March 11, 2012

UK STUDENTS ASK US TO CHANGE OUR TUNE

By neverblendin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHANGE OF TUNE FESTIVAL – ANDOVER COLLEGE

(PART OF THE GIVE ‘EM HOPE INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2012)

11 MARCH 2012

 

NBI Associates proudly announce that the first event of their GIVE ‘EM HOPE INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL will be on 16 March 2012 at Andover Music Academy, Andover, HAMPSHIRE.

Second year music students at Andover College have joined forces with the online video campaign, Give ‘em Hope, to devise, plan and present a Pro-Equality Music and Arts event which aims to celebrate local artists and raise awareness for the many charities which work tirelessly to support our community.

The range of charities which are to be present at the event is hugely encouraging and largely a result of the proactive persistence of one Andover College student who has engaged with a diverse range of worthy organisations including Andover Neighbourcare, Solent NHS Trust (Chlamydia Screening Programme and HIV Prevention and Healthy Gay Hampshire), Teenage Cancer Trust, Enham, Animals Asia, Hampshire Autistic Society, the Meningitis Trust, Afrikaya, The Bruce Trust, Brave Hearts, the British Red Cross, Andover Community Responder team, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Andover MIND and the Ichthyosis Support Group.

The Change of Tune Festival will take place in two locations within Andover college; with an afternoon event of acoustic music, charity stalls and guest speakers from 12-4pm to be held within the picturesque garden of Andover Music Academy. ENTRY IS FREE and open to all local residents.

From 7-10pm at Andover College, Drama Theatre, the performance will feature short and inspirational films on equality and diversity made by Andover College media students, music from a range of local musicians, including Andover’s Choir for Everyone.

 

Although predominantly a Music and Media initiative, this cross-departmental event is to have decor enhanced by textiles students from the college, who have created bold and colourful banners and bunting along the theme of labeling and identity from a project entitled, This is ME.

“It is both inspiring and uplifting to witness the energy and enthusiasm that students have brought to the Andover event,” David E Watters (Give ‘em Hope Campaign Founder)

Further festivals, which follow the Andover College model, are to be taking place later in the year in France and in Los Angeles. These celebrations of diversity, aimed at a broad audience, will include a variety of art forms and musical styles.

The theme for 2012 is, “Tackling the “isms” Creatively” and participants are encouraged to offer music or artistic work with meaning and which comments upon sexism, racism, disablism, ageism, homophobia and transphobia or any other area not listed here where people may experience prejudice, bullying or limiting labeling.

The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness of local and or national charitable organisations, to communicate a message of social equality and a commitment to community cohesion.

One student, who considers past insults and limiting labels to be “unimaginative”, explains that the Change of Tune Festival aims to promote diversity and, perhaps more importantly, to publically state that , “Everyone’s beautiful, inside and out – when they want to be. It’s all about attitude.”

 

ENDS

Please find below:

  • an outline of the Give ‘em Hope Campaign and useful links to further information

 

 

 Information –

 

Confirmed Charities

Andover Neighbourcare  http://www.andoverneighbourcare.co.uk/

Solent NHS Trust  http://www.solent.nhs.uk/  

Teenage Cancer Trust http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/

Enham Gillian Paterson www.enham.org.uk

Animals Asia http://www.animalsasia.org/

Hampshire Autistic Society http://www.has.org.uk/

Meningitis Trust http://www.meningitis-trust.org/

Afrikaya www.afrikaya.co.uk

The Bruce Trust www.brucetrust.org.uk

Bravehearts http://braveheartscharity.webeden.co.uk/

British Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.uk/

Andover Community Responder team http://www.scas-responders.info/andover

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/

Andover MIND http://www.andovermind.org.uk/

Ichthyosis Support Group http://www.ichthyosis.org.uk/

 

OUTLINE OF THE GIVE ‘EM HOPE CAMPAIGN

Director of NBI Associates, motivational speaker and writer, David E. Watters, has recently launched a youtube video campaign to inspire, encourage and uplift those who may feel disenfranchised or who may lack self-belief.

THE “Give ‘em Hope” Video Campaign IS AN INITIATIVE TO INSPIRE ALL YOUTH AND ADULTS WHO MAY DOUBT THEIR VALIDITY because ALL people, regardless of cultural heritage, physical or psychological ability, age, sexuality or gender identity, may feel self-doubt at various stages in their lives.

Watters is seeking individuals, couples and groups to share their stories, in whichever way they choose, in a bid to provide support and encouragement to anyone who may question their place in the world.

These stories of living authentically, with dignity and unlimited by labels will become a powerful toolkit to help others understand how self-perception determines the path that they choose and that life need not be a self-fulfilling prophecy when they improve self-concept, drive out fear and embrace new challenges as opportunities to learn and to grow.

IF YOU LIVE UNLIMITED BY LABELS…THEN TELL US HOW IT’S DONE

Whether you are L.G. B or T…or ANY other letter of the alphabet, make and send your video to: DavidWatters@nbiassociates.co.uk

 

MAKE A VIDEO AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

SHARE YOUR STORY AND HAVE IT SHOWN ON:

  1. THE NBI ASSOCIATES YOUTUBE PAGE: NBIassociates
  2. NBI WORDPRESS: http://neverblendin.wordpress.com/
  3. THE NBI ASSOCIATES WEBSITE: www.nbiassociates.co.uk
  4. CAMPAIGN PAGE:  http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk/Give–em-Hope-Campaign.html

 

TRANSLATIONS OF THIS PRESS RELEASE CAN BE FOUND HERE:

http://neverblendin.wordpress.com/category/give-em-hope-campaign-nbi-associates/

JOIN THE “Give ‘em Hope” GROUP ON FACEBOOK:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/226577107352368

PRESS RELEASE & FESTIVAL LOGO images designed by Sherri Higgs ©

About neverblendin

David Watters, a graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, Trinity College of Music, London and the Institute of Education, University of London, has worked internationally within education and Educational Management for more than 20 years. He has taught extensively within many socially and culturally diverse settings; most recently as a Head of Performing Arts within Further Education. He is a personal and professional development associate with The Pacific Institute (www.pacificinstitute.co.uk), personal coach, freelance writer and founding member of NBI Associates. He is a writer on social equality issues, is a key player in the Equal Love Campaign UK and author of the forthcoming book, NEVER BLEND IN which features key voices from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and which aims to inspire and encourage those who may lack self-esteem or who question their validity. David is currently promoting a youtube campaign"Give 'em Hope"and is asking individuals, couples and groups to make and share videos telling about the benefits of living with personal authenticity. He has shared a platform with Stuart Milk and Peter Tatchell and is a supporter of 17-24-30, The Trevor Project, Schools Out, The Terrence Higgins Trust, The Albert Kennedy Trust and numerous others. His background in arts and education, combined with a solid understanding of Cognitive Behavioural Strategies, and his passion for Equality Advocacy drive every aspect of his work as a personal development facilitator, motivational speaker and writer. View all posts by neverblendin
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