Please can you help us raise the funds we need to rebuild a new home for Performing Room?

Due to residential development a 10 year people-led building project to convert a derelict community centre located in the heart of the famous Boot and Shoe Quarter of Northampton into a thriving modern day community arts learning centre is soon to be demolished. This appeal will enable the Charity to relocate to another suitable premises and re-build its' purpose built community creative hub to continue the good work of its projects. (please follow the link to view our article published in the Chronicle & Echo last week https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/music-family-search-for-a-new-community-centre-in-northampton-after-losing-home-to-flat-development-1-9100440?fbclid=IwAR3HeFq576B9yS8d6a1QbjCf0ZVAZszmB8krKrO0lfGEfD5YN7g1TNV2E6M. Please also see a selection of before and after shots that bear witness to Performing Room's journey from its' humble beginnings to Charity status attached below.

Why the community needs us?

Our beloved skills centre acts as an important social outlet and a critical support network for hundreds of local people facing challenging circumstances to regularly come together each week and take part in essential modern day music and arts-centered well being activities. Now more than ever local people need security of a safe space with state of the art equipment and suitable specialist support to tackle issues of low skill levels, poor health outcomes, isolation, discrimination and safeguard against further personal and social economic stress.

Plan and expected results

We are proud of our uniquely interactive modern day music and multimedia skills centre and know it has a unique offering unlike anything similar in Northamptonshire. Each of our 8 performing rooms are purposefully designed and thoughtfully created using modern technologies with performance and comfort in mind. At its simplest Performing Room offers amenities for local people with a heart. As an award winning forward thinking community-based organisation we listen to our service users and constantly endeavour to improve overall performance and well being. Many who search for their ideal workspace rarely come close, we believe that at Performing Room we are on a unique path to provide the ideal solution.

How will the funding be spent?

We aim to raise a total of £100,000 to renovate a suitable town centre property into a bespoke modern day music & multimedia well-being centre & co-working space for up to 300 people with learning difficulties, a physical disability or with a history of mental illness, poor health, living in care & NEET to meet up each week & take part in well equipped local activities. The finances are broken down into £40,000 for building materials; £20,000 labour; £15,000 staff costs; £10,000 equipment; £15,000 core costs.

What your gift could provide:

£10 pays for a day's energy costs eg electrics and heating

£75 a day's pay for a labourer or a music/IT project worker

£150 a day's pay for a project leader or tradesperson eg carpenter, electrician

About our Projects.

A. Music Inclusion Mentoring Project

This popular project acts as a drop in and provides a safe space every day of the week for hundreds of at risk local people to regularly meet up, make friends, build upon shared interests, develop key skills and receive critical additional support on health, education, employment, benefits, housing.

Why they need our service?

We support up to 300 people each week across 40 different local services and up to 800 members in total with a disability, learning difficulties, mental health issues, or with a history of living in care, poor health outcomes, homelessness, NEET and crime. Closing down safe spaces including youth clubs at an age where people are most vulnerable and need the greatest level of support exposes them to greater risks of criminalisation and exploitation and contributes to a 'poverty of hope' among many who see little or no hope of a positive future. They are more likely to become long term unemployed, suffer poor health outcomes and become victims of discrimination making them more susceptible to poverty, gang culture, grooming, violence, crime.

Plan and expected results

Overall they will feel increasingly more positive about the role they play in life as a family member, a friend, a neighbour, an employee, employer and more connected to the local neighbourhood with improved future prospects and increased feelings of belonging and being part of the local community and economy.

B. Music Social Club for People with Disabilities and Learning Difficulties

The project will expand upon the number of recreational activities available to disabled people as a way to meet up, take part in music and leisure activities, gain key functional skills required for lifelong learning, improve employment opportunities, and socialise. No other safe accessible 'go-to-place' exists for local people with complex needs to come together and take part in similar activities with specialist support and resources.

Why they need our service?

From 416 members surveyed, 409 listed a performance area with opportunities to sing, dance, play instruments, watch films on big screens and play pool in a safe and fun environment as their number one choice. Provision of a "Recreational skills zone" will act as an important social learning outlet and a critical support network and be seen by participants, carers, family and friends as a welcome respite to help with the everyday challenges and pressures they face.

Plan and expected results

We expect up to 150 people from our community of interest to attend the project every week. Activities invite fun opportunities for participants to run the second stage and perform at the annual Rockin' RoadRunner music and arts festival for local people with disabilities held by the Bandstand at Abington Park in Northampton. Based on previous events we expect over 100 participants to take part in total and 5000 visitors to attend throughout the day.

Your help and support is greatly appreciated

Best wishes

Janan (Founder & Coordinator at the Performing Room)