment
Students will experiment with a wide range of media, and explore a variety of techniques to undertake art & craft activities within given contexts.  Whilst covering: the importance of planning; understanding and demonstrating the health & safety requirements of each activity.  The course will assess the practical skills of students on an ongoing basis.  Students will produce a folder of activity plans, templates and practical work.

Enrolment
Entry requirements: No formal qualifications.

For further details or to enrol contact Central_Admissions@belfastmet.ac.uk or call 028 9026 5492/3.

Talk: Lively looking window displays and new Returns Policy!

The list in the Art & Craft Shop just gets longer…. as we have extended our stock to include exciting new products and increased the range of other products, meaning we have even more for you to choose from!

Expect yet another source of Ideas & Inspiration from the Shop Team as they start to create lively window displays.  Emy Record, from the Shop Team, has successfully completed the Visual Merchandising Course run by WEA (Workers Educational Association) over 13 weeks, and brought back all her learning to share with the team, so there will be no stopping them all now!

Please note: Since 1st June Play Resource now operates a 90 day returns policy.

“The course has provided me with a greater understanding of how to use colour and space to create an impact, but it’s quite tricky in Play Resource because we have limited dedicated space for displays, as we try to keep as much stock out as possible.  So the Summer Fun themed window display certainly provided me with that challenge!” said Emy.

As a final project for her course Emy created an exciting colourful window display, hopefully the first of many to come.  Taking inspiration from the shop products available for summer, we think you will agree it was a really eye catching lively display.  So keep your eye out …you can expect more creative window displays from the Shop Team now….!

For further information about WEA Courses visit www.wea-ni.com

Returns Policy PLEASE NOTE: Since 1st June Play Resource now operates a 90 day returns policy.  At Play Resource we want to provide members with the best possible customer service, therefore we operate a ‘no quibble’ 90 day returns policy for items purchased in the Art & Craft Shop.

A request for refund can be made for any product within 90 days of purchase, for whatever reason as long as it is returned in its original condition with the receipt. Please ensure that packaged items are unopened, unless the item is faulty.

For any queries please contact the Shop Manager Frances Huddleston on 028 9035 7549 or email frances@playresource.org.

Be inspired, collect ideas from six exhibitions this summer at Play Resource

We have 6 different exhibitions on display over the summer at Play Resource showcasing the work of various children and young people, students, artists, and staff team.  Including a collection of Mythical Rainforest Creatures, mosaics and mod-roc clocks!  Take a look to get fresh Ideas & Inspiration for working with your groups.

For a summer of creativity with scrap collect free colour step-by-step craft sheets from the Ideas Gallery Art & Craft Library

This summer sees a strong and varied collection of 6 exhibitions on show at Play Resource:

1. Visit the Ideas Gallery to see the exciting new exhibition showcasing the work of students from BMC Community Art & Craft Training Course, including a fantastic collection of mosaics and creative clocks using scrap materials and mod-roc.  The course designed by artist Anna O’Kane, in partnership with Play Resource and BMC (Belfast Metropolitan College), is due for next intake in September 08.

2. Be inspired by the scrap sculpture on display in the Art Space, created by P7 pupils from St. Comgalls Primary School, Antrim.  This collection of Mythical Rainforest Creatures was created during workshops facilitated by local artist Chrystel Kyle (B.Ed Art Hons).

3 Look out for the very Special Scrap Birthday Wishes next time you visit, created for our 25th birthday by the children from Oakwood School and Assessment Centre, and the youth club at Duncairn Gardens Community Centre.  The gorgeous collection of scrap birthday cakes and the gigantic scrap birthday card are all now on display.  So a big thanks to them all!

4. Collection of scrap costumes … To celebrate our 25th Year we have put on display in the Art Space a selection of the inspired costumes, created by artist Frances Huddleston using our scrap materials, for the opening of our current building in 2002.

5. Favourite Nursery Rhymes display has just relocated to Ideas Gallery 2 in the warehouse.

6. The Scrap Portrait Gallery continues for the summer in its new home, so take a stroll along the Creative Corridor, upstairs at Play Resource.

Don’t miss the selection of craft sheets online for creative ideas and projects with your groups at Ideas & Inspiration or visit the Ideas Gallery Art & Craft Library for the extended range of free colour step-by-step craft sheets.

Special 25th Birthday Wishes sparked by Play Resource… This is Your Life event

Play Resource… This is Your Life drew a good crowd including old friends, funders, supporters and members all keen to celebrate 25 years of dedicated service to community arts and play provision, and the unique resources for children and young people across Northern Ireland.

Good wishes came in many forms including Special Scrap Birthday Wishes from members, and congratulations from long term supporter the Arts Council of Northern Ireland “Play Resource has achieved an amazing 25 years of dedicated arts development service to the community.   The Arts Council commends the staff, past and present, for creating such an important and friendly service” said Chief Executive, Roisin McDonough.

Like any good episode of This is Your Life, there were a few surprises, hilarious stories, tears and laughter, as everyone remembered the early days and reflected on just how far Play Resource has come since its humble but inspired beginnings!  In 1983 the project started with just 50 members, but has grown to around 2,500 in its 25th Year.

Children from Oakwood School proudly present special Scrap Birthday Cakes

June 2008

As Play Resource mark a quarter of a century of offering projects, support and play resources for young people, the children from Oakwood School & Assessment Centre mark the occasion in their own unique way.  To say thank you for all the fun they have with the scrap materials in their special sensory curriculum they created special 25th birthday cakes from recycled scrap materials.

Play Resource staff were treated to a warm welcome at the school, and a delicious looking array of scrap cakes – they looked good enough to eat!  Look out for the very Special Scrap Birthday Wishes next time you visit, created for our 25th birthday by the children from Oakwood School and Assessment Centre, and the youth club at Duncairn Gardens Community Centre.  Big thanks to them all!

netWORKING for new waste materials pays off

June 2008

The netWORKS 2008 event was held at St. Georges Market on 10 June 2008.  It was the first all Ireland trade event exclusively profiling the work of social enterprises – all run as not-for-profit orgainsations.  Play Resource took the opportunity to have a stand and join the event to showcase our services to business across the region, in the hope of finding new firms to donate their waste to the Waste to Art Appeal at Play Resource.

With such a colourful stand Play Resource certainly attracted a lot of attention which was good news for us.  We made some more useful contacts with businesses as well as finding some new members!  There was a great buzz on the day, with hundreds of visitors taking the opportunity to see over 80 of Ireland’s exciting, progressive social enterprises exhibiting on the day.

The organisers, the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) used this event to highlight the value and positive contribution that social enterprises make to local communities and the wider economy.  From our point of view it certainly was a success!

UCIT provides affordable loans and free support to community organisations and social enterprises.  Since January 2001, the UCIT Loan Fund has assisted over 100 community organisations and social enterprises through providing loans totalling in excess of £12m. For further details of assistance and loan schemes available visit www.ucitltd.com.

Exciting new exhibition of BMC Art & Craft Training Course students’ work coming to the Ideas Gallery for July & August

Showcase of BMC Community Art & Craft Training Course at Play Resource sees a fantastic collection of mosaics created by students from OCN Level 2.  This course has been designed by artist Anna O’Kane in response to a need she identified for accredited training for those delivering Arts & Craft Workshops in local communities. The next intake of the course OCN Level 1 will start again in September ‘08.

The partnership between Anna, Play Resource and Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC) has been a great success with several intakes of the Community Arts & Craft Training Course Level 1 & 2. Both designed to fire the imagination, build skills and confidence, and help participants deliver art & craft ideas to a range of age groups in a professional, organised manner.

OCN Level 1 – Creative Craft Skills Certificate
Aim: For anyone working with a community group to improve their Art & Craft skills. The course assesses the practical skills of the participants on an on-going basis. All learners will produce a folder of activity plans, templates and practical work based on the imaginative use of recycled scrap materials.

OCN Level 2 – Design Project Certificate
Aim: To build practical skills in a focused way based on a set of design projects. Participants are encouraged to build on their practical, technical and design skills in specific areas such as mosaic, building 3D structures, felt-making etc while learning how to collate research material and work in an organised, logical manner.

Visit the Ideas Gallery at Play Resource during July & August to see their work on display.

OCN Level 1 will start again in September 08. For all enquiries contact Central_Admissions@belfastmet.ac.uk or call 028 9026 5265.

Help us Celebrate 25 Years at our special AGM ‘Play Resource…This Is Your Life’

All members are invited to the Special 25th Anniversary AGM on Friday 13th June 2008 from 11am to 1pm.  Please join us on this special occasion to help us celebrate 25 years of providing creative arts, crafts & play resources to children and young people.

NOTE: CLOSED FOR COLLECTION AND PURCHASE OF MATERIALS ON THE DAY.

It will be a light-hearted look back over 25 years…with the chance to share our experiences with new and old members alike.  Looking at our development over the years, how the services available like the waste, shop and arts programme have grown.  We hope many old friends who have helped us along the way will be there to celebrate with us!

We will look at how the project has grown and developed over the course of 25 years from its early years in Tomb Street, through Alexandra Park Avenue (with rain pouring through the roof) to our wonderful new building today.

Arts Training Workshops for Summer Schemes during June at Play Resource.  Book a place now!

Don’t forget, any new groups looking to join Play Resource for the summer, with their Summer Schemes in mind, then now is the time with a special 3-month package for only £25.  This gives group’s access to the Scrap Store for waste materials, and the Art & Craft Shop to support all activities over the summer.  Plus you can get Ideas & Inspiration from the Ideas Gallery, the free demonstrations and craft sheet library.

To join for Summer Scheme Membership download and complete the form.

Following the summer if a group wishes to extend membership for the rest of the year you can simply upgrade the Summer Scheme Membership to a full year by paying the remaining balance of the annual membership fee.

For full details call 028 9035 7545.

Arts Training Workshops for Summer Schemes during June at Play Resource.  Book a place now!

A full day of training including 2 workshops & lunch costs only £28, representing great value!  So get set for a summer of arts… Join our exciting programme of Arts Training Workshops suitable for outdoor and indoor creative play.  They will provide an ideal source of ideas and skills for Summer Schemes covering a diverse range of topics suitable for everyone working with children and young people.

Each day must be booked individually and will include workshops specifically designed to appeal to anyone organising arts over the summer.

What’s on offer at a glance….
MONDAY 2 JUNE 10 – 3.30pm
Costume with Artist Heather Long, Time: 10am-12.30pm
Junk Animals with Artist Katie Blue, Time: 1pm – 3.30pm

WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 10 – 3.30pm
Sculpture/Modelling with Artist Jim Russell, Time: 10am – 12.30pm, 1pm – 3.30pm

THURSDAY 5 JUNE 10 – 3.30pm
Quick Things to Make & Do with Artist Grainne Kielty, Time: 10am – 12.30pm
Viking Huts with Artist Laureen Magill, Time: 1pm – 3.30pm

FRIDAY 6 JUNE 10 – 3.30pm
Puppets with Artist Bobbi Rai Purdy, Time: 10am – 12.30pm
Mod-Roc Masks with Artist Frances Huddleston, Time: 1pm – 3.30pm

Book early to secure a place! For full details call 028 9035 7545. Cost £28: Full day, includes lunch.

Closing Dates over the summer at Play Resource

May – August 2008

Please note Play Resource will be closed on the following dates over the summer:

Monday 5th May 2008
Monday 26th May 2008
Friday 13th June – Closed for AGM, so no collections or shopping on this day!
Monday 14th & Tuesday 15th July 2008
Monday 25th August 2008

Favourite Nursery Rhymes inspire creativity in new the Ideas Gallery display.

The Shop Team have been busy again creating a new display, with Early Years in mind. They set about creating colourful characters based on famous nursery rhymes, using a combination of scrap and shop products to illustrate the rhymes, like Hey diddle diddle the cat and the fiddle….and the dish ran away with the spoon, Baa Baa Black Sheep and Humpty Dumpty. Take a look at the Ideas Gallery for inspiration to get your projects started…

Plus this month the Ideas Gallery plays host as member group PLACE showcase their ‘Our Belfast’ exhibition.

The end result is a fun and colourful look at nursery rhymes with the chance to teach young children about counting, colours, history, rhythm and rhyme. With an emphasis on colour and texture, by visually representing the story of the rhymes and capturing the characters in picture form children’s learning retention is often increased. Many of the creations on display can be made very cheaply and simply on a limited budget.

Plus this month the Ideas Gallery plays host as member group PLACE showcase their ‘Our Belfast’ exhibition. The exhibition is the result of a series of workshops. The artwork includes the children’s impressions of five key buildings they visited within Belfast: the Grand Opera House, the Waterfront Hall, St. Georges Market, City Hall and the Linen Hall Library. Take a look and see Belfast with fresh eyes – through their eyes!

Happy e-birthday to us! This month the ‘new’ e-bulletin service is now 1 year old.

April 2008

Hopefully you have found it a useful, interesting and inspiring complement to your work with groups of children and young people.  With around 500 of you now all signed up to receive news and updates each month from Play Resource it is certainly proving popular!

Looking for new scrap & craft ideas for groups then book into our free Arts Demonstrations

April-July 2008

Places are limited so call to book and secure a place. Demos taking place, facilitated by experienced artists in April to July:

April -
Wed 16 Apr – Junk Animals with Katie Blue 2pm – 4pm

May -
Thu 8 May – Plasticene Models with Jim Russell 10am – 12pm
Tue 27 May Moving Toys with Caroline Jeffrey 11am – 1pm

June -
Thu 26 Jun – Fabric Painting with Frances Huddleston 4pm – 6pm
Mon 30 Jun – Clay/Plaster with Shauna McCann 2pm – 4pm

July -
Wed 23 Jul – Ideas with Felt with Amy Willans 10am – 12pm

All members are welcome; tea and coffee included. Venue: Play Resource. Call to book a free place on
028 9035 7545.

New member of staff joins the team to support the expanding work of Play Resource

April 2008

We are delighted to welcome our new full time member of staff, Nicola Hobson. She has just joined the team as Administrator, in a newly created post. She has hit the ground and started running tackling the busy administration for the shop and memberships of Play Resource. Nicola will now be the point of contact for any membership enquiries. So in time, no doubt, you will have the pleasure of speaking to her when you contact Play Resource!

Rainy Days just got brighter with exciting new stock just in to the Art & Craft Shop

April 2008

All the time we are looking at new product ranges, and extending existing product ranges to make sure the Art & Craft Shop has all the latest stock available to you, the members, for getting creative with your groups. As a result this season sees quite a lot of new exciting products coming into the shop.

Make sure you keep an eye on the monthly e-bulletins as another way to see what’s new:

Boost your ideas bank this winter by booking a place on our free Art Demos

Boost your ideas bank this January, February & March by coming along to the free arts demos running at Play Resource! Places are limited so call to book and secure a place. This forthcoming series of multi-cultural themed arts demonstrations, along with the traditional favourites like Valentines, Mothers Day & Easter, offer plenty of fresh ideas & inspiration to get the New Year off to a bright start! So check the dates for your diary.

Demos taking place facilitated by experienced artists, in January and February:

January
Fri 25 Jan – Valentines Ideas 10am-12pm
Tue 29 Jan – Chinese Calligraphy 2-4pm
Thu 31 Jan – Chinese Cut Outs & Masks 2-4pm

February
Multi-cultural Ideas:
Thu 7 Feb – Traditional Eastern European Arts 10am-12pm
Mon 11 Feb – Indonesian Shadow Puppets 1.30pm–3.30pm
Wed 13 Feb – African Masks 10am-12pm
Thu 21 Feb – Asian Crafts 1.30-3.30pm

Traditional Ideas:
Wed 20 Feb – Mothers Day 2-4pm
Tue 26 Feb – Spring & Easter Crafts 2-4pm
Wed 27 Feb – Spring & Easter Ideas from Scrap 1.30-3.30pm
Thu 28 Feb – Early Years Activities for spring 2-4pm

March
Wed 5 Mar – St. Patrick’s T-shirt Decorating Ideas 2-4pm

All members are welcome; tea and coffee included. Venue: Play Resource in the Ideas Gallery. To book a free place call 028 9035 7545.

Ideas Gallery sees the unveiling of the new ‘Scrap Portrait Gallery’ .with a few familiar faces!

4 February 2008

Ever wondered what would happen if you were given a multitude of scrap materials, and a whole range of art & craft materials to create your own portrait?…Well that’s just what happened to the staff and board at Play Resource as part of the staff training and development day to stimulate their knowledge of scrap & shop materials.

Ever wondered what would happen if you were given a multitude of scrap materials, and a whole range of art & craft materials to create your own portrait?…Well that’s just what happened to the staff and board at Play Resource as part of the staff training and development day to stimulate their knowledge of scrap & shop materials.

With the stock take done and an afternoon left before Christmas the whole team at Play Resource, were given access to the waste materials and shop products to create a self portrait….The results? Well judge for yourself, the new display ‘Scrap Portrait Gallery’ has been unmasked on the Ideas Gallery and will be on show until May 2008.

Take inspiration from the display for working with any group to create self-portraits, or an image that represents you. It will work for any age group, and if our afternoon was anything to go by it will certainly provide great hilarity and fun! The finished results could not be more different. See if you can guess who is who!!??

Winner of e-prize draw announced and a new member celebrates New Year with £50 Gift Voucher!

In Scrap Rap magazine November 2007 we offered members the chance to win a £50 voucher to spend in the Art & Craft Shop at Play Resource. All they had to do was sign up to receive the monthly e-bulletins. Anyone who took up subscription during December would automatically be entered into our e-Prize Draw. We are delighted to announce the winner as new member -The Den After School Club, Newtownabbey.

If you have not signed up for e-bulletins yet do not miss out on special offers, news of workshops & demos, scrap just in – make sure you sign up today!

Arts Sector Rally to Save the Arts

10 December 2007

Play Resource staff joined hundreds of others from Northern Ireland’s arts sector on the Keep Our Arts Alive Rally, at Stormont on Monday 10 December 2007. The Rally was supported by the Arts Council, and organized in a bid to save the arts and to improve the allocation contained within the Draft Budget 2008-2011.

The arts in Northern Ireland are in danger of dying from neglect.  That was the message of artists, arts professionals and supporters who gathered at Carson’s statue at Stormont to make a public call for increased arts funding.  In the bigger picture, large amounts of funding are now being redirected as a result of the 2012 London Olympics, which is having a drastic knock on effect on funding for the arts.

It was a noisy, colourful turnout.  Dressed in costume and carrying the tools of their arts and banners, supporters presented the Chair of the CAL Committee, Barry McElduff, with a letter which calls upon government to rethink the final budget settlement.  To see more images of the rally or find out more about the campaign visit Keep Arts Alive.

Gallery will have you seeing double.

November 2007

This month sees the launch of Ideas Gallery2 in the Scrap Store at Play Resource. Now, if you have missed a previous display there will be a chance to see it again. The Ideas Gallery displays will now rotate from upstairs to downstairs, into the new space created at the back of the warehouse. So if you if you feel like you are seeing double, you probably are.its Ideas Gallery 2!

If you missed the ‘Space – the Final Frontier’ themed exhibition upstairs take a look as it gravitates to Ideas Gallery2 downstairs. This display is a result of staff from the shop team testing out products and learning new skills, whilst trying to give you fresh ideas & inspiration using Scrap and Shop materials! The end result is just out of this world.! Make sure you take a look next time you visit.

Looking for spooky suggestions for Halloween or Christmas Craft Ideas? …

Then come along to the free Arts Demonstrations taking place in our shop, facilitated by experienced artists, in October and November:

Mon 1 Oct - Scary ideas from Scrap Materials for Halloween 1pm – 3pm
Thu 18 Oct - Face Painting Scary Faces for Halloween 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Tue 6 Nov – Christmas Lanterns, Lights & Votives 1pm – 3pm
Mon 12 Nov – Christmas Cards, Wreaths, Baubles & Angels from Scrap Materials 1pm – 3pm
Wed 14 Nov – Christmas Presents from Shop products 10am – 12pm

All members are welcome, no booking is necessary; tea and coffee included.

Invitation to AGM at Play Resource and Launch of Creative Paths Exhibition on Friday 19 October 2007 at 11am – 1pm

A date for your diary – as we invite all members to our Annual General Meeting and the Launch of the Creative Paths Exhibition! This year the AGM will be an informal event showcasing the work of several organisations that have accessed the Creative Paths Arts Programme. Light Lunch will be provided. Please note: The Shop and Scrap areas will be closed on this day.

The AGM event will be a good opportunity to meet the staff in an informal setting, meet up with other groups working in the voluntary and community sector, and perhaps even gain some inspiration and ideas from the art created by other groups.  See you on Friday 19 October 2007 at 11am – 1pm!  Light Lunch will be provided.

Christmas Workshops back by popular demand – creative ideas for your group this Christmas are at hand!

They are a must for anyone delivering arts activities for Christmas with groups. Each workshop is led by an experienced artist and lasts for 3 hours. Workshops can be booked individually at a cost of £12 +VAT per session, per person.

Mon 22 Oct – Funky Christmas with Katie Blue 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Tue 23 Oct – Christmas Characters with Laureen Magill 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Wed 24 Oct – Christmas from Scrap with Anna O’Kane 1.30pm – 4.30pm FULLY BOOKED
Thu 25 Oct – Early Years Christmas with Jess Webb 1.30pm – 4.30pm FULLY BOOKED

Additional Dates
Mon 8 Oct – Early Years Christmas with Jess Webb 1.30pm – 4.30pm FULLY BOOKED
Thu 15 Oct – Early Years Christmas with Jess Webb 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Mon 5 Nov – Christmas from Scrap with Anna O ’Kane 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Book early to secure a place for Christmas Workshops! As some dates are already fully booked – to meet demand we are endeavouring to arrange additional dates to repeat workshops.  Please call for further details on 028 9035 7545

New Scrap Rap magazine out now – in colour – plus e-bulletin gets a make over too!

Our first issue of Scrap Rap – in colour – is out now! The new look magazine for September is packed full of news, stories, ideas and craft sheets. The magazine now also incorporates the Shop Price List and highlights the next 4-month Calendar of Events – so all you need to know about Play Resource is in one place. the new colour Scrap Rap, also available to download from the web. .

Welcome to the new look for the new season… we have added a splash of colour for September all over – as our first ‘new look’ colour Scrap Rap gets mailed out – plus the monthly Play Resource e-bulletin goes colour too!

Gallery launches into the final frontier…Space and sees double!

The Ideas Gallery takes off again for autumn as it launches itself into ‘Space – the Final Frontier’ – the new themed exhibition is to give you more ideas & inspiration using Scrap and Shop materials

Staff from the shop team have been busy again testing out products and learning new skills to create the next display upstairs in the Ideas Gallery. The end result is an exciting, new exhibition that explores the versatility of Scrap Materials and Shop products all together!  So make sure you take a look….

This month also sees the launch of Ideas Gallery2.  Now if you have missed a previous display there will be a chance to see it again. The Ideas Gallery displays will now rotate from upstairs to downstairs, into the new space created at the back of the warehouse in the Scrap Store. So if you if you feel like you are seeing double, you probably are…its Ideas Gallery2!

Discover new skills, ideas, and inspiration at the Play Resource Waste Fair on Saturday 29 September from 11am to 3pm

This much anticipated annual event promises to be a wonderful opportunity to see a wide variety of crafts demonstrated by experienced community artists. Gain new skills and get ideas & inspiration for your groups. Everyone is welcome – with free entry to members and non-members. Craft demonstrations will run throughout the day. Everyone is welcome … so bring a friend!

Annual Waste Fair on Saturday 29 September 2007 at 11am to 3pm Each workshop is repeated every 45 minutes and activities on offer are:

• Strange and wonderful creatures from scrap materials
• Printing from scrap materials
• Imaginative ideas for cones
• Junk monsters, Scary 3D sculptures
• Toys, models, masks and puppets
• String puppets – animal and birds from newspaper, masking tape and paper plates
• Bowls and vases from corrugated card and plastic
• Hoola Hoops and animal farm money boxes
• Get into character with scrap materials
• Halloween ideas
• 3D Scrap Sculpture
• Rainy day ideas

Please note: Craft demonstrations will run throughout the day.
Venue: Play Resource, North City Business Centre, 2 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast BT15 2GG.
Visit Contact Us for directions. Everyone is welcome … so bring a friend! For further
enquiries call 028 9035 7542.
To register call 028 9026 5265 or email central_admissions@belfastmet.ac.uk.

Or for further information contact experienced artist and course tutor Anna O’Kane via email aokane@belfastinstitute.ac.uk or visit Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC).

Course Details

• Start Date: Tue 18 September 2007
• Time: 10am to 12pm
• Attendance: two hours per week for 15 weeks
• Cost: £50 full fee/£20 concession. Plus Accreditation Fee £20 in addition to concession/full fee
• Venue: Play Resource

Content

• Planning for arts and crafts activities and development of ideas
• Exploring art techniques within a group context
• Practical use of art materials and equipment
• Health and safety procedures relating to arts and crafts
• Awareness of current Child Protection policy.

Assessment

• Participants will produce a folder of activity plans, templates and samples of work undertaken throughout the course – assessment ongoing.
• Employment/further study
• Development of arts skills within current place of employment or OCN Level 2 due to run in the second semester in January 2008.

Back by popular demand the Community Art & Craft Training Course

Due to start again in September, the Community Arts and Craft Training Course (OCN level 1) is an accredited course aimed at anyone who is working with a community group or intending to work with one, and would like to improve their Art & Craft skills. Each participant will receive a free starter pack of materials from Play Resource to the value of £15. Register now while places still remain!

The Community Arts and Craft Training Course OCN level 1, held at Play Resource but offered by the newly formed Belfast Metropolitan College, is an accredited course aimed at anyone who is working with a community group or intending to work with one, and would like to improve their Art & Craft skills. Whether you work with children, teenagers or the elderly you will be given the opportunity to develop ideas for creative activity and experiment with a range of media. On completion of the course, successful candidates will receive OCN level 1. Each participant will receive a free starter pack of materials from Play Resource to the value of £15. Register now while places still remain!

To register call 028 9026 5265 or email central_admissions@belfastmet.ac.uk.

Or for further information contact experienced artist and course tutor Anna O’Kane via email aokane@belfastinstitute.ac.uk or visit Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC).

Course Details
Start Date: Tue 18 September 2007
Time: 10am to 12pm
Attendance: two hours per week for 15 weeks
Cost: £50 full fee/£20 concession. Plus Accreditation Fee £20 in addition to concession/full fee
Venue: Play Resource

Content

• Planning for arts and crafts activities and development of ideas
• Exploring art techniques within a group context
• Practical use of art materials and equipment
• Health and safety procedures relating to arts and crafts
• Awareness of current Child Protection policy.

Assessment
Participants will produce a folder of activity plans, templates and samples of work undertaken throughout the course – assessment ongoing.

Employment/further study
Development of arts skills within current place of employment or OCN Level 2 due to run in the second semester in January 2008.

Inspirational Dates for your Diary in June & July for Free Arts Demonstrations

Free Arts Demonstrations with summer themes are taking place in our shop, given by experienced artists during June and July. All members are welcome, no booking is necessary; tea and coffee included.

Why not fit in your late night shopping at Play Resource on a Thursday evening and combine it with a free arts & craft demo taking place and collect some new ideas & inspiration as well as scrap materials for your groups!

Inspirational Dates for your Diary:

JUNE & JULY

• Wed 6 June – Keep your memories and discover Scrap Booking! 10am – 12pm
• Thu 7 June – Carnival Masks 5.30 – 6.30pm
• Mon 2 July – Mad Hatters Hats! 10am – 12pm
• Wed 4 July – Butterflies, bugs and bees 10am – 12pm
• Thu 5 July – Lets Make Kites 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Arts & Craft Shop Summer Sale Starts Monday 11 June

June 2007

Come and pick up some bargains for summer schemes and activities with our Giant Summer Sale starting on Monday 11 June including; huge discounts on selected lines of books; a vast range of card making stock will be reduced; as well as the Embossing Metal Sets excellent for card making, candle making, or even collage projects. Plus new range of Summer Games just in stock.

Schools inspire Giant’s Park Art Exhibition

Wednesday 23 May saw the launch of a new exhibition upstairs at Play Resource featuring the artwork produced by three schools involved in the Giant’s Park project; Castle High School; Oakwood School and Assessment Centre and Glenwood Primary School. The exhibition will run until early October 2007. Everyone is invited to come along and have a look upstairs in the Art Space and see how their imaginations ran wild!

In May 2007 Belfast City Council approached Play Resource to organise an exhibition featuring the Giant’s Park. The Giant’s Park is the proposal being put forward by Belfast City Council to the Lottery to develop Dargan landfill site. Three schools were involved in the project; Castle High School; Oakwood School and Assessment Centre and Glenwood Primary School. The idea was for the Council to receive inspiration and gain some insight into what children might like to see in the new Giant’s Park. An artist from Play Resource worked with the schools to develop the children’s ideas. The artwork produced was absolutely fantastic and the ideas they came up with were extremely original and creative. All the artwork was put on display in Play Resource’s Art Space and the three schools involved came in for the launch of the exhibition. The children were so excited to see their artwork on show.

The exhibition will run until early October 2007. Everyone is invited to come along and have a look and you will see how their imaginations ran wild!

Summer inspired fun with fabric display recently unveiled in the Ideas Gallery

May 2007

New Ideas Gallery display is now up on the balcony for the summer! Among the ideas & inspiration on display this season is fun with fabric – painting & dyeing – using free fabric from the Scrap Store or t-shirts on sale in the shop. New ideas on display for your groups include printing techniques, simple mirrors or why not make some music with your group? See the musical instruments created from scrap materials to suit all ages.

Looking for arts ideas for your Summer Schemes with groups – well we can help with our Workshops during May

We are offering a series of Summer Scheme Training Workshops, for a full day between Mon 14 and Thu 17 May. Each workshop can be booked individually and will appeal to anyone delivering arts activities during the Summer. An experienced community artist will lead each themed workshop.

From these workshops you will gain ideas, skills and confidence to deliver the projects with your groups over the summer:
- ‘The Secret Creative Book’ by David Cunningham on Mon 14 May
- Arts from Plaster Clay & Printing by Amy Willans on Tue 15 May
- Kites & Tribal Masks by Frances Huddleston on Wed 16 May
- Moving Toys, Windsocks & Rainsticks by Caroline Jeffry on Thu 17 May

They will take place in our training room at Play Resource from 10am to 4pm, including lunch, for a cost of only £25.

Book now for the few remaining places in our Summer Scheme Training Workshops by completing the booking form. For any further enquiries call 028 9035 7545.

Free Arts Demonstrations with Spring themes taking place in our shop given by experienced artists during April and May

All members are welcome. No booking is necessary; tea and coffee included so put these dates in your diary to visit Play Resource for Ideas & Inspiration:

APRIL

• Mon 2 Apr – Modroc Modelling 10am – 12pm
• Wed 4 Apr – Explore Fabric Painting 10 – 12pm
• Thu 5 Apr – Arts for Early Years 5.30 – 6.30pm

MAY

• Tue 8 May – Make & Play Scrap Instruments 10am – 12pm
• Wed 9 May – Mirror Frames 10am – 12pm
• Thu 10 May – Japanese Fish Kites 5.30 – 6.30pm

Register online now to join our mailing list and receive our exciting new monthly e-bulletin featuring special offers, news of Scrap just in, and ideas to make the most of your membership

From March onwards Play Resource will be offering members the chance to receive a new monthly e-bulletin for free; a brief newsletter sent via email each month to keep members up to date with What’s On Offer, in addition to ScrapRap. It will feature special offers in the shop, exciting new arrivals in the Scrap Store, ideas & inspiration, news & events at Play Resource.

“We believe the introduction of this new quick and easy, environmentally friendly way of keeping in touch with members offers groups, schools and artists a way to make the most of their Play Resource membership in the 21st Century!” says Anne O’Donoghue, Director of Play Resource.

Spring sparks the Ideas Gallery into life again, plus our collection of over 100 Art & Craft Reference Book Library is now available

Our new display for Spring and Easter has been unveiled, featuring kites and Easter bonnets so if you are looking for fresh Springtime and Easter ideas for your groups; see what the Shop Team and our Artists have been busy creating, using scrap materials and products from the shop. In addition we have new seasonal craft sheets available, plus the Art & Craft Reference Library with a collection of over 100 books including themes like presents and toys to make, games, modelling, jewellery making, papercraft and lots more. So step into Spring full of ideas and inspiration for your group after paying a visit to the Ideas Gallery, upstairs at Play Resource!

Waste to Art Appeal celebrates environmentally sound partnership

Since the launch of the Appeal back in September 2006 we have received a great deal of interest from firms, however not all the waste offered has been suitable. But we are delighted to have found 4 new firms to donate their waste to Play Resource.

GPS Colour Graphics is one of them, Winner of the All Ireland Print Awards for ‘Environmental Printer of the Year’. Having examined their production streams to cut down on waste, they have pledged any remaining waste will be donated to Play Resource. “The partnership between GPS and Play Resource is a responsible way for GPS to ensure that waste materials, collected regularly, are reused in a way that benefits the local community and the environment. We hope that other firms will follow our example” says Helen Bell, GPS Business Development Director.

Derek Bell, Managing Director says “We are very proud to be the first CarbonNeutral® printing company in Ireland. It reflects our ongoing commitment to leading the way in environmentally responsible printing.”

To read more about  GPS Colour’s ‘green credentials’ visit www.gpscolour.co.uk.

New Extended Schools Arts Initiative is launched to work in partnership with schools

“Our services and activities are designed to give children and young people throughout Northern Ireland opportunities to engage in high quality creative experiences that promote learning and development. They are tailored to encourage children’s creativity and confidence through artistic expression, with over 20 years experience in the field it makes us a natural partner for schools looking to develop and their Extended Schools Programmes’ says Gail McGarvey, Deputy Director of Play Resource.

Around 1,300 schools have been contacted with information about the scheme offered by Play Resource to make them aware of the services and support available that will enhance any Extended Schools Programme by using the arts, play and creativity in an educational setting. So far the response has been very positive.

The full range of resources and services offered by Play Resource includes; materials, advice and information about planning arts activities with children, training schemes to develop skills, confidence and creativity, that will bring new ideas and invigorate arts and play in school settings, and high quality artists to deliver them.

We believe that the value of play and creative expression cannot be underestimated, therefore we have developed Creative Paths – our Arts Programme – designed to increase children and young people’s participation in the arts and play. Our programmes can be tailored to suit the age and ability of children in each group, or any specific learning or development objectives, or can incorporate specific areas like Environmental Arts and Early Years.

For further information about our Extended Schools Arts Initiative contact Gail McGarvey on 028 9035 7547 or to find more resources for delivering Extended Schools Programmes visit http://www.rtuni.com/extendedschools/.

Unveiling of Members Community Notice board

Downstairs in the warehouse there is a big new notice board available for members to display information – so whether you want to promote an event or activity with your group, put up pictures of work created with your group, or advertise services you offer, what better place to do it! This specially dedicated space to share ideas and information with the wider community of Play Resource members is now available – and as there are 2,500 of you. For more information contact Fiona Chapman on 028 9035 7540 or by post.

New Developments at Play Resource include the launch of the Ideas Gallery and extended opening hours

Back by popular demand and are the Art & Craft demonstrations to take place through-out the year each month in the shop and a new Ideas Gallery has been created on the balcony upstairs at Play Resource, as well as the introduction of extended opening hours from Thursday 7 September. We will be open until 7.00pm every Thursday evening, and open on Friday mornings from 9.30 – 1pm.

September is a busy month for Play Resource launching new additions to what’s on offer in response to feedback from members. This is in part thanks to the feedback from members who responded to our recent service development questionnaire sent out in August. Opening hours have been extended on Thursday and Friday.

The balcony upstairs at Play Resource has been transformed into the ‘Ideas Gallery’ The shop team have been busy creating a display using scrap from the warehouse and art & craft materials on sale in the shop to give you some ideas and inspiration that you can perhaps use with your groups and in your work! Most of the shop team do not have any formal art training but found an outlet for their creativity using a range of waste and products from the shop.

Also available are a range of craft sheets and a library of craft magazines for reference. So spare 10 minutes, to visit upstairs, grab a cup of coffee up there and see what inspires you! The shop team will be more than happy to answer questions about anything on display.

We hope you can all make the most of what’s new on offer at Play Resource over the coming months and to help us keep improving please do give any feedback on these developments to Fiona Chapman, Development Officer. fiona@playresource.org

Play Resource nomination wins ‘Small Charity’ Award at NICVA Link Awards

RFD Beaufort Ltd won the ‘Small Charity’ Award at the NICVA Link Awards for their unwavering commitment to the work of charity Play Resource over the years. In return for a lot of rubbish, RFD Beaufort Ltd took the small charity award!

We had the exciting and unexpected surprise of seeing our nomination for the NICVA Link Awards winning the ‘Small Charity’ Award. RFD Beaufort Ltd won for their unwavering commitment to the work of Play Resource over the years.

The NICVA Link awards, fondly known as the charity ‘Oscars’, were set up to recognise and promote good partnerships between charities and the business sector.

We chose to nominate RFD Beaufort because they have provided us with a regular dependable supply of waste for over 20 years now – including some of the most popular colourful unusual scraps in the warehouse! As well as sorting and saving waste materials each week produced during the manufacture Marine & Aerospace Safety Survival Equipment, they agreed to partner two primary schools on the Industry Arts Project over the last year.

The Awards Ceremony took place on 28th September. Paul Clark of UTV hosted the evening. The star guest actress Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw as the Streetcars taxi worker in Coronation Street, was giving out prizes to businesses and others who have excelled in their contribution to good causes. The Belfast Telegraph covered the event in full. Staff from Play Resource collected the award on behalf of RFD Beaufort on the night.

We were delighted to see them win in recognition for their contribution to children’s education and the environment!

Waste Fair Open Day

Play Resource is holding a Waste Fair to mark its annual Open Day, starting at 10am in Play Resource, North City Business Centre, Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

Anyone working with children and young people or who has an interest in arts, play or education would benefit from attending the day. The Waste Fair is set to provide inspiration for teachers, youth and play workers to incorporate scrap and non-toxic waste materials into arts, play and educational projects.

The Waste Fair is open to members and non-members. Anyone is welcome to drop in and participate in the workshops, or just watch. The day promises to offer an exciting range of creative ideas for working with scrap materials and how to recycle ‘Waste into Art’.

There will be 14 artists running workshop demonstrations throughout the day; 7 in the morning from 10am to 1pm, then another 7 artists in the afternoon from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

Entry is free. For non-members the Waste Fair Open Day is an opportunity to take a look around the Play Resource warehouse, visit the not-for-profit art & craft shop and find out about the benefits of membership to Play Resource. There will be the opportunity to join on the day.

For members it will offer access to numerous artists and creative ideas all under one roof as well as the chance to collect waste materials as usual.

Play Resource launch ‘Waste to Art’ Appeal

The launch of our ‘Waste to Art’ Appeal took place at the Showcase for the Industry Arts Project. The appeal is aimed at industry and commerce across Northern Ireland. The ‘Waste to Art Appeal’ asks them to consider a new way to dispose of their non-toxic waste .”Don’t throw it away – Give it to Play!”

The Appeal launched with the unveiling of the ‘ScrapOmeter’ created by staff to measure the amount of waste donated. We are looking for 100 new firms to donate their waste to keep the warehouse full and fresh. Several newspapers mentioned our appeal including the Irish News, the News Letter and the Ulster Star.

The Appeal is launched with the support of Belfast City Council’s Neighbourhood Economic Development Programme, which is funded through the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme. Councillor Michael Browne, Chairman of the Economic Development Sub-Committee recognises,

“We are delighted to be supporting such a creative solution to this problem – Firms donating to Play Resource can be confident that their waste will benefit the local community instead of going to landfill”.

So strong was their commitment that they contacted around 900 firms with our message to get the appeal underway.

If you know of any firms who may wish to donate their waste to help the ‘Waste to Art’ Appeal reach its target for 100 new firms – please let us know!

Industry Arts Showcase Event

The showcase took place at Play Resource in the Art Space, exhibiting artwork created by children from 13 different primary schools across Northern Ireland, to show their artwork created using waste from their local factories. The exhibition of work was the culmination of a 12-month eco-art scheme.

The showcase brings together the children, artists and local firms who worked in partnership on the Industry Arts Programme run by Play Resource over the last 12 months. The scheme involved 13 primary schools from all over Northern Ireland.

The showcase gave everyone involved the chance to see the results of its pilot scheme – the Industry Arts Programme. Primary schools across the province have been taking part in Belfast’s first eco-art scheme working with local industries and Play Resource.

The Co-ordinator of Play Resource, Anne O’Donoghue said,
“This is a unique programme, where primary schools are involved in an arts project which partners them with a local firm to learn about waste management and the environment. Play Resource sends an artist to work with the children on an arts project using the waste materials of their local factory.

Through this project Play Resource are giving children the chance to learn about recycling and re-using waste materials – concepts at the heart of Belfast City Council’s Reduce, Re-use and Recycle campaign.

The partnership offers companies, who are giving their waste materials to Play Resource, the chance to connect with their local community and consequently gain an insight into the valuable contribution they are making to the development of local communities, and understand the part they play in the social and educational development of children.”

Judith Marrs from local firm, RFD Beaufort Ltd, who participated in the scheme said,

“It was amazing to see what the children produced – just using our waste, a little imagination and guidance from an artist. Showing the children round the factory, to see where the waste originated from, gave a real sense of how it all connects – and now we have a beautiful tree they created sitting in our reception!”