From May - October 2024 The Women's Support Centre, Surrey is working with those attending Friday's Art Class to make work for the annual New Beginnings Art Awards. Open to women in the community and in the three female prisons in Surrey, the awards focus on a journey of expression, healing and recovery. The theme for this year's competition is Past, Present, Future.
Mary Chater is leading drama workshops on the concept of Time in Shakespeare to complement the art work being made. We are aiming to devise a group piece for the evening of the presentation of the award. This year the event will be held on October 8th at The Watts Gallery near Guildford.
The piece devised by the ladies includes elements of Lady Macbeth's story, Mexico's Day of The Dead ceremony and their lived experience of domestic violence.
Sally Varah (chair of the Michael Varah Memorial Fund) was in the audience on October 8th and said "Congratulations on the eloquent and moving drama presentation."
The WSC provides specialist, practical and emotional support to women, by women. The centre works with women, with their truth, experiences and needs from a Trauma - informed, client led and professional approach.
They welcome women who are in contact with or are at risk of being in contact with the criminal justice system. They offer a holistic approach providing support and advocacy on a wide-range of services both targeted and universal including groups, programmes and courses. www.womenssupportcentresurrey.org.uk
The Chronicle Theatre Company heard in September that we have been awarded a grant by Third House to work with the WSC. We are thrilled.
Below is their grant giving policy -
The THIRD HOUSE fund provides support to charitable organisations engaged in the positive rehabilitation of ex-offenders, in particular, those suffering with mental health problems, who find it difficult to access funding from the statutory authorities.
For all grants we are looking for charities that can demonstrate an enthusiasm and determination to meet immediate and emerging needs of ex-offender and young offenders.