Worklessness in Bristol - 12 January 2011

Worklessness in Bristol: how do we make the difference in challenging times?

Tell us your thoughts, share your experiences- the good, the bad and the ugly!

Wednesday 12th January 2011

On behalf of Sarah Morrison, Bristol City Council

Dear Colleagues & Stakeholders

Apologies if you receive this invitation more than once.

We would like to invite you to a one-day ‘Open Space’ styled event, which will bring together a range of stakeholders who are interested in tackling worklessness within Bristol. Addressing and combating worklessness is not straightforward and often requires consideration of a number of complex issues.

You may already know of a service or type of support that works well and want to share your ideas with others. We are very aware that one solution will not suit everyone so we need to hear all your ideas.

Through listening to you we will be able to gather up all your ideas and share them with stakeholders, policy makers and service providers.

We do hope that you will find the time to attend this event and we would be grateful if you could bring this to the notice of relevant colleagues.

Date: Wednesday 12th January 2011

Time: 9.30am - 3.30pm (Including lunch)

Venue: The Council House, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR

Registering for the event:

The event is free but you need to complete and return the attached booking form by Friday 8th January 2011 (apologies - no booking form attached - please contact Sarah)

If you have any queries or would like any further information, please contact Sarah Morrison on 0117 9224541 or Email sarah.morrison@bristol.gov.uk

What is Open Space?

o Based in the belief that organizations and communities run on passion and responsibility. It allows groups of any size to self-organize around what they really care about to get things done

o A natural communication process that recognizes that people take responsibility to pursue what they are passionate about, and it ensures that what is important to each participant will be discussed

o Centred around self-organising and self-managing groups of people that within a minimal methodological framework of procedures develop their own way of working, based on the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that already exist within the group

o Passion bounded by responsibility, the energy of a good coffee break, intentional self-organization, spirit at work, chaos and creativity, evolution in organization, and a simple, powerful way to get people and organizations moving -- when and where it’s needed most

For more information on Open Space visit www.openspaceworld.org

Changing Perspectives - get involved

Changing perspectives is a series of events in March and April 2011 that explores the fascinating relationships between art and science. Through exhibitions, talks, workshops and performances, we want to see how art can draw different disciplines together, open up discussions about a range of issues and spark new insights for all.

There will be a 6-week exhibition of life science and medicine-inspired art at the Grant Bradley Gallery in Bedminster, and a month-long exhibition of physical sciences-inspired work at the Bristol Gallery. We'll be featuring work by recognised artists, writers, researchers and students. Alongside the exhibitions we're running a series of talks and workshops, and we're also staging a weekend of performance and interactive demonstrations at Circomedia in St Pauls, mixing anatomy, physiology and biomechanics with circus performance and body painting.

How can you get involved?

1. Taking your subject to the street - February and March 2011
Think creatively about how to get people inspired about your research - mini performances, conversations, science busking - anything is possible. Raise the profile of the Changing Perspectives series.

2. Volunteering at ‘Experience Changing Perspectives’ interactive event – 18/19 March 2011
at Circomedia Circus and Physical Theatre venue, St Pauls
• Anatomical body painting
• Presenting interactive anatomy and physiology
• Stewarding school and public groups

3. Volunteering at the exhibitions –
25 March-31 April 2011 at the Grant Bradley Gallery, Bedminster
1-31 April at the Bristol Gallery, Millennium Square
• Anatomical body painting for the opening night (25 March)
• Interpreting the exhibition for school and public groups

4. Volunteering at evening talks and workshops – various dates 25 March-31 April 2011
at the Grant Bradley Gallery, Bristol Gallery and City Museum and Art Gallery
See the Changing Perspectives event page for more information

5. Generating a piece of collaborative art with members of the public
• Exchange perspectives on the body with patients and members of the public
• Develop a collaborative artwork for the exhibition

6. Submitting your own work
• Submit and show your own science-inspired art work as part of the exhibition
• Perform at ‘Experience Changing Perspectives’ or at the exhibition opening night

If you want to contribute to the series in any way, contact Dane Comerford in the Centre for Public Engagement – dane.comerford@bristol.ac.uk

Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion - A World in Waiting

Posted on behalf of Nick Thomas at the Pierian Centre:

A World in Waiting is the final event of the European Year for Combating Poverty & Social Exclusion in Bristol - asking the question: What courageous changes must we make to forge a Fairer Future? On February 10th 2011 Colston Hall will be filled with a huge diversity of people focused on the world we want to create. It will be a unique meeting of policy-makers, organisations and, crucially, those actually experiencing poverty and social exclusion - those often with no voice at all. It's a chance to explore and assert what 'Localism' and the 'Big Society' really mean - and then to produce practical 'policy asks' for central Government.

A World in Waiting is free, but tickets must be booked from Colston Hall box office. Do join us - and do pass the information on. You are very much part of this - and we really want you to be there!

Thurs 10th February 2011 10am–5pm at Colston Hall, Bristol BS1 5AR
Bookings: 0117 922 3686 or www.colstonhall.org/boxoffice
Info: info@pieriancentre.com. Please bring your own lunch!