News - News - News - News for 2012
If you would like a copy of our Mobex Stories sent to you please contact Danny Gilchrist on danny@mobexnortheast.org.uk These stories are told by 18 people who have participated in Mobex programmes over the last 20 years. They are all powerful testimonies of people changing or developing through the Mobex experience.
WELCOME TO 2012
Looking back on 2011 we have been through what seems like the worst period in our history. When we should have been celebrating 20 years of terrific service to vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the North East we have been battling to find the funds to keep our work going.
And yet we have produced some of our most creative work - we have developed a Peer Education programme that won a High Sherrif Award; our school transition programme was awarded a National Award from Kids Count; our Creative Adventures programme has been praised by the public and practitioners for the work we have done with adults with mental health issues; our work with offenders was highlighted in the Newcastle Journal and Prince Charles' Seeing is Believing programme made up of 'captains of industry' praised this work after they visited our premises; our EnAct programme won an award from North Face for its environmental work that trained young people in canoeing skills which they then used to clear rivers of rubbish.
At the beginning of the year we had to make two members of staff redundant. By October another four highly specialised and long serving members of staff were also made redundant.
There are six staff left - three full time and three part time plus twelve volunteers. Applications we have submitted throughout the last twelve months have not done as well as we would have hoped. In the last four weeks we have had funding applications rejected by the Newcastle Fund and the Big Lottery.
So, what will 2012 bring us? We continue to deliver our school transition programme to two schools - partly funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
Our Geet Big North Abseils continue each month from the roof of the Vermont Hotel. Charities booked to date are - Christian Aid, Disability North, St Oswalds Hospice, The Calvert Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust, The Percy Hedley Foundation. We have spaces for individuals wishing to raise funds - small groups or large charities - contact us with regards to registration.
We are desparately trying to raise funds for our disability work. The charity Open Doors has passed on all their funds and resources to Mobex in order for us to continue delivering outdoor activities to people who, because of their disabilities find it difficult to access the outdoor environment.
Our new yurt is ready for commission (see below). This is a tremendous resource for any group but most specifically young people with disabilities and/or learning needs.
Following on from our great success and highly acclaimed Flotsam and Jetsom programme with adults who have mental health issues we are looking for funding to set up a drop-in programme that will support members to become involved in outdoor art activities. In September Nick Brown MP opened an exhibition of art work created by a group we worked with over the summer.
With Northumbria Probation Trust not extending the Constructive Activities programme we have been delivering for the last 16 years we are determined to continue our work with offenders, supporting them to break their cycle of offending and move on to positive destinations. We are raising funds that will enable us to raise peoples aspirations, help them to develop confidence and coping strategies as well as reminding them that they are part of a society where they can look after others.
Our award winning EnAct and Peer Education programmes are on hold until we can raise further funds to carry on with this work.
For the last three years we have provided young people classed as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) with skills to help them move on to positive destinations. With a 80% success rate we had hoped that the Big Lottery would help us to continue with this work but we were not successful with our application. Our battle to raise funds will continue as this was a very successful programme.
TOURETTES NORTH EAST - Aiming High for Disabled Children and Young People
Please click on the link below to read an article regarding an Activity Day Mobex delivered for young members of Tourettes North East.
CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE
Thank you to those people who helped us raise funds for our work with vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
Your donations helped us to raise almost £10,000.
Donations are still being accepted and as a well known store states "Every little helps!" You can donate by following this link: MOBEX DONATIONS
Please have your credit or debit card available so that your can make your donation as quickly as possible, through Local Giving's secure system. ENTER AMOUNT - give GIFT AID if applicable - FINALISE DONATION.
Our Project Director, Danny Gilchrist walked 32 miles in 8 hours to raise funds for us. Here is pointing at the A1 North Pole after having completed 25 miles of his walk.
AND WHAT ABOUT .......
‘Yurt Alert!’
Mobex North East is delighted to announce that our new yurt (a large nomadic tent) is now ready to venture out into the wild!
To celebrate we held a free event on Wednesday 7th December at Benfield School, Newcastle.
Youth workers, teachers, community groups, disability and mental health services and service users attended this event.
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund and Hadrian Trust have supported the project in recognition of the unique ‘outdoor-indoor’ space the yurt provides for learning disabled groups. The yurt will be open to all as a wonderful mobile ‘classroom’, used to facilitate arts, environmental and residential activities. We’re also really excited to showcase the yurt as a platform for the John Muir Award, providing a base from which people can venture out to discover, explore, conserve and share wild places.
October 2011
On Sunday 9th October our climbing tower was at Saltwell Park in Gateshead as part of the BBC's Live and Deadly outdoor event.
As soon as the gates opened at 9.00 people began to queue for the tower - by the end of the day at 5.00 over 400 people had climbed. At one point people were queuing for 2 hours just to have a climb - phew!!!
September 2011
You are invited to our exhibition ...
August 2011
IN NEED OF A BREAK - Journal article by Andrew Hebden
Follow the following links to read an article regarding the work of Mobex North East with offenders:
Wombles with Paddles - Foster Care Associates
Just look at the rubbish our latest group of Wombles pulled out of the River Wansbeck iast week.
Lots going on this month:
Go wild in the Woods - 8th - 11th - we are taking bookings now for 9 - 13 year olds. 4 days - £120 per child (2 siblings or more £110 per child) Individual days - £35 per child (2 siblings or more £30 per child)
AgeUK North Tyneside - activities such as canoeing, mine exploration and archery.
After the capsize
Tow Law Community Association - 3 weeks and a residential for 26 young people - potential peer educators.
Climbing Tower - Gateshead Disabled Childrens Services at Gateshead Sports Stadium.
Probation - residential, canoeing Loch Tay
Charity abseil - Northern Rock are raising funds for The Samaritans - 21st August
July 2011
Charity abseil - Outpost Housing - getting ready to descend.
Fundraising abseil for Benfield School - 70 pupils abseiling.
Go Wild in the Woods - creative arts for young people aged 9 - 13 years.
JET North - team building day for staff with our new Mobex Maze problem solving activities. Solve the activity - collect a key - open a box - collect a clue. 12 activities - 12 keys - one final group task - check out the team building page.
Kings School, Tynemouth - problem solving activities for 76 Year 10's.
Wombles with Paddles - litter picking on rivers with pupils from Churchill Community High School in Wallsend.
Northumbria Probation Trust - residential
June 2011
26th June 2011 - Another good day for our charity abseil from the Vermont Hotel. Ryton Community Centre, Save the Children, our Peer Educators and individuals raising funds for their good causes.
May 2011
24th May 2011 - At a ceremony held last night at the House of Commons Mobex North East received a national Kids Count Award for Best Contribution to Youth Issues for our School Transition Project and our work with Meadowdale Middle School in Bedlington, Northumberland.
Congratulations go to the staff involved with this project - Sarah Curry, Phil Barnes, Nicky Sargeant and Fiona MacLeod. Hannah Calise who left us in March also worked on this project as did one of our young volunteers Natasha McGuinness.
Mrs Joy Finn, Headteacher at Meadowdale Middle School said:
"The mobex initiative has made a real difference to the students of Meadowdale Middle School .A wide range of activities and committed staff have contributed hugely in lifting self esteem, developing team work and building aspiration. The opportunities and nurturing provided by the year long project means that the individuals involved will go forward in their lives, better equpped to meet the challenges of the future and help them to contribute more positively and actively to the communities they are part of. Mobex is a definite winner in our eyes and so too are the students of Meadowdale through their project."
22nd May 2011 - GEET BIG NORTH ABSEIL - St Clares and St Oswalds. Over 40 people abseiled on a day that at first looked as though it was going to be too windy. People dressed as superheros, individual stories of courage and fortitude - once again a good day was had by all.
Good morning,
I took part in the abseil for St Oswald's Hospice on Sunday 22nd May 2011.
It was my first time, and possibly the last at my age not sure I would do it again.
However I would like to say a big thank you to the entire team who were there on Sunday afternoon. They were all very patient, calm and very helpful, friendly and fun and at the same time professional.
You all deserve a pat on the back.
Thanks very much,
Jenny Hardcastle.
17th May 2011 - The SWAN is launched:
Today the swan was launched on the River Wansbeck. It stands over 6ft tall. In the first image Fiona MacLeod, one of our Creative Adventures workers looks out on the river before the swan starts its journey. In the second image we see a real swan travelling ahead of the giant swan.
More photographs will be published at a later date.
11th May 2011 - SWAN - Support for Women Around Northumberland - the swan is being built and will be launched next week - look out for further information:
Latest News: Our Operations Manager Ged Conroy and his wife Lucy had a new arrival on 8th May - Congratulations to Ged and Lucy and welcome to a new sister for their daughter Amy.
We have received a grant from The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust to develop work with our Peer Educators.
Watch out for a giant swan gracing waters in Northumberland. Our Creative Adventures team are working with the SWAN project (Support for Women Around Northumberland) in a celebration of the work SWAN have been doing in Northumberland.
The Creative Adventures team are also about to begin work with Walker Challenge (Mental Health support group). During the summer they will be journeying from Berwick down to Wallsend - collecting litter and making sculptures on the way.
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
£350 per day
Group size: 8
Taking bookings now!!!
GEET BIG NORTH ABSEIL - 17th April 2011
Congratulations to the following intrepid abseilers for completing the highest charity abseil in the North East:
Raising funds for St Clare's Hospice in South Tyneside:
Jennifer Wilkinson
Sarah Georgeson
Ray Scudder
Claire Newcombe
Sonia Beal
Rory McShane
Janice Wright
Caroline Miller
Raising funds for Crisis based in Newcastle:
Heather Russell
Vicki Cable
Rosie Littlefair
Raising Funds for Kenya Acorn Project:
Rebecca Robson
Emma Eastwood
Laura Beattie
All of the people abseiling had their own story to tell about why they were raising funds. Everyone was a little nervous to begin with before they began the abseil but a special mention must be made to Heather Russell who has undergone surgery on her back and hips which meant getting over the edge of the roof was painful to say the least. But she did it and is well on her way to raising over £1,500 for Crisis.
Rosie Littlefair was there to support her friend Vicki Cable (dressed as Wonderwoman) and at the last moment decided that she would do the abseil. Borrowing a pair of trainers she signed up and is now taking her certificate around people to raise funds for Crisis.
So, it's thanks to the Vermont Hotel for hosting the event and thanks to the abseilers who not only raised money for their charities but also helped us with our fundraising by paying a registration fee.
High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear Award
On 17th March 2011 Mobex North East were pleased to be awarded a certificate and £750 in recognition of the contribution Mobex North East has made in enhancing the life of the community.
Two of our Peer Educators Kieron Young and Dillon Wilson accepted the award from the outgoing High Sheriff, Sue Winfield and Sunderland AFC Captain Bolo Zenden.
JOHN MUIR AWARD - Provider Status
Mobex North East is proud to announce that it has become a Provider for the John Muir Award.
The John Muir Award is an environment award scheme focused on wild places. It encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration. The Award is open to children, young people and adults, and is the educational initiative of the John Muir Trust.
Four challenges are at the heart of each John Muir Award; DISCOVER - EXPLORE - CONSERVE - SHARE
For more information on how your group can become involved through Mobex please contact us on 0191 2302830.
PRICES REDUCED TO THOSE OF 1996
Mobex North East recognises that in the current financial climate many organisations are struggling.
In order to support those organisations working with young people in the Voluntary and Community Sector that may wish to book activity days with us during 2011 we have reduced our prices back to what they were in 1996.
Bookings must be definite as they will be based on a first come basis.
Group size – maximum of 8 young people + 2 members of staff (if required)
Possible Activities – archery, indoor climbing, on-road and off-road cycling, abseiling, outdoor climbing, canoeing, navigation, fencing, geo-caching, mine exploration, coast steering, (please note some of these activities will be weather dependent)
What do you get? – 2 qualified members of staff – pick up and drop off at a central point – all necessary resources – fully insured, licensed and recipients of the Adventure Mark and Quality Badge for Learning Outside the Classroom.
Cost – only £350.00 per day - this is a saving of £170 per day on our full cost recovery. (NB this does not cover residentials)
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
For Local Authorities in Tyne and Wear we are also endeavouring to keep prices low - costs start at £480 for one day but reduce depending upon the number of days booked, i.e. 5 days = £2100 ( a saving of £300), 10 days = £3800 ( a saving of £1000) and 15 days = £5000 (a saving of £2200)
For all other Local Authorities in the North East prices are on application - but rest assured we will endeavour to keep them low.
NB: This does not cover residential costs.
Please help us purchase a new Yurt.
We have had our Yurt (pictured) for over 10 years and in that time it has provided a mobile outdoor resource for groups as a classroom, sleeping area, storytelling area, exhibition space, dining area and general group space.
The Yurt has seen better days and we are now in need of a new one. We wish to use the skills of volunteers to build a Yurt but we need to copice the wood, build the walls, support struts and outer canvas to make it weatherproof.
This is no ordinairy resource - the Yurt provides a space that enables people to be closer to nature, to take time to reflect on their day and to share each others experiences. In this hectic world in which we live wouldn't we all therefore like to spend some time in a Yurt?
Please help us to raise the funds to purchase the resources and equipment that we require to build a new Yurt. You can contact Danny, Nicky or Fiona for more details - 0191 2302830
STOP PRESS - of the £10,040we needed we have managed to raise £9,440 with help from The Baily Thomas Charitable Trust, the Hadrian Trust, and Open Doors. All we need is another £600 - can you help?!!!
ARCHIVE 2010
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2010
Yet again this has been a bumper summer for young people taking part in Mobex North East activities. And as is the same in previous summers we have had to turn away groups who wanted to book us but found that we had no dates left.
The moral of the story is BOOK EARLY - even if you are unsure of funding talk to us early and put a provisional booking in. We are already taking bookings for next summer.
STOP PRESS - We have had two cancellations for the October half term - we have funding to offer a subsidised rate so call us SOON!!
GEET BIG NORTH ABSEIL
St Oswalds - August 2010
45 people took part in one of our GEET BIG NORTH ABSEILS from the roof of the Vermont Hotel in Newcastle, to raise funds for St Oswalds Hospice on Sunday 22nd August.
Image by Tom Charlton Photography - www.tomcharltonphotography.co.uk
If you are raising funds for a good cause then why not book on to one of our remaining abseils for this year? We still have spaces for:
Sunday - September 26th and Sunday October 24th
£25 registration fee.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF A MOBEX GROUP?
We are currently recruiting people of all ages and abilities to develop groups that Mobex can support.
Maybe you are already a member of a group that wants to get involved in the type of activities Mobex delivers?
Maybe you would like to form a group and try out exciting outdoor adventure?
Maybe you would like to create a work of outdoor art that is very different from anything you may have created before?
If you are interested in Mobex supporting you or your group please contact Danny Gilchrist on 0191 2302830 or email danny@mobexnortheast.org.uk
JET - team building day - July 2010
16 members of JET - a charity set up to support BME, refugee and asylum seekers and new immigrant workers regarding employment - took part in a team building challenge. Not only did they have to construct robust rafts out of barrels and poles but they had to paddle to a designated area where they were given clues to find a sail for each raft. Their next task was to sail the rafts to the finishing line.
This was the second year we have designed and delivered this type of programme for JET. Next year we hope to make it even more challenging.
High Sheriff Award
On 29th March at a presentation held at the Customs House in South Shields Mobex North East received an Award from Gavin Black the current High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear "in recognition of great and valuable services to the community" particularly through our MAP project funded by the Youth Sector Development Fund. The award was accepted by Louis Edgar-Mason one of our Peer Educators.
Get Fit in Horden and Easington
We are very excited with a new 12-month programme we will be delivering in Horden and Easington, County Durham.
With funding through County Durham Sports - Changing the Physical Landscape (CPAL) we will be working with people aged 40 - 55 years who are at risk of Cardio Vascular Disease.
Our programme will combine low level outdoor activities with art. We intend to deliver taster days to 64 people and then work closely with 22 people and their families.
FOR SALE
4 x Perception Corsica S kayaks - old style but worth having a look at - £100 each or nearest offer
call us on 0191 2302830
NOT EVEN THE WEATHER STOPS SOME ACTIVITIES
The cold snap we have had has prevented some activities but allowed us to deliver others. Here you can see an igloo being built - it took two days but was worth it. 2 -3 people could fit quite snugly into the igloo and eventually it got rather warm.
ON-LINE ART GALLERY
Please visit our new on-line art gallery. Here you will be able to browse art work created by participants on our programmes.
If there are any prints that you would like to purchase please contact us on admin@mobexnotheast.org.uk . They are on sale for £5 (A4) and £15 (A3) - all proceeds go directly into our work with young and disadvantaged people from the North East.
ART EXHIBITION - Artwork produced by Walker Challenge over a 3-month period was exhibited at our premises throughout May. Part of this work involved the making of a short video. Between the Sun & Moon is a short story constructed by the group and shown here using lanterns created for the performance.
(click on this link to watch the video)
The Walker Challenge group is for individuals with mental health issues who are seeking to develop skills in self-esteem and independence using the challenging mediums of outdoor activities and the arts.
