The Big Give Week Is Here!

Hi – I’m Alex Byrne, Co-Artistic Director here at New International Encounter, and I just wanted to say a few words about the Big Give.

I am delighted that we have been selected by the Big Give to take part in their Arts for Impact campaign running from today until 12:00 on the 26th March 2024. During this time every donation received to our #ArtsForImpact funding page will be matched, having double the impact.

We are raising funds to ensure more children and young people in the UK can access creative opportunities, challenging in-equal access to creative and cultural education opportunities for children and young people, and their families/communities in Cambridgeshire (and beyond).

As a charity NIE currently work in deprived areas of Cambridge (the UK’s most unequal city) and rural Fenland with children experiencing serious financial & social barriers to accessing creative & cultural opportunities. These children were worst affected by the pandemic and its impact has not gone away.  In 2023, our teachers network reported that the challenges faced, both academically and emotionally for children and their families, have increased.

To help highlight our work I’m going to take on a ‘Tour De Fenland’ on my bike on Wednesday 20th March – I’ll be riding just over 100km, from our home base at Cambridge Junction to Kings Lynn and stopping off the The Galfrid School in Cambridge (where we are working this week) on the way. I’ll be visiting lots of places in Fenland before arriving in Kings Lynn (where I might eat a sandwich!) Does any one know a good coffee stop in the Fens? or a good place for a sandwich in the middle of Kings Lynn? Keep an eye on our social media pages for updates!

If you are able to donate this week, or help spread the word, we would be incredibly grateful –  https://bit.ly/NIEbiggive

All funds raised will support us to continue to work with as many communities and schools in the UK as possible; improving access to creative opportunities and meaningful cultural activities for Children and young people who face poverty of opportunity.  Providing these creative learning opportunities to Children and Young People in their school and local communities, leads to improved resilience and mental health as we know that participation in activities promotes self-esteem and confidence. Teachers also report an increase in educational attainment across the curriculum.

All donations received will help us continue to create playful stories that connect us all, and between the 19th – 26th March every single pound donated will have double the impact as the Big Give will double any donations we receive.

Take a look at the video below to learn more about our work in schools and follow this link to find out more about how your donation can make double the difference to a young person: https://bit.ly/NIEbiggive

Thank you